What must be done before operating a school bus with non-students aboard?

Before operating a school bus with non-students aboard, it is essential to cover the red amber lamps. This is necessary because the red amber lights indicate that the school bus is actively loading or unloading students. If non-students are aboard, it could confuse other drivers who might assume the bus is in a standard operational mode rather than one designated for picking up or dropping off students. Covering these lamps helps ensure that the bus is not signaling that it is in student transportation mode, thus maintaining safety and clarity on the road. This practice is particularly important to avoid potential accidents or misunderstandings with other vehicles.

While checking tire pressure and inspecting emergency exits are important maintenance tasks, they are more about ensuring the bus is mechanically sound and safe for operation in general, rather than about the specific activity of transporting non-students. Covering exit doors does not apply logically as they should remain accessible in case of any emergencies regardless of the passenger type.