Commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests · California DMV
Driving a Bus: Stops, Crossings and Prohibited Practices
Questions and answers
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When should you mention rules about smoking, drinking, or electronic devices?
At the start of the trip
Explaining the rules at the start helps avoid trouble later.
Section 4 · 4.3.1 – Passenger Supervision ↗ -
Why explain passenger rules at the start of the trip?
It helps to avoid trouble later on
Riders who know the rules from the start are less likely to cause problems later.
Section 4 · 4.3.1 – Passenger Supervision ↗ -
While driving a bus, what should you scan in addition to the road ahead, to the sides, and to the rear?
The interior of your bus
A bus driver also watches what is happening inside the bus.
Section 4 · 4.3.1 – Passenger Supervision ↗ -
What may you have to remind riders of while driving?
To keep their arms and heads inside the bus
You may need to remind riders about the rules or to keep arms and heads inside.
Section 4 · 4.3.1 – Passenger Supervision ↗ -
What should you caution riders about when they leave the bus?
To watch their step
Riders can stumble when getting on or off, so tell them to watch their step.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
When do riders tend to stumble?
When getting on or off and when the bus starts or stops
Boarding, leaving, starting, and stopping are the moments when riders lose their footing.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
How should a bus start and stop?
As smoothly as possible, to avoid rider injury
Smooth starts and stops keep riders from falling.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
You have a drunk or disruptive rider. Whose safety must you ensure?
That rider’s safety as well as the safety of others
You are responsible for the disruptive rider’s safety too.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
Where must you NOT discharge a drunk or disruptive rider?
Where it would be unsafe for them
Never put such a rider off the bus in a place that is unsafe for them.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
Where may it be safer to let a disruptive rider off?
At the next scheduled stop or a well-lit area where there are other people
The next scheduled stop or a well-lit place with other people around may be safer.
Section 4 · 4.3.2 – At Stops ↗ -
Where do bus accidents often happen?
At intersections
Intersections are where bus accidents often occur, so use caution even when a signal or stop sign controls other traffic.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
At an intersection a stop sign controls the cross traffic. How should you drive your bus?
Use caution anyway
Be careful at intersections even if a signal or stop sign controls the other traffic.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
What sometimes happens when school and mass transit buses pull out from a bus stop?
They scrape off mirrors or hit passing vehicles
Pulling out from a stop is when buses scrape mirrors or strike passing vehicles.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
What should you watch for at stops because of the clearance your bus needs?
Poles and tree limbs
Remember how much room the bus needs and watch for poles and tree limbs.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
You are ready to leave a bus stop and merge. What should you do?
Wait for a large enough gap to open before leaving the stop
Know the gap your bus needs to accelerate and merge, and wait for it.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
You signal to pull out from a bus stop. What should you assume about other drivers?
Never assume they will brake to give you room
Signaling does not mean other drivers will make room.
Section 4 · 4.3.3 – Common Accidents ↗ -
What causes the accidents on curves that kill people and destroy buses?
Excessive speed, often on a road made slippery by rain or snow
Curve accidents come from going too fast, often when the road is slippery.
Section 4 · 4.3.4 – Speed on Curves ↗ -
In good weather, the posted speed on a banked curve is safe for cars. What about buses?
It may be too fast for many buses
A speed that is safe for cars may be too high for a bus.
Section 4 · 4.3.4 – Speed on Curves ↗ -
You take a curve too fast and the bus has good traction. What may happen?
The bus may roll over
With good traction a bus going too fast may roll over.
Section 4 · 4.3.4 – Speed on Curves ↗ -
You take a curve too fast and the bus has poor traction. What may happen?
The bus may slide off the curve
With poor traction a bus going too fast may slide off the curve.
Section 4 · 4.3.4 – Speed on Curves ↗ -
Your bus leans toward the outside on a banked curve. What does that tell you?
You are driving too fast
A bus that leans to the outside of a banked curve is going too fast.
Section 4 · 4.3.4 – Speed on Curves ↗ -
How should you check your mirrors while driving on the road?
Quickly
Check mirrors quickly and look back and forth regularly as part of your scan.
