Idaho CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Drive through the gate.

It's much too dangerous to remain stopped on the tracks for an extended period. If the gate comes down after you have started across, drive right through it. The gate will break away.

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 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 both of the above.

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.

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 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 left; passing vehicles

The danger zones outside a school bus extend to the front, back and both sides of the bus. In addition, the area to the left of the bus is always considered dangerous because of passing vehicles.

Not quite. The answer is walk 10–15 feet from the side of the school bus.

As the students exit the bus, count how many are getting off at the stop. Instruct them to wait 10–15 feet away from the side of the bus so that you can count them again. The exact distance that students must move from the bus varies from one state to another. According to the Idaho Commercial Driver's License Manual, you should instruct students to walk at least 12 feet from the side of the bus. The Idaho State Department of Education concurs.

Source: Idaho School Bus Driver Manual, Idaho State Department of Education, May 15, 2019

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 in a lightning storm

Even if lightning hits a school bus, the lightning will pass around it to ground rather than inside it. The metal frame of the bus will act as an electrical conductor. If your bus catches fire, is stalled on a railroad track, or is in the path of a tornado, you must evacuate the bus for the students' safety.

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 All of the above

There are many warning signs of bullying occurring at school or on the school bus. Bullying occurs frequently on school buses because the bully knows that his or her victim can't flee. Here are some signs that you, the school bus driver, may be able to notice: (1) a child who is being bullied on the school bus, in full view of you; (2) a child who leaves school or exits your bus with visible signs of physical injury; (3) a child who leaves school or exits your bus with damaged clothing or damaged or lost possessions; or (4) a child who has recently become afraid to board the school bus.

Source: "10 Warning Signs of Bullying That Parents Often Miss," Learning Liftoff, October 14, 2021

Not quite. The answer is Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus for the student.

When approaching a stop, count the students, and count them again as they load onto the bus. If you're unable to account for a student, secure the bus to keep it from moving, take the ignition key with you, and check around and underneath the bus.

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 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 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 a railroad crossing that has a traffic control device.

Unlike a passive railroad crossing, an active railroad crossing is controlled by a traffic control device such as some combination of bells, gates, or flashing red lights.

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

A malfunctioning railroad crossing signal makes it too dangerous to proceed. If a police officer is at the crossing, follow the officer's directions. Otherwise, call your dispatcher, let them know about it, and ask for instructions.

Not quite. The answer is do any of the above.

In case of emergency, use your CB radio to contact the dispatch office of your location, conditions and type of assistance needed. If there is no radio or the radio is inoperable, dispatch a passing motorist or area resident to call for help. As a last resort, dispatch two older, responsible students to go for help.

Not quite. The answer is Make a final check to confirm all traffic has stopped.

Just before you signal the students to approach the bus, check that all traffic has indeed stopped for you. Unfortunately, not every driver stops for the flashing red lights of a school bus.