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Commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests · California DMV

Loading and unloading students

Practice this topic47 questions

Questions and answers

  1. When are more students killed each year?

    While getting on or off a school bus

    More students are killed getting on or off the bus than as passengers inside it, which is why loading and unloading procedures matter so much.

    Section 10 · 10.2 – Loading and Unloading ↗

  2. Who establishes official routes and school bus stops?

    Each school district

    School districts set the official routes and stops, and stops should be approved by the district before they are used.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  3. What do you need before changing the location of a bus stop?

    Written approval from the appropriate school district official

    Never change a stop location without written approval from the appropriate school district official.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  4. How far before a school bus stop should the alternating flashing amber warning lights be activated?

    At least 200 feet

    If the bus has them, amber lights go on at least 200 feet before the stop, or as state law requires.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  5. Measured in time, about how long before the stop should the amber warning lights be activated?

    Approximately 5 to 10 seconds

    At least 200 feet works out to roughly 5 to 10 seconds before the stop.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  6. How far before pulling over should you turn on the right turn signal?

    About 100 to 300 feet

    Signal right about 100 to 300 feet before pulling over.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  7. Measured in time, about how long before pulling over should the right turn signal come on?

    Approximately 3 to 5 seconds

    The 100 to 300 feet is roughly 3 to 5 seconds before pulling over.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  8. Where should the bus be positioned as you approach the stop?

    As far as possible to the right on the traveled portion of the roadway

    Move as far right as possible on the traveled portion of the roadway.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  9. How should you approach a school bus stop?

    Cautiously, at a slow rate of speed, checking all mirrors continuously

    Approach slowly and cautiously, watch for pedestrians, traffic, and objects, and keep checking all mirrors.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  10. When you stop to load, how far should the front bumper be from the waiting students?

    At least 10 feet

    Bring the bus to a full stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet from the students.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  11. Why do you stop the bus at least 10 feet short of the waiting students?

    It makes the students walk to the bus, so you can see their movements better

    Stopping short forces students to walk to the bus, which gives you a better view of them.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  12. What do you do with the transmission and parking brake at each stop?

    Place the transmission in Park, or Neutral if there is no Park, and set the parking brake

    At every stop use Park, or Neutral if there is no Park shift point, and set the parking brake.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  13. When do you activate the alternating red lights at a stop?

    When traffic is a safe distance from the bus, making sure the stop arm is extended

    Turn on the red lights when traffic is a safe distance away, and make sure the stop arm is out.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  14. What is the last thing to check before completely opening the door and signaling students to approach?

    That all traffic has stopped

    Make a final check that all traffic has stopped before fully opening the door and signaling the students.

    Section 10 · 10.2.1 – Approaching the Stop ↗

  15. How should students wait for the school bus?

    In a designated location, facing the bus as it approaches

    Students wait in a designated place and face the approaching bus.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  16. When should students board the bus?

    Only when signaled by the driver

    Students board only on the driver’s signal.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  17. What should you do with the number of students at a bus stop?

    Count them and be sure all of them board the bus

    Count the students at the stop and make sure every one boards.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  18. A student who is usually at the stop is missing. What should you do?

    Ask the other students where the student is

    If possible, know the students’ names at each stop, and ask the others about a missing student.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  19. How should students board the school bus?

    Slowly, in single file, using the handrail

    Have students board slowly and in single file and use the handrail.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  20. What should be on while loading students in the dark?

    The dome light

    The dome light should be on when loading in the dark.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  21. After loading, when may you move the bus?

    When students are seated and facing forward

    Wait until the students are seated and facing forward before moving.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  22. After loading, you cannot account for one student. What do you do?

    Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus

    Secure the bus, take the key with you, and check around and under the bus.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  23. Before pulling away from a stop, why do you check all mirrors once the students are seated?

    To make certain no one is running to catch the bus

    Check all mirrors and make sure no one is running for the bus.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  24. When preparing to leave a stop on the route, which turn signal do you turn on?

    The left turn signal

    After the red lights are turned off, the left turn signal goes on before you re-enter traffic.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  25. Which of these is the last step before you move the bus away from a stop?

    Allowing congested traffic to disperse

    The sequence ends with checking the mirrors again and letting congested traffic clear. Then move when it is safe.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  26. Students are loading at the school campus. What should you do with the ignition?

    Turn off the ignition switch

    At the campus, turn off the ignition, remove the key if you leave the driver’s compartment, and position yourself to supervise.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  27. While loading at the school campus you leave the driver’s compartment. What do you do with the key?

    Remove it

    Remove the key if you leave the driver’s compartment.

    Section 10 · 10.2.2 – Loading Procedures ↗

  28. When unloading on the route, when may students leave their seats?

    When told to exit

    Have the students stay seated until told to exit.

