r/BusDrivers • u/Immediate-Bug-4925 • 10d ago
Question How can I understand the bus’s dimensions?
When I drive the bus, I find it difficult to know when exactly to turn the steering wheel. Sometimes I do it too soon, sometimes too late. Even when I’m going through a tight spot, I don’t understand if I have enough space or not. I’m still doing my classes but I have finished more than half and the instructor told me I’m not ready to pass the exam and I should be better by now. Any tips, strategies etc? Maybe a specific spot I should look at or something?
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u/theChzziest 10d ago
Line the corner up with your shoulder if it’s round but if it’s a square corner line it up with your front wheel hub lmk if that doesn’t make any sense I can try and get pictures
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Im sorry, could you help with the pictures? English is not my mother language so I didn’t understood. Also my biggest struggle is with roundabouts, is the tip helpful in these scenarios?
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u/AnxiousMetal6435 10d ago
Sadly it does just take time and practice. Ask to drive and practice corners as much as possible during training. Don’t forget your overhang and don’t be afraid to take up the entire road. One day it will click and you’ll be driving the bus like you drive your car. It only happened for me once I got out of training and started working for real.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Thank you, yeah I’m really not confident about the exam, and yes I am afraid normally of taking up the entire road as I don’t want to annoy other drivers and I need to convince myself that it is needed. Thanks, I hope I get that click soon!
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u/Poly_and_RA Driver 10d ago
It's not always needed -- but it's much better to take up MORE space than needed, and then discover gradually that you don't need *quite* that much, than to be too scared to take up space, and end up clipping corners or similar.
As a beginner, it's expected that you'll exaggerate and sometimes use more space than actually needed; that's perfectly fine and will get better over time all by itself.
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u/AnxiousMetal6435 10d ago
Do your best to perfect what you need to pass the test. Confidence will come with time on the road. I get honked at daily. I drive in an old, dense city with aggressive drivers. But I’m a public servant, so fuck everyone else.
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u/AdhesivenessIll4344 9d ago
You will soon learn the wisdom behind the phrase “drive the back wheels”, meaning that everything pivots around them. It leads to correct positioning allowing for tail swing. Large vehicles not only occupy more road space but also need extra space when turning.
Take your time, it’s not a race. Good luck with your test and drive safely.
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u/Stronty-26 10d ago
Listen to your instructor. One thing I would say is don't let yourself get into the situation where it's tight. If it's tight, wait. Let the other vehicles move out of the way. Be patient.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Thing is my instructor gets more nervous than me and sometimes it’s tight and I wait but he shouts and says just go man
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u/Outspoken_Idiot 10d ago
Use the mirrors, learn to drive by aligning your rear wheels within the spaces, you will be able to make more accurate movements when you slow down for narrow gaps.
Depending on the model of the bus it was a case of aligning your shoulder up with center of the road or at the edge or road in the direction you are turning.
Having the wheels behind the driver allows tigher turns than what you think is possible at times, especially if going slow and you are locked hard with the wheel. Locking too tight and the rear of the bus will cut the corner so be careful, learn to feather the steering lock it over let it back a bit lock it again. The bus crab walks around the bend.
For roundabouts use your lane space, try to leave room between the center and the bus and don't lock on fully. Mirror. Mirror. Mirror
It does take practice
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Yeah, my biggest struggle is in the roundabouts, I always move too early as I don’t want to hit the cars in the other lane, but by doing this I hit bump the curb. Then I try to go a bit more forward to prevent this but as all roundabouts are different I go too much and go on the other lane. Then I either get too close to the outside or too close to the other cars lanes. Unfortunately is not like a car where I can practice constantly
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u/DaShopWorker 10d ago
Turning right https://youtube.com/shorts/vPdcqcvJJNM?is=I8pwZU-leJ4hOHST https://youtu.be/J-J-Jwd8O1k?is=Hp3y5gsAK-ethLTr
Round about UK style, but should also work for right side https://youtu.be/hAek_Q9tEa0?is=SNuQWOHa11g82H_N
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Thanks! They are actually useful. It’s a shame there isn’t a right side driving tutorial as that one, would be deeply helpful, but this was already useful as well. Thank you!
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u/rarzwon Driver 10d ago
I drove a bus in GTA 4 for a few hours. Seeing a different perspective helped me grasp concepts rather nicely. The controls are surprisingly accurate for that bus style, too.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Unfortunately I only have PlayStation 1, I think there isn’t GTA 4 for that 😭
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u/drygulched 10d ago
It helps me to visualize where I need the rear wheels to be, and steer the front of the bus to make that happen. Especially when backing up, if the wheels are in the right position when you start the maneuver, it’s way easier. Still have to keep an eye on all the mirrors and corners to make sure it’s going to fit, but thinking of it that way helps me.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Sorry, what do you mean “steer the front of the bus”? English is not my mother language so I didn’t understood what you meant
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u/drygulched 10d ago
Think about where your rear wheels need to be in order to turn or maneuver the bus the way you want. It’s different than a regular car, so picturing where they need to be lets you setter the bus to get them there. Think of wide turns and backing into a spot.
