School Bus Endorsement School Bus Endorsement Traffic Laws & Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How far before a railroad crossing must a school bus driver stop?
- At least 5 feet but no more than 15 feet
- At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 50 feet but no more than 100 feet
- At least 100 feet but no more than 200 feet
Correct answer: At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet
Federal regulations require school buses to stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.
Question 2: When a school bus has its red warning lights flashing and is stopped on a two-lane road, what must oncoming traffic do?
- Slow to 10 mph and proceed with caution
- Stop until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves (Correct answer)
- Stop only if children are visible outside the bus
- Yield and pass carefully if the lane is clear
Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves
All traffic in both directions on a two-lane road must stop and remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing or the bus moves.
Question 3: What do the amber (yellow) flashing lights on a school bus signal to other drivers?
- The bus has stopped and children are exiting
- The bus is preparing to stop and red lights will activate soon (Correct answer)
- The driver is requesting a traffic break
- The bus is disabled and needs assistance
Correct answer: The bus is preparing to stop and red lights will activate soon
Amber flashing lights warn other drivers that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload students, and red lights will soon be activated.
Question 4: On a divided highway with a physical barrier, when a school bus stops to load or unload students, what must traffic traveling in the OPPOSITE direction do?
- Stop immediately
- Slow to 25 mph
- Stop only if children are crossing
- Continue at the normal speed limit (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Continue at the normal speed limit
On a divided highway separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
Question 5: What type of license endorsement does a driver need to operate a school bus carrying passengers?
- Class A CDL with P and S endorsements
- Class B CDL with P and S endorsements
- Either Class A or B CDL with P and S endorsements (Correct answer)
- Class C license with a special permit
Correct answer: Either Class A or B CDL with P and S endorsements
A school bus driver must hold a Class A or Class B CDL with both the Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.
Question 6: At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a school bus driver considered to be driving under the influence under federal CDL rules?
- 0.08%
- 0.06%
- 0.04% (Correct answer)
- 0.02%
Correct answer: 0.04%
The federal CDL standard sets the legal limit for commercial drivers, including school bus drivers, at 0.04% BAC — half the standard 0.08% limit.
Question 7: Which of the following is a school bus driver REQUIRED to do before crossing a railroad crossing?
- Activate hazard lights only
- Open the door and a window, look, and listen for trains (Correct answer)
- Stop, honk the horn three times, then proceed
- Radio dispatch for clearance before crossing
Correct answer: Open the door and a window, look, and listen for trains
Federal and most state laws require school bus drivers to open the entry door (and/or a window) before crossing railroad tracks to listen for approaching trains.
