CDL school bus practice test

The School Bus (S) test is for you if you drive a school bus, on top of the passenger endorsement. It follows federal rules, so these 139 questions apply in every state.

School Bus practice test

Answer at your own pace. After each question you see the correct answer and why, and at the end a review of what you missed.

Practice test: 20 random questions; pass with 16 correct, the 80 percent every CDL knowledge test requires.
Long practice: 50 random questions; pass with 40 correct.

School Bus questions with answers

What does the term danger zone mean on a school bus route?
1. The area on all sides of the bus where students are most likely to be struck by the bus or by passing traffic
2. The section of the passenger compartment behind the rear axle, where the ride is roughest for the students sitting there
3. The stretch of roadway between two consecutive bus stops, which the driver covers with the lights off
4. The distance a fully loaded bus needs in order to come to a complete stop from normal road speed
Show answer

Answer A: The area on all sides of the bus where students are most likely to be struck by the bus or by passing traffic

The danger zone is the space immediately around the bus where a child can be hit, and much of it cannot be covered by direct vision from the driver seat.

Source: oregon.gov
How far ahead of the front bumper can the danger zone reach?
1. About 5 feet
2. About 15 feet
3. As much as 30 feet
4. As much as 75 feet
Show answer

Answer C: As much as 30 feet

The zone ahead of the bus can extend roughly 30 feet, far beyond the point where a small child disappears below the windshield line.

Source: oregon.gov
Which part of the danger zone in front of the bus is the most hazardous?
1. The far edge, beyond 25 feet
2. The first 10 feet directly ahead of the bumper
3. Only the portion that lies in the oncoming lane
4. The area between 20 and 30 feet ahead
Show answer

Answer B: The first 10 feet directly ahead of the bumper

A small child standing within roughly 10 feet of the bumper can drop completely out of the driver's direct line of sight, which makes that strip the deadliest part of the zone.

Source: oregon.gov
How far do the danger zones extend along each side of the bus and behind the rear bumper?
1. About 20 feet
2. About 30 feet
3. About 45 feet
4. About 10 feet
Show answer

Answer D: About 10 feet

The zone reaches roughly 10 feet out from each side and 10 feet behind the rear bumper, and on each side it continues across the roadway.

Source: oregon.gov
Why is the danger zone on the left side of the bus always treated as hazardous?
1. Because the service door opens on that side
2. Because the stop signal arm blocks the driver's view
3. Because passing traffic travels along that side
4. Because the emergency exit cannot be opened from outside
Show answer

Answer C: Because passing traffic travels along that side

Vehicles that ignore the red lights pass along the left side, so a student who steps into that zone is exposed to traffic as well as to the bus.

Source: oregon.gov
How large is the blind spot behind a school bus when the driver relies on the outside flat mirrors?
1. Roughly 5 to 10 feet
2. Roughly 50 to 150 feet, and in some cases as much as 400 feet
3. Roughly 500 to 700 feet
4. There is no blind spot behind the bus
Show answer

Answer B: Roughly 50 to 150 feet, and in some cases as much as 400 feet

The area straight behind the bus stays hidden for a considerable distance, which is why backing is discouraged and why the rear zone has to be cleared on foot.

Source: oregon.gov
About how far can the rear of a school bus swing out during a turn?
1. Up to about 3 feet
2. Up to about 8 feet
3. Up to about 12 feet
4. The rear of a bus does not swing out at all
Show answer

Answer A: Up to about 3 feet

Tail swing of roughly 3 feet is enough to strike a person or object, so the mirrors must be watched before and throughout every turning movement.

Source: oregon.gov
What should the outside left and right flat mirrors be adjusted to show?
1. Only the interior of the passenger compartment, so the driver can watch the students without turning around in the seat
2. Only the pavement directly under the front bumper, where a small child would otherwise be hidden from view
3. The roadway about 400 feet ahead of the bus, together with the shoulder on the right hand side
4. About 200 feet or four bus lengths behind the bus, the sides of the bus, and the rear tires touching the ground
Show answer

Answer D: About 200 feet or four bus lengths behind the bus, the sides of the bus, and the rear tires touching the ground

The flat mirrors cover the rearward view and the sides, and seeing the rear tires on the ground gives a fixed reference for judging clearance.

Source: oregon.gov
A correctly adjusted convex mirror on a school bus shows which view?
1. The whole side of the bus up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires touching the ground, and at least one traffic lane on each side
2. Only the rear emergency exit door and the roadway immediately behind it, so the driver can see anyone standing there before backing the bus toward it
3. The roadway about 200 feet behind the bus, measured back from the rear bumper along the lane the bus is using
4. The aisle from the driver seat back to the last bench, so that every student on board stays in view
Show answer

Answer A: The whole side of the bus up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires touching the ground, and at least one traffic lane on each side

Convex mirrors give a wide-angle view of the sides so the driver can see students and traffic close to the bus that the flat mirrors miss.

Source: oregon.gov
What are the crossover mirrors on the front corners of the bus used for?
1. Watching student behavior inside the passenger compartment while the bus is running between two stops on the route
2. Judging the size of the gap to a vehicle that you intend to pass on a two lane road
3. Seeing the danger zone ahead of the bumper and beside the service door that direct vision cannot cover
4. Checking that the stop signal arm has folded flat against the side of the bus before it moves off
Show answer

Answer C: Seeing the danger zone ahead of the bumper and beside the service door that direct vision cannot cover

Crossover mirrors exist to reveal the area right in front of the bumper and along the front corners, where a child would otherwise be invisible.

Source: oregon.gov
What limitation must a driver keep in mind when reading the convex and crossover mirrors?
1. They work only while the bus is standing still, because the curved glass cannot settle on a moving image
2. They cannot be adjusted once students are aboard, so the setting has to be left alone until the run ends
3. They fog over whenever the defroster is running, which leaves the side of the bus hidden in cold weather
4. They distort size and distance, so a person does not appear as large or as close as they really are
Show answer

Answer D: They distort size and distance, so a person does not appear as large or as close as they really are

The curved surface widens the field of view at the cost of accuracy, so a child seen in these mirrors is nearer than the image suggests.

Source: oregon.gov
How should the overhead inside rearview mirror be positioned?
1. So the top of the rear window sits at the top of the mirror and every student is visible, including those seated directly behind the driver
2. So it shows the pavement immediately ahead of the front bumper, where a small child standing close to the bus would drop out of sight altogether
3. So it frames only the rear emergency exit door, which lets the driver confirm that the door is shut before the bus moves off
4. So it points at the stop signal arm on the left side, so the driver can watch it swing out at every stop
Show answer

Answer A: So the top of the rear window sits at the top of the mirror and every student is visible, including those seated directly behind the driver

This mirror is for monitoring passengers, so it must be set to take in the whole compartment rather than any part of the road.

Source: oregon.gov
What does inspecting the mirror system before the run involve?
1. Folding the crossover mirrors in against the body so that they do not vibrate out of aim on the road
2. Leaving the adjustment until the first group of students is aboard, so the loaded height can be allowed for
3. Confirming that every mirror is clean, undamaged, firmly mounted and correctly adjusted
4. Removing the convex mirrors for any trip made after dark, because they throw glare back at the driver
Show answer

Answer C: Confirming that every mirror is clean, undamaged, firmly mounted and correctly adjusted

A cracked, dirty, loose or misaimed mirror leaves part of the danger zone unwatched, so the whole system is checked and set before the first stop.

Source: oregon.gov
How often should the mirrors be checked while students are loading or unloading?
1. Once only, immediately before the service door is opened, since nothing changes while the students board
2. Continuously and in a set sequence so no student or object is missed in any danger zone
3. Only after the bus has started moving again, when the mirrors show whether anyone is left at the stop
4. Only when a crossing student signals to the driver that they are ready to step out into the roadway
Show answer

Answer B: Continuously and in a set sequence so no student or object is missed in any danger zone

Scanning the flat, convex and crossover mirrors in a fixed order every time is what keeps a child from being overlooked in one of the zones.

Source: oregon.gov
What do the alternating flashing amber warning lights tell other drivers?
1. That the bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off students
2. That the bus has broken down and needs assistance
3. That the amber lights are replacing the turn signals on this vehicle
4. That the bus is carrying hazardous materials
Show answer

Answer A: That the bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off students

The amber lights are an advance warning that gives following and oncoming traffic time to slow and prepare to stop before the red lights come on.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. Rule out the options you know are wrong first. Two plausible answers are easier to choose between than four.
Under the model school bus loading procedure, when should the amber warning lights be switched on?
1. Only after the bus has come to a complete stop at the loading point, with the door still shut
2. Exactly as the service door begins to open, so that traffic sees the warning at the same moment
3. Only if students are already standing at the stop and can be seen from the driver seat
4. At least 200 feet, or roughly 5 to 10 seconds, before reaching the stop
Show answer

Answer D: At least 200 feet, or roughly 5 to 10 seconds, before reaching the stop

Activating them well before the stop gives traffic enough warning to react; the model procedure sets 200 feet as the baseline, and a state may require a different distance.

Source: oregon.gov
When are the alternating red lights and the stop signal arm put into use?
1. As soon as the bus pulls away from the previous stop
2. Only when the driver needs to leave the driver seat
3. Once the bus has stopped and traffic is far enough back to halt safely
4. Only on trips where a student has to cross the road
Show answer

Answer C: Once the bus has stopped and traffic is far enough back to halt safely

The red lights and stop arm command traffic to stop, so they are activated at the stop itself once approaching vehicles still have room to pull up.

