Arkansas CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Type D

The Type D school bus is often called transit style, because it resembles a transit bus. The body is constructed upon a stripped chassis. The engine can be forward, next to the driver's seat; or it can be placed in the rear. Note that the passenger entrance door and the driver's position are forward of the front wheels. This can affect how you steer the bus.

Not quite. The answer is tell the students to remain seated until you signal them to exit.

When unloading the bus at school, secure the bus, tell the students to remain seated until you signal them to exit, and position yourself to supervise unloading. Only then should you signal the students to start exiting the bus in an orderly manner under your supervision. Count the students as they exit the bus.

Not quite. The answer is Stop, look, and listen.

Before crossing the tracks, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Look in both directions for an approaching train. Also turn off the radio and any noisy equipment and listen for an approaching train.

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 100 - 300 feet

As you approach a school bus stop, turn on your right-turn signal indicator about 100-300 feet or approximately three to five seconds before pulling over.

Not quite. The answer is avoid a confrontation, leave the area as quickly and as safely as possible, then report the incident to your dispatcher.

Should you see gang signs or symbols on the outside or inside of the bus, report it and then remove it. If you or your students are approached by gang members, avoid a confrontation, leave the area as quickly and as safely as possible, then report the incident to your dispatcher. It is important to set and enforce rules on the school bus and at the school bus stop. Gang members need to know the school and school bus stop are neutral zones, and gang violence will not be tolerated. When speaking to a suspected gang member, do not disrespect the gang, their family members or friends. Speak one-on-one with the student, and do not belittle them. Treat them with the same respect all students deserve. If they misbehave, follow local school district policies.

Not quite. The answer is dangerous and strongly discouraged.

Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. It is very dangerous and increases your risk of a collision. Never back your school bus when students are outside it; the risk of injury is too high.

Not quite. The answer is Clearly conveying the rules and making sure the needs of you and your students are met

Assertive bus drivers are neither hostile nor passive. They clearly state their needs and back up their statements with appropriate actions. Assertive drivers have a positive outlook and believe in their abilities. They communicate effectively and plan how to respond with actions. They are persistent and quick to respond in a meaningful way, operating in a take-charge manner, but aware of the support needed by each individual child.

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 When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students should cross the street while remaining in the driver's view.

Students needing to cross the street in front of the bus should do so while remaining in your view. The specific procedures to be followed may vary from one state to another. According to the Arkansas Commercial Driver License Manual, you must instruct students to walk about 10 feet from the side of the bus. Then they should walk at least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the school bus. They should not start to cross the roadway until you signal them that it's safe for them to proceed. (Note: Local jurisdictions may impose their own additional regulations.)

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 85%

For most parents, the bus driver is the only representative of the school system that they ever meet. Always be courteous and willing to listen to the parents' concerns.

Not quite. The answer is all the students in the bus.

The main purpose of the inside rear-view mirror is to monitor passenger activity inside the bus.

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 activate the alternating flashing red lights and ensure that the stop arm is extended.

After stopping but before loading or unloading, set your transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park shift point), turn on the alternating red lights, and ensure that the stop arm is extended.

Not quite. The answer is 400 feet

The blind spot behind a school bus usually extends 50 to 150 feet behind the bus, but it can extend up to 400 feet, depending on the length and width of the bus.

Not quite. The answer is keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gusts.

Strong winds can buffet a bus from the side, causing it to swerve, move off the road, or even tip over. If your bus is caught in high winds, slow down, grip the steering wheel firmly, and try to anticipate gusts. If necessary, contact your dispatcher for instructions or pull over until the winds subside.

Not quite. The answer is Tornado

In most extreme situations, it is safer for the students to remain inside the bus – but not in the case of a tornado. First, you can't hope to outrun a tornado. The tornado can skip from one point and touch down at another point unpredictably. Second, the tornado can destroy much of what lies in its path. Therefore, when a tornado is around, evacuate the school bus, and get everyone to shelter in the basement or other safe room of a nearby building. If no such shelter is available, get the students into a ditch or ravine (but not underneath a bridge or overpass), and instruct them to lie face down with their hands over their head. In the extremely unlikely event that lightning hits your school bus, it should pass around the metal exterior of the bus. However, stay off the radio. Lightning can travel down antennas and through electronic gear. Have your students stay inside the bus, and stay away from the sides of the bus.

Not quite. The answer is In the rear of the bus

When you return your bus to the school bus facility or parking lot, you must walk through the entire bus to check for any students remaining on the bus, perhaps because they fell asleep. A "No Child Left Behind" system (if so equipped) will force you to walk through the bus. When you shut off the bus, an alarm will automatically go off. To disable the alarm, you must press the alarm deactivation button located at the very rear of the bus. (Note: This technology is too new for the CDL manual.)

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above statements are true.

When dealing with autistic students, remember that these students are affected by a disorder; their conduct is not necessarily willful. They cannot always control or stop their behavior when you ask them to. They may also be very resistant to any change in routine or environment. These students need sameness, calmness, structure, and firmness along with gentleness and patience.