- Can your performance be affected the day after you have been drinking?
- Yes
- No
Yes. Alcohol can impair reaction time, judgment, vision, and coordination into the next day due to residual blood alcohol, sleep disruption, and hangover effects. Drivers may still be impaired—even if they “feel fine.”
- Should you cross over to the far left lane as soon as you enter a freeway?
- Yes, as long as you are careful
- No—work over to the left lane when it is safe to do so
No. Merge into the right lane and build speed. Move left only when it’s clearly safe and legal. For large vehicles, the left lane is typically for passing or specific left exits—not immediate lane changes.
- Charter bus drivers should only allow passengers on the bus…
- If there is a full tank of fuel
- At departure time
- If they have a valid ID
Passengers should board when the bus is present, secured, and ready to depart—after the pre-trip inspection and safety checks are complete. A full tank or checking IDs are not standard boarding requirements.
- Which of the following is NOT safe or advisable when traveling over a drawbridge?
- Ensure the draw is fully closed before trying to cross
- Stop at all drawbridges that do not have a traffic light or attendant
- If stopping, stop at least 20 feet before where the bridge begins to draw
Stopping only 20 feet from the draw is too close. CDL guidance requires a greater safety margin (commonly at least 50 feet) at drawbridges without a signal or attendant. Ensuring the draw is fully closed and stopping at unsignaled drawbridges are correct safety practices.
- Which of the following should you absolutely never do?
- Ensure the function of brake-door interlocks.
- Push or tow a disabled bus with passengers onboard.
- Refuel the bus inside a closed area with passengers aboard.
You should never refuel a bus inside a closed area or with passengers aboard due to the high risk of fire and toxic fumes. Refueling must always occur outdoors with the engine off and all passengers exited from the bus.
- According to safe driving rules, how much following distance should you maintain?
- At least three seconds
- At least four seconds
- At least five seconds
Large vehicles like school buses require a greater stopping distance. A minimum of five seconds of following distance allows adequate time to react to sudden stops or hazards, especially in poor weather or at higher speeds.
- Which condition can cause the most dangerous driving situation in poor weather?
- Rain
- Ice
- Snow
Ice drastically reduces tire traction, making it extremely difficult to control or stop a bus. Even a thin layer can cause loss of steering and braking ability, making it more hazardous than rain or snow.
- What should you do if you miss your freeway off-ramp?
- Put the vehicle in reverse and go back to the off-ramp.
- Cross over the median and make a U-turn.
- Take the next off-ramp.
If you miss your exit, never back up or make a U-turn on the freeway. Continue safely to the next exit, then re-enter in the opposite direction if needed. Reversing or crossing medians is illegal and highly dangerous.
- When can you park on the freeway?
- When you need to stop to look at a map.
- When you need to get out and stretch your legs.
- Only in emergencies.
Parking on the freeway is prohibited except in emergencies. Stopping for non-emergency reasons, such as checking directions, is unsafe and illegal. Always pull completely off the roadway if an emergency stop is necessary.
- How many feet away must you stop your bus from railroad tracks?
- At least 10 feet but not more than 50 feet from the crossing
- At least 15 feet from the crossing
- At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the crossing
Federal and state law require all school buses to stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. This distance ensures safe visibility and reaction time before crossing the tracks.
- If a posted speed limit is 45 mph, what is a safe speed for your bus?
- It may be 45 miles per hour or it could be more.
- It will be exactly 45 miles per hour.
- It may be 45 miles per hour or it could be less.
The posted speed is the maximum allowed under ideal conditions. For large vehicles like buses, a safe speed may be lower depending on weather, traffic, or road conditions.
- What kind of report must you complete at the end of your shift?
- A logbook page for each bus driven
- A list of the names of all passengers transported
- A written inspection report for each bus driven
Federal regulations require drivers to complete a written post-trip inspection report. This ensures any defects or maintenance issues are documented and corrected before the next trip.
- You should never bring your bus into the stop to pick up students until:
- There is no traffic in the area.
- A parent is present.
- The students have lined up properly.
The bus should not move into the stop until all students are properly lined up and standing a safe distance from the curb. This prevents students from approaching the bus before it is fully stopped and secured.
- What should you do before the students are allowed to start toward the bus?
- The bus should be stopped and the door should be opened.
- The students should have seen your bus and are aware that it is approaching.
- You should be slowing down as you approach the bus stop.
Students should not approach the bus until it has completely stopped, red lights are flashing, and the door is open. This ensures maximum visibility and safety for loading.
- In which situation must you not allow your bus to be fueled?
- When the air temperature is below freezing
- When the engine is turned off and the driver is absent
- When in a closed building with riders on board
Fueling in a closed building or with passengers on board is strictly prohibited because it creates a serious fire and explosion hazard. Always refuel outdoors with no passengers inside the bus.