New Jersey CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 dangerous and strongly discouraged.

Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged. It is very dangerous and increases your risk of a collision. Never back your school bus when students are outside it; the risk of injury is too high.

Not quite. The answer is 10 feet

A school bus's left and right danger zones extend up to ten feet from the sides of the bus.

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

At the bus stop, count the students as they exit the bus, and then count them again once they're standing clear of 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 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 do both 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. Dangle the radio microphone or telephone out of the driver’s window for later use, if operable.

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 count the number of students at the bus stop and make sure that all of them board the bus.

Once you've pulled up to a stop, count the number of students preparing to board the bus. Then have them board single file as you count them again. Make sure that all are accounted for and seated before you drive off.

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 length of the bus plus 15 feet.

Before you proceed through a railroad crossing, make sure that the containment area (the space on the opposite side of the crossing) is large enough for your bus. As a general rule, the containment area should be at least equal to the length of your bus plus 15 feet.

Not quite. The answer is every 2 years.

Most states require school bus drivers to have an annual physical (including a vision test) to confirm that they are still fit to perform the duties of a school bus driver. In New Jersey, however, school bus drivers must have a physical examination every two years unless they are at least 70 years of age. A school bus driver who is 70 to 74 years of age must have a physical examination every year. A school bus driver who is at least 75 years old must have a physical examination every six months. ["Endorsement Requirements," New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/inspection/schoolbus/endorsements.htm],

Source: "School Bus Driver Requirements 70 years of Age and Older," New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/drivertopics/busdriv70.htm

Not quite. The answer is in a lightning storm

Even if lightning hits a school bus, the lightning will pass around it to ground rather than inside it. The metal frame of the bus will act as an electrical conductor. If your bus catches fire, is stalled on a railroad track, or is in the path of a tornado, you must evacuate the bus for the students' safety.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

Hydroplaning is a unique situation where your bus loses traction on a slippery surface. If your bus is traveling straight, it may begin to feel slightly loose. If there was a high level of road feel in normal conditions, it may suddenly diminish. If the drive wheels hydroplane, there may be a sudden audible rise in engine RPM and indicated speed as they begin to spin. In a broad highway turn, if the front wheels lose traction, the bus will suddenly begin to drift toward the outside of the bend. If the rear wheels lose traction, the back of the bus will begin to slide out sideways into a skid. If all four wheels hydroplane at once, the bus will slide in a straight line, again toward the outside of the bend if in a turn. When any or all of the wheels regain traction, there may be a sudden jerk in whatever direction that wheel is pointed.

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 Comply with the hijacker's demands.

Don't do anything that might escalate the situation to actual gun violence. Of these four choices, the least worst thing you can do is comply with the hijacker's demands. If the hijacker sees you trying to call your dispatcher or the police, he or she may freak out and do something violent. As you drive to the hijacker's destination, you can try to converse gently with the hijacker to calm the person and establish some rapport, but don't provoke the hijacker by arguing with the person. Don't try to be a hero and disarm the hijacker; the gun might go off and get someone killed.

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.