Iowa CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus for the student.

At the bus stop, count the students as they exit the bus, and then count them again once they're standing clear of 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 70

Statistically, children are 70 times safer, riding in a school bus to school than riding in a car. School buses are designed to be highly visible, and they have high crush standards and rollover protection features built in. Children are at the greatest risk of an accident when they are entering or leaving the bus.

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 operates smoothly and closes securely from the inside.

During your vehicle inspection test, check that the entry door is free of damage, opens smoothly, and closes securely from the inside. Also check that the entry handrails are secure and the step light (if any) is working properly.

Not quite. The answer is Passenger safety

As a bus driver, always remember that when you drive a passenger vehicle, your first responsibility is to ensure the safety of the passengers you're transporting. Passenger comfort and prompt arrival at the destination are important but secondary concerns.

Not quite. The answer is every emergency exit

As part of your vehicle inspection test, you will have to check every emergency exit to be sure that it is undamaged, operating smoothly, and able to be closed securely from the inside. You will also have to check that any emergency exit warning devices are working.

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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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. This is to confirm that none of them are in your bus's danger zones before you drive on. The exact distance that students must move from the bus varies from one state to another. According to the Iowa Commercial Driver License Manual, you should instruct students to walk at least 10 feet from the side of the bus.

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 200 feet

According to the Iowa Commercial Driver License Manual, when your bus is approaching a railroad crossing, you should turn on your hazard lights about 200 feet ahead of the crossing.

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 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 keep your wheels from locking during hard braking.

By preventing your wheels from locking up, ABS allows you to brake harder on slippery roadways. ABS does not significantly affect the rest of your driving. It does not affect your braking capability or necessarily shorten your stopping distance.