Montana CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is check for traffic once more.

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 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 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 10 feet

As you approach a school bus stop, bring the school bus to a full stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet away from students at the designated stop. The distance is 12 feet in Idaho. This forces the students to walk to the bus so you have a better view of their movements.

Not quite. The answer is exempts first-aiders from civil liability.

Anyone who gives first aid should be concerned about their liability when emergency care is necessary. The legal principle that most directly applies to you as a bus driver is the Good Samaritan concept. In Pennsylvania and many other states, so-called Good Samaritan laws have been passed to provide first-aiders with an exclusion from civil liability, except in cases of gross negligence or willful intent to harm the recipient of the aid.

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 All of the above can help.

There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of hijacking. You and your school district should have a plan on how to prevent hijackings, and an emergency plan of what to do if an attempted hijacking occurs. Some elements of these plans might include the following: (1) Never allow unauthorized persons to board your school bus, regardless of the person's age. These days, even a child can be carrying a gun. (2) Stay in frequent communication with your dispatcher, letting your dispatcher know your current location each time. If your dispatcher suddenly loses contact with you, at least he or she will know your last reported location. (3) Ask older students to call the police on their cell phones if an attempted hijacking occurs, allowing you to focus on how to handle the attempted hijacking.

Source: "How to Prevent the Threat of School Bus Hijacking," TrackSchoolBus.com, October 11, 2018

Not quite. The answer is Drive normally, but get the system serviced as soon as possible.

Losing the ABS function does not change the rest of your bus's braking system, so you will still have the same brakes that you have always had. Simply use them and get the ABS repaired as soon as possible. There is no need to panic unless your system shows other and more serious warnings.

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 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 do any of the above.

In case of emergency, use your CB radio to contact the dispatch office of your location, conditions and type of assistance needed. If there is no radio or the radio is inoperable, dispatch a passing motorist or area resident to call for help. As a last resort, dispatch two older, responsible students to go for help.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 The crossover mirrors

The convex and flat mirrors let you view the rear portion of the bus behind the mirror mounts. The crossover mirrors let you view the front danger zone and the danger zone areas to the left and right sides of the bus.

Not quite. The answer is Type D

The Type D school bus is often called transit style, because it resembles a transit bus. The body is constructed upon a stripped chassis. The engine can be forward, next to the driver's seat; or it can be placed in the rear. Note that the passenger entrance door and the driver's position are forward of the front wheels. This can affect how you steer the bus.