TRAINER NOTES FOR LESSON PLAN School Bus Instructors Inservice TITLE OF LESSON: TRAINING UPDATES FOR A CDL

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1 TRAINER NOTES FOR LESSON PLAN School Bus Instructors Inservice TITLE OF LESSON: TRAINING UPDATES FOR A CDL Length of Lesson: 30 minutes TRAINER NOTES: Hand out lesson plan at the beginning of the presentation. This lesson plan is only a guide to help develop your district s CDL training course. Reinforce repeatedly to utilize the DOL Commercial Drivers Guide for reference and complete training. This Lesson Plan addresses only portions of the actual manual and not its entirety. An item covered is either new or a high-frequency missed item. Trainers with additional questions during training or testing can contact Glen Gorton at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, , or at glenn.gorton@k12.wa.us. This contact information is included in the Lesson Plan Trainer Notes 1 CDL Training Updates

2 School Bus Instructors Inservice TITLE OF LESSON: TRAINING UPDATES FOR A CDL Objectives of Lesson: At the end of this lesson, the instructor will be able to: Identify what you have to do to meet the new testing requirements effective Sept. 1, Name what the high failure areas are and how to train for them. Equipment for Lesson: Lap Top LCD Projector and Screen Trainer Note: Emphasize throughout the lesson that this is only a guide. Relay that complete and up-to-date information is found in the most recent edition of the Washington State Department of Licensing Commercial Drivers Guide Introduction: SLIDE 1 Never before have the requirements of a public school bus driver been any more stringent and demanding. One area of training that has undergone much change is the requirements of a Commercial Drivers License, and the appropriate endorsements to go along with it. Driver trainers now have to give much more detailed training and be more resourceful in assisting applicants through the many training requirements. As State and District standards continually rise in the area of driving skills and the ability to demonstrate these techniques safely and effectively, so does our training program need to improve and adjust. We must also stay apprised of the most current changes to the program. Thorough and effective training can assist in diminishing the apprehensions of taking and passing an expensive and critical exam given by a stranger, and result in a skillful, safe driver. Items that we cover today are either new to the skills testing part, or item s that new trainee s miss frequently. We must emphasize to fellow trainers and students in class that the most recent edition of the DOL manual must be used Lesson Plan 1 CDL Training Updates

3 Presentation: I. Learning the Pre-trip SLIDE 2 A. Thorough knowledge of equipment components is essential to teaching a proper pre-trip to students. Take the time to identify all parts and items on your bus as mentioned in the pre-trip section of DOL s. Handbook. As the configuration of buses in your fleet change, we as trainers need to know the correct location and terminology. SLIDE 3 B. Always use the most recent edition of the Commercial Driver Guide. The print date is found on the rear of the book at the bottom right hand corner. Keep in mind many recent editions have used the same cover design even though the newest one is expected to be different, thus not always an indicator of a revised book. You can find the most current edition at Trainers may get additional question answered that arise during training or testing by contacting Glenn Gorton at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. He can be contacted at , or at glenn.gorton@k12.wa.us. II. Pre-trip and the Air Supply SLIDE 4 A. There are now only 3 system checks specific to the air supply category. These 3 must be done correctly to pass the pre-trip and allow continuance of the skills exam. 1. Air Leak Test 2. Low Air Warning 3. Parking Brake Valve B. The compressor governor cut out has been moved to the In-cab/bus gauge check section. It will not be an automatic disqualification if missed Lesson Plan 2 CDL Training Updates

4 III. Air Supply System Common Errors SLIDE 5 A. Timing for air leaks must be fully completed. Examiner will check for the full duration of 1 minute timing or you will fail this check B. Make sure parking brake is released for the air leak test C. Key must be on for the low air warning system check D. The 3 air supply checks must be completed accurately in this section as the examiner will not return to these 3 items unless requested by driver. Once completed or before leaving this section, this portion of the pre-trip test can be started over. SLIDE 6 E. Any missed or recalled checks may be brought to the attention of the examiner during the test (i.e., the driver has reviewed under the hood and is now at the rear wheels, he/she remembers that the power steering fluid should be checked. They can return and get credit for checking the fluid level.) 1. Gauges are often explained without the engine running resulting in failure of correct check procedures 2. Checking for missing or damaged bushings is often omitted from the springs and/or hangers 3. Slack adjusters must be checked not only for amount of travel, but also for broken, loose, or missing parts 4. Service door must be operated from the driver s compartment along with the entrance checks 5. Service door must be fully shut for 8 light system to operate properly IV. Basic Controls Preparation SLIDE 7 A. Starting on September 1, 2011, basic controls included a major change in procedure to complete the exercise Lesson Plan 3 CDL Training Updates