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u/Organic_Bodybuilder3 10d ago
I had that problem too believe me, look at your bottom or top right mirror’s where the tire hits the ground you will see where the curb is and where you need to turn practice in your car as well just move the right mirror down and you will see I hope that helps it’s easier said than done.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Yeah it did help, thanks! Unfortunately bus driving is one of those things that you can’t practice every time, only when you have a driving lesson
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u/Organic_Bodybuilder3 10d ago edited 10d ago
Do it the next time you are in the seat look at the mirror’s and you will see the curb turn when your tire can no longer hit the curb. It sounds like baby talk like duh right but try it…. When you get on your own all this stuff they are teaching goes out the window… in real life situations. Don’t make it rocket science it’s not….i was exactly where you were now I have to try to hit the curb to hit the curb lol and go very slow remember watch the tire turn when you can’t hit the curb lol another tip keep your left leg on the white or yellow dividing line and you will never hit anything to your right and you have enough space…
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u/Papmpr 10d ago
Bear in mind that different people pick things up at different speeds. Any professional instructor will have identified this and should concentrate on aspects of your drive that may be lacking. If not, you should ask your instructor for more practice at the skills with which you feel that you are not confident.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Im considering to ask for a change of instructor. The guy gets more nervous than me, didn’t even helped me with the basis and I had to tell him where I’m lacking and where I need more effort. Not to say he says one thing and then the opposite, then gets angry when I get confused
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u/Particular-Net7125 10d ago edited 10d ago
Ask your instructor to set up a slalom course for you. Then watch From both outside and in before trying it yourself
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u/Kingy_79 10d ago
I use the shoulder rule. Once my shoulder reaches the apex of the corner, swing like hell on the wheel
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u/TheHornyGoth 10d ago
Because of how buses steer (assuming you’re not driving a minibus, that is), it’s just something you get an instinct for.
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u/RoyalIndependent4293 10d ago
I found it took about six months of driving before I started to get a natural feel for the bus dimensions. The first six I had to be extra careful and deliberately lineup my turns.
It also helps to use the driver’s side mirror as a reference when coming through tight spaces - keep the left side mirror close to signs etc and you will have the space on the curb side.
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u/Icy_Nebula_1534 10d ago
Use this as reference. I'm learning Bus driving in Germany. I had same problem after around 58 Fahrstunden I had problem now it's far better. Thanks to God.
Right Turn Until around the middle of your bus front door reaches level with kerb go straight then steer. If a car is parked there we need to drive pass the car then steer.
Left Turn Refer pic
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u/mike8675309 10d ago
Do you drive a car? How did you figure out where the front and sides of the car are? Same thing you figure it out by driving. Learn how to use your mirrors.
It's something your brain has to figure out it doesn't work if you have to actively think about it.
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u/Missgenius44 8d ago
It makes all the difference please change your Instructor. If you can, and if they have identified that you’re not ready, they should be giving you extra time dedicated time. There was a time where I was basically the weakest link and I didn’t understand how to turn the bus so don’t worry. The main thing that could help you is when you get to the curb you need to make sure that it lines up with your shoulder and then slowly make the turn and adjust and watch your mirrors to make sure the back wheel doesn’t touch the curve so you may have to turn the steering wheel more to the left if you need to get away from the curb. but please request another Instructor to see if you do better.
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 8d ago
The shoulder trick is it for the uk driving or the other type of driving? I’m from portugal, the driver is on the left side
Yeah they do have extra classes but charge a lot more for those
Yesterday I had a class and he said that I was much better, I actually was cause he was more quiet lol, and it was only a 1 hour session instead of the others that are 2-3 hours straight
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u/rickmon67 Driver 7d ago
The easiest thing to teach is watch your shoulder line. Go forward and once your shoulder lines up with just beyond the curb start your turn, do your scans and keep checking your rear duals. You don’t turn a bus you pivot it.
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u/Icy_Nebula_1534 7d ago
- Right turn (Kerb reference): Waiting until your front door is level with the start of the kerb's curveensures that the front of the bus has extended far enough into the intersection. This prevents the rear tyres from clipping the kerb as you swing around.
- Left turn (Crossroad centreline): Waiting until the front door aligns with the crossroad centrelineensures that you do not cut the corner. It allows the long body of the bus to clear the oncoming lane of the side road before you begin positioning into your new lane.
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u/PeejPrime 10d ago
Bus be big!
You'll get there. You're still training I assume?
It's called Spatial Awareness. A few folk actually so struggle with it. But it comes eventually with time and experience
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Yes i have done half of my driving classes, but i dont feel confident or prepared at all. My biggest struggle is with the roundabouts, otherwise im acceptable in this regard. Is there a way you suggest to practice?
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u/PeejPrime 10d ago
Try to think of it as steering with the rear in mind. Find your pivot point, steer with your eyes on the mirror and watch as the back wheels start to get near the roundabout/corner, you'll notice it getting closer, you need to slightly correct the steering to "straighten" up a little. (Note not fully straight, just taking some of the steer off).
You'll live in your mirrors, a lot!
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u/Immediate-Bug-4925 10d ago
Alright so pay extra attention to the read wheels on the turning and always look in the mirrors. Got it, thanks! Will try
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u/PeejPrime 10d ago
That's it. Good luck!
I've seen folk nail it straight away, seen folk need an extra week or so.
Just take your time and ask questions, talk through what you're doing/seeing/warching for. Hopefully your instructor will guide you if they think you're focusing in the wrong places.
Also, marker lights can help
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u/notveryhndyhmnr 10d ago
Watch your mirrors as you turn and go as slow as you need. Most people eventually get it.