Source: oregon.gov
How far should the front bumper be from waiting students when the bus stops?
1. At least 10 feet
2. At least 2 feet
3. At least 25 feet
4. The distance does not matter once the red lights are flashing
Show answer

Answer A: At least 10 feet

Stopping short of the group keeps the children out of the tightest part of the front danger zone and keeps them in view.

Source: oregon.gov
What must the driver do before opening the service door all the way at a stop?
1. Sound the horn twice to alert any students who are still waiting near the stop for the bus
2. Make a final check that traffic in both directions has actually come to a stop
3. Switch the red lights back to amber so that traffic knows the bus is about to move again
4. Release the parking brake so the bus is ready to pull away the moment the students are aboard
Show answer

Answer B: Make a final check that traffic in both directions has actually come to a stop

Red lights are a legal command that some drivers ignore, so the door stays closed until the driver has confirmed with their own eyes that traffic has stopped.

Source: oregon.gov
Once the bus has stopped at the loading point, how should it be secured?
1. Leave the transmission in gear and hold the service brake down until the last student is safely aboard
2. Shift into reverse so that the bus cannot creep forward toward the students waiting at the door
3. Shut off the engine and remove the key at every stop along the route, however short the halt is
4. Place the transmission in park, or neutral if there is no park position, and set the parking brake
Show answer

Answer D: Place the transmission in park, or neutral if there is no park position, and set the parking brake

Securing the bus this way removes any chance of it rolling while the driver's attention is on the students outside.

Source: oregon.gov
After stepping off the bus, how far away from the side should students move?
1. At least 3 feet
2. At least 10 feet
3. At least 30 feet
4. They may stay beside the bus until it drives off
Show answer

Answer B: At least 10 feet

Moving that far out clears the side danger zone and puts the student where the driver can see them in the mirrors.

Source: oregon.gov
Why should the driver watch each student closely as they step down through the service door?
1. To make sure the student is carrying a bag in the right hand and keeping the left hand on the rail at all times
2. To count how many seats have been left free before the next group of students climbs aboard
3. Because clothing, drawstrings or accessories can catch on the handrail or door and drag the student
4. Because the metal edge of the bottom step can carry an electrical charge in wet weather
Show answer

Answer C: Because clothing, drawstrings or accessories can catch on the handrail or door and drag the student

Students have been injured when an item snagged on the handrail or door and the bus pulled away, so the driver watches every exit to the ground.

Source: oregon.gov
Where should a student walk to before crossing the road in front of the bus?
1. Straight across from the service door, hugging the side of the bumper as they go
2. To a point at least 10 feet ahead of the right corner of the front bumper
3. Around the rear bumper and out from behind the bus, where the following traffic can see them
4. To the center line of the road, stopping there before finishing the crossing to the far side
Show answer

Answer B: To a point at least 10 feet ahead of the right corner of the front bumper

Walking that far forward puts the student where the driver can see them by direct vision or in the crossover mirror before waving them across.

Source: oregon.gov
Why are students taught to cross in front of the bus rather than behind it?
1. Because the stop signal arm only protects the front of the vehicle and gives no cover to the rear
2. Because traffic never approaches a stopped school bus from the front while the red lights are on
3. Because the front bumper sits lower than the rear bumper, so a child ahead of it is easier to see
4. Because the area behind the bus is a long blind spot where the driver cannot see them
Show answer

Answer D: Because the area behind the bus is a long blind spot where the driver cannot see them

A student behind the bus is invisible for a considerable distance, while a student ahead of the bumper can be seen and controlled by the driver.

Source: oregon.gov
What should a student do after reaching the crossing position ahead of the bumper?
1. Cross straight away without pausing, so that the bus is not held up at the stop any longer
2. Wave at the driver to show they are there and keep walking out into the roadway
3. Stop at the edge of the roadway, look in all directions and wait for the driver's signal
4. Run across quickly so that the bus is not delayed and the traffic behind can move on
Show answer

Answer C: Stop at the edge of the roadway, look in all directions and wait for the driver's signal

The pause at the right edge of the roadway lets the student see approaching traffic and lets the driver confirm the road is clear before signaling.

Source: oregon.gov
What should a student be taught to do if they drop something in the danger zone while crossing?
1. Leave the item, move clear of the danger zone and get the driver's attention
2. Pick it up quickly and step out of the way before the bus starts to move again
3. Reach under the front bumper to recover it while the bus is still standing at the stop
4. Send another student to fetch it, since two of them can watch the road at the same time
Show answer

Answer A: Leave the item, move clear of the danger zone and get the driver's attention

Bending down for a dropped object puts the child below the driver's sight line, which is one of the classic ways students are run over.

Source: oregon.gov
You signal a student to cross and then lose sight of them. What is the correct action?
1. Sound the horn once to warn the student, then continue along the route to the next scheduled stop
2. Wait about ten seconds for the student to appear and then pull away from the stop
3. Assume the student reached the far side of the road safely and move off without delay
4. Keep the bus secured, take the key with you and check around and underneath before moving
Show answer

Answer D: Keep the bus secured, take the key with you and check around and underneath before moving

A student who vanishes from view may be in a blind spot or under the bus, and the only safe way to rule that out is to get out and look.

Source: oregon.gov
What should the driver do about the group of students waiting at a stop?
1. Count them as they wait and confirm that every one of them boards
2. Count only the students who take seats in the front half of the bus
3. Rely on the roster the school office issued that morning
4. Count them once a week to keep track of the route load
Show answer

Answer A: Count them as they wait and confirm that every one of them boards

Counting at the stop and again as they board is what tells the driver whether anyone is still outside the bus before it moves.

Source: oregon.gov
Why should students be counted again as they get off the bus?
1. To work out the fuel used per student on the route
2. To decide how many seats need cleaning
3. To know where every student is before the bus is put back in motion
4. To report daily attendance to the school office
Show answer

Answer C: To know where every student is before the bus is put back in motion

The unloading count is what allows the driver to state positively that all students are clear of the vehicle and out of the danger zones.

Source: oregon.gov
When may the bus be put back in motion after a stop?
1. As soon as the service door has been closed and the step is clear of feet
2. As soon as the red lights have been switched off and the stop arm has folded away
3. As soon as the traffic waiting behind the bus begins to move forward again
4. Only when every student is accounted for and clear of the danger zones
Show answer

Answer D: Only when every student is accounted for and clear of the danger zones

Closing the door and shutting off the lights are steps in the sequence, but the bus does not move until the count and the mirror checks confirm every student is safe.

Source: oregon.gov
Under federal rules, where must a bus carrying passengers stop at a railroad grade crossing?
1. Within 50 feet of the nearest rail but no closer than 15 feet
2. Within 100 feet but no closer than 25 feet
3. Exactly 10 feet from the nearest rail
4. Anywhere within 200 feet of the crossing
Show answer

Answer A: Within 50 feet of the nearest rail but no closer than 15 feet

The rule sets a window that keeps the bus clear of the rails while still close enough for the driver to see along the track in both directions.

Source: ecfr.gov
Why does a school bus driver open the service door and the driver window at a railroad crossing?
1. To let the passenger compartment cool while the bus is stopped
2. So the driver can listen for an approaching train as well as look for one
3. So the students can get a clear view of the tracks
4. Because a stopped bus is always required to keep its door open
Show answer

Answer B: So the driver can listen for an approaching train as well as look for one

A train can be heard before it comes into view, especially where buildings, curves or vegetation block the sight line, so hearing is part of the check.

Source: oregon.gov
What should be done with the radio, fans and passengers before looking and listening at a crossing?
1. Leave the radio on so the dispatcher can reach you
2. Let students keep talking quietly among themselves
3. Turn the fan to maximum to clear the windshield
4. Switch off radios and other noisy equipment and quiet the passengers
Show answer

Answer D: Switch off radios and other noisy equipment and quiet the passengers

Any noise inside the bus can mask a horn or the sound of an approaching train, so the compartment is silenced before the driver listens.

Source: oregon.gov
Which gear should be used to drive across the tracks?
1. The highest gear available so the crossing is over quickly
2. Neutral, coasting across under the bus momentum
3. A gear low enough to complete the crossing without changing gears
4. Reverse, if the far side of the crossing slopes downhill
Show answer

Answer C: A gear low enough to complete the crossing without changing gears

Federal rules bar shifting on the tracks because a missed shift can stall the bus in the worst possible place.

Source: ecfr.gov
How should a crossing with more than one set of tracks be handled?
1. Stop before each set of tracks in turn, looking and listening again in both directions every time you move up
2. Stop only before the first set, then cross all of them once you are sure no train is coming on any track
3. Cross the first set of rails, then stop between the sets and check once more before going on
4. Follow the vehicle ahead across without stopping, keeping the same gap the whole way over
Show answer

Answer B: Stop only before the first set, then cross all of them once you are sure no train is coming on any track

Stopping between sets of tracks would leave the bus standing on a live rail, so the check is made once, before the first set.

Source: oregon.gov
Besides confirming that no train is coming, what must the driver be sure of before starting across?
1. That there is room to clear the far side of the tracks completely without stopping
2. That the bus has enough fuel on board to finish the route without stopping at a pump
3. That the students are sitting ready to evacuate through the rear door if the bus should stall
4. That the crossing gates and the crossbuck signs carry reflective tape that is still in good order
Show answer

Answer A: That there is room to clear the far side of the tracks completely without stopping

Traffic backed up beyond the crossing can trap the bus on the rails, so the driver checks for a clear exit before committing.

Source: oregon.gov
A crossing gate starts to come down after the bus has already begun to cross. What should the driver do?
1. Stop at once and back the bus off the tracks
2. Stop on the tracks and wait for the gate to lift again
3. Open the service door and unload the students on the tracks
4. Keep going and push through the gate even if it breaks
Show answer

Answer D: Keep going and push through the gate even if it breaks

A broken gate costs money, while a bus stopped on the rails costs lives, so the driver clears the crossing without hesitating.

