Illinois CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is The crossover mirrors

The convex and flat mirrors let you view the rear portion of the bus behind the mirror mounts. The crossover mirrors let you view the front danger zone and the danger zone areas to the left and right 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 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 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 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 Illinois Commercial Driver's License Study Guide, you should instruct students to walk at least 10 feet from the side of the bus.

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 must also be equipped with a first-aid kit and a body fluid cleanup kit.

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 Remove the key from the ignition if you are leaving the driver's compartment.

When you stop at school to pick up students, secure the bus. Shut off the engine. If you must leave the driver's compartment, remove the key from the ignition and take it with you. Position yourself to supervise loading as required by your district.

Not quite. The answer is When water builds between the tires of your bus and the road surface

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the rubber tires of your bus and the road surface, leading to the loss of traction, and thus preventing the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or accelerating. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph, if there is a lot of water. Hydroplaning is more likely, if tire pressure is low or the tread is worn.

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 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 the left and right front tires touching the ground.

Position the crossover mirrors so you can view the danger zone at the front of the bus. You should be able to see the front tires touching the ground.

Not quite. The answer is between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

At a railroad crossing, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Trains are at least six feet wider than the tracks they run on, so you don't want to be too close.

Not quite. The answer is Only at school or the student's designated bus stop

You may put a misbehaving student off the bus only at school or his or her designated bus stop. If a student is so unruly that it's unsafe to keep driving, contact a school administrator or the police to arrive and handle the situation.

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. 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 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 exempts first-aiders from civil liability.

Anyone who gives first aid should be concerned about their liability when emergency care is necessary. The legal principle that most directly applies to you as a bus driver is the Good Samaritan concept. In Pennsylvania and many other states, so-called Good Samaritan laws have been passed to provide first-aiders with an exclusion from civil liability, except in cases of gross negligence or willful intent to harm the recipient of the aid.

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

In situations in which the students would be in more danger inside the bus than outside, you must evacuate them from the bus. As examples, if the bus is on fire, stalled on railroad tracks, in or near a spill of hazardous materials, or in imminent danger of collision, you must evacuate the students. You must also evacuate them if the position of the bus may change in a way that increases the danger to the students.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

Hydroplaning is a unique situation where your bus loses traction on a slippery surface. If your bus is traveling straight, it may begin to feel slightly loose. If there was a high level of road feel in normal conditions, it may suddenly diminish. If the drive wheels hydroplane, there may be a sudden audible rise in engine RPM and indicated speed as they begin to spin. In a broad highway turn, if the front wheels lose traction, the bus will suddenly begin to drift toward the outside of the bend. If the rear wheels lose traction, the back of the bus will begin to slide out sideways into a skid. If all four wheels hydroplane at once, the bus will slide in a straight line, again toward the outside of the bend if in a turn. When any or all of the wheels regain traction, there may be a sudden jerk in whatever direction that wheel is pointed.