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CDL school bus practice test 2

25 more questions on school bus, written from the Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual).

25 questions

  1. Question 1How far does the danger zone extend from the left and right sides of the bus?

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    C: 10 feet. On each side the danger zone reaches 10 feet out from the bus. It also extends 10 feet behind the rear bumper. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  2. Question 2Depending on the size of the bus, how far back can the blind spot behind a school bus extend?

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    C: Up to 400 feet. The hidden area behind a school bus can stretch as far as 400 feet back, depending on how long and wide the bus is. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors, page 10-1.

  3. Question 3As you prepare to pull away from a stop, which turn signal should you turn on?

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    A: Left. After turning off the alternating red lights, turn on the left turn signal and check all mirrors again before re-entering traffic. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  4. Question 4A train has passed, but the crossing gate stays down. What should you do?

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    D: Don't drive around the gate; call your dispatcher. Never go around a gate that stays down after the train has gone by. Call your dispatcher instead. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-8.

  5. Question 5As a general rule, where are students safest during an emergency?

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    C: On the bus, if staying does not expose them to unnecessary risk or injury. As a general rule, student safety and control are best kept by keeping students on the bus during an emergency, unless that exposes them to unnecessary risk or injury. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  6. Question 6A parent asks you to move a bus stop closer to their house. What should you do?

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    C: Don't change it without written approval from the appropriate school district official. School districts set official routes and stops. Never change a bus stop location without written approval from the appropriate school district official. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  7. Question 7How far behind the rear bumper does the danger zone extend?

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    B: 10 feet. The danger zone extends 10 feet behind the rear bumper of the school bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  8. Question 8A properly adjusted outside flat mirror lets you see how far behind the bus?

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    C: 200 feet or 4 bus lengths. Set the flat mirrors to show about 200 feet (4 bus lengths) behind you, the sides of the bus, and the rear tires where they meet the road. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors, page 10-1.

  9. Question 9What do railroad crossing pavement markings look like?

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    D: An 'X' with the letters 'RR', plus a no-passing marking on two-lane roads. Pavement markings mean the same as the advance warning sign: an 'X' with the letters 'RR', and a no-passing marking on two-lane roads. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-8.

  10. Question 10As you approach a railroad crossing in a school bus with a manual transmission, what should you do?

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    C: Slow down, shift to a lower gear and test your brakes. Slow down as you near the crossing (in a manual bus, shift to a lower gear) and check that your brakes work. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  11. Question 11In which situation must you evacuate the school bus?

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    C: The bus is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing. You must evacuate when the bus is on fire or threatened by fire, is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing, may change position and increase the danger, is in imminent danger of a collision, or must be evacuated quickly because of a hazmat spill. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  12. Question 12Why is the area to the left of a school bus always considered dangerous?

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    D: Because of passing cars. Traffic passes on the left side of the bus, so that side is treated as dangerous at all times. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  13. Question 13Which of these should you be able to see in a properly adjusted outside flat mirror?

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    C: The rear tires touching the ground. Flat mirrors should show 200 feet (4 bus lengths) behind the bus, along the sides, and the rear tires touching the ground. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors, page 10-1.

  14. Question 14There is a white stop line before the tracks. Where must the school bus be when stopped?

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    A: With its front behind the line. If there is a white stop line painted before the tracks, the front of the school bus must stay behind it while stopped. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-8.

  15. Question 15About how far before a railroad crossing should a school bus turn on its hazard lights?

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    C: 200 feet. Activate the hazard lights approximately 200 feet before the crossing so your intentions are known. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  16. Question 16Which of these is a mandatory reason to evacuate a school bus?

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    C: There is a threat of fire. A fire, or the threat of one, is one of the conditions that require the driver to evacuate the bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  17. Question 17Each year, how do deaths of students getting on or off a school bus compare with deaths of students riding inside?

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    A: More students are killed getting on or off. Each year more students die while boarding or leaving a school bus than while riding inside one, which is why loading and unloading need so much care. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2 Loading and Unloading, page 10-3.

  18. Question 18Where are the outside convex mirrors on a school bus located?

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    B: Below the outside flat mirrors. The convex mirrors are located below the outside flat mirrors and show the sides of the bus at a wide angle. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.4 Outside Left and Right Side Convex Mirrors, page 10-2.

  19. Question 19When inspecting the school bus student lights, where must the alternately flashing red lights be checked?

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    A: On both the front and back of the bus, along with their dash indicator. The student lights, including the alternately flashing red lights, must be inspected and demonstrated on both the front and back of the bus, and the dash indicator must work. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 11.3 School Bus Only, page 11-5.

  20. Question 20While approaching a railroad crossing, why should you choose an escape route?

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    D: In case of brake failure or problems behind you. Choose an escape route in case of brake failure or problems behind you. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  21. Question 21There is a hazardous materials spill near your school bus, but it is not threatening the bus. What might be safest?

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    A: Keeping students on the bus so they don't come in contact with the material. With a hazardous spill, it may sometimes be safer to stay on the bus and avoid contact with the material. If the spill requires a quick evacuation, you must evacuate. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  22. Question 22How far should the front bumper be from the students waiting at the stop when you come to a full stop?

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    B: At least 10 feet. Stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet from the students. Making them walk to the bus gives you a better view of their movements. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  23. Question 23What should you keep in mind about the view in a convex mirror?

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    C: It does not accurately show the size and distance of people and objects. Convex mirrors give a wide-angle view, but people and objects in them do not appear at their true size and distance from the bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.4 Outside Left and Right Side Convex Mirrors, page 10-2.

  24. Question 24Where should a school bus stop at a railroad crossing?

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    D: No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail, where you have the best view. Stop at least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail, where you can see the tracks best. 49 CFR 392.10 uses the same 15-50 foot range. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  25. Question 25When possible, how many older student assistants should be assigned to each emergency exit?

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    B: Two. When you can, give each emergency exit two older, responsible students as helpers, and pick one more to lead the group to a safe place. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-6.

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Our own questions, written from the Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual), official manual, and checked against it.