Source: oregon.gov
The bus stalls on a railroad crossing. What is the correct response?
1. Keep the students seated while you try to restart the engine
2. Evacuate and lead everyone along the tracks in the direction the train is traveling
3. Evacuate at once and move everyone away from the tracks at an angle toward the oncoming train
4. Get everyone out and wait beside the bus for help to arrive
Show answer

Answer C: Evacuate at once and move everyone away from the tracks at an angle toward the oncoming train

Moving away from the rails at an angle toward the train keeps people clear of the bus and clear of the debris a collision throws forward along the track.

Source: oregon.gov
As a general rule, are students safer on the bus or off it during an emergency?
1. Off the bus, because any stopped bus is a target for other traffic
2. On the bus, unless staying aboard would expose them to unnecessary risk
3. Off the bus, but only if a police officer is present to authorize it
4. On the bus, but only when the bus is less than half full
Show answer

Answer B: On the bus, unless staying aboard would expose them to unnecessary risk

Students are easier to protect and supervise inside the vehicle, so evacuation is reserved for situations where remaining aboard is the greater danger.

Source: oregon.gov
Which of these situations always calls for evacuating the bus?
1. A flat tire on a quiet residential street
2. A student who refuses to sit down
3. The bus is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing
4. Heavy rain during the afternoon run
Show answer

Answer C: The bus is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing

A bus stopped on or beside a crossing sits in the path of a train that cannot stop for it, which makes evacuation mandatory rather than optional.

Source: oregon.gov
Apart from fire, which of these makes evacuation mandatory?
1. A hazardous materials release that makes staying aboard unsafe
2. A route that is running fifteen minutes behind schedule
3. An interior light that has burned out
4. A two-way radio that has stopped working
Show answer

Answer A: A hazardous materials release that makes staying aboard unsafe

Fumes or a spill can make the inside of the bus more dangerous than the roadside, so the students are moved out and away.

Source: oregon.gov
Which statement describes the evacuation routes a school bus driver may choose from?
1. The front service door only, in every case
2. The roof hatch only, because it is farthest from traffic
3. The windows only, because doors are likely to jam in a crash
4. The front, rear or side door, a combination of doors, or a roof or window exit
Show answer

Answer D: The front, rear or side door, a combination of doors, or a roof or window exit

The driver picks the exits that lead away from the hazard, which is why crews are trained on door, combination, roof and window evacuations.

Source: oregon.gov
How should the bus be secured once the decision to evacuate has been made?
1. Leave the engine running so the heater keeps the compartment warm for the students who come back aboard
2. Put the transmission in park or neutral, set the parking brake, shut off the engine and take the key
3. Leave the key in the ignition so that a passing driver can move the bus off the road if that becomes necessary
4. Release the parking brake so that the bus can be pushed clear of the roadway once help arrives
Show answer

Answer B: Put the transmission in park or neutral, set the parking brake, shut off the engine and take the key

The bus must be unable to move or restart while the driver is outside managing a crowd of children.

Source: oregon.gov
Where should students be taken after a routine evacuation on the roadside?
1. At least 100 feet off the road, in the direction from which traffic is coming
2. Onto the shoulder immediately alongside the bus, where the driver can keep the whole group in sight
3. To the nearest building, however far away it happens to be from the place where the bus stopped
4. Directly behind the bus, so that the body of the bus shields the group from passing traffic
Show answer

Answer A: At least 100 feet off the road, in the direction from which traffic is coming

Putting distance between the group and the roadway protects them if another vehicle strikes the bus, and facing the traffic lets everyone see what is approaching.

Source: oregon.gov
Where should students be moved when a hazardous materials spill is involved?
1. Downwind, about 50 feet from the bus
2. Directly alongside the bus so they are easy to count
3. Upwind and at least 300 feet from the bus
4. Underneath the nearest bridge or overpass
Show answer

Answer C: Upwind and at least 300 feet from the bus

Vapors travel with the wind, so the group is placed well back and on the side the wind is blowing from.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. When two answers both seem legal, pick the one that is safer for everyone on the road. That is how most tests are written.
How can older students be used during an evacuation?
1. Ask the youngest students to leave last and without help, so the older ones are clear of the door first
2. Let each student pick whichever exit is nearest, without any direction from the driver at all
3. Send every student to the front service door whatever the hazard turns out to be
4. Assign two responsible older students to each emergency exit to help the others off
Show answer

Answer D: Assign two responsible older students to each emergency exit to help the others off

Trained student helpers at the exits keep the flow moving and free the driver to supervise the group as a whole.

Source: oregon.gov
What must the driver do at the end of the route before leaving the bus?
1. Lock the bus immediately and report the mileage to the school office before anyone else can get aboard
2. Walk the full length of the aisle to the rear and check every seat for sleeping or hiding students
3. Glance down the aisle from the driver seat to see whether any student is still sitting there
4. Announce over the public address system that the route is finished and wait for a reply
Show answer

Answer B: Walk the full length of the aisle to the rear and check every seat for sleeping or hiding students

A sleeping child can be completely hidden below the seat backs, so the only reliable check is a walk to the rear looking into each row.

Source: oregon.gov
Besides sleeping students, what else does the post-trip walk through cover?
1. Only the fuel level in the tank, which has to be written on the sheet at the end of the run
2. Only the pressure in the tires, checked with a gauge before the bus is parked for the night
3. Items left behind, open windows and doors, damage or vandalism, and mechanical faults
4. Only the seat belt in the driver compartment, which is inspected once the students have gone
Show answer

Answer C: Items left behind, open windows and doors, damage or vandalism, and mechanical faults

The end of route inspection is a full sweep of the vehicle so that nothing is left aboard and no defect is carried into the next run.

Source: oregon.gov
Which items get special attention in a school bus post-trip inspection because they are unique to this vehicle?
1. The mirror system, the flashing warning lamps and the stop signal arm
2. The fare box, the destination sign and the change machine beside the driver
3. The luggage bay, the wheelchair ramp and the roof rack, and nothing else
4. The engine oil level, the coolant level and the washer fluid in the reservoir
Show answer

Answer A: The mirror system, the flashing warning lamps and the stop signal arm

These are the systems that protect students during loading and unloading, so a fault in any of them has to be found before the next run.

Source: oregon.gov
Where should the crossover mirrors be aimed so that they cover the front of the bus correctly?
1. So they show the area in front of the bumper, the full width of the bus and the front wheels touching the ground
2. So they show the roadway about four bus lengths behind the bus, together with the traffic lane on each side of it
3. So they show only the pavement under the service door, which is the part of the zone the students walk through
4. So they show the passenger compartment from the front bench right back to the rear emergency exit door
Show answer

Answer A: So they show the area in front of the bumper, the full width of the bus and the front wheels touching the ground

Aiming the crossover mirrors this way covers the front danger zone and gives the driver the wheels on the ground as a fixed reference point.

Source: oregon.gov
How should the mirror settings on a school bus be verified?
1. By adjusting them from the seat while driving slowly through the first block of the route
2. With the bus parked on level ground, ideally with a helper standing at points around it
3. By comparing them against the settings written on the previous driver's inspection report
4. By folding each mirror in and then back out again, which returns every one to the factory setting
Show answer

Answer B: With the bus parked on level ground, ideally with a helper standing at points around it

Aim can only be judged from a stationary bus on level ground, and a person standing in each danger zone shows at once whether the setting really covers it.

Source: oregon.gov
Even when the outside flat mirrors are properly adjusted, which areas do they leave hidden?
1. Immediately below and in front of each mirror, and directly behind the rear bumper
2. Along the center line of the road, from the front axle back as far as the rear axle
3. Inside the passenger compartment, in the rows of seats nearest the driver's position
4. In the oncoming traffic lane, for a distance of about two bus lengths ahead of the bus
Show answer

Answer A: Immediately below and in front of each mirror, and directly behind the rear bumper

The flat mirrors cannot see the ground just under and ahead of their own mounting or the strip straight behind the bus, which is why the convex and crossover mirrors exist.

Source: oregon.gov
What is the purpose of the crossing control arm mounted on the front bumper of many school buses?
1. It holds the stop signal arm out at the correct angle for as long as the red lights are flashing
2. It keeps traffic in the oncoming lane from moving past the front of the bus while it is stopped
3. It forces students who cross to walk far enough ahead of the bumper to stay in the driver's view
4. It measures the distance from the bumper to the curb so that the driver can park closer to the stop
Show answer

Answer C: It forces students who cross to walk far enough ahead of the bumper to stay in the driver's view

The arm swings out ahead of the bumper so a crossing student is pushed out of the closest and deadliest part of the front danger zone.

Source: oregon.gov
Under the model school bus loading procedure, how far ahead of a stop should the right turn signal be switched on?
1. About 500 to 800 feet, or roughly 15 seconds, so that following traffic gets the longest warning
2. About 100 to 300 feet, or roughly 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over
3. At the moment the bus actually begins to move toward the curb and out of the traveled lane
4. Only after the amber warning lights have been switched off and the red lights have come on
Show answer

Answer B: About 100 to 300 feet, or roughly 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over

The model procedure puts the right turn signal at 100 to 300 feet, after the amber warning lights, as a second and later warning that the bus is about to leave the lane; a state may set a different distance.

