Missouri CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is document and report all incidents and allegations.

The following strategies can help combat bullying and harassment: seat who are susceptible to bullying or being victimized children close to the driver; separate children who are fighting or having difficulty and assign seats; be “aware of everything” and watch for the moods and signs of troubled kids; talk with bullies about being respectful on the bus; intervene before anything happens and discuss with students; maintain a good relationship with each child; try to engage potential bullies in positive conversations; and above all, talk to students with respect. In cases of bullying or harassment, you as the school bus operator must document and report all incidents and allegations. Take all your concerns to your supervisor, principal or other designated school personnel.

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 Missouri 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 200 feet

According to the Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual, when approaching a railroad crossing, you should activate your hazard lights (four-way flashers) about 200 feet before the crossing.

Not quite. The answer is A yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel will light when you start the engine.

Antilock brakes have been required on all buses with air brakes built since March 1, 1998 and all buses with hydraulic brakes built since March 1, 1999. (Many buses built even earlier also have ABS.) Every school bus with ABS must also have a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel.

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 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 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 When loading or unloading students

Each year, more students are killed while getting on or off a school bus than are killed as passengers inside a school bus.

Not quite. The answer is call your dispatcher and ask for instructions.

A malfunctioning railroad crossing signal makes it too dangerous to proceed. Call your dispatcher, let them know about it, and ask for instructions.

Not quite. The answer is in a logical sequence.

To ensure that none of the mirrors will be missed, always check them in a logical sequence.

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

When approaching a stop, count the students, and count them again as they load onto 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 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 evacuate the students upwind of the bus.

If the bus is on fire, don't waste time trying to put the fire out. Quickly evacuate everyone from the bus, ideally within two minutes. Lead the students at least 100 feet upwind of the bus to avoid exposing them to smoke or toxic gases. If the bus caught fire from an accident in which hazardous materials were spilled, lead the students at least 300 feet upwind of the bus.

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 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 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 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