District of Columbia CDL: School Bus Practice 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 30 feet

While the first 10 feet in front of a school bus are the most dangerous, the front danger zone can extend up to 30 feet in front, depending on the size and shape of the bus.

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 Both of the above are true.

ABS activates only to keep your wheels from locking up during hard braking on slippery surfaces, so you won't have to pump the brakes. The rest of the time, drive and brake the same way that you always have. Do not drive or brake any differently just because of ABS. Use only the braking that is necessary to stop safely and stay in control.

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 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 Pull over, secure the bus, and speak to the unruly students respectfully but firmly.

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 to the offending students. Speak in a courteous manner with a firm voice. Remind the offending students of the behavior that is expected of them. 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 monitor passenger activity inside the bus.

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

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 for mechanical or operational problems.

During your post-trip inspection, after checking for stray students, you should check all the mechanical and operational systems of the school bus for any problems. Immediately report any problems to your supervisor or school authorities.

Not quite. The answer is 200 feet or 5–10 seconds

According to the Washington, DC Commercial Driver License Manual, you should turn on the flashing amber lights at least 200 feet or 5–10 seconds ahead of the school bus stop "or in accordance with state law."

Not quite. The answer is Call your dispatcher and follow local procedures.

If you have missed a student’s unloading stop, do not back up. Follow your district's local procedures for missed stops. Call your dispatcher for instructions. Never change the location of a bus stop without approval of the dispatcher.

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 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 extend the stop arm.

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 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 Vehicles and drivers

It is much safer for a student to ride to and from school in a school bus than in a car. Every school bus is designed with numerous safety features, including bright colors, flashing red lights and stop sign arms, multiple mirrors, energy-absorbing seatbacks, and high crush resistance. School bus drivers undergo background checks and are trained with safety in mind.

Source: "School Bus Safety," National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-buses

Not quite. The answer is that no parts are missing, leaking, or damaged and the lift is fully retracted and latched.

During your vehicle inspection test, if your vehicle has a handicap lift, check it for leaks, missing pieces, or other damage. Make sure that the lift is fully retracted and latched securely.

Not quite. The answer is dirt or shoeprints on the floor.

As part of your post-trip inspection of your bus, look for sleeping students that are still on the bus (yes, really), personal belongings that students may have left on the bus, mechanical or operational problems, and signs of damage or vandalism. Your district may give you more specific instructions.

Not quite. The answer is the entire sides of the bus up to the mirror mounts.

The outside left and right side convex mirrors should be positioned so you can see the left and right sides of the bus up to the mirror mounts, at least one lane of traffic on each side, and the front of the rear tires touching the ground. However, bear in mind that convex mirrors can make objects look smaller and farther away than they really are.