Tennessee CDL: School Bus Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is do both of the above.

As you approach a school bus stop, turn on your alternating flashing amber lights well before the stop. According to the Tennessee Commercial Driver License Manual, you should turn on the flashing amber lights at least 200 feet or 5–10 seconds ahead of the school bus stop "or in accordance with state law." Check your mirrors constantly to make sure that there are no pedestrians, vehicles, or other objects in any of your bus's danger zones.

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 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 Stop, look, and listen.

Before crossing the tracks, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Look in both directions for an approaching train. Also turn off the radio and any noisy equipment and listen for an approaching train.

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 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 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 between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

At a railroad crossing, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Trains are at least six feet wider than the tracks they run on, so you don't want to be too close.

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 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 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

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 a railroad crossing that has a traffic control device.

Unlike a passive railroad crossing, an active railroad crossing is controlled by a traffic control device such as some combination of bells, gates, or flashing red lights.

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 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 Tennessee Commercial Driver License Manual, 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 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 drive through the gate.

Never stop on railroad tracks. Never shift gears on railroad tracks either because there is a chance that your vehicle might stall. If the gate comes down after you've already started to cross the tracks, keep going and cross the tracks even if you have to drive through the gate.

Not quite. The answer is 200 feet or 5–10 seconds

According to the Tennessee Commercial Driver License Manual, you should turn on the flashing amber lights at least 200 feet or 5–10 seconds ahead of the school bus stop "or in accordance with state law."

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 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.