CDL School Bus Endorsement 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When students must cross the roadway after exiting, where should they walk?
- At least 10 feet in front of the bus where the driver can see them (Correct answer)
- Directly behind the bus
- Alongside the driver's side door
- Between the front wheels
Correct answer: At least 10 feet in front of the bus where the driver can see them
Students should cross about 10 feet ahead of the bus so the driver maintains clear visibility.
Question 2: What should a school bus driver do before pulling away from a bus stop?
- Check all mirrors and the danger zones for students and traffic (Correct answer)
- Immediately accelerate to stay on schedule
- Sound the horn three times
- Turn off all warning lights first
Correct answer: Check all mirrors and the danger zones for students and traffic
Before moving, the driver must scan mirrors and danger zones to ensure no student is nearby.
Question 3: At a railroad crossing, a school bus must do what regardless of whether a train is visible?
- Stop, open the door and window, and look and listen (Correct answer)
- Speed up to clear the tracks quickly
- Stop only if the gates are down
- Honk and proceed
Correct answer: Stop, open the door and window, and look and listen
School buses must stop at railroad crossings, open the door and driver window, and look and listen for trains.
Question 4: How should a school bus driver handle an emergency evacuation through the rear exit?
- Have students leave belongings, exit quickly, and move a safe distance away (Correct answer)
- Take all backpacks and personal items
- Wait inside for first responders
- Exit one row at a time over several minutes
Correct answer: Have students leave belongings, exit quickly, and move a safe distance away
In an evacuation, students should leave belongings behind, exit promptly, and move well away from the bus.
Question 5: Why is proper mirror adjustment especially critical on a school bus?
- To monitor the danger zones and students approaching or leaving the bus (Correct answer)
- To check the driver's appearance
- To see the engine compartment
- Mirrors are decorative only
Correct answer: To monitor the danger zones and students approaching or leaving the bus
Correctly adjusted mirrors let the driver see students and hazards in the danger zones around the bus.
Question 6: What is the proper procedure if the bus stalls or is stuck on railroad tracks?
- Evacuate everyone immediately and move away from the tracks (Correct answer)
- Stay seated and try to restart repeatedly
- Wait for the next train to push it
- Call dispatch before leaving the bus
Correct answer: Evacuate everyone immediately and move away from the tracks
If stuck on tracks, the driver must evacuate all students immediately and move them far away from the tracks.
Question 7: When approaching a school bus stop, the driver should reduce speed and do what?
- Scan ahead for students and assess the stop area for hazards (Correct answer)
- Close all windows
- Turn off the radio only
- Increase following distance to 100 feet
Correct answer: Scan ahead for students and assess the stop area for hazards
Approaching a stop, the driver scans for students and evaluates the area for any hazards before stopping.
CDL School Bus Endorsement 3
When students must cross the roadway after exiting, where should they walk?