CDL Practice Tests: School Bus Endorsement
Choose A Section:
Go!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 Convex Mirrors
- All are used for this purpose
- Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors
- Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors
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.
During your post-trip inspection of a school bus, which of the following should you look for?
- All these are correct
- Articles left on the bus.
- Sleeping students.
- Mechanical/operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school buses, such as mirror systems, flashing warning lamps and stop signal arms.
When your route or school activity trip is finished, you should conduct a post-trip inspection of the bus. You should walk through the bus and around the bus looking for the following:
- Articles left on the bus.
- Sleeping students.
- Open windows and doors.
- Mechanical/operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school buses, such as mirror systems, flashing warning lamps and stop signal arms.
- Damage or vandalism.
Which of the following IS NOT the proper procedure when at a railroad crossing in a school bus?
- If the gate comes down after you have started across, drive through it even if it means you will break the gate.
- Cross the tracks in a low gear. Do not change gears while crossing.
- At a multiple-track crossing, stop only before the first set of tracks. When you are sure no train is approaching on any track, proceed across all of the tracks until you have completely cleared them.
- When crossing a double set of tracks, stop before each set of tracks. Just because you cleared the first set doesn't mean a train isn't coming on the second set
- Check the crossing signals again before proceeding.
- At a multiple-track crossing, stop only before the first set of tracks. When you are sure no train is approaching on any track, proceed across all of the tracks until you have completely cleared them.
- Cross the tracks in a low gear. Do not change gears while crossing.
- If the gate comes down after you have started across, drive through it even if it means you will break the gate.
Which of the following are true about backing a school bus?
- You should back your bus only when you have no other safe way to move the vehicle.
- You should never back a school bus when students are outside of the bus
- Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged
- All these are true
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 students must cross the roadway after getting off the bus, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure for them to follow?
- 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.
- 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.
- Stand within 3 feet of the bus near the convex mirror so you can see them
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 have gotten off the bus and reach the edge of the roadway to cross the street, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure for them to follow?
- Look for traffic in both directions, making sure the roadway is clear.
- Walk to the left edge of the school bus, stop and look again for your signal to continue to cross the roadway.
- Stay very close to the front of the bus as they cross to make sure they are protected
- Cross far enough in front of the school bus to be in your view.
Upon your signal, the students should:
- Cross far enough in front of the school bus to be in your view.
- Walk to 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.
As a bus driver, anytime you leave the bus you must:
- Put on the red flashing lights
- Turn off the ignition switch and remove the key
- Secure the control arm to the overhead fastener
- Open the rear safety door
Secure the bus by:
- Turning off the ignition switch.
- Removing key if leaving driver’s compartment.
If your school bus stalls on the tracks, what should get the students off the bus and move them where?
- Far from the bus and perpendicular to the bus, both along the tracks and away the train
- Far from the bus and perpendicular to the tracks, both toward the tracks and toward the train
- Far from the bus at an angle, both away from the tracks and away from the train
- Far from the bus at an angle, both away from the tracks and toward the train
Bus Stalls or Trapped on Tracks. If your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out of the bus and off the tracks immediately. Move everyone far from the bus at an angle, both away from the tracks and toward the train.
If the school bus is in the direct path of a sighted tornado and evacuation is ordered, what should you do?
- You can do all of these
- Avoid taking them to areas that are subject to flash floods
- Take them far enough away from the bus so the bus cannot topple on them
- 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
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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