5 1. It now incorporates 3 maneuvers instead of The scoring system changed allowing up to 18 scored errors. 3. An automatic disqualification from further testing, including the road test, if a score of 25 or more errors is reached. 4. Also added is the ability to get out of the bus, check the position of the rear of the bus, return to the driver s seat and continue the maneuver. B. The examiner will inform you how many times you may get out and look for each of the three backing tests. Drivers are encouraged to take advantage of this. V. Basic Controls Straight Line Backing SLIDE 8 A. The following is a summary of the three maneuvers of straight line backing: 1. Requires backing the bus for 100 feet 2. Within a 12 foot wide lane, stopping and securing the bus (mirrors are no longer an encroachment error) 3. Within the last 3 feet of the lane without going past boundary B. Scoring Criteria SLIDE scored errors for encroaching outside a cone boundary 2. Mandatory stopping of bus and required pull-up with scored error if outside cone boundary 3. 2 scored errors for encroaching behind the last cone 4. Mandatory pull-up if behind the last cone with a pull-up error scored Lesson Plan 4 CDL Training Updates

6 SLIDE10 5. One free pull-up before a 1 point error is scored for each additional pulling up 6. One opportunity to get out of the bus and check position prior to signaling the maneuver is finished point error scored for finishing maneuver with bus not in 3 foot boundary 8. Horn and mirror check must be completed prior to restarting any backing motion VI. Basic Controls Offset to Right Backing SLIDE 11 A. Offset Backing to the Right 1. Requires backing the bus for a distance of 140 feet moving to the right the width of one lane 2. Into a 12 foot wide by 40 foot long lane 3. Stopping the bus within the last 3 feet of the lane 4. Without going past the final set of cones. B. Scoring Criteria SLIDE scored errors for encroaching outside a cone boundary 2. Mandatory stopping of bus and required pull-up with scored error if outside cone boundary 3. 2 scored errors for encroaching behind the last cone 4. Mandatory pull-up if behind the last cone with a pull-up error scored SLIDE Two free pull-ups before a 1 point error is scored for each additional pulling up Lesson Plan 5 CDL Training Updates

7 6. Two opportunities to get out of the bus and check position prior to signaling the maneuver is finished point error scored for finishing maneuver with bus not in 3-foot boundary 8. Horn and mirror check must be completed prior to restarting any backing motion VII. Alley Dock Backing SLIDE 14 A. Requires backing the bus into a 12 foot wide by 20 foot long parking stall which is now 90 degrees to the starting position of the bus. The bus may not be positioned any further than 50 feet from the front of the parking stall when starting the maneuver. B. Scoring Criteria SLIDE scored errors for encroaching outside a cone boundary 2. Mandatory stopping of bus and required pull-up with scored error if outside cone boundary 3. 2 scored errors for encroaching behind the last cone 4. Mandatory pull-up if behind the last cone with a pull-up error scored SLIDE free pull-ups before a 1 point error is scored for each additional pulling up 6. 2 opportunities to get out of the bus and check position prior to signaling the maneuver is finished point error scored for finishing maneuver with bus not in 3 foot boundary 8. Horn and mirror check must be completed prior to restarting any backing motion Lesson Plan 6 CDL Training Updates

8 NOTE: Driver will receive 1 warning prior to disqualification for unsafe exit, or improper securing of bus when exiting to utilize any free look during the three exercises. A safe exit is defined as utilizing the hand rail, three-point contact, and stepping one step at a time out the bus. Proper securement is accomplished by setting the parking brake and placing the bus in park or neutral. C. The Road Test SLIDE 17 The road test remains very much the same as far as maneuvers are concerned, however the scoring criteria set up by DOL, following national standards, is quite different. 1. First let s talk about some of the road test differences. a. A Student Stop has now been added b. The Start and Stop on a hill has been replaced with a Roadside Stop and Start. These are very similar maneuvers, but do not require a hill for the exercise c. There will be 4 scored lane changes instead of two d. Additional roadside sign identification e. The scoring has been changed and drivers will most likely see an increase of errors scored. f. Examiners will be looking for the same skills, but will now score errors individually instead of grouping functions together. 1) The result is 316 possible errors instead of ) Even though the disqualifying score is now raised from 18 up to 26 with an automatic transmission, the proficiency is now expected to be 90% or higher. Example; in a scored turn the old system had a possibility of 13 errors. Now the examiner is looking at the same procedures in the turn but has 17 places to score errors for the same maneuver. D. Key items to remember for the Road Test SLIDE Both hands are required to stay on the steering wheel unless shifting or operating a vehicle control 2. Shifting is not to occur while turning in an intersection or in a curve Lesson Plan 7 CDL Training Updates

