CDL Practice Tests: School Bus Endorsement
Choose A Section:
Go!When you have adjusted the flat side mirrors on the bus properly, you will see all the following EXCEPT:
- The rear tires touching the ground
- The area directly beneath the mirror
- Along the sides of the bus
- 200 feet or 4 bus lengths behind the bus
Ensure that the mirrors are properly adjusted so you can see:
- 200 feet or 4 bus lengths behind the bus.
- Along the sides of the bus.
- The rear tires touching the ground.
There is a blind spot immediately below and in front of each mirror and directly behind the rear bumper.
Approximately how far before a railroad crossing should you activate the school bus hazard lights to warn people you are stopping?
- 50 ft
- 1000 ft
- 500 ft
- 200 ft
What can you do as a bus driver to ensure students are in a safe place during an emergency?
- Lead students to a safe place at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic
- Lead students as far away from railroad tracks as possible and in the direction of any oncoming train.
- Lead students upwind of the bus if a fire is present.
- You can do all of these
Some tips to determine a safe place to lead students during an emergency:
- A safe place will be at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. This will keep the students from being hit by debris if another vehicle collides with the bus.
- Lead students upwind of the bus if a fire is present.
- Lead students as far away from railroad tracks as possible and in the direction of any oncoming train.
- Lead students upwind of the bus at least 300 feet if there is a risk from spilled hazardous materials.
- If the bus is in the direct path of a sighted tornado and evacuation is ordered, escort students to a nearby ditch or culvert if shelter in a building is not readily available and direct them to lie face down, hands covering their head. They should be far enough away so the bus cannot topple on them. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods.
Which of the following are NOT true about backing a school bus?
- Never post a lookout at the back of the bus to watch for people or obstacles
- If you must back up at a student drop-off point, be sure to unload students after backing.
- If you must back up at a student pickup point, be sure to pick up students before backing and watch for late comers at all times.
- Be sure that all students are in the bus before backing.
- Post a lookout. The purpose of the lookout is to warn you about obstacles, approaching persons and other vehicles. The lookout should not give directions on how to back bus.
- Signal for quiet on the bus.
- Constantly check all mirrors and rear windows.
- Back slowly and smoothly.
- If no lookout is available:
- Set the parking brake.
- Turn off the motor and take the keys with you.
- Walk to the rear of the bus to determine if the way is clear.
- If you must back up at a student pickup point, be sure to pick up students before backing and watch for late comers at all times.
- Be sure that all students are in the bus before backing.
- If you must back up at a student drop-off point, be sure to unload students after backing.
If students must cross the roadway after getting off the bus, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure for them to follow?
- Stand within 3 feet of the bus near the convex mirror so you can see them
- Walk to a location at least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper, but still remaining away from the front of the school bus.
- Walk approximately 10 feet away from the side of the school bus to a position where you can see them.
- Stop at the right edge of the roadway. You should be able to see the student’s feet.
If a student or students must cross the roadway, they should follow these procedures:
- Walk approximately 10 feet away from the side of the school bus to a position where you can see them.
- Walk to a location at least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper, but still remaining away from the front of the school bus.
- Stop at the right edge of the roadway. You should be able to see the student’s feet.
When stopping a school bus at a bus stop you should stop with the front bumper how far from students, and why?
- At least 10 feet away from students. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements
- At least 100 feet away from students. This keeps traffic clearly visible in your mirrors
- All these are correct
- At least 50 feet away from students. This gives you time to set the parking brake
When stopping, you should:
- Bring the school bus to a full stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet away from students at the designated stop. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements.
- Place transmission in “Park” (if there is no “Park” shift point, place in “Neutral” and set the parking brake at each stop.
- Activate alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the school bus and ensure stop arm is extended.
- Make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach.
If a student drops an object near the school bus, what should you instruct the student to do?
- Leave the object there and let the bus driver get it
- Leave any dropped object and move to a point of safety out of the danger zones and then attempt to get the driver’s attention to retrieve the object
- Grab the object quickly and get out of danger
- None of these are correct
Students should be told to leave any dropped object and move to a point of safety out of the danger zones and then attempt to get the driver’s attention to retrieve the object.
If your ABS system malfunctions:
- Stop driving immediately. Do not move the vehicle until repairs are made
- Your wheels will easily lock up, even under relatively minor braking forces. Brake gently.
- You have reduced braking force. Slow your speeds and brake sooner
- You still have normal brake functions. Drive and brake as you always have
When approaching a bus stop in a school bus you should activate your alternating flashing amber warning lights:
- at least 400 feet before the stop or approximately 8 to 12 seconds before the school bus stop
- At least 200 feet (100 in an urban area) or approximately 5 to 10 seconds before the school bus stop
- No more than 100 feet before the stop or approximately 1 to 5 seconds before the school bus stop
- At least 500 feet (250 in an urban area) or approximately 10 to 20 seconds before the school bus stop
When approaching the stop, you should:
- Approach cautiously at a slow rate of speed.
- Look for pedestrians, traffic or other objects before, during and after coming to a stop.