Source: oregon.gov
As the bus approaches the stop, where should it be positioned on the roadway?
1. As far to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway as it can safely be moved
2. Straddling the lane line, so that vehicles behind cannot try to pass on either side
3. In the center of the roadway, so students on both sides have the same distance to walk
4. Angled toward the curb with the rear of the bus still out in the traffic lane behind it
Show answer

Answer A: As far to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway as it can safely be moved

Keeping to the right shortens the distance students walk in the roadway and leaves the traveled lane as clear as the stop allows.

Source: oregon.gov
How should students be taught to wait at the stop as the bus arrives?
1. Standing in a line at the edge of the pavement so that they can board without any delay
2. Walking toward the bus as soon as it slows down, so that boarding does not hold up traffic
3. Facing the bus and staying back until it has stopped and the door has been opened
4. Standing behind the mailbox nearest the stop until the driver sounds the horn for them
Show answer

Answer C: Facing the bus and staying back until it has stopped and the door has been opened

A student who moves toward a bus that is still rolling walks straight into the danger zone, so the rule is to stay clear until the bus is stopped and the door is open.

Source: oregon.gov
Under the model school bus crossing procedure, what tells a student that it is safe to start crossing in front of the bus?
1. The alternating red lights beginning to flash on the front of the bus above the windshield
2. The service door swinging fully open at the loading point on the right hand side of the bus
3. The sound of the traffic behind the bus coming to a stop in the roadway near the bus
4. A signal from the driver, given only after the driver has checked that traffic has stopped
Show answer

Answer D: A signal from the driver, given only after the driver has checked that traffic has stopped

Under the model procedure the driver is the only person who can see the whole picture, so the student waits for the driver's signal rather than reading the lights or the traffic; individual states set their own signal method.

Source: oregon.gov
Why must students keep watching the driver during the whole crossing?
1. So that the driver can warn them with the prearranged signal if a hazard appears
2. So that the driver can count them a second time as they reach the far side of the road
3. So that the driver knows which students still have to be marked present on the roster
4. So that the students can tell when the red lights have been switched off at the stop
Show answer

Answer A: So that the driver can warn them with the prearranged signal if a hazard appears

A car that fails to stop can appear after the crossing has begun, and the agreed signal is the only way the driver can pull the students back.

Source: oregon.gov
The door is closed and the red lights are switched off at a stop. What comes next before pulling away?
1. Sound the horn twice to tell any student still outside that the bus is about to leave
2. Switch the amber warning lights back on until the bus has rejoined the traffic lane
3. Turn on the left turn signal, check the mirrors again and let backed-up traffic clear
4. Open the driver window and wave the traffic waiting behind the bus past on the left side
Show answer

Answer C: Turn on the left turn signal, check the mirrors again and let backed-up traffic clear

Signaling the move, rechecking the zones and letting the queue disperse keep the bus from pulling into a lane full of drivers who are trying to get past it.

Source: oregon.gov
When may students leave their seats at the unloading point?
1. As soon as the bus turns into the school driveway, so that unloading is not delayed
2. As soon as the service door starts to open at the unloading point in the loading zone
3. Only after the bus has stopped completely and the driver tells them to move
4. As soon as the driver has set the parking brake and shut the engine down for the stop
Show answer

Answer C: Only after the bus has stopped completely and the driver tells them to move

Students standing in the aisle of a moving bus can be thrown down by a sudden stop, so they stay seated until the bus is stopped and the driver releases them.

Source: oregon.gov
How often must the check for sleeping or hiding students be carried out?
1. At the end of every route or trip, including midday runs and activity trips
2. Once at the end of the day, after the last afternoon route has been finished
3. Only on trips where the roster shows more than twenty students were carried
4. Only when the bus is going to be parked overnight away from the usual yard
Show answer

Answer A: At the end of every route or trip, including midday runs and activity trips

A child can be left aboard after any run, so the walk to the rear belongs to the end of every trip and not only to the end of the working day.

Source: oregon.gov
Some buses have a child check alarm that sounds when the engine is shut off. How is it silenced?
1. By pressing a button in the driver compartment before the engine has been shut down
2. By walking to the rear of the bus and operating the switch mounted at the back
3. By closing the service door and locking it from outside with the ignition key
4. By waiting for it to time out, which happens about two minutes after the shutdown
Show answer

Answer B: By walking to the rear of the bus and operating the switch mounted at the back

The switch is deliberately placed at the very back so that silencing the alarm forces the driver to walk the full length of the aisle and look at every seat.

Source: oregon.gov
What is the rule on backing a school bus?
1. It is the preferred way to leave a stop, since the mirrors cover the rear of the bus well
2. It is allowed at any time as long as the four way flashers are switched on beforehand
3. It should be avoided, and done with a lookout posted outside whenever one can be found
4. It is permitted only when there are fewer than ten students seated inside the vehicle
Show answer

Answer C: It should be avoided, and done with a lookout posted outside whenever one can be found

The area behind the bus is a long blind spot, so routes are planned to avoid backing and a lookout is posted whenever one is available; with nobody to help, the driver secures the bus and walks to the rear to check the way first.

Source: oregon.gov
Students are being loaded in the school loading zone and you want to reposition the bus. What applies?
1. Backing in the loading zone while students are present should not be done
2. Backing there is acceptable as long as a teacher is standing on the sidewalk nearby
3. Backing there is acceptable if the horn is sounded once before the bus starts to move
4. Backing there is acceptable whenever the red lights and the stop signal arm are switched on
Show answer

Answer A: Backing in the loading zone while students are present should not be done

A loading zone is full of children on foot, and no signal or observer makes the blind area behind the bus safe enough to reverse into.

Source: oregon.gov
What does tail swing mean for a bus pulling out of a stop beside parked cars?
1. The rear of the bus can swing into the next lane or into an object beside the bus
2. The rear axle lifts slightly, which cuts the traction available at the drive wheels
3. The rear of the bus follows the exact path of the front wheels through the whole turn
4. The rear of the bus drops toward the curb and the bumper can scrape on the pavement
Show answer

Answer A: The rear of the bus can swing into the next lane or into an object beside the bus

As the front turns out, the tail sweeps the opposite way, so the mirrors have to be watched throughout the maneuver and not only before it starts.

Source: oregon.gov
Strong crosswinds are pushing the bus around on an exposed stretch of road. What should you do?
1. Speed up so that less time is spent in the exposed section of the route
2. Slow down, keep a firm grip on the wheel and stop and call dispatch if control is in doubt
3. Move into the left lane so the wind pushes the bus onto the shoulder rather than into traffic
4. Open the windows along both sides of the bus so that the wind passes through the compartment
Show answer

Answer B: Slow down, keep a firm grip on the wheel and stop and call dispatch if control is in doubt

The flat sides of a bus act like a sail, so speed comes down first, and a driver who cannot hold the lane parks in a safe place instead of continuing.

Source: oregon.gov
What does an antilock braking system do for a school bus driver?
1. It shortens the stopping distance of the bus by roughly a third on any road surface
2. It applies the brakes automatically whenever the bus gets too close to the vehicle ahead
3. It keeps the wheels from locking so the driver can still steer while braking hard
4. It holds the bus still on a grade after the service brake pedal has been released
Show answer

Answer C: It keeps the wheels from locking so the driver can still steer while braking hard

ABS is a control system, not a stopping system: by preventing lockup it leaves the front wheels able to steer the bus during a hard stop.

Source: fmcsa.dot.gov
How should you use the brakes on a bus equipped with ABS?
1. Pump the pedal steadily so the system has time to release and reapply at each wheel
2. Press the pedal to the floor at every stop so that the system stays in its active state
3. Use the parking brake together with the service brake to bring the bus to a stop
4. Brake as you normally would, using only the force needed to stop under control
Show answer

Answer D: Brake as you normally would, using only the force needed to stop under control

ABS works in the background and only intervenes when a wheel is about to lock, so the driver's technique does not change at all.

Source: oregon.gov
The yellow ABS malfunction lamp stays lit after the bus has started up. What does that mean?
1. The antilock function is not working, although the normal brakes still are
2. The bus has lost all braking and has to be shut down where it stands
3. The parking brake has been left applied while the transmission is in gear
4. The system is running the self test it carries out at the start of every trip
Show answer

Answer A: The antilock function is not working, although the normal brakes still are

The lamp should go out shortly after start-up; if it stays on the bus still stops normally but without antilock protection, and the fault has to be reported.

Source: fmcsa.dot.gov
How should a driver prepare for evacuating students who cannot leave the bus unaided?
1. By seating them in the rear rows, closest to the largest emergency exit on the bus
2. By waiting for the emergency services, who will always reach the bus within minutes
3. By knowing beforehand who needs help and how each of them will be moved out
4. By asking a parent to travel on the bus on any route that carries such students
Show answer

Answer C: By knowing beforehand who needs help and how each of them will be moved out

An evacuation gives no time to work out a plan, so the driver learns in advance which students need assistance and which exit and method suits each of them.

Source: oregon.gov
Where state and local rules leave it to the driver, when should the roof mounted white strobe light be used?
1. On every trip, from the moment the engine is started until it is shut down again
2. Only while the bus is standing still with the red lights on and the stop arm out
3. Only on trips that carry students who need extra assistance getting on and off
4. When visibility is limited, for example in fog, heavy rain or falling snow
Show answer

Answer D: When visibility is limited, for example in fog, heavy rain or falling snow

The model manual ties the strobe to limited visibility such as fog, rain or snow, and tells drivers to follow their own state and local rules, which in some states require the strobe on more often.

Source: oregon.gov
Which emergency equipment should be located and checked during the pre-trip inspection?
1. A fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, warning devices and a body fluid cleanup kit
2. A spare wheel, a hydraulic jack, a tire pressure gauge and a set of wheel chocks
3. A tow chain, a set of jumper cables, a fuel can and a portable air compressor
4. A spare drive belt, a container of coolant, engine oil and washer fluid for the reservoir
Show answer

Answer A: A fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, warning devices and a body fluid cleanup kit

These are the items the driver may need to protect students at the roadside, and a missing or discharged item is useless once the emergency has started.

