CDL Practice Tests: School Bus Endorsement
Choose A Section:
Go!Which of the following DOES NOT describe the convex mirror on a bus?
- They are normally located below the outside flat mirrors
- They are used to monitor the left and right sides at a wide angle
- They present a view of people and objects that accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus.
- They provide a view of traffic, clearances, and students at the side of the bus
What can you do as a bus driver to ensure students are in a safe place during an emergency?
- Lead students upwind of the bus if a fire is present.
- You can do all of these
- 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.
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.
If your ABS system malfunctions:
- You have reduced braking force. Slow your speeds and brake sooner
- Your wheels will easily lock up, even under relatively minor braking forces. Brake gently.
- Stop driving immediately. Do not move the vehicle until repairs are made
- You still have normal brake functions. Drive and brake as you always have
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?
- Passive sign
- Crossbuck sign
- Active sign
- Setback sign
When students are loading the bus at the school campus you should:
- Turn off the ignition switch
- Remove key if leaving driver’s compartment
- All these are correct
- Position yourself to supervise loading as required or recommended by your state or local regulations
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.
What can you do as a bus driver to ensure safety in case of an emergency?
- Teach all students how to operate the various emergency exits and the importance of listening to and following all instructions given by you
- You can do all of these
- When possible, assign two responsible, older student assistants to each emergency exit. Teach them how to assist the other students off the bus.
- Assign an older student assistant to lead the students to a “safe place” after evacuation.
How will you know if your school bus is equipped with ABS?
- A yellow ABS sticker near the back emergency door
- Yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel
- A yellow ABS malfunction light on the back of the bus below the brake lights
- Red ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel
The blind spot behind the bus extends how far depending on the length and width of the bus?
- 150 to 350 feet and could extend up to 500 feet
- 50 to 150 feet and could extend up to 400 feet
- 200 to 400 feet and could extend up to 600 feet
- 300 to 500 feet and could extend up to 1000 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 50 feet away from students. This gives you time to set the parking brake
- At least 100 feet away from students. This keeps traffic clearly visible in your mirrors
- All these are correct
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.
Which mirrors on a bus are mounted on the left and right front corners of the bus and are used to see the front bumper “danger zone” area directly in front of the bus that is not visible by direct vision?
- Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors
- Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors
- Outside Left and Right Side Convex Mirrors
- All are used for this purpose
10.1.5 – Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors
These mirrors are mounted on both left and right front corners of the bus. They are used to see the front bumper “danger zone” area directly in front of the bus that is not visible by direct vision, and to view the “danger zone” area to the left side and right side of the bus, including the service door and front wheel area. The mirror presents a view of people and objects that does not accurately reflect their size and distance from the bus. The driver must ensure that these mirrors are properly adjusted.
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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