Connecticut CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 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 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 anticipate some emotional instability and impulsiveness.

Students with learning disabilities may seem to be deliberately disobedient or stubborn, but in reality, they can’t control their behavior. Your main goal in disciplining these students should be to help them control their emotions. While this is what you might expect of all students, it is harder for a learning-disabled student to achieve this goal.

Not quite. The answer is prevents skids caused by hard braking.

If you brake hard on a slippery surface, the force of the brakes may exceed the tires' grip of the road, causing the wheels to lock up. If the wheels lock up, your bus may skid. ABS prevents your wheels from locking up so you can maintain control. However, that's all that ABS does. It won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance or prevent a skid that is caused by turning too fast. Therefore, if your bus has ABS, drive the same careful way as you would if the bus didn't have ABS.

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 National School Bus Glossy Yellow

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued guidelines to the states on pupil transportation safety. One of these guidelines is that all school buses should be painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow (AMS-STD-595a color 13432). In accordance with this guideline, all states now require school buses to be painted this color. National School Bus Glossy Yellow was originally chosen for ease of visibility.

Not quite. The answer is 3 feet.

Ever notice how far the rear bumper of a school bus is from the rear wheels? In a sharp turn, the rear end of the school bus will swing out as much as three feet in the opposite direction. Before and during a turn, check your mirrors to monitor the tail swing to prevent a collision.

Not quite. The answer is document and report all incidents and allegations.

The following strategies can help combat bullying and harassment: seat who are susceptible to bullying or being victimized children close to the driver; separate children who are fighting or having difficulty and assign seats; be “aware of everything” and watch for the moods and signs of troubled kids; talk with bullies about being respectful on the bus; intervene before anything happens and discuss with students; maintain a good relationship with each child; try to engage potential bullies in positive conversations; and above all, talk to students with respect. In cases of bullying or harassment, you as the school bus operator must document and report all incidents and allegations. Take all your concerns to your supervisor, principal or other designated school personnel.

Not quite. The answer is 45 degrees

To secure a wheelchair inside a school bus, first lock the wheelchair brakes and turn off the wheelchair power (if so equipped). Then attach each of the four tie-downs to a different securement ring on the wheelchair, if the wheelchair is so equipped. If not, attach each tie-down to a different point on the metal frame of the wheelchair. (Never attach a tie-down to a movable part of the wheelchair, such as a wheel or a footrest.) Adjust each tie-down so that it makes an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the floor.

Not quite. The answer is Evacuate the bus and move the students away at an angle to the tracks.

If your bus stalls on or adjacent to a railroad track, you must evacuate the bus even if you don’t see or hear an approaching train. Don't take any chances. A train can't yield the right-of-way to you. Have everyone walk at about a 45-degree angle to the tracks in the direction from which you expect a train to approach. That way, if your vehicle is hit, none of you will be struck by flying debris. Once you've reached a safe location, call 911 or the telephone number on the railroad crossing sign.

Not quite. The answer is CDL general knowledge, passenger, school bus

To drive a school bus, you must pass the CDL general knowledge test and the tests for the passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements. If you wish to drive school buses equipped with air brakes, you must also pass the air brakes knowledge test.

Not quite. The answer is both of the above are true.

During your pre-trip inspection, check that the battery is secure and free of excessive corrosion. Also check that the cover or door of the battery box is secure and undamaged.

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 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 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, you can do it later.

Not quite. The answer is Local policy overrides state policy.

Local policy is the guideline for your role and responsibility as a driver of students with disabilities. When providing first aid, remember that local policy overrides state policy.

Not quite. The answer is a first-aid kit and a body fluid cleanup kit.

In addition to the usual safety gear for a commercial motor vehicle, a school bus should also be equipped with a first-aid kit and a body fluid cleanup kit.

Not quite. The answer is Swaying your body to see around obstructions

A vehicle's pillars help hold up the roof and maintain structural integrity of the vehicle. The pillars on a bus can be quite wide. Together with the side mirrors, they create obstructions to your vision that can be at least a foot wide, resulting in blind spots. A pedestrian (or even a small vehicle) can seem to disappear completely behind a pillar, which can be especially dangerous if you turn into the pedestrian's path. For this reason, your bus driving instructor may teach you to "rock and roll" when turning your bus: sway your body forward and backward and from side to side to help you see around the pillars and mirrors.

Not quite. The answer is monitor passenger activity inside the bus.

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