9 3. Traffic checks (which include both mirrors) are to occur prior to entering every intersection, within every intersection, and immediately after completing every intersection 4. Speed limits change at the location of the sign, not upon the approach. As such speed reductions need to take place prior to the sign 5. When starting from a roadside stop the front wheels must be pointing straight ahead SLIDE Any lane change requires a traffic check that includes right and left mirrors prior to changing lanes 7. Transmission in neutral and a set parking brake are scored items in the student stop 8. Correct lane positioning is required upon completion of a multilane turning maneuver E. Automatic Disqualification Criteria SLIDE 20 Finally, we need to keep in mind the serious errors that will cause immediate disqualification. They are as follows with some new additions. 1. Seatbelt violation during road test portion 2. Accident, if at fault 3. Dangerous action, defined as, too fast for conditions, pedestrian has to take evasive action, examiner has to assume physical or verbal control of vehicle 4. Vehicle over curb or sidewalk 5. Violation of law 6. Fails to perform, i.e. fails to respond to directions, unable to properly operate vehicle, bribes examiner Lesson Plan 8 CDL Training Updates

10 7. NEW - Moving the vehicle with the door open. Most occurrences are likely to happen at a railroad crossing or Student Stop 8. NEW - Driving 15 MPH under the posted speed limit due to lack of skill Summary: SLIDE 21 As driving expectations and requirements increase we must step up our training efforts. The Commercial Drivers License program is continually changing with additional requirements. We should be training to assist applicants in achieving the necessary skills. Our resulting goal will be a competent, safe driver. Make sure you are using the most current edition of the Washington State DOL Commercial Guide. There are many key components to the three sections of the skill s exam. For assistance with the pre-trip, spend time with a maintenance person as needed to gain thorough knowledge of all necessary items as equipped on all types of buses. Learn not only the name, but the basic function of these parts as this will ease the process of remembering them. Do not hesitate to mention items you recall at a later point in the walk around or test; only the air system has to be done in its entirety. During the Basic Controls, or Backing exercises utilize the free look at bus positioning in order to save unnecessary errors. Remember to exit safely using the handrail, and secure the bus properly. SLIDE 22 For the road test we should pay particular attention to correct and frequent mirror usage, vehicle positioning, and steering control. Intersections demand a lot of attention to traffic checks, which includes both right and left mirrors, even if we are driving straight through. Keep in mind the severe infractions that will cause immediate disqualification. Most common is the error of speeding up prior to entering a newly posted speed zone and putting a rear tire over a curb or sidewalk. It is now critical that our trainee is experienced enough to drive with the flow of traffic and not travel 15 MPH or more under the posted speed limit as this will also be an automatic disqualification. The other new disqualifying error occurs when a bus is moved with the door open Lesson Plan 9 CDL Training Updates

11 Evaluation: Let s discuss some key elements of the three sections of the CDL skills exam. 1. Name three key elements to the pre-trip. SLIDE 23 Answers: SLIDE Three system checks to the air supply portion. 2. Engine must be running to correctly check gauge operation. 3. Outside of air supply system, missed items may be recalled and told to the examiner. 4. Slack adjusters often miss complete verbiage, i.e., loose or missing parts. 5. Full 1 minute must be completed for air leakage test. 2. Name three key elements to the basic controls. SLIDE 25 Answers: SLIDE Utilize opportunity to get out and check position of bus or more errors are a failing score, and 25 or more errors will result in disqualification from completing the skills exam. 3. When getting out and checking the bus position, utilize safe exiting and properly secure bus. 4. Not finishing within the 3 foot boundary will result in 10 point errors scored. 5. Horn and proper mirror check prior to restarting any backing motion. 3. Name three key elements to the road test. SLIDE 27 Answers: SLIDE Proficiency is now expected to be at 90% or more. 2. Hands are required to stay on steering wheel unless shifting. 3. Serious errors may result in immediate disqualification. 4. Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. Every 10 seconds, intersections, lane changes. 5. Be aware of the bus speed in relation to the posted speed limit Lesson Plan 10 CDL Training Updates