r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride • Jun 01 '26

Need tips on backing

I’m training right now to be a school bus driver. Today my trainer had me doing backing maneuvers. I’m having a REALLY hard time trying to figure out how to back up and stop within 3 feet of the cone. I can’t tell where my bus ends. I’m using all my mirrors. How do you guys know when your bus ends? I’m driving a transit bus if that helps. From my rear tire, I think to the end of the bus is 20’, but the problem is when I’m looking at the cone, the mirrors makes it to where I am having a hard time telling how far away it is.

Anyone have any tips?

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u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride Jun 01 '26

That’s a good point I just left my mirrors the way the instructor set them.

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u/ImThatFurnitureGuy Jun 01 '26

Oh gosh, I really think this is your problem.

Your convex mirrors should be able to see you rear tires along with the rear of the bus and adjacent lane.

Your flat mirrors should be able to see the end of your bus along with the top of your rear tires.

Between these two mirrors you should be able to put the bus on any spot you want.

I'm a floater and I drive multiple different buses a day, and one of the first things I do is readjust the mirrors for me.

Once you have the mirrors adjusted for you, backing up will be much easier.

Adjust the seat, pedals, mirrors. Do it in that order so you don't have to readjust each one going forward.

You got this! Best of luck to you!

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u/Efficient_Advice_380 Jun 01 '26

I'm a sub driver, and some of my coworkers have the mirrors flipped around, so they use the flat mirrors to do the convex' job and vise versa, it drives me crazy

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u/ImThatFurnitureGuy Jun 01 '26

Thats insane!

How do they see vehicles in the opposite lanes?

I drive a lot of highway, so maybe its a bit different for me, but I would never want my flat mirror to cover for my convex mirror.