Section 4 · 4.3.4(a) – Using Your Mirrors ↗ -
Why should you not focus on the mirrors for too long?
You will travel quite a distance without knowing what is happening ahead
A long look in the mirror means a long stretch of road you did not see.
Section 4 · 4.3.4(a) – Using Your Mirrors ↗ -
What is the advantage of the convex mirrors found on many buses?
They show a wider area than flat mirrors
Convex mirrors show more area than flat mirrors, which is often helpful.
Section 4 · 4.3.4(a) – Using Your Mirrors ↗ -
How do things look in a convex mirror?
Smaller and farther away than they really are
Convex mirrors make objects seem smaller and more distant.
Section 4 · 4.3.4(a) – Using Your Mirrors ↗ -
How far before a railroad crossing must you stop your bus?
Between 15 and 50 feet
Stop the bus between 15 and 50 feet before railroad crossings.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
Which stopping position at a railroad crossing follows the rule for buses?
30 feet before the crossing
The stop must be between 15 and 50 feet before the crossing, and 30 feet is within that range.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
You are stopped at a railroad crossing. When should you open your forward door?
If it improves your ability to see or hear an approaching train
Listen and look both ways, and open the forward door if that helps you see or hear a train.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
A train has just passed. What must you make sure of before crossing?
That no other train is coming in the other direction on other tracks
A second train may be coming on other tracks from the other direction.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
Your bus has a manual transmission. What must you never do while crossing railroad tracks?
Change gears
Never change gears while the bus is crossing the tracks.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
At a streetcar crossing, what is a bus driver required to do?
Slow down and carefully check for other vehicles, without having to stop
A stop is not required at streetcar crossings, but you must slow down and check carefully.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
A railroad crossing is marked “exempt.” Must you stop your bus?
No, but you must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles
Crossings marked exempt or abandoned do not require a stop.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
A flagman is directing traffic at a railroad crossing. Must you stop your bus?
No, but you must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles
A stop is not required where a peace officer or flagman is directing traffic.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
The traffic signal at a railroad crossing is green. Must you stop your bus?
No, but you must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles
You do not have to stop when a traffic signal is green.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
Railroad tracks run alongside and on the roadway within a business or residence district. Must you stop your bus?
No, but you must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles
These in-street tracks in business or residence districts are among the places where a stop is not required.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
Which of these crossings still requires a bus to stop?
An ordinary railroad crossing with no signal, officer, or exempt marking
The stop is required unless one of the listed exceptions applies.
Section 4 · 4.3.5 – Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops ↗ -
At which drawbridges must you stop your bus?
Those that do not have a signal light or traffic control attendant
Stop at drawbridges with no signal light and no attendant.
Section 4 · 4.3.6 – Drawbridges ↗ -
How far before the draw of a bridge must you stop?
At least 50 feet
Stop at least 50 feet before the draw.
Section 4 · 4.3.6 – Drawbridges ↗ -
You have stopped before a drawbridge. What do you check before crossing?
That the draw is completely closed
Look to make sure the draw is completely closed.
Section 4 · 4.3.6 – Drawbridges ↗ -
A drawbridge has a traffic light showing green. What must you do?
Slow down and make sure it is safe, without having to stop
With a green light you do not need to stop, but you must slow down and be sure it is safe.
Section 4 · 4.3.6 – Drawbridges ↗ -
A drawbridge has an attendant who controls traffic whenever the bridge opens. What must you do?
Slow down and make sure it is safe, without having to stop
An attendant or traffic officer controlling traffic means no stop is needed, but you still slow down.
Section 4 · 4.3.6 – Drawbridges ↗ -
When should you inspect your bus after driving?
At the end of each shift
Inspect the bus at the end of every shift.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
You work for an interstate carrier. What must you complete for each bus you drove?
A written inspection report
Interstate carrier drivers complete a written inspection report for each bus driven.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
What must the written inspection report list?
Any defect that would affect safety or result in a breakdown
The report names each bus and lists every defect that affects safety or could cause a breakdown.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
You find no defects on the bus. What about the inspection report?
