Arizona CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is call your dispatcher and ask for instructions.

A malfunctioning railroad crossing signal makes it too dangerous to proceed. Call your dispatcher, let them know about it, and ask for instructions.

Not quite. The answer is the length of the bus plus 15 feet.

Before you proceed through a railroad crossing, make sure that the containment area (the space on the opposite side of the crossing) is large enough for your bus. As a general rule, the containment area should be at least equal to the length of your bus plus 15 feet.

Not quite. The answer is If time allows, notify the dispatch office about your situation, your location, and the type of assistance you need.

You may have to decide quickly whether to evacuate the bus. It's best to contact your dispatcher first to explain the situation and call for assistance, but only if you have time. Otherwise, do it later.

Not quite. The answer is Comply with the hijacker's demands.

Don't do anything that might escalate the situation to actual gun violence. Of these four choices, the least worst thing you can do is comply with the hijacker's demands. If the hijacker sees you trying to call your dispatcher or the police, he or she may freak out and do something violent. As you drive to the hijacker's destination, you can try to converse gently with the hijacker to calm the person and establish some rapport, but don't provoke the hijacker by arguing with the person. Don't try to be a hero and disarm the hijacker; the gun might go off and get someone killed.

Not quite. The answer is constantly.

When you drive a school bus or any other motor vehicle, frequently check your mirrors to keep aware of what is happening all around your vehicle. When operating a school bus, you should also use your mirrors to check for students that may have wandered into danger zones.

Not quite. The answer is in either of the above situations.

Do not evacuate the bus if the students would be exposed to dangers outside the bus such as downed power lines. Also, try to avoid evacuating students who have injuries (such as neck or back fractures) that could be worsened by moving them.

Not quite. The answer is doesn't have any type of traffic control device.

A passive railroad crossing doesn't have any type of traffic control device (such as lights, bells, or gates) to warn you that a train is approaching. You must stop at the crossing, look for approaching trains yourself, and then cross when it is safe to do so.

Not quite. The answer is Ask the student to move to a seat near you.

If a serious behavior issue occurs on your bus that can't wait, follow your school's procedures for handling such situations. Here are a few general guidelines: Pull over and secure the bus. Take your ignition key with you. Stand up and speak respectfully but firmly to the offending student about the behavior you expect on the bus. If a change of seating is needed, request that the student move to a seat near you. However, never put a student off the bus except at school or his or her designated bus stop. If you absolutely have to remove the student at another location, call a school administrator or the police to do it.

Not quite. The answer is count the number of students at the bus stop and make sure that all of them board the bus.

Once you've pulled up to a stop, count the number of students preparing to board the bus. Then have them board single file as you count them again. Make sure that all are accounted for and seated before you drive off.

Not quite. The answer is You

Don't try to deal with student behavior problems while you're driving, loading students, or unloading students. While you're doing those tasks, you must be focused on them. To deal with a behavior problem, first pull over and secure the bus.

Not quite. The answer is Tell students to leave any dropped objects, move out of the danger zones, and get your attention to retrieve the objects.

For their safety, students should remain within your view during loading and unloading. If a student tries to retrieve a dropped item, he or she may disappear from your view into a danger zone. Tell students to move out of the danger zones and notify you before they try to retrieve any dropped objects.

Not quite. The answer is All

All school bus accidents must be reported whether or not they involve death, injury, or property damage.

Not quite. The answer is After checking again that all traffic has stopped

At a bus stop, make a final check to see that all traffic has stopped before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach.

Not quite. The answer is Secure the bus.

After you've determined the need to evacuate and decided on the type of evacuation, you must secure the bus to keep it from moving. Put the transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park shift point). Set the parking brakes, turn off the engine, and remove the ignition key. Also activate the hazard warning lights.

Not quite. The answer is Evacuate the bus and move the students away from the tracks at an angle toward oncoming trains.

If your bus stalls on railroad tracks, you must evacuate the students from the bus. Have the students exit the bus. Then lead them at an angle to the tracks in the direction from which you think a train may approach. That way, if your bus is hit, neither you nor the students will be struck by flying debris.

Not quite. The answer is Check if there are any more students hiding or sleeping on the bus.

After unloading students at school, walk through the bus to make sure that there are no more students still on the bus. One or more students may have fallen asleep on the bus or be in hiding.

Not quite. The answer is A yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel will light when you start the engine.

Antilock brakes have been required on all buses with air brakes built since March 1, 1998 and all buses with hydraulic brakes built since March 1, 1999. (Many buses built even earlier also have ABS.) Every school bus with ABS must also have a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel.

Not quite. The answer is Gently ease pressure off of the accelerator and engage the clutch

To recover while traveling in a straight line, you should not turn the steering wheel of the bus or apply the brakes. Either action could put the bus into a skid from which recovery would be difficult or impossible. Instead, with no change in steering input, gently ease pressure off of the accelerator and engage the clutch. This will slow your vehicle and let the wheels turn freely; control should then return. If braking is unavoidable, lightly pump the brakes until hydroplaning has stopped.

Not quite. The answer is 100 feet

According to the Arizona Commercial Driver License Manual, when your bus is approaching a railroad crossing, you should turn on your hazard lights at least 100 feet ahead of the crossing.

Not quite. The answer is Because so many students are killed each year while getting on or off school buses

More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus than are killed as passengers on a school bus. You must thoroughly understand how to keep students safe before, during, and after loading or unloading.