Pennsylvania CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is at least 10 feet from the edge of the road.

According to the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, before loading students under normal driving conditions, make sure the students are in plain view at least 10 feet from the edge of the road.

Source: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, PUB 117, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Not quite. The answer is activate the alternating flashing red lights and ensure that the stop arm is extended.

After stopping but before loading or unloading, set your transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park shift point), turn on the alternating red lights, and extend the stop arm.

Not quite. The answer is 70

Statistically, children are 70 times safer, riding in a school bus to school than riding in a car. School buses are designed to be highly visible, and they have high crush standards and rollover protection features built in. Children are at the greatest risk of an accident when they are entering or leaving 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 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 both of the above are true.

During your pre-trip inspection, check that the battery is secure and free of excessive corrosion. Also check that the cover or door of the battery box is secure and undamaged.

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 in the center

When approaching a bus stop, stay in the center of the rightmost (curb side) lane on multilane roads or in the center of the driving lane on two-way roads. (You'll have to stop at a point that will force the students to walk to the bus anyway.)

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 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 keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gusts.

Strong winds can buffet a bus from the side, causing it to swerve, move off the road, or even tip over. If your bus is caught in high winds, slow down, grip the steering wheel firmly, and try to anticipate gusts. If necessary, contact your dispatcher for instructions or pull over until the winds subside.

Not quite. The answer is prevents skids caused by hard braking.

If you brake hard on a slippery surface, the force of the brakes may exceed the tires' grip of the road, causing the wheels to lock up. If the wheels lock up, your bus may skid. ABS prevents your wheels from locking up so you can maintain control. However, that's all that ABS does. It won't necessarily shorten your stopping distance or prevent a skid that is caused by turning too fast. Therefore, if your bus has ABS, drive the same careful way as you would if the bus didn't have ABS.

Not quite. The answer is every year.

Pennsylvania and most other 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.

Source: 67 Pa. Code § 71.3

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 stand at the side of the roadway.

As the students exit the bus, count how many are getting off at the stop. Instruct them to stand at the side of the roadway far enough in front of the bus to see your face (at least 10 feet). When you signal them that it's safe to cross, they should look both ways before stepping into the roadway. Then they should cross in front of the crossing arm.

Source: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, PUB 117, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Not quite. The answer is Secure the bus.

After you've determined the need to evacuate and decided on the type of evacuation, you must secure the bus to keep it from moving. Put the transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park shift point). Set the parking brakes, turn off the engine, and remove the ignition key. Also activate the hazard warning lights.

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 every emergency exit

The detailed requirements for this part of the pre-trip inspection test may vary from one state to another. According to the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, you must make sure that every emergency exit is undamaged, operates smoothly, and closes securely from the inside. Also check that the emergency exit warning devices (if any) are working.

Source: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, PUB 117, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Not quite. The answer is anticipate some emotional instability and impulsiveness.

Students with learning disabilities may seem to be deliberately disobedient or stubborn, but in reality, they can’t control their behavior. Your main goal in disciplining these students should be to help them control their emotions. While this is what you might expect of all students, it is harder for a learning-disabled student to achieve this goal.

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.