During the pre-trip inspection of a passenger vehicle, what must the driver verify about the bus's flooring and steps?

FLOORING AND STEP INSPECTION in passenger vehicles is a passenger safety requirement distinct from basic vehicle mechanical inspection. WHY FLOORING MATTERS IN PASSENGER VEHICLES: Passengers — including elderly passengers, passengers with mobility limitations, and passengers unfamiliar with the specific vehicle — must walk the aisle, navigate steps, and move to seats; a defect that a driver might not notice while sitting can seriously injure a passenger; WHAT TO CHECK: FLOORING: No holes, separated sections, or areas that flex excessively when stepped on; the subfloor must be solid; no sharp edges from damaged floor sections; AISLE SURFACE: Non-slip surface intact; no torn or curling floor covering that could catch a foot; STEPS: Solid, no cracks or missing sections; anti-slip tread must be present and secure; step edges must be visible and properly lit; HANDRAILS: All handrails must be firmly attached with no wobble; gripping surface must be intact; for multi-step entry/exit configurations (coach buses), handrails are critical for elderly and disabled passengers; LIGHTING: Step well and aisle lighting must function for night boarding and in dark terminals; DOCUMENTATION: Any flooring defect should be noted on the pre-trip DVIR; defects that create a trip hazard should be reported and addressed before the vehicle carries passengers.