CDL Practice Tests For School Bus Page 3

10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route

• Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in Subsection 10.2.1.
• Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
• Check all mirrors.
• Count the number of students while unloading to confirm the location of all students before pulling away from the stop.
• Tell students to exit the bus and walk at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus to a position where the driver can plainly see all students.
• Check all mirrors again. Make sure no students are around or returning to the bus.
• If you cannot account for a student outside the bus, secure the bus and check around and underneath the bus.
• When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
  • — Closing the door.
  • — Engaging transmission.
  • — Releasing 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, enter the traffic flow and continue the route.

10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route

• Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in Subsection 10.2.1.
• Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
• Check all mirrors.
• Count the number of students while unloading to confirm the location of all students before pulling away from the stop.
• Tell students to exit the bus and walk at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus to a position where the driver can plainly see all students.
• Check all mirrors again. Make sure no students are around or returning to the bus.
• If you cannot account for a student outside the bus, secure the bus and check around and underneath the bus.
• When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
  • — Closing the door.
  • — Engaging transmission.
  • — Releasing 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, enter the traffic flow and continue the route.

Note.

If you have missed a student’s unloading stop, do not back up. Be sure to follow local procedures.

Additional Procedures for Students That Must Cross the Roadway:

You should understand what students should do when exiting a school bus and crossing the street in front of the bus.

In addition, the school bus driver should understand that students might not always do what they are supposed to do. 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 students reach the edge of the roadway, they should:

• Stop and look in all directions, making sure the roadway is clear and is safe.
• Check to see if the red flashing lights on the bus are still flashing.
• Wait for your signal before crossing the roadway.

Upon your signal, the students should:

• Cross far enough in front of the school bus to be in your view.
• Stop at the left edge of the school bus, stop and look again for your signal to continue to cross the roadway.
• Look for traffic in both directions, making sure roadway is clear.
• Proceed across the roadway, continuing to look in all directions.

When unloading at the school you should follow these procedures:

• Perform a safe stop at designated unloading areas as described in subsection 10.2.1.
• Secure the bus by:
  • —Turning off the ignition switch.
  • —Removing key if leaving driver’s compartment.
• Have the students remain seated until told to exit.
• Position yourself to supervise unloading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations.
• Have students exit in orderly fashion.
• Observe students as they step from bus to see that all move promptly away from the unloading area.
• Walk through the bus and check for hiding/sleeping students and items left by students.
• Check all mirrors. Make certain no students are returning to the bus.
• If you cannot account for a student outside the bus and the bus is secure, check around and underneath the bus.
• When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:
  • —Closing the door.
  • —Fastening safety belt.
  • —Starting engine.
  • —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, pull away from the unloading area.
schoolbus

When all students are accounted for, prepare to leave by:

• —Closing the door.
• —Fastening safety belt.
• —Starting engine.
• —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.

10.2.5 – Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading Dropped or Forgotten Objects:

Always focus on students as they approach the bus and watch for any who disappear from sight.

Students may drop an object near the bus during loading and unloading. Stopping to pick up the object or returning to pick up the object may cause the student to disappear from the driver’s sight at a very dangerous moment.

Students should be told to leave any dropped object and move to a point of safety out of the danger zones and attempt to get the driver’s attention to retrieve the object.

Handrail Hang-ups:

Students have been injured or killed when clothing, accessories or even parts of their body get caught in the handrail or door as they exited the bus. You should closely observe all students exiting the bus to confirm that they are in a safe location prior to moving the bus.

10.3.1 – Planning for Emergencies

Determine Need to Evacuate Bus: The first and most important consideration is for you to recognize the hazard. If time permits, school bus drivers should contact their dispatcher to explain the situation before making a decision to evacuate the school bus.

As a general rule, student safety and control is best maintained by keeping students on the bus during an emergency and/or impending crisis situation, if so doing does not expose them to unnecessary risk or injury. Remember that the decision to evacuate the bus must be a timely one.