Rule 3301-83-11 | School bus inspections.
(A) Ohio state highway patrol safety inspection for school buses
The school bus owner, operator, lessee, or designee is responsible for presenting all school buses for the Ohio state highway patrol safety inspections and will be responsible for the pre-inspection, repair and preparation of each school bus.
(B) Qualified mechanic safety inspection for school buses and motor vans
The school bus or motor van owner, operator, lessee or designee is responsible for ensuring inspections by a qualified mechanic of all vehicles used by school districts, chartered nonpublic and community schools for pupil transportation in accordance with rule 3301-83-22 of the Administrative Code to ensure the vehicle is safe for pupil transportation.
(C) Daily inspection of the school bus and motor van
It is the responsibility of each school bus or motor van driver to complete and document a daily pre-trip inspection of the school bus or motor van, on the day students are to be transported and before transporting students on that day. The school bus or motor van owner, operator, lessee, or designee may designate another qualified individual to complete and record portions of the stationary inspection in lieu of the school bus or motor van driver. Any defects will be reported in writing to the school bus or motor van owner or designee. It is the responsibility of the school bus or motor van owner to provide each driver with all inspection forms for reporting purposes, which document inspections that include the following:
(1) Stationary inspection of the school bus
(a) Pre-starting inspection:
Raise the hood and visually check the safety latch or hinges, then check belts, hoses and wiring for frayed, cracked and/or deteriorated conditions.
(b) Walk around inspection:
Place the transmission in neutral and set the parking brake. Start the engine and check the following:
(i) Tires: underinflated, flat, evidence of oil on wheels and tires, excessive wear (tread depth) or damaged.
(ii) Wheels: loose or missing nuts, damage, and rear mud flaps.
(iii) Battery compartment (secure and no loose connections).
(iv) Observe the bus for evidence of oil, fuel, or coolant leaks and vandalism.
(v) All school bus windows should be clean.
(vi) All outside mirrors: clean, mounted securely and not cracked or broken.
(vii) Warning systems: headlights (high/low beam), brake lights, backup lights and alarm, clearance and marker lights, all signals and signs, reflectors, turn signals, stop lights and warning flashers clean and working properly.
(viii) Exhaust system: visually check for leaks and proper support.
(ix) Fuel tank secure - visually inspect for damage.
(x) Exits: check service and emergency doors for ease of operation and verification that lights and alarms are operating properly.
(xi) Check wheelchair lift operation, (if installed).
(c) Inside safety check:
(i) Check service door steps and handrail.
(ii) Check driver's seat and seat belt.
(iii) With the engine running check or inspect the following instruments and controls:
(a) Warning lights, if installed:
(i) Oil pressure warning light.
(ii) Service brake warning light.
(iii) Alternator warning light.
(iv) Ampmeter and/or voltmeter, if applicable.
(v) Water temperature gauge or warning light.
(b) Indicator lights.
(i) Amber warning light.
(ii) Red warning light.
(iii) Red over-ride switch.
(iv) Indicator lights.
(v) Head light high beam.
(vi) Panel lights.
(vii) Left and right turn signal indicators.
(viii) Hazard indicators.
(ix) Strobe indicator light.
(c) Horn.
(d) Mirrors properly adjusted, sunshade mounted and not broken.
(e) Wipers and washer fluid.
(f) Heaters, fans and defrosters.
(g) Dome lights.
(h) Brake system for leaks
(i) Storage tanks - two psi, one minute.
(ii) Service brake - three psi, one minute.
(iii) Low air pressure light and buzzer - sixty psi.
(iv) Emergency brake - twenty to forty psi.
(v) Hydraulic - pump three times hold five seconds.
(i) Air pressure guage or hydraulic brake warning lights.
(j) Oil pressure guage.
(k) Check passenger seats, frames, emergency exits, windows, and adaptive equipment needed for the transportation of pre-school and special needs students.
(l) Check emergency equipment: first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors.
(2) Operation inspection for the school bus
A planned road pre-check when driving between storage and first pupil pickup enables the driver to evaluate the steering, suspension, clutch, transmission, driveline, engine and brakes. The following items are to be checked and, if found in need of repair, a written report will be submitted to the school bus owner or designee:
(a) Parking brake: check by slowly engaging the drive train while the parking brake is on. (In air brake systems, the parking brake will remain applied if there is a partial or complete air pressure loss in the service brakes.)
(b) Service brakes: test at low speeds and bring the bus to a complete stop. The bus should stop in a straight line without skidding, swerving or pulling to one side.
(c) Steering: check for any unusual handling characteristics.
(d) Transmission operation: an automatic transmission should not slip and a manual transmission should allow for easy and smooth gear changes throughout the entire shifting range.
(e) Clutch: the clutch should engage easily and smoothly without jerking, slipping excessively or "chattering." A properly adjusted clutch should have some "free play" when the pedal is fully released.
(f) Engine: listen for unusual engine noises.
(g) Suspension: check for any unusual ride or handling characteristics.
(3) Stationary inspection of the motor van
(a) Pre-starting inspection:
Raise the hood and visually check the safety latch or hinges, then check belts, hoses and wiring for frayed, cracked and/or deteriorated conditions.
(b) Walk around inspection:
Place the transmission in park and set the parking brake. Start the engine and check the following:
(i) Note whether the vehicle is level or leaning to one side;
(ii) Check for vehicle body damage;
(iii) Doors, windows, and wiper blades are properly operating;
(iv) Driver and passenger seats belts and belt indicators are properly operating;
(v) Heater, fan, and defrosters are properly operating;
(vi) Locks and child locks are properly operating;
(vii) Check gauges and/or indicator lights;
(viii) Test horn;
(ix) Mirrors properly adjusted;
(x) Check emergency equipment: first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors.
(xi) Warning systems: headlights (low/high beam), brake lights, backup lights, all signals and signs, and turn signals;
(xii) Check for exhaust leaks and proper support.
(c) Inside safety check:
(i) Steering wheel has no more than ten degrees, or two inches play in the wheel;
(ii) Conduct three separate brake checks:
(a) Hydraulic brake: pump brake pedal three times and hold down (pedal should not fade);
(b) Parking brake: set parking brake and put vehicle in gear (vehicle should not move);
(c) Service brake: drive vehicle forward, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal vehicle should not pull left or right to ensure proper adjustment.
(iii) Doors, windows, and wiper blades are properly operating;
(iv) Driver and passenger seats belts and belt indicators are properly operating;
(v) Heater, fan, and defrosters are properly operating;
(vi) Locks and child locks are properly operating;
(vii) Check gauges and/or indicator lights;
(viii) Test horn;
(ix) Mirrors properly adjusted;
(x) Check emergency equipment: first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors.
(4) Post-trip check for the school bus and motor van:
(a) Ensure all passengers have left the vehicle by visually inspecting each seat position;
(b) Clean the vehicle and remove all loose belongings.
Last updated July 1, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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