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CDL school bus practice test 3

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

25 questions

  1. Question 1Why should you stop the bus some distance from the waiting students instead of right beside them?

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    C: It makes them walk to the bus, so you have a better view of their movements. Stopping at least 10 feet away forces students to walk to the bus, which 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.

  2. Question 2A properly adjusted convex mirror should let you see:

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    D: At least one traffic lane on either side of the bus. Set the convex mirrors to show the whole side of the bus up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires on the ground, and at least one lane of traffic on each side. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.4 Outside Left and Right Side Convex Mirrors, page 10-2.

  3. Question 3Stopped at a railroad crossing, what should you do to help hear a train?

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    C: Turn off radios and noisy equipment, silence the passengers, and open the service door and driver's window. Turn off all radios and noisy equipment, silence the passengers, and open the service door and driver's window to look and listen for a train. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  4. Question 4After an evacuation, where is a safe place to lead students on a roadway?

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    C: At least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. Take students at least 100 feet off the road toward oncoming traffic. If another vehicle hits the bus, the debris will be thrown away from them. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-6.

  5. Question 5What should you check right before fully opening the door and signaling students to come to the bus?

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    A: That all traffic has stopped. Before you fully open the door and wave students over, check one last time that every vehicle has stopped. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-4.

  6. Question 6What are the crossover mirrors on a school bus mainly used to see?

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    A: The danger zone directly in front of the bus that you can't see directly. Crossover mirrors, mounted on the front corners, show the front bumper danger zone that isn't visible by direct vision, and the danger zones at the left and right sides, including the service door and front wheels. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors, page 10-2.

  7. Question 7At a crossing with several sets of tracks, where should the school bus stop?

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    D: Only before the first set of tracks. Where there are several tracks, stop once, before the first one. When you are sure no train is coming on any of them, cross all the tracks without stopping. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  8. Question 8The bus is on fire. In which direction should you lead the students?

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    A: Upwind of the bus. If fire is present, lead students upwind of the bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-6.

  9. Question 9How should students wait for the school bus?

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    C: In a designated location, facing the bus as it approaches. Students should wait in a designated location, facing the bus as it approaches, and board only when the driver signals. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  10. Question 10When the crossover mirrors are adjusted correctly, how should your direct vision and the mirror view relate?

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    C: They should overlap. Crossover mirrors should show the whole area in front of the bus from the bumper at ground level to where direct vision is possible, and the two views should overlap. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors, page 10-2.

  11. Question 11How should a school bus cross railroad tracks?

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    D: In a low gear, without changing gears while crossing. Cross the tracks in a low gear and do not change gears while crossing. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  12. Question 12Evacuating near railroad tracks, where should students be led?

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    A: As far from the tracks as possible, in the direction of any oncoming train. Near railroad tracks, move students as far from the tracks as you can and toward any approaching train, so debris from a collision is thrown away from them. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-7.

  13. Question 13When should students board the school bus?

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    C: Only when signaled by the driver. Students should board the bus only when the driver signals them. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  14. Question 14Which of these should a properly adjusted crossover mirror show?

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    C: The right and left front tires touching the ground. Crossover mirrors should show both front tires on the ground, the area ahead of the bus from the bumper out to where you can see directly, and the stretch from the front of the bus back to the service door. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors, page 10-2.

  15. Question 15The crossing gate comes down after your school bus has started across the tracks. What should you do?

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    B: Keep driving through, even if it means breaking the gate. If the gate drops after you have started across, keep going and clear the tracks, even if that breaks the gate. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.3 Recommended Procedures, page 10-9.

  16. Question 16There is a risk from spilled hazardous materials. Where should you lead evacuated students?

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    A: Upwind of the bus, at least 300 feet away. If spilled hazardous materials are a risk, lead students upwind of the bus at least 300 feet. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-7.

  17. Question 17While loading, you count one fewer student than usual at a stop. What should you do first?

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    A: Ask the other students where the student is. Count the students at the stop and be sure all board. If a student is missing, ask the other students where the student is. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  18. Question 18How should you use the crossover, convex and flat mirrors?

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    D: Check them in a logical sequence so no child or object is in a danger zone. Scan the crossover, convex and flat mirrors in a set order every time, so you can confirm no child or object is in a danger zone. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors, page 10-2.

  19. Question 19There's no police officer at a crossing and you believe the signal is malfunctioning. What should you do?

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    A: Call your dispatcher to report it and ask how to proceed. Follow a police officer's directions if one is there. If not, and the signal seems to be malfunctioning, report it to your dispatcher and ask how to proceed. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.4 Special Situations, page 10-9.

  20. Question 20Your bus is in the direct path of a sighted tornado, evacuation is ordered, and no building shelter is nearby. What should students do?

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    A: Go to a nearby ditch or culvert and lie face down with hands covering their heads, far enough away that the bus can't topple on them. Escort students to a nearby ditch or culvert, have them lie face down with hands covering their heads, and keep them far enough away that the bus cannot topple on them. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-7.

  21. Question 21How should students board the bus?

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    C: Slowly, in single file, using the handrail. Have students board slowly, in single file, and use the handrail. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  22. Question 22What is the overhead inside rearview mirror on a school bus used for?

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    B: Monitoring passenger activity inside the bus. The overhead inside mirror, mounted above the windshield on the driver's side, is used to monitor passenger activity inside the bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.6 Overhead Inside Rearview Mirror, page 10-3.

  23. Question 23Your view down the tracks at a crossing is blocked. When may you cross?

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    D: Only when you can see far enough down the track to know for certain no train is coming. Cross only if you can see far enough down the track to be certain no train is coming. Choose routes that give the longest view at crossings. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.4 Special Situations, page 10-9.

  24. Question 24When choosing a place to shelter students outside the bus, what areas should you avoid?

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    C: Areas subject to flash floods. Avoid areas that are subject to flash floods. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures, page 10-7.

  25. Question 25When unloading on the route, what should students do until you tell them to exit?

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    A: Remain seated. Have students remain seated until told to exit. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.3 Unloading Procedures on the Route, page 10-4.

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