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BC Class 1–4 overview

BC Class 1–4: Operating a bus

Bus passenger safety, leaving the curb, transit right-of-way, highway stops, fares, standing passengers, required equipment, baggage and the bus pre-trip.

  • 15 questions
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Operating a bus · Question 1Score 0/0

On the road test, what is the time target for completing a Class 2 bus pre-trip?

Study reference: Driving Commercial Vehicles (ICBC, 2024 edition), Ch. 6 Skills for driving buses, taxis, limousines and ride-hailing vehicles — Passenger safety, Operating a bus

All 15 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. On the road test, what is the time target for completing a Class 2 bus pre-trip?

    1. Less than 45 minutes
    2. Less than 30 minutes
    3. Less than 10 minutes
    4. About an hour

  2. What must a commercial passenger vehicle seating more than 10 carry?

    1. A defibrillator and oxygen
    2. Only a fire extinguisher mounted near the driver
    3. Two spare tires and chains
    4. A first-aid kit, spare tire and fire extinguisher

  3. How many people must a vehicle seat, including the driver, to be a bus?

    1. More than 15
    2. More than 25
    3. More than 10
    4. More than 6

  4. What bus is used for a full B.C. Class 2 road test with no passenger restriction?

    1. A bus seating at least 36 adults
    2. A bus seating at least 25 adults
    3. Any full-size passenger van
    4. A bus with at least two axles

  5. Before leaving the curb in a bus, how should you check traffic?

    1. Wait for a passenger's signal
    2. Sound the horn and go
    3. Mirrors alone
    4. Mirror and over your shoulder

  6. Where may cargo go in the passenger area of a bus?

    1. Beside the driver's seat
    2. In front of the emergency exit
    3. In the aisle, as long as it is tied down securely
    4. In racks, under seats or a closed compartment

  7. When may bus passengers stand?

    1. Only if its licence allows it, up to the posted limit
    2. On trips shorter than 10 km
    3. Only at the back of the bus
    4. Whenever all of the seats are already full

  8. In B.C., smoking is illegal in any vehicle carrying a passenger under what age?

    1. 12
    2. 19
    3. 16
    4. 21

  9. You stop on a highway to pick up passengers. From how far must the bus be visible ahead and behind?

    1. At least 150 m (500 ft)
    2. At least 60 m (200 ft)
    3. At least 30 m (100 ft)
    4. At least 85 m (285 ft)

  10. When may a bus driver collect fares or make change?

    1. Whenever passengers ask
    2. Only when the bus is stopped
    3. At low speed in town
    4. On straight stretches of highway

  11. During a bus pre-trip, how should the rear emergency door be checked?

    1. It opens and closes from outside
    2. It stays locked from the inside at all times
    3. It opens only with a key
    4. It is not part of the check

  12. When does a transit bus leaving a stop have the right-of-way?

    1. Always, on any road and at any speed limit
    2. Only during rush hour
    3. Only when it sounds the horn
    4. When signalling with its yield sign, under 60 km/h

  13. When must a bus driver report a defect that could make the vehicle unsafe?

    1. Within 30 days
    2. In writing, when found or by the end of the day
    3. Only if a passenger complains
    4. By phone at the next annual inspection

  14. What does the guide say is always more important than meeting the schedule?

    1. Fuel economy
    2. Collecting all fares
    3. Passenger safety
    4. Saving engine wear

  15. How are bus passengers usually injured?

    1. Collisions with other buses
    2. Abrupt stops, starts or turns
    3. Fires in the engine bay
    4. Falling out of windows

Operating a bus: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Class 2 (p. 3, 11–12)

  • Class 2 covers buses of any size, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles, plus all Class 4 vehicles; minimum age 19.
  • A Class 2 bus may tow a trailer over 4,600 kg only if neither the bus nor the trailer has air brakes.
  • Class 2 road test vehicle: a large bus seating at least 36 adults; a bus seating 25–34 adults (not counting the driver) adds restriction 51, "CL2 max 34 pass. capacity".
  • A learner driving a bus may carry only the supervisor and other learners for the same class.
  • Class 2 applicants who are not doing Class 1 MELT need air brake experience or a course before the road test.

