CDL Practice Tests For School Bus Page 2

10.1.6 – Overhead Inside Rearview Mirror

This mirror is mounted directly above the windshield on the driver’s side area of the bus. This mirror is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. It may provide limited visibility directly in back of the bus if the bus is equipped with 126 Figure 10.3 a glass-bottomed rear emergency door.

There is a blind spot area directly behind the driver’s seat as well as a large blind spot area that begins at the rear bumper and could extend up to 400 feet or more behind the bus. You must use the exterior side mirrors to monitor traffic that approaches and enters this area.

10.1.6 – Overhead Inside Rearview Mirror

This mirror is mounted directly above the windshield on the driver’s side area of the bus. This mirror is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. It may provide limited visibility directly in back of the bus if the bus is equipped with 126 Figure 10.3 a glass-bottomed rear emergency door.

There is a blind spot area directly behind the driver’s seat as well as a large blind spot area that begins at the rear bumper and could extend up to 400 feet or more behind the bus. You must use the exterior side mirrors to monitor traffic that approaches and enters this area.

10.2 – Loading and Unloading

More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside of a school bus.

10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop

Each school district establishes official routes and official school bus stops. All stops should be approved by the school district prior to making the stop. You should never change the location of a bus stop without written approval from the appropriate school district official.

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.
• When stopping you should:
  • - Bring 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 or 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.

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.
• When stopping you should:
  • - Bring 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 or 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.

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.
• When stopping you should:
  • - Bring 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 or 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.

10.2.2 – Loading Procedures

• Perform a safe stop as described in Subsection 10.2.1.
• Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches.
• Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver.
• Monitor all mirrors continuously.
• Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. If possible, know names of students at each stop. If there is a student missing, ask the other students where the student is.
• Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file and use the handrail. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark.
• Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving the bus.
• Check all mirrors. Make certain no one is running to catch the bus.
• If you cannot account for a student outside, secure the bus, take the key and check around and underneath the bus.
• When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
  • — Closing the door.
  • — Engaging the transmission.
  • — Releasing the parking brake.
  • — Turning off alternating flashing red lights.
  • — Turning on left turn signal.
  • — Checking all mirrors again.
  • — Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
• When it is safe, move the bus to enter traffic flow and continue the route.

10.2.2 – Loading Procedures

• Perform a safe stop as described in Subsection 10.2.1.
• Students should wait in a designated location for the school bus, facing the bus as it approaches.
• Students should board the bus only when signaled by the driver.
• Monitor all mirrors continuously.
• Count the number of students at the bus stop and be sure all board the bus. If possible, know names of students at each stop. If there is a student missing, ask the other students where the student is.
• Have the students board the school bus slowly, in single file and use the handrail. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark.
• Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving the bus.
• Check all mirrors. Make certain no one is running to catch the bus.
• If you cannot account for a student outside, secure the bus, take the key and check around and underneath the bus.
• When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
  • — Closing the door.
  • — Engaging the transmission.
  • — Releasing the parking brake.
  • — Turning off alternating flashing red lights.
  • — Turning on left turn signal.
  • — Checking all mirrors again.
  • — Allowing congested traffic to disperse.
• When it is safe, move the bus to enter traffic flow and continue the route.

The loading procedure is essentially the same wherever you load students, but there are slight differences. When students are loading at the school campus, you should:

• Turn off the ignition switch.
• Remove key if leaving driver’s compartment.
• Position yourself to supervise loading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations.