How can a driver assess the bus's overall condition?

Assessing the bus's overall condition is essential to ensure safety and reliability while on the road. One effective method is to examine the external body of the vehicle for any damage and assess its structural integrity. This visual inspection helps identify issues such as dents, rust, or bending that could compromise the bus's safety or performance. By confirming that the bus's body is intact, the driver can also infer that the underlying structural components are likely in good condition.

While other methods, such as taking it for a test drive or checking the tire pressure, can provide insights into certain aspects of the bus's functionality, they do not offer a comprehensive overview of its overall condition. Reviewing passenger feedback can yield valuable information about comfort and ride quality but does not directly assess the physical state of the vehicle. Thus, evaluating the external body and structural integrity is a foundational step in the pre-trip inspection process.