The report should say that there are no defects
When there are no defects, the report says so.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
Why report rider damage to handholds, seats, emergency exits, or windows at the end of a shift?
Mechanics can make repairs before the bus goes out again
Reporting at the end of the shift gives mechanics time to repair safety-related parts.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
What should mass transit drivers also make sure works properly?
Passenger signaling devices and brake-door interlocks
Mass transit drivers check the passenger signaling devices and the brake-door interlocks.
Section 4 · 4.4 – After-Trip Vehicle Inspection ↗ -
What does the handbook say about fueling your bus with riders on board?
Avoid it unless absolutely necessary
Fuel with riders aboard only when it cannot be avoided.
Section 4 · 4.5 – Prohibited Practices ↗ -
Where must you never refuel with riders on board?
In a closed building
Never refuel in a closed building while riders are on the bus.
Section 4 · 4.5 – Prohibited Practices ↗ -
What is the rule about talking with riders while driving?
Do not talk with riders or do anything else distracting while driving
Talking with riders is a distraction and is a prohibited practice.
Section 4 · 4.5 – Prohibited Practices ↗ -
When may a disabled bus be towed or pushed with riders aboard?
Only when getting off would be unsafe
Riders must get off before towing or pushing, unless leaving the bus would be unsafe.
Section 4 · 4.5 – Prohibited Practices ↗ -
A disabled bus must be towed with riders aboard because getting off is unsafe. How far may it be towed?
Only to the nearest safe spot to discharge passengers
Tow or push the bus only as far as the nearest safe place to let passengers off.
Section 4 · 4.5 – Prohibited Practices ↗ -
What does a brake and accelerator interlock system do when the rear door is open?
Applies the brakes and holds the throttle in the idle position
With the rear door open, the interlock puts the brakes on and keeps the throttle at idle.
Section 4 · 4.6 – Use of Brake-Door Interlocks ↗ -
When does the brake-door interlock release?
When you close the rear door
Closing the rear door releases the interlock.
Section 4 · 4.6 – Use of Brake-Door Interlocks ↗ -
May you use the brake-door interlock in place of the parking brake?
No
The interlock is a safety feature and does not replace the parking brake.
Section 4 · 4.6 – Use of Brake-Door Interlocks ↗ -
Which vehicles may have a brake and accelerator interlock system?
Urban mass transit coaches
The interlock is found on some urban mass transit coaches.
Section 4 · 4.6 – Use of Brake-Door Interlocks ↗
Questions and answers by topic
- Licenses, endorsements and tests105
- Disqualifications and state rules110
- Vehicle inspection80
- Basic control and shifting gears47
- Seeing and communicating46
- Controlling your speed62
- Managing space40
- Seeing hazards49
- Distracted and Aggressive Driving71
- Night, Fog, Winter and Hot Weather124
- Railroad Crossings and Mountain Driving65
- Emergencies, ABS and Skids102
- Accident Procedures and Fires49
- Alcohol, Drugs and Illness41
- Hazardous Materials Rules for All Drivers42
- Transporting Cargo Safely79
- Bus Inspection, Loading and Hazardous Materials74
- Air Brake Parts: Compressor, Tanks and Foundation Brakes52
- Warnings, Spring Brakes, ABS and Dual Systems59
- Inspecting Air Brake Systems61
- Using Air Brakes51
- Driving Combination Vehicles Safely50
- Combination Vehicle Air Brakes and ABS59
- Coupling and Uncoupling63
- Inspecting a Combination Vehicle24
- Pulling Double and Triple Trailers16
- Coupling, Inspecting and Brake Checks for Doubles34
- Tank Vehicles62
- HazMat basics and who does what48
- Hazard classes, labels and lists64
- Shipping papers and package markings49
- Placards and placard tables40
- Loading and unloading HazMat58
- Bulk packaging and tanks30
- HazMat driving and parking rules72
- HazMat emergencies and reporting60
- Danger zones and mirrors34
- Loading and unloading students47
- Emergency exit and evacuation34
- Railroad-highway crossings40
- Student management, ABS and special situations47