Driving a bus

By the end of this topic you can

• You can brake, accelerate and turn smoothly enough for standing passengers.
• You can pull into and out of a bus stop safely.
• You can apply the give way to buses rule from the bus driver's side.
• You can allow for the length, height and overhang of a bus in turns and car parks.
• You can manage school bus warning lights where fitted.

What you need to know and understand

• In built-up areas, drivers in the lane next to a bus must give way to a bus that shows a Give Way to Buses sign and is indicating to pull out from a stop. This is in the Australian Road Rules, but it does not take away your duty to check before pulling out.
• In NSW, drivers must not pass a bus travelling in the same direction at more than 40 km/h while its school bus warning lights are flashing.
• A bus with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes is a heavy vehicle. In NSW such vehicles are limited to 100 km/h even where a higher speed limit is posted.
• Bus lanes are reserved for buses and certain other vehicles during their operating times.
• Buses have a long front and rear overhang, so the tail swings out on tight turns.
• Heavy vehicle fatigue rules apply to buses over 4.5 tonnes GVM built to carry more than 12 adults including the driver.

Smooth driving for standing passengers

Plan ahead so you can brake early and gently. Ease off the brake just before you stop so the bus settles without a jolt. Accelerate progressively rather than in bursts, and take bends and roundabouts slowly. A good test is whether a standing passenger could stay balanced holding one rail.

Watch for passengers moving about while the bus is in motion and avoid sudden steering.

Pulling in and pulling out

1. Check mirrors early, signal, and slow down gradually as you approach the stop.
2. Pull in close and parallel to the kerb, watching the front overhang near poles and shelters.
3. Stop, apply the park brake and then open the doors.
4. When ready, close the doors and check that passengers are safe.
5. Check right mirror and blind spot, signal right, and move out only when there is a safe gap.
6. Do not rely on other drivers giving way. Some will not, and the rule only applies in certain situations.

Size: overhang, height and space

A bus has a long front overhang ahead of the front wheels and a long rear overhang behind the rear wheels. On a tight turn, the rear corner swings out and can hit poles, signs or other vehicles. Watch it in your mirror. An articulated bus also cuts in at the middle when turning.

Know your bus's height and look out for low trees, awnings and car park entries. Leave a bigger gap in front than in a car, because a full bus needs more distance to stop.

School runs and bus lanes

Many school buses have flashing warning lights that operate when children are getting on or off. Use them as your operator and state require. Children may cross in front of or behind the bus, so check carefully before moving off.

Use bus lanes during their signed hours, but watch for cyclists and cars entering briefly to turn.

Common mistakes

• Braking late and hard, which throws standing passengers forward. Plan stops early.
• Pulling out from a stop just because you indicated. Always check for a safe gap first.
• Turning too tightly so the rear overhang clips a pole or car.
• Moving off before checking for children around a school bus.
• Forgetting the bus's height near awnings and trees.

Test yourself: Driving a bus

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.