Maryland CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 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 monitor passenger activity inside the bus.

The main purpose of the inside rear-view mirror is to monitor passenger activity inside the bus.

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 Evacuate the bus and move the students away at an angle to the tracks.

If your bus stalls on or adjacent to a railroad track, you must evacuate the bus even if you don’t see or hear an approaching train. Don't take any chances. A train can't yield the right-of-way to you. Have everyone walk at about a 45-degree angle to the tracks in the direction from which you expect a train to approach. That way, if your vehicle is hit, none of you will be struck by flying debris. Once you've reached a safe location, call 911 or the telephone number on the railroad crossing sign.

Not quite. The answer is at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus.

Instruct students who are exiting the bus at their stop to walk away from the side of the bus so you can see them and account for all of them before you drive on. According to the Maryland 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 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 100 – 300 feet

As you approach a school bus stop, turn on your right-turn signal about 100 – 300 feet or approximately three to five seconds before you pull over. Note: The Maryland School Bus Endorsement Study Guide is based on an earlier version of chapter 10 of the Maryland Commercial Driver License Manual and does not have this information.

Not quite. The answer is Local policy overrides state policy.

Local policy is the guideline for your role and responsibility as a driver of students with disabilities. When providing first aid, remember that local policy overrides state policy.

Not quite. The answer is All

All school bus accidents must be reported whether or not they involve death, injury, or property damage.

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 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 Pull over, secure the bus, and speak to the unruly students respectfully but firmly.

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 to the offending students. Speak in a courteous manner with a firm voice. Remind the offending students of the behavior that is expected of them. 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 Maryland 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 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 Maryland, every school bus is required to have an eight-light warning system (i.e., all four flashing red lights and all four flashing amber lights). [MD Transp Code § 22-228],

Source: 49 CFR 571.108

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 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 3 feet.

Ever notice how far the rear bumper of a school bus is from the rear wheels? In a sharp turn, the rear end of the school bus will swing out as much as three feet in the opposite direction. Before and during a turn, check your mirrors to monitor the tail swing to prevent a collision.

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 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.