Maine CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 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 Never put a student off the bus except at school or designated bus stops.

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 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 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 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 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 Maine 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 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 every emergency exit

The detailed requirements for this part of the pre-trip inspection test may vary from one state to another. According to the Maine Commercial Driver License Manual, you must make sure that every emergency exit is undamaged, operates smoothly, and closes securely from the inside. Also check that the emergency exit warning devices are working properly.

Not quite. The answer is both of the above are true.

The detailed requirements for this part of the pre-trip inspection test may vary from one state to another. According to the Maine Commercial Driver License Manual, you must make sure that every emergency exit is undamaged, operates smoothly, and closes securely from the inside. Also check that the emergency exit warning devices (if any) are working.

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 Vehicles and drivers

It is much safer for a student to ride to and from school in a school bus than in a car. Every school bus is designed with numerous safety features, including bright colors, flashing red lights and stop sign arms, multiple mirrors, energy-absorbing seatbacks, and high crush resistance. School bus drivers undergo background checks and are trained with safety in mind.

Source: "School Bus Safety," National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-buses

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 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 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 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 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 For safety as required by federal, state, and local laws

The main purpose of school bus inspections is to ensure safety: your safety and that of your passengers and other road users. A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. Federal and state laws require drivers to inspect their vehicles.

Not quite. The answer is keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gusts.

Strong winds can buffet a bus from the side, causing it to swerve, move off the road, or even tip over. If your bus is caught in high winds, slow down, grip the steering wheel firmly, and try to anticipate gusts. If necessary, contact your dispatcher for instructions or pull over until the winds subside.

Not quite. The answer is When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students should cross the street while remaining in the driver's view.

Students needing to cross the street in front of the bus should do so while remaining in your view. The specific procedures to be followed may vary from one state to another. According to the Maine Commercial Driver License Manual, you must instruct students to walk about 10 feet from the side of the bus to a position where you can see them. Then they should walk at least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the school bus. They should not start to cross the roadway until you signal them that it's safe for them to proceed.