New Hampshire CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 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 Call your dispatcher and ask for instructions.

A malfunctioning railroad crossing signal makes it too dangerous to proceed. If a police officer is at the crossing, follow the officer's directions. Otherwise, call your dispatcher, let them know about it, and ask for instructions.

Not quite. The answer is 85%

For most parents, the bus driver is the only representative of the school system that they ever meet. Always be courteous and willing to listen to the parents' concerns.

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 Check if there are any more students hiding or sleeping on the bus.

After unloading students at school, walk through the bus to make sure that there are no more students still on the bus. One or more students may have fallen asleep on the bus or be in hiding.

Not quite. The answer is tell the students to remain seated until you signal them to exit.

When unloading the bus at school, secure the bus, tell the students to remain seated until you signal them to exit, and position yourself to supervise unloading. Only then should you signal the students to start exiting the bus in an orderly manner under your supervision.

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 When students are being loaded or unloaded

More students are killed while getting on or off a school bus each year than are killed as passengers inside a school bus. Most bus-related injuries and deaths occur during the loading and unloading processes. You must thoroughly understand how to keep students safe before, during, and after loading or unloading.

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 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 New Hampshire CDL Driver's Guide, 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.

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 If time allows, notify the dispatch office about your situation, your location, and the type of assistance you need.

You may have to decide quickly whether to evacuate the bus. It's best to contact your dispatcher first to explain the situation and call for assistance, but only if you have time. Otherwise, do it later.

Not quite. The answer is in either of the above situations.

In situations in which the students would be in more danger inside the bus than outside, you must evacuate them from the bus. As examples, if the bus is on fire, stalled on railroad tracks, in or near a spill of hazardous materials, or in imminent danger of collision, you must evacuate the students. You must also evacuate them if the position of the bus may change in a way that increases the danger to the students.

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 for mechanical or operational problems.

During your post-trip inspection, after checking for stray students, you should check all the mechanical and operational systems of the school bus for any problems. Immediately report any problems to your supervisor or school authorities.

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 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 dirt or shoeprints on the floor.

As part of your post-trip inspection of your bus, look for sleeping students that are still on the bus (yes, really), personal belongings that students may have left on the bus, mechanical or operational problems, and signs of damage or vandalism. Your district may give you more specific instructions.