Source: oregon.gov
How is the rear emergency exit door checked before the run?
1. By confirming it is padlocked from the inside so that it cannot be opened on the road
2. By opening it to see that it works freely and that the warning buzzer sounds
3. By checking that the seats nearest to it have been folded flat against the wall
4. By making sure the aisle leading to it has been marked out with reflective tape
Show answer

Answer B: By opening it to see that it works freely and that the warning buzzer sounds

The exit has to open easily from inside, and the buzzer is what warns the driver if it comes open while the bus is running.

Source: oregon.gov
Besides fire and a hazardous materials release, which situation makes evacuation mandatory?
1. A student on board has become unwell during the afternoon run
2. The bus is stopped where its position could change and increase the danger
3. The heater in the passenger compartment has stopped producing any warmth
4. The route has to be diverted because of roadworks at the usual turning point
Show answer

Answer B: The bus is stopped where its position could change and increase the danger

If the bus could slide, roll or be struck where it stands, the compartment stops being the safe place it normally is and everyone has to be moved out.

Source: oregon.gov
Your bus is disabled just beyond a blind curve where approaching traffic cannot see it. What should you do?
1. Keep the students in their seats and switch on the four way flashers until help arrives
2. Move the students into the seats at the front of the bus, away from the rear of the vehicle
3. Evacuate the students and move them well clear of the road on the safest side
4. Ask two older students to stand out at the curve and wave the approaching traffic down
Show answer

Answer C: Evacuate the students and move them well clear of the road on the safest side

A bus that other drivers cannot see until it is too late is a probable collision, which is one of the cases where staying aboard is more dangerous than leaving.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. One test a day for a week beats seven tests in one evening: spaced practice is what makes rules stick.
A student is seriously injured after a crash and you decide to evacuate. What applies to that student?
1. Move them out first, since the injured should always be the first ones off the bus
2. Move them only if there is an immediate danger of fire or of another collision
3. Move them last, once every other student has been taken to the safe location
4. Move them yourself only if you can reach the exit without any help from others
Show answer

Answer B: Move them only if there is an immediate danger of fire or of another collision

Moving someone with a spinal or internal injury can make it far worse, so it is done only when leaving them where they are would be worse still.

Source: oregon.gov
Once the students are off the bus, how should an older student assistant be used?
1. Every older student should be sent to the front to leave through the service door first
2. The older students should stay aboard to hand the emergency equipment out to the driver
3. The older students should be split up so that each one walks beside a younger student
4. One is assigned to lead the group away from the road to the safe place chosen for them
Show answer

Answer D: One is assigned to lead the group away from the road to the safe place chosen for them

The model manual has the driver assign a student assistant to lead the group to a safe place, which keeps the students moving away from the bus and away from the traffic lane.

Source: oregon.gov
What is a passive railroad crossing?
1. A crossing where the tracks have been taken out of service but the rails are still there
2. A crossing where a train can approach from only one direction because of a spur line
3. A crossing where the road surface has been raised so that a bus cannot become grounded
4. A crossing with no gates or signals, where the decision to proceed is the driver's
Show answer

Answer D: A crossing with no gates or signals, where the decision to proceed is the driver's

Passive crossings carry only signs, so nothing on the road tells the driver whether a train is coming and the whole judgment rests on looking and listening.

Source: railroads.dot.gov
At which of these crossings is a bus carrying students not required to stop?
1. A crossing where the view along the track is clear for well over a quarter of a mile in each direction
2. A crossing on a road that the school district has designated as a bus route corridor
3. A crossing controlled by a police officer or a flagman directing the traffic through
4. A crossing whose gates are standing up and whose lights are not flashing at all
Show answer

Answer C: A crossing controlled by a police officer or a flagman directing the traffic through

Federal rules list a short set of exceptions to the mandatory stop, and a crossing being directed by an officer or flagman is one of them.

Source: ecfr.gov
A student keeps calling to you from the back of the bus while you are driving. What is the safest response?
1. Keep your eyes on the road and deal with it at the next stop
2. Turn around briefly at low speed so the student can see that you are listening
3. Use a hand-held phone to call the office and have them speak to the student instead
4. Watch the student in the inside rearview mirror for as long as the conversation lasts
Show answer

Answer A: Keep your eyes on the road and deal with it at the next stop

Anything that takes the driver's eyes or mind off the road puts a full load of children at risk, and a hand-held phone is also barred for commercial drivers.

Source: fmcsa.dot.gov
An adult you do not recognize tries to board the bus at a stop. What should you do?
1. Let them ride as far as the school, where the office can check who they are
2. Let them on if they say that they are the parent of a student on the bus
3. Leave the bus and ask them for identification out on the sidewalk by the door
4. Keep them off the bus, secure the door and report it to the dispatcher
Show answer

Answer D: Keep them off the bus, secure the door and report it to the dispatcher

Only authorized people belong on a bus full of students, and the driver settles nothing at the roadside but hands it to dispatch instead.

Source: oregon.gov
What should be done with a school bus that is left unattended between runs?
1. Leave a window open so that the compartment does not get too warm during the day
2. Shut it down, take the key and secure the bus against unauthorized entry
3. Leave the key in the ignition so that another driver can move it if it is in the way
4. Leave the engine idling so that the heater keeps working right through the break
Show answer

Answer B: Shut it down, take the key and secure the bus against unauthorized entry

An unlocked bus with the key aboard can be taken or tampered with, so it is shut down and secured whenever the driver is not with it.

Source: oregon.gov
How should a wheelchair and the student in it be secured on a school bus?
1. With the chair facing sideways and its own brakes set for the whole of the trip
2. With two tie-downs at the front of the chair and nothing needed at the rear of it
3. With the occupant belt used as the tie-down, passing it around the frame of the chair
4. With four tie-downs holding the chair and a separate belt restraining the student
Show answer

Answer D: With four tie-downs holding the chair and a separate belt restraining the student

The chair and the person need separate systems: four tie-downs anchor the chair to the floor while the occupant restraint holds the student in the chair.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Two students start fighting at the back of the bus while you are driving. What should you do?
1. Watch them in the inside mirror and speak to them over the public address system
2. Reach back with one arm to separate them while keeping the bus inside its own lane
3. Carry on to the school and hand the whole matter over to the office when you arrive
4. Pull over where it is safe, secure the bus and then deal with the students
Show answer

Answer D: Pull over where it is safe, secure the bus and then deal with the students

A serious disturbance cannot be managed from a moving driver seat, so the bus is stopped in a safe place and secured before the driver turns to the students.

Source: oregon.gov
Why should unnecessary idling be avoided while the bus waits in a loading zone?
1. Because an idling engine cannot build enough air pressure to release the parking brake
2. Because it wastes fuel and pushes exhaust fumes into the area where students walk
3. Because the alternator stops charging the battery whenever the engine is left idling
4. Because the engine oil pressure falls to zero if the engine idles for several minutes
Show answer

Answer B: Because it wastes fuel and pushes exhaust fumes into the area where students walk

Exhaust collects around a line of buses and drifts in through open doors and windows, so the engine is shut down whenever the wait is more than brief.

Source: epa.gov
What is the rule on refueling a school bus?
1. Refuel with the engine left idling so that the tank vents itself while the fuel goes in
2. Refuel only in the middle of a route, never before the first run of the morning starts
3. Refuel with students aboard whenever the tank has fallen below about a quarter full
4. Never fuel in a closed building with students aboard, and avoid fueling with them aboard
Show answer

Answer D: Never fuel in a closed building with students aboard, and avoid fueling with them aboard

The manual bars fueling in a closed building while students are aboard, and treats fueling anywhere with students aboard as something done only when there is no alternative.

Source: oregon.gov
Which area around a stopped school bus can be reached neither by direct vision nor by any mirror?
1. The ground directly underneath the body of the bus, between the front and rear axles
2. The traffic lane on the far side of the road, which only the left convex mirror can cover
3. The roadway ahead of the windshield beyond about fifty feet from the front bumper of the bus
4. The interior of the compartment behind the last row of forward facing passenger seats
Show answer

Answer A: The ground directly underneath the body of the bus, between the front and rear axles

Nothing shows the driver the space under the bus, which is why a student who disappears from view has to be searched for on foot before the bus moves.

Source: oregon.gov
A ball rolls under the front of your stopped bus and a student starts toward it. What should you do?
1. Wave the student forward quickly so they can pick the ball up before the traffic starts moving
2. Hold the students where they are, keep the bus secured and recover the ball yourself
3. Sound the horn to warn the student and then pull forward slowly so the ball is left behind
4. Let the student reach under the bumper while you watch them in the right crossover mirror
Show answer

Answer B: Hold the students where they are, keep the bus secured and recover the ball yourself

Any child who bends or crawls near the bus vanishes from the driver's sight line, so the adult who can see the whole scene is the one who retrieves the object.

Source: oregon.gov
Where should students be taught to stand while they wait for the bus to arrive?
1. At the curb edge so the driver can see them clearly through the windshield on the approach
2. In a line along the traveled lane, facing the direction the bus is expected to come from
3. Back from the edge of the road, about ten feet or five giant steps from where the bus stops
4. Anywhere within sight of the stop, provided they start walking when the amber lights come on
Show answer

Answer C: Back from the edge of the road, about ten feet or five giant steps from where the bus stops

Waiting a full danger zone width back from the stopping point keeps students out of the path of the bus and out of the path of any vehicle that fails to stop.

