Kentucky CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 an eight-light

Federal regulations require school buses to be equipped with a warning light system. Each bus must have two flashing red lights in front and two in the rear, and optionally two flashing amber lights in front and two in the rear. All these lights are positioned above the windshield, as near to the top of the bus as possible. The flashing amber lights warn drivers that your bus is slowing down for a stop. The flashing red lights warn drivers that you are stopping or have stopped. In Kentucky, every school bus used for transportation of students is required to have an eight-light warning system (i.e., all four flashing red lights and all four flashing amber lights). [Kentucky Minimum Specifications for School Buses, Kentucky Department of Education, 2019],

Source: 49 CFR 571.108

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 observing the danger zones around the bus.

Adjust all the mirrors so you can view the large danger zones around your bus and ensure that no vehicles, pedestrians, or other objects are in these areas.

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 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 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 Kentucky Commercial Driver License Manual, you must instruct students to walk at least 10 feet from the side of the bus.

Not quite. The answer is Because so many students are killed each year while getting on or off school buses

More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus than are killed as passengers on a school bus. You must thoroughly understand how to keep students safe before, during, and after loading or unloading.

Not quite. The answer is every year.

Kentucky and most other states require school bus drivers to have an annual physical examination to confirm that they are still fit to perform the duties of a school bus driver. In Kentucky, the examination includes test for hearing disorders, vision disorders, and emotional instability.

Source: 702 KAR 5:080

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

Do not evacuate the bus if the students would be exposed to dangers outside the bus such as downed power lines. Also, try to avoid evacuating students who have injuries (such as neck or back fractures) that could be worsened by moving them.

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.

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 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 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 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 Special, Treat Equally, Attention, Restraints, Different Techniques

You will likely carry at least one student with a disability on your bus during your driving career. Because a bus operator may not even know he/she is transporting a student with a disability, all operators should be aware of the special concerns relating to these passengers. An easy way to remember these special concerns is with the word “START.” S = Special. You should get to know each one and learn their individual traits. Talk with the student, their parents, aides, and teachers to find out important information. The more you know about their needs, the better you can accommodate them. T = Treat Equally. Students with disabilities want to be treated the same as all other students. Although there are many differences, whenever possible, all students should be required to follow the same rules. A = Attention. You must pay specific attention to students with disabilities. Some students will behave poorly in order to get your attention. By paying attention to them when their behavior is appropriate, you may improve their behavior. R = Restraints. Students with physical disabilities often require special seats or restraining devices. If you are driving a bus equipped with these devices, learn to properly secure these students in their seats. Wheelchairs used by students need to be properly tied down. T = Different Techniques. If you are having trouble maintaining control of a student, change your method and try something new. Be sure to ask other drivers or your supervisor for helpful suggestions in working with particular students or situations. Even better, consult a behavioral specialist or school psychologist with expertise in this area.

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 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 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 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.