Traffic Signs & Signals — California

The driver should make sure all surrounding traffic has stopped before opening the door and signaling the students to approach. The handbook tells school bus drivers to make a final check that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach. That places the traffic check right before the door opens and before students are given the signal to come toward the bus. It connects directly to the action of letting students approach, so the driver does not invite them forward until surrounding traffic is stopped.

You should drive more slowly when you are not sure you have enough space to drive under a bridge or sign. The handbook says that if you doubt you have safe space to pass under an object, you should go slowly. It also says that if you are not sure you can make it, take another route. It notes that low bridges and underpasses often have warning signs, but sometimes they do not. That makes doubt a reason to be cautious, not to try the clearance at higher speed.

A driver should sign the vehicle inspection report if noted defects are repaired or certified as not needing repair. The handbook ties your signature to defect certification, not to completing a trip or stopping for fuel. It says a written inspection report may be required each day, and the motor carrier must fix any safety-related items listed and certify that repairs were done or were not needed. You sign the report only when defects were noted and that certification exists. The passenger-bus section repeats the same idea for reviewing the previous driver's report. That is why the signing point is after noted defects are repaired or cleared.