Source: oregon.gov
As you slow for a stop, the waiting group presses forward toward the edge of the road. What should you do?
1. Open the door as soon as you stop so that the crowd has somewhere to go other than the roadway
2. Drive on to the next stop and pick the group up on the return leg once they have settled down
3. Stop with the bumper level with the group so the crossing gate holds them back from the lane
4. Stop short of the group, keep the door shut and wait until they have stepped back clear
Show answer

Answer D: Stop short of the group, keep the door shut and wait until they have stepped back clear

The bus stops where the students are not, and the door stays closed until the group is back out of the danger zone and under control.

Source: oregon.gov
Which sequence describes the model approach to a school bus stop?
1. Stop the bus at the loading point first, then switch on the amber lights, then the red lights, and signal
2. Check the mirrors, switch on the amber lights, slow gradually and stop, then use the red lights and stop arm
3. Switch on the red lights and the stop arm on the approach, then slow, stop, and change to the amber lights
4. Signal right, stop the bus, open the door for the students, and switch the red lights on once they are aboard
Show answer

Answer B: Check the mirrors, switch on the amber lights, slow gradually and stop, then use the red lights and stop arm

The warning phase comes first and the commanding phase second, so amber precedes the stop and red follows it; the exact distances are set by each state.

Source: oregon.gov
On a bus with the master warning switch on, what happens when the service door is opened at a stop?
1. The crossover mirrors fold in against the body so that they cannot be struck by boarding students
2. The parking brake releases so that the bus is ready to pull away when the loading is finished
3. The amber lights change to alternating red lights and the stop signal arm extends
4. The strobe light on the roof begins to flash and the headlights switch themselves off
Show answer

Answer C: The amber lights change to alternating red lights and the stop signal arm extends

The door interlock ties the light sequence to the door, so the amber warning becomes the red command exactly when students start to move.

Source: oregon.gov
The crossing control arm on the bumper no longer swings fully out. What should the driver do?
1. Extend the arm by hand at each stop and fold it back before the bus pulls away from the stop
2. Ignore it, because the arm is a convenience feature with no part in the loading procedure
3. Keep using it, since a partly extended arm still reaches beyond the worst part of the zone
4. Report it as a defect and never rely on it to hold students clear of the front danger zone
Show answer

Answer D: Report it as a defect and never rely on it to hold students clear of the front danger zone

A gate that does not reach its full travel leaves students inside the closest part of the front zone, so it is a reportable defect and not a substitute for the crossing procedure.

Source: oregon.gov
A student ducks under the crossing control arm instead of walking around it. Why is that dangerous?
1. Because it puts the student back into the closest part of the front zone, out of the driver's view
2. Because the arm can spring back and strike a student who passes underneath while it is extended
3. Because the arm carries an electrical current that can injure a student who touches it in the rain
4. Because the student is then outside the area that the stop signal arm on the left side protects
Show answer

Answer A: Because it puts the student back into the closest part of the front zone, out of the driver's view

The whole point of the gate is to hold the crossing path out beyond the bumper, and a student who cuts inside it drops below the windshield line again.

Source: oregon.gov
The door is closed and you are about to move when a student runs along the side of the bus toward the door. What should you do?
1. Speed up slightly so the student gives up the chase and waits for the bus at the following stop
2. Open the door while still rolling slowly so the student can step aboard without losing more time
3. Keep the bus stopped and secured, watch the student the whole way and load them properly
4. Move off and stop again about fifty feet ahead, where the student can reach the door more easily
Show answer

Answer C: Keep the bus stopped and secured, watch the student the whole way and load them properly

A running student is inside the side danger zone, and the only safe response is to leave the bus motionless and secured until they are aboard by the normal procedure.

Source: oregon.gov
What should students be taught to do if they reach the stop after the bus has already left?
1. Run alongside the bus and knock on the side of the body so that the driver knows they are there
2. Chase the bus to the next stop, where it will be standing still long enough for them to get aboard
3. Stand in front of the bus so the driver has to stop and cannot pull away without seeing them
4. Never run after the bus; step back from the road and report to a parent or to the school
Show answer

Answer D: Never run after the bus; step back from the road and report to a parent or to the school

Children chasing a moving bus end up in the blind areas beside and behind it, so the rule taught to students is that a missed bus is never worth running for.

Source: oregon.gov
Two students get off and both have to cross in front of the bus. What must you confirm before moving?
1. That both students have completed the crossing and are clear, each one accounted for by sight
2. That the first student has reached the far side, since the second will follow the same path
3. That the traffic waiting in both directions has begun to move now that the red lights are off
4. That the crossing control arm has folded back flat against the front bumper of the bus
Show answer

Answer A: That both students have completed the crossing and are clear, each one accounted for by sight

Crossing students are counted individually, because one child pausing or turning back is exactly the situation the count is meant to catch.

Source: oregon.gov
The last student is clear of the bus. Which checks come immediately before you release the brake?
1. Check the interior rearview mirror only, since the outside zones were already cleared at the stop
2. Check the crossover mirrors, then the outside flat and convex mirrors, and look ahead by direct vision
3. Check the left convex mirror only, because that is the side that passing traffic uses to go by
4. Check nothing further, because the red lights and the stop signal arm have kept the whole area clear
Show answer

Answer B: Check the crossover mirrors, then the outside flat and convex mirrors, and look ahead by direct vision

The departure scan runs from the front zone outward, because a child can re-enter the area during the seconds between the count and the first movement of the bus.

Source: oregon.gov
What must be true of the students inside before the bus is put in motion?
1. They have counted themselves aloud so the driver knows the load is complete before the bus moves
2. They are standing behind the white line on the floor until the bus reaches its cruising speed
3. They have moved to the rear rows, which is where the ride is smoothest while the bus accelerates
4. They are seated, facing forward, with legs and belongings out of the aisle
Show answer

Answer D: They are seated, facing forward, with legs and belongings out of the aisle

A school bus protects its passengers through the seat structure, which only works for a student who is sitting properly in the seat when the bus stops hard.

Source: oregon.gov
Why must the aisle and the stepwell be kept clear of bags and instrument cases?
1. Because they trip students and block the exit route the whole load would need in an evacuation
2. Because loose items shift the weight of the bus toward the rear and change the way it handles
3. Because the floor covering wears out faster when heavy items are dragged along it every day
4. Because the driver cannot see the length of the aisle in the inside mirror when items are stacked
Show answer

Answer A: Because they trip students and block the exit route the whole load would need in an evacuation

An aisle full of belongings slows an evacuation that has to be finished in a couple of minutes at most, and that is time a bus fire does not allow.

Source: oregon.gov
Why does the post-trip check for sleeping or hiding students exist at all?
1. Because the school office requires an attendance figure at the end of each of the daily runs
2. Because a child left aboard can be trapped for hours and has died in a closed parked bus
3. Because the fuel and mileage record cannot be completed until the compartment has been emptied
4. Because insurance rules require a written note that the compartment was swept after every trip
Show answer

Answer B: Because a child left aboard can be trapped for hours and has died in a closed parked bus

Children have been left behind and have died of heat in locked buses, which is why the walk to the rear is a safety step rather than a clerical one.

Source: oregon.gov
You find a sleeping student during the post-trip check. What should you do?
1. Leave them sleeping and check again after you have parked the bus in its space for the night
2. Wake them and send them home on foot, since the run has finished and the bus is out of service
3. Wake the student, keep them with you and report what happened to dispatch or the school
4. Note it on the inspection sheet and mention it to the next driver who takes the bus out
Show answer

Answer C: Wake the student, keep them with you and report what happened to dispatch or the school

The student is now off route and unaccounted for, so the driver keeps them supervised and lets the school or dispatch arrange how they get home.

Source: oregon.gov
You are backing with a lookout posted and you lose sight of that person. What must you do?
1. Post a lookout who can see the rear, agree signals, and stop if you lose sight of them
2. Back at a walking pace with the hazard flashers on, relying on the outside convex mirrors alone
3. Sound the horn once and back briskly so the bus spends the least possible time out of position
4. Ask two students to stand behind the bus and call out if anything comes into the path of the bus
Show answer

Answer A: Post a lookout who can see the rear, agree signals, and stop if you lose sight of them

The lookout replaces vision the driver does not have, so the movement stops the instant that person is no longer visible from the driver seat.

Source: oregon.gov
You must back the bus and no lookout is available. What is the correct approach?
1. Back anyway, keeping the speed down and watching both outside convex mirrors the whole way
2. Get out, walk around and check the area behind the bus yourself, then back slowly without delay
3. Wait for another bus to arrive so that its driver can watch from inside their own vehicle
4. Use the horn continuously while backing, which warns anyone who may be standing behind you
Show answer

Answer B: Get out, walk around and check the area behind the bus yourself, then back slowly without delay

Walking the area gives the driver the only reliable picture of what is behind the bus, and backing immediately afterward keeps that picture current.

Source: oregon.gov
Why must a school bus driver not begin a right turn too early at a street corner?
1. Because the front wheels track inside the path of the rear wheels and can climb the curb
2. Because the crossing control arm on the bumper reaches out over the curb during the whole turn
3. Because the rear wheels follow a tighter path than the front and can ride over the curb
4. Because the inside mirror loses its view of the passenger compartment while the bus is turning
Show answer

Answer C: Because the rear wheels follow a tighter path than the front and can ride over the curb

Off tracking brings the rear wheels inside the line the front wheels take, so turning early can put those wheels onto a sidewalk where students may be standing.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. Before test day, check on the official agency website which documents and fees you need to bring.
Which lights does a school bus use when it stops at a railroad grade crossing?
1. The alternating red lights and the stop signal arm, exactly as at a student loading stop
2. The amber warning lights, which tell the following traffic that the bus is about to stop
3. The roof strobe alone, which is the light reserved for stops made away from a bus stop
4. The hazard warning flashers; the student loading lights are never used at a crossing
Show answer

Answer D: The hazard warning flashers; the student loading lights are never used at a crossing

Loading lights would tell other drivers that students are getting on or off, so the crossing stop is signaled with the hazard flashers instead.