    Section 10 · 10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route ↗

  29. Why do you count students while they unload on the route?

    To confirm the location of all students before pulling away

    Counting lets you confirm where every student is before the bus moves.

    Section 10 · 10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route ↗

  30. After exiting on the route, how far from the side of the bus should students walk?

    At least 10 feet, to where the driver can plainly see them

    Students walk at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus to a spot where the driver can plainly see them all.

    Section 10 · 10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route ↗

  31. You realize you have driven past a student’s unloading stop. What must you not do?

    Back up

    If you miss a stop, do not back up. Follow local procedures.

    Section 10 · 10.2.3 – Unloading Procedures on the Route ↗

  32. Which students must the driver escort across the highway or private road where the bus stopped?

    Those in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 through 8

    The driver escorts all students from prekindergarten through grade 8 who need to cross.

    Section 10 · Additional Procedures for Students Who Must Cross the Roadway ↗

  33. What must the driver use while escorting students across the road?

    An approved, hand-held "STOP" sign

    The driver uses an approved hand-held STOP sign while escorting the students.

    Section 10 · Additional Procedures for Students Who Must Cross the Roadway ↗

  34. Where must students walk when they cross the road where the school bus stopped?

    In front of the bus

    All students who cross must walk in front of the bus.

    Section 10 · Additional Procedures for Students Who Must Cross the Roadway ↗

  35. Students have crossed the road. What must be true before you set the bus in motion?

    All who crossed did so safely, and all other students and pedestrians are a safe distance from the bus

    Make sure the crossing students are safely across and everyone else is a safe distance away before moving.

    Section 10 · Additional Procedures for Students Who Must Cross the Roadway ↗

  36. At which stops do the escort and crossing duties apply?

    Where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer or an official traffic control signal

    The duties apply when the bus stops on a highway or private road at a place not controlled by a traffic officer or official signal.

    Section 10 · Additional Procedures for Students Who Must Cross the Roadway ↗

  37. After unloading at school, why should you walk through the bus?

    To check for hiding or sleeping students and items left behind

    Walk through to find hiding or sleeping students and anything students left.

    Section 10 · 10.2.4 – Unloading Procedures at School ↗

  38. As students step off the bus at school, what do you watch for?

    That they all move promptly away from the unloading area

    Observe the students to see that they all move promptly away from the unloading area.

    Section 10 · 10.2.4 – Unloading Procedures at School ↗

  39. When leaving after unloading at school, which step comes right after closing the door?

    Fastening the safety belt

    At school the sequence is close the door, fasten the safety belt, start the engine, then engage the transmission and release the parking brake.

    Section 10 · 10.2.4 – Unloading Procedures at School ↗

  40. What should students be told to do if they drop an object near the bus?

    Leave it, move to a point of safety out of the danger zones, and get the driver’s attention

    A student who stops or returns for an object may vanish from your sight at a very dangerous moment.

    Section 10 · 10.2.5 – Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading ↗

  41. Why is a dropped object near the bus so dangerous?

    The student may disappear from the driver’s sight while picking it up

    Stopping or returning for the object can take the student out of the driver’s sight.

    Section 10 · 10.2.5 – Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading ↗

  42. What is a handrail hang-up?

    Clothing, accessories, or part of the body caught in the handrail or door as a student exits

    Students have been injured or killed when something was caught in the handrail or door as they left the bus.

    Section 10 · 10.2.5 – Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading ↗

  43. How do you guard against handrail hang-ups?

    Closely observe all students exiting, and confirm they are in a safe location before moving the bus

    Watch every student leave and confirm each is in a safe place before the bus moves.

    Section 10 · 10.2.5 – Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading ↗

  44. When should you conduct a post-trip inspection of the bus?

    When your route or school activity trip is finished

    Inspect the bus at the end of every route or activity trip by walking through it and around it.

    Section 10 · 10.2.6 – Post-Trip Inspection ↗

  45. Which of these do you look for in a post-trip inspection?

    Sleeping students

    Look for articles left behind, sleeping students, open windows and doors, mechanical problems, and damage or vandalism.

    Section 10 · 10.2.6 – Post-Trip Inspection ↗

  46. In a post-trip inspection, which items unique to school buses deserve special attention?

    Mirror systems, flashing warning lamps, and stop signal arms

    Pay special attention to the mirror systems, flashing warning lamps, and stop signal arms.

    Section 10 · 10.2.6 – Post-Trip Inspection ↗

  47. You find a problem during the post-trip inspection. What do you do?

    Report it immediately to your supervisor or school authorities

    Problems and special situations are reported immediately to your supervisor or school authorities.

    Section 10 · 10.2.6 – Post-Trip Inspection ↗

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