Louisiana CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is 100 feet or 5–10 seconds

According to the Louisiana Commercial Driver License Manual, you should turn on the flashing amber lights at least 100 feet or 5–10 seconds ahead of the school bus stop "or in accordance with state law." Note, however, that according to the Louisiana Department of Education, you should turn on the flashing amber lights 100–500 feet ahead of the bus stop.

Source: §903. Loading and Unloading, "Bulletin 119 – Louisiana School Transportation Specifications and Procedures," Louisiana Department of Education, January 2019

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 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 Louisiana, every new Type 1 school bus (i.e., every new school bus designed to carry more than 16 passengers) is required to have an eight-light warning system (i.e., all four flashing red lights and all four flashing amber lights). [RS 32:318],

Source: 49 CFR 571.108

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 Tell students to leave any dropped objects, move out of the danger zones, and get your attention to retrieve the objects.

For their safety, students should remain within your view during loading and unloading. If a student tries to retrieve a dropped item, he or she may disappear from your view into a danger zone. Tell students to move out of the danger zones and notify you before they try to retrieve any dropped objects.

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 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 Louisiana 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 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 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 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 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 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 Firmly tell the students what behavior you expect from them.

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 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 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 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 Clearly conveying the rules and making sure the needs of you and your students are met

Assertive bus drivers are neither hostile nor passive. They clearly state their needs and back up their statements with appropriate actions. Assertive drivers have a positive outlook and believe in their abilities. They communicate effectively and plan how to respond with actions. They are persistent and quick to respond in a meaningful way, operating in a take-charge manner, but aware of the support needed by each individual child.

Not quite. The answer is drive through the gate.

Never stop on railroad tracks. Never shift gears on railroad tracks either because there is a chance that your vehicle might stall. If the gate comes down after you've already started to cross the tracks, keep going and cross the tracks even if you have to drive through the gate.

Not quite. The answer is It depends on the state.

There is no national standard governing whether the oxygen cylinder or tank must be secured to the wheelchair, the bus floor, or the bus sidewall. Instead, each state and possibly even each school district can set its own rules. Some jurisdictions allow only one of these three options; other jurisdictions allow more than one option. Check with your state department of education or state department of health and human services, and check with your school district as well.

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.