Source: oregon.gov
You reach a railroad crossing with students aboard and a highway traffic signal there is showing green. What applies?
1. The bus must still stop, because a traffic signal has no bearing on the railroad crossing at all
2. The mandatory stop does not apply, so the bus may cross without stopping if the way is clear
3. The bus must stop and the driver must also get out and walk forward to look along the track
4. The bus must stop twice, once before the signal and again between the signal and the nearest rail
Show answer

Answer B: The mandatory stop does not apply, so the bus may cross without stopping if the way is clear

A crossing controlled by a functioning highway traffic signal showing green is one of the listed exceptions to the mandatory stop for buses carrying passengers.

Source: ecfr.gov
Which crossing does the federal stopping rule for buses leave out?
1. Any crossing that has automatic gates and flashing lights in working order on both approaches
2. Any crossing where the driver has a clear view along the track for 500 feet in both directions
3. A streetcar crossing or an industrial switching track inside a business district
4. Any crossing on a road where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or lower
Show answer

Answer C: A streetcar crossing or an industrial switching track inside a business district

Streetcar crossings and industrial or switching tracks within a business district are named exceptions; working gates and good sight lines are not.

Source: ecfr.gov
You have stopped at a crossing and can see a train some way off along the track. What should you do?
1. You may start across if the train is more than a quarter of a mile away and the tracks are level
2. You may start across as soon as the near track is clear, since a train on the far track will wait
3. You may start across if the crossing gates are still up, whatever else you can see along the track
4. Never start across while a train is in sight, because speed and distance deceive you
Show answer

Answer D: Never start across while a train is in sight, because speed and distance deceive you

The size of a train makes it look slower and farther away than it is, so the only safe rule is to wait until nothing is in sight and the crossing is clear.

Source: oregon.gov
Who decides whether to evacuate a school bus, and on what basis?
1. The driver, after judging whether remaining on the bus would be more dangerous than leaving it
2. The dispatcher, who decides by radio once the driver has described the situation in full detail
3. The oldest student aboard, who has been trained as the student assistant for that route
4. The police, whose arrival must be awaited before anyone is allowed to leave a school bus
Show answer

Answer A: The driver, after judging whether remaining on the bus would be more dangerous than leaving it

The driver is the only person present with the whole picture, and the test is always whether staying aboard carries more risk than getting out.

Source: oregon.gov
A fire is burning in the engine compartment at the front of the bus. Which exit should be used?
1. The front service door, which is the exit the students already know and use every day
2. The roof hatch, which puts the students above the smoke while help is on the way to the bus
3. The rear emergency door, which leads the students away from the fire
4. Whichever exit is nearest to each student, so that everyone leaves at the same moment
Show answer

Answer C: The rear emergency door, which leads the students away from the fire

The exit is chosen by where the hazard is, and a front engine fire makes the service door the one route that must not be used.

Source: oregon.gov
How should students leave through the rear emergency door during an evacuation?
1. By jumping straight out from the doorway, which clears the group away from the bus fastest
2. By climbing down the rear bumper one at a time while holding the door frame with both hands
3. By passing their belongings out first and then lowering themselves head first to the pavement
4. By sitting on the edge of the opening and stepping down, with helpers assisting on the ground
Show answer

Answer D: By sitting on the edge of the opening and stepping down, with helpers assisting on the ground

The rear doorway is well above the road, so students sit and step down while assistants steady them, which avoids the sprains and falls that jumping causes.

Source: oregon.gov
What are the roof hatches on a school bus for?
1. Ventilation in normal service and an escape route when the bus comes to rest on its side
2. Access for maintenance staff to the roof mounted strobe light and the radio antenna above it
3. Releasing smoke from the engine compartment when the bus overheats on a long uphill grade
4. A place for the driver to stand and signal to traffic after the bus has broken down on a road
Show answer

Answer A: Ventilation in normal service and an escape route when the bus comes to rest on its side

A hatch that vents the compartment in ordinary use becomes the exit that faces upward once the bus is lying on its side and the doors are unusable.

Source: oregon.gov
What does the pre-trip check of the emergency exit windows confirm?
1. That the glass is tinted to the same shade as the other windows along the side of the bus
2. That they release and open fully from inside and that the exit marking is still readable
3. That they are latched shut with a padlock so students cannot open them while the bus moves
4. That they can be opened from outside by a passing motorist without a tool or a special key
Show answer

Answer B: That they release and open fully from inside and that the exit marking is still readable

An exit that is stiff, painted over or unmarked is no exit at all, so the check covers both the release mechanism and the marking that points people to it.

Source: oregon.gov
What should the pre-trip check of the fire extinguisher confirm?
1. That it is fully charged, sealed, firmly mounted in its bracket and easy to reach
2. That it has been discharged at least once so the driver knows how the nozzle handles in use
3. That it is stored in a locked compartment so that students cannot reach it during the run
4. That it is rated for electrical fires only, which are the fires a school bus is most likely to have
Show answer

Answer A: That it is fully charged, sealed, firmly mounted in its bracket and easy to reach

An extinguisher is useless if it is empty, tampered with, loose in the bracket or buried behind something, so all four points are checked before the run.

Source: oregon.gov
Which of these is something an antilock braking system on a school bus never does?
1. It does not work at all below about 20 miles per hour, so low speed stops are left unprotected
2. It does not operate unless the parking brake has been fully released before the stop begins
3. It does not let the bus stop in a shorter distance or take a curve at a higher speed
4. It does not function on a bus loaded to less than half of its rated seating capacity
Show answer

Answer C: It does not let the bus stop in a shorter distance or take a curve at a higher speed

ABS preserves steering during a hard stop but changes neither the stopping distance nor the grip available in a curve, so speed and following distance stay the same.

Source: oregon.gov
During the pre-trip you find a package under a seat that nobody can account for. What should you do?
1. Leave it untouched, keep people away from the bus and notify dispatch and law enforcement
2. Open the package to see what is inside before deciding whether anyone else needs to be told
3. Put it in the lost property box at the depot and carry on with the run as it was scheduled
4. Move it to the luggage area at the rear so that no student can reach it during the run
Show answer

Answer A: Leave it untouched, keep people away from the bus and notify dispatch and law enforcement

An unexplained item is treated as a possible threat, and handling or moving it is exactly what the driver must not do.

Source: oregon.gov
A stranger at a stop asks you which house a student on your route lives in. What should you do?
1. Give the street name only, since that is public information and cannot identify a single house
2. Give no information at all and refer the person to the school office
3. Ask the student whether they know the person and answer according to what the student says
4. Answer if the person can name the student, which shows they already know the family well
Show answer

Answer B: Give no information at all and refer the person to the school office

Information about students is never released at the roadside, and knowing a name proves nothing about who someone is or what they intend.

Source: oregon.gov
How should the bus be held while a wheelchair lift is being operated?
1. In gear with the service brake held down so the bus can move the moment the lift is stowed
2. With the engine shut off and the key taken so the lift cannot be operated by anyone else
3. In park or neutral with the parking brake set, and the driver supervising the lift throughout
4. With the wheels chocked and the driver seated at the controls watching in the right convex mirror
Show answer

Answer C: In park or neutral with the parking brake set, and the driver supervising the lift throughout

A student on a raised platform cannot protect themselves if the bus moves, so it is fully secured and the driver stays with the lift rather than at the wheel.

Source: oregon.gov
How should a wheelchair be positioned and prepared once it is aboard the bus?
1. Facing the rear so that a sudden stop presses the student back into the back of the chair
2. Turned sideways in the aisle so the driver can watch the student in the inside rearview mirror
3. Facing forward but with the brakes released, so the chair can settle against the straps
4. Facing forward with the wheelchair brakes locked before the tie-downs are drawn tight
Show answer

Answer D: Facing forward with the wheelchair brakes locked before the tie-downs are drawn tight

A forward facing chair with its own brakes set cannot shift while the securement straps are being tensioned, which is what lets the tie-downs hold it properly.

Source: oregon.gov
Why should a bus attendant or aide take part in the evacuation drills for a special needs route?
1. Because the aide is legally the person in charge of the bus once the engine has been shut off
2. Because the aide is the one who moves the students who cannot move themselves
3. Because the aide has to drive the bus clear of the roadway while the driver leads the students
4. Because the aide must record the time of the evacuation for the report the school files later
Show answer

Answer B: Because the aide is the one who moves the students who cannot move themselves

In a real evacuation the driver has to manage the whole group, so the practised routine depends on the aide handling the students who need to be lifted or guided.

Source: oregon.gov
How should a driver keep watch on student behavior without taking attention from the road?
1. By turning around at intervals to look down the aisle while keeping one hand on the wheel
2. By asking the student sitting behind you to describe what is happening at the rear of the bus
3. By taking short glances at the inside mirror as you scan the other mirrors while driving
4. By clipping a hand held phone to the dash and recording the aisle for the whole of the run
Show answer

Answer C: By taking short glances at the inside mirror as you scan the other mirrors while driving

The inside mirror is built into the normal scanning pattern so that watching the compartment costs the same short glance as watching traffic behind.

