55.28. What must a bus driver check before departure?
UAЩо потрібно перевірити водієві автобуса перед виїздом?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns basic pre-trip safety: specifically, what a bus driver must check before starting to drive in order to prevent the operation of a technically faulty or incomplete vehicle. For a bus, these checks are critically important due to the responsibility for passengers, increased fire risks, and the consequences of possible breakdowns on the road, which is why such topics regularly appear on the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of the section "Duties and Rights of Drivers" (point 2.3) and section 31 "Technical Condition of Vehicles and Their Equipment" (specifically 31.1 and 31.4.7) in the traffic rules. The logic is simple: the driver is required before departure to ensure the vehicle is technically sound and complete, and is not allowed to drive if any mandatory equipment is missing. That is why the correct answer covers all the listed inspection points, not just one of them.
Individual answer options are only correct as part of the overall requirement. A technical inspection cannot be considered complete without checking for fuel, oil, or coolant leaks, as such leaks create a risk of fire, breakdown, and danger to other road users. Similarly, the presence of a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign, and wheel chocks is an element of completeness: their absence, according to section 31 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, makes the operation of the bus prohibited, so within the context of the exam question, a comprehensive approach is the correct one.
Clause 2.3 — 2 “Duties and rights of drivers”
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged: before departure, to check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, as well as the correct placement and securing of the cargo.
Brief application: this specific clause of the Traffic Rules directly requires the driver (including a bus driver) to check the technical condition and completeness before starting to drive, which includes, in particular, checking for the absence of leaks of operating fluids and the presence of mandatory equipment.
Clause 31.4.7 — 31 “Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment”
The operation of vehicles is prohibited according to legislation if the following technical malfunctions and non-compliance with such requirements are present: absence of a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign (or a flashing red lantern), and wheel chocks (for buses and trucks with a permitted maximum mass over 3.5 t).
Brief application: this clause of the Traffic Rules directly establishes the list of mandatory equipment (first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign, wheel chocks for buses), the absence of which makes the operation of the bus prohibited, so this must be checked before departure.
Clause 31.1 — 31 “Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment”
The technical condition of vehicles and their equipment must comply with the requirements of standards related to road safety and environmental protection, as well as the rules of technical operation, manufacturer instructions, and other regulatory and technical documentation.
Brief application: the requirement for compliance of the technical condition with established standards logically includes checking before departure for general serviceability and the absence of fuel, oil, coolant leaks, etc., as elements of safe operation.
Thus, the correct answer is “All of the above.”, given that under the requirements of the Traffic Rules, the driver before departure is obliged to check the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, and the operation of a bus without a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign, and wheel chocks (when they are mandatory) is prohibited.
Before departure, the bus driver is responsible not only for driving, but also for the safety of passengers and the technical condition of the vehicle. Therefore, preparation for the trip begins with a mandatory check to ensure that the bus is fit for operation and equipped with safety devices.
First of all, it is necessary to assess the overall technical condition of the bus. This means making sure that the main systems, on which safe movement depends, are functioning properly, and that the vehicle itself does not have any faults that would prohibit its operation. In practice, the driver pays attention to steerability, the braking system, external lighting devices, and other components that directly affect the possibility of safe driving.
Separately, the bus must be inspected for leaks of operating fluids. If there is any leakage of fuel, oil, or coolant, this creates a risk of fire, equipment failure on the road, or contamination of the roadway, which can lead to an accident. Therefore, the absence of such leaks is checked before starting the trip.
The driver is also required to check the presence and serviceability of mandatory equipment. For a bus, this includes, in particular, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, which may be needed in case a passenger is injured or in the event of a fire. Additionally, the presence of an emergency stop sign is checked to mark the vehicle in case of a forced stop, as well as wheel chocks, which help securely fix the bus and prevent it from moving unintentionally, for example, on a slope.
Thus, the correct answer is "All of the above," since before departure the bus driver must simultaneously make sure of the vehicle's serviceability, the absence of fluid leaks, and the presence of all mandatory emergency and medical equipment.