Utah CDL: School Bus Practice Test

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 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 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 Both of the above are true.

ABS activates only to keep your wheels from locking up during hard braking on slippery surfaces, so you won't have to pump the brakes. The rest of the time, drive and brake the same way that you always have. Do not drive or brake any differently just because of ABS. Use only the braking that is necessary to stop safely and stay in control.

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 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 an eight-light

Federal regulations require school buses to be equipped with a warning light system. Each bus must have two flashing red lights in front and two in the rear, and optionally two flashing amber lights in front and two in the rear. All these lights are positioned above the windshield, as near to the top of the bus as possible. The flashing amber lights warn drivers that your bus is slowing down for a stop. The flashing red lights warn drivers that you are stopping or have stopped. In Utah, every school bus is required to have an eight-light warning system (i.e., all four flashing red lights and all four flashing amber lights). [UT Code § 41-6a-1301],

Source: 49 CFR 571.108

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 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 constantly.

When you drive a school bus or any other motor vehicle, frequently check your mirrors to keep aware of what is happening all around your vehicle. When operating a school bus, you should also use your mirrors to check for students that may have wandered into danger zones.

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

According to the Utah 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." Under Utah law, however, you must turn on the flashing amber lights 100 – 500 feet ahead of the school bus stop.

Source: UT Code § 41-6a-1301

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 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 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 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 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 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 All

All school bus accidents must be reported whether or not they involve death, injury, or property damage.

Not quite. The answer is Tornado

In most extreme situations, it is safer for the students to remain inside the bus – but not in the case of a tornado. First, you can't hope to outrun a tornado. The tornado can skip from one point and touch down at another point unpredictably. Second, the tornado can destroy much of what lies in its path. Therefore, when a tornado is around, evacuate the school bus, and get everyone to shelter in the basement or other safe room of a nearby building. If no such shelter is available, get the students into a ditch or ravine (but not underneath a bridge or overpass), and instruct them to lie face down with their hands over their head. In the extremely unlikely event that lightning hits your school bus, it should pass around the metal exterior of the bus. However, stay off the radio. Lightning can travel down antennas and through electronic gear. Have your students stay inside the bus, and stay away from the sides of the bus.

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.