Source: oregon.gov
Where is the best place to seat a student who has repeatedly caused problems on the route?
1. In the rear rows, where the noise they make is furthest away from the driving position
2. Beside the rear emergency door, so they can be put off the bus quickly if that is needed
3. In a different seat at every stop, so that no group of friends forms anywhere on the bus
4. In the front rows, close to the driver, where they can be seen and spoken to easily
Show answer

Answer D: In the front rows, close to the driver, where they can be seen and spoken to easily

A seat near the front lets the driver deal with the student in a glance and a word, instead of having to stop the bus to reach the back of the compartment.

Source: oregon.gov
How is the entrance handrail checked for the hazard of catching a student's clothing?
1. By running a strap or drawstring along the rail to be sure nothing can catch or be trapped
2. By pulling on the rail with both hands to be sure the mounting brackets are still tight
3. By checking that the rail is painted the same color as the step edges for better visibility
4. By measuring the gap between the rail and the door frame with a ruler kept for the purpose
Show answer

Answer A: By running a strap or drawstring along the rail to be sure nothing can catch or be trapped

Students have been dragged when a drawstring or bag strap caught in a gap at the rail, so the check reproduces that hazard with a strap rather than looking at the rail.

Source: oregon.gov
What does the pre-trip check of the stop signal arm cover?
1. That it is folded flat and secured with a pin so it cannot swing out while the bus is moving
2. That it has been removed for any trip that does not involve picking up or dropping students
3. That it extends and folds fully, the lamps work and the reflective faces are undamaged
4. That the arm can be worked by hand from outside the bus in case the electrical control fails
Show answer

Answer C: That it extends and folds fully, the lamps work and the reflective faces are undamaged

The arm only commands traffic to stop if it reaches full travel, lights up and can be read, so movement, lamps and reflective faces are all checked.

Source: oregon.gov
Which item belongs to the pre-trip check of the school bus entrance?
1. The door is held open with the latch so students never have to wait for it during the run
2. The step lights are switched off in daylight to save the battery charge for the return leg
3. The door glass is covered so that waiting students cannot see into the driver compartment
4. The door opens and closes smoothly and the steps are clean, slip resistant and undamaged
Show answer

Answer D: The door opens and closes smoothly and the steps are clean, slip resistant and undamaged

Every student passes through this doorway twice a day, so a sticking door or a worn, slippery step is a defect that has to be found before the first stop.

Source: oregon.gov
Why is the flashing warning lamp system checked at both ends of the bus?
1. Because traffic comes from both directions and a failed lamp leaves one side of the stop unwarned
2. Because the front and rear lamps run on separate circuits that must be balanced against each other
3. Because the rear lamps also serve as the brake lights whenever the bus is loading students
4. Because the inspection sheet has a separate line for each lamp and every line has to be signed
Show answer

Answer A: Because traffic comes from both directions and a failed lamp leaves one side of the stop unwarned

Oncoming drivers read the front lamps and following drivers read the rear lamps, so a single dead lamp removes the warning for one whole stream of traffic.

Source: oregon.gov
What must the driver do before starting the engine in the yard or on school property?
1. Sound the horn twice from the driver seat, which is enough warning for anyone standing nearby
2. Walk around the bus and look underneath and in front of it for children and obstructions
3. Start the engine first so that the air pressure builds while the walk around is carried out
4. Check only the tires and the lights, because the yard is closed to students at all times
Show answer

Answer B: Walk around the bus and look underneath and in front of it for children and obstructions

Children and objects end up in the areas the driver cannot see from the seat, and a walk around is the only way to clear them before the bus can move.

Source: oregon.gov
Why does the pre-trip inspection include the school bus lettering and the reflective markings?
1. Because a dirty sign voids the warranty on the paintwork of the body panels underneath it
2. Because the lettering carries the vehicle identification number used on the inspection report
3. Because the reflective material is what triggers the automatic gates at a railroad crossing
4. Because other drivers must recognize the vehicle as a school bus for the stopping laws to work
Show answer

Answer D: Because other drivers must recognize the vehicle as a school bus for the stopping laws to work

The legal duty of other drivers to stop depends on them identifying the vehicle, so obscured lettering or dulled reflective material undermines the whole protection.

Source: oregon.gov
How much of the danger zone can a correctly adjusted mirror system cover?
1. Most of it, but not all, so students must also be trained to stay out of the zone
2. All of it, which is why a correctly aimed mirror system removes the need for a head count
3. None of it, since mirrors are fitted only for watching the traffic behind the moving bus
4. Only the left side, because the crossover mirrors cover the right side by direct vision
Show answer

Answer A: Most of it, but not all, so students must also be trained to stay out of the zone

Mirrors reduce the hidden area but never eliminate it, so student training and the count remain part of the system rather than optional extras.

Source: oregon.gov
What sets the limit on how long a school bus may sit idling at a school?
1. A single federal limit of five minutes applies to every school bus in the country
2. State and local rules and district policy set it, and it differs from place to place
3. There is no limit anywhere, so the driver may leave the engine running for the whole wait
4. The bus manufacturer sets it, and it is printed on a plate inside the driver compartment
Show answer

Answer B: State and local rules and district policy set it, and it differs from place to place

Idling limits are written into state and local air quality rules and district policy, so the driver follows the figure that applies where the bus operates.

Source: oregon.gov
What determines whether the bus you drive is fitted with a child check alarm?
1. Federal rule requires one on every school bus built after a fixed date, whatever the state
2. The driver, who may fit one to any bus that is regularly used on a long rural route
3. State law and district policy, so the walk to the rear is required in every case
4. The insurer of the school district, which lists the buses that must have the device fitted
Show answer

Answer C: State law and district policy, so the walk to the rear is required in every case

Some states and districts require the alarm and others do not, so no driver may treat the device as a substitute for walking to the rear and checking every seat.

Source: oregon.gov
Why can the distance at which the amber warning lights must be switched on differ between districts?
1. Each state sets its own requirement, and the model manual figure is only a baseline
2. The bus manufacturer wires the lamps to come on at a fixed road speed threshold
3. The distance depends on the number of students waiting at the stop that morning
4. Federal rule allows any distance between fifty and five hundred feet from the stop
Show answer

Answer A: Each state sets its own requirement, and the model manual figure is only a baseline

School bus warning light procedure is state regulated, so the driver applies the distance their own state and district require rather than a national number.

Source: oregon.gov
What should a driver use as the signal that tells a student it is safe to start crossing?
1. A tap on the horn, which is the signal recognized in every state as a direction to begin crossing
2. The signal their state and district prescribe, taught to the students and used the same way every time
3. Flashing the headlights twice, which can be seen from anywhere in front of the stopped bus
4. Switching the red lights off, which tells the student the road has been cleared for them
Show answer

Answer B: The signal their state and district prescribe, taught to the students and used the same way every time

The hand signal used for crossing students is set by each state and district, and its value comes from every student on the route recognizing the same gesture.

Source: oregon.gov
What determines whether a school bus has to carry a roof mounted white strobe light at all?
1. Federal rule, which requires a strobe on every bus that carries more than twenty four students
2. The color of the body paint, since a strobe is required only on buses that are not painted yellow
3. State law, which is why some states require one and others do not
4. The route length, since a strobe is required only on routes over ten miles from the school
Show answer

Answer C: State law, which is why some states require one and others do not

The strobe is not a federal requirement; whether a bus carries one and when it may be switched on are both matters of state and local rule.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. Rule out the options you know are wrong first. Two plausible answers are easier to choose between than four.
The students have been evacuated and moved clear of the bus. What should the driver do next?
1. Let them walk home if they live within sight, which reduces the number to be supervised
2. Send them to the nearest house to telephone their parents while you stay with the bus
3. Ask them to spread out along the roadside so approaching traffic can see there has been a crash
4. Count them, keep them together and stay with them until help arrives
Show answer

Answer D: Count them, keep them together and stay with them until help arrives

The count proves nobody is still aboard or wandering, and keeping the group together under supervision is what stops a second incident on the roadside.

Source: oregon.gov
What should the driver bring off the bus during an evacuation, if there is time to do it safely?
1. Nothing at all, because time spent collecting anything delays the students getting off the bus
2. The emergency equipment and the student list, so the group can be treated and counted
3. The ignition key only, which is enough to stop anyone else from moving the bus after you leave
4. The fire extinguisher only, since the rest of the equipment stays with the bus for responders
Show answer

Answer B: The emergency equipment and the student list, so the group can be treated and counted

The first aid kit and warning devices are needed at the place the students are taken to, and the route list is what turns a head count into a check of who is missing.

Source: oregon.gov
What is the purpose of the reflective marking around a school bus emergency exit?
1. It marks where the body panels are joined so a tow operator can lift the bus safely
2. It reflects the headlights of following traffic to warn them that the bus is stopped ahead
3. It helps students and rescuers find the exit in darkness or in smoke
4. It shows the inspector where to place the annual inspection sticker on the body
Show answer

Answer C: It helps students and rescuers find the exit in darkness or in smoke

An exit is only usable if it can be located under the worst conditions, which is why the marking is reflective and why the pre-trip check includes it.

Source: oregon.gov
You come back to the bus after a layover and find the service door open although you locked it. What should you do?
1. Board and start the route, checking the seats as the first students come aboard at the stop
2. Close and relock the door, then carry on since nothing appears to have been taken from it
3. Search the bus yourself with the students waiting outside so the run is not delayed further
4. Stay off the bus, report it, and have it checked before any students are allowed to board
Show answer

Answer D: Stay off the bus, report it, and have it checked before any students are allowed to board

An unattended bus that has been entered may have been tampered with, so it is reported and cleared by the people responsible for security before it carries students again.

Source: oregon.gov