Definitions (p. 119)

  • Public transportation means carrying groups of people who are not your associates or family members.
  • A commercial passenger vehicle carries passengers for compensation (money or other reward).
  • A bus seats more than 10 people including the driver and is operated for hire or public transportation.
  • A special activity bus meets federal safety standards from its manufacture date, is run by or for a school authority and provides non-scheduled transportation.

Passenger safety and manoeuvring (p. 120–122)

  • Passenger safety is always more important than meeting schedules.
  • Bus passengers are usually hurt when the driver stops, starts or turns too abruptly, operates the doors too quickly, or does not check on passengers often enough.
  • Keep a safe gap so you are not forced into quick stops, and avoid getting boxed in so you have an escape route.
  • Make sure passengers are fully on or off before closing the doors and are not moving in the aisle while the bus moves.
  • Before leaving the curb, check the mirror and over your shoulder (not mirrors alone), make sure passengers are settled, signal and check again.
  • When pulling away, make sure the rear of the bus does not swing over the sidewalk and hit pedestrians, cyclists, poles or posts.
  • Public transit buses have the right-of-way when signalling to leave the curb or a stop and displaying a yield sign, where the speed limit is under 60 km/h.
  • The transit driver must still make sure it is safe; other drivers need not yield if it is unsafe.
  • Clues near parked cars: front wheels turned out, someone behind the wheel, exhaust, brake, back-up or turn lights, people or children near the road.
  • For a sharp right turn in a bus, start one to two metres from the curb and turn when the side-street curb shows through the entrance door.

Operating a bus (p. 123–127)

  • Anyone responsible for a vehicle carrying passengers for hire needs a passenger transportation licence.
  • Picking up or dropping off on the highway: signal, stop where you can be seen from at least 85 m (285 ft) ahead and behind, and leave at least 3 m (10 ft) on the left for traffic; pull off the travel lanes when safe.
  • Never collect fares, make change or load or unload passengers while moving; save unnecessary conversation until stopped.
  • Passengers may stand only if the vehicle's passenger transportation licence allows it, up to the posted standing capacity, and never where they block the driver's view or movement.
  • Public passenger vehicles seating more than 12 including the driver need aisle lights behind the driver, on from sunset to sunrise, and a light at each entrance that comes on when the door opens.
  • Commercial passenger vehicles seating more than 10 including the driver must carry a WorkSafeBC first-aid kit, a spare tire and at least one fire extinguisher; the carrier is responsible for this equipment.
  • Vehicles seating more than 12 including the driver need an emergency exit door or emergency windows.
  • Vehicles seating more than 10 passengers must carry warning devices such as flags and flares.
  • If a problem could endanger passengers' safety or comfort, end the trip until it is fixed; after a crash or breakdown, arrange onward transport with as little delay as possible.
  • Do not refuel with the engine running, the radio transmitting or an open flame present; keep the nozzle touching the filler pipe.
  • The driver is responsible for passengers' baggage; it must not block getting on or off or fall on anyone.
  • Cargo in a bus passenger area goes only in proper overhead racks, under seats against a barrier, in a fully enclosed compartment, or on a passenger's lap.
  • Baggage must never block an aisle or exit, the driver's view, emergency equipment or the driver's arm and leg movement.
  • Do not smoke when passengers are aboard, moving or not; it is illegal to smoke in any vehicle with a passenger under 16.
  • Do not be under the influence of alcohol while on duty.
  • Report any defect that could make the vehicle unsafe in writing to the carrier when found or by the end of that day.
  • A passenger vehicle with a passenger transportation plate must display a valid commercial vehicle inspection decal and carry the certificate.

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