- Continuously check all mirrors.
- If the school bus is so equipped, activate alternating flashing amber warning lights at least 200 feet (100 in an urban area) or approximately five to 10 seconds before the school bus stop or in accordance with state law.
- Turn on right-turn signal indicator about 100-300 feet or approximately three to five seconds before pulling over.
- Continuously check mirrors to monitor the danger zones for students, traffic and other objects.
- Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway.
There is a sign that marks the railroad crossing. It requires you to yield the right of way to the train. If there is no white line painted on the pavement, you must stop the bus before this sign. What is it called?
- Active sign
- Passive sign
- Setback sign
- Crossbuck sign
About The School Bus CDL Exam
The School Bus CDL Exam is required if you want to get a school bus or charter bus endorsement. It is not required for getting a Class A CDL to drive a big rig. Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license if they drive a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons, including the driver.
Bus drivers must have a passenger endorsement on their commercial driver license. To obtain the endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test on the Safe Driving and (this section) portions of the CDL manual. If your bus has air brakes, you must also pass a knowledge test on air brakes. You must also pass the skills/drive tests required for the class and type of passenger vehicle you plan to drive.
This section covers:
- Vehicle Inspection
- Loading
- On the Road
- After-trip Vehicle Inspection
- Prohibited Practices
- Use of Brake-door Interlocks
Vehicle Inspection
Before driving your bus, make sure it is safe. You must review the inspection report made by the previous driver. Only if defects reported earlier have been certified as repaired or not needed to be repaired, should you sign the previous driver's report. This is your certification that the defects reported earlier have been repaired.
Make sure the following are in good working order before driving:
- Service brakes, including air hose couplings (if your bus has a trailer or semitrailer).
- Parking brake.
- Steering mechanism.
- Lights and reflectors.
- Tires (front wheels must not have re-capped or re-grooved tires).
- Horn.
- Windshield wiper or wipers.
- Rear-vision mirror or mirrors.
- Coupling devices (if present).
- Wheels and rims.
- Emergency equipment
Loading And Trip Start
Do not allow riders to leave carry-on baggage in a doorway or aisle. There should be nothing in the aisle that might trip other riders. Secure baggage and freight in ways that avoid damage and:
- Allow the driver to move freely and easily.
- Allow riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency.
- Protect riders from injury if carry-ons fall or shift.
Forbidden Hazardous Materials
Buses may carry small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D, emergency hospital supplies and drugs. You can carry small amounts of some other hazardous materials if the shipper cannot send them any other way. Buses must never carry:
- Division 2.3 poison gas, liquid Class 6 poison, tear gas, irritating material.
- More than 100 pounds of solid Class 6 poisons.
- Explosives in the space occupied by people, except small-arms ammunition.
- Labeled radioactive materials in the space occupied by people.
- More than 500 pounds total of allowed hazardous materials and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.
Riders sometimes board a bus with an unlabeled hazardous material. Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline. See Section 2 and Section 9 for additional information on hazardous materials.
Common Bus Accidents
Accidents In Intersections:
The Most Common Bus Accidents: Bus accidents often happen at intersections. Use caution, even if a signal or stop sign controls other traffic. School and mass transit buses sometimes scrape off mirrors or hit passing vehicles when pulling out from a bus stop. Remember the clearance your bus needs and watch for poles and tree limbs at stops. Know the size of the gap your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic. Wait for the gap to open before leaving the stop. Never assume other drivers will brake to give you room when you signal or start to pull out.
Speed In Curves
Accidents on curves result from excessive speed, often when rain or snow has made the road slippery. Every banked curve has a safe "design speed." In good weather, the posted speed is safe for cars but it may be too high for many buses. With good traction, the bus may roll over; with poor traction, it might slide off the curve. Reduce speed for curves. If your bus leans toward the outside on a banked curve, you are driving too fast.
Railroad Crossings
Bus drivers must stop at railroad crossings:
- - At streetcar crossings.
- - Where a policeman or flagman is directing traffic.
- - If a traffic signal is green.
- - At crossings marked as "exempt" or "abandoned.
Prohibited Practices
- Avoid fueling your bus with riders on board unless absolutely necessary. Never refuel in a closed building with riders on board.
- Do not talk with riders or engage in any other distracting activity while driving.
- Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard the vehicle, unless getting off would be unsafe. Only tow or push the bus to the nearest safe spot to discharge passengers. Follow your employer's guidelines on towing or pushing disabled buses.
Questions You Should Know For The Exam
- 1. Name some things to check in the interior of a bus during a pre-trip inspection.
- 2. What are some hazardous materials you can transport by bus?
- 3. What are some hazardous materials you cannot transport by bus?
- 4. What is a standee line?
- 5. Does it matter where you make a disruptive passenger get off the bus?
- 6. How far from a railroad crossing should you stop?
- 7. When must you stop before crossing a drawbridge?
- 8. Describe from memory the “prohibited practices” listed in the manual.
- 9. The rear door of a transit bus has to be open to put on the parking brake. True or False?
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