CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test

School bus drivers need the S endorsement in addition to the P endorsement. 35 questions on danger zones, mirror adjustment, loading and unloading, students crossing, evacuation, railroad crossings, student management and backing. Your progress is saved on this device.

All 35 questions with answers

For reading through. Tap "Show answer" under a question to see the answer and the reason.

To add the school bus (S) endorsement, you must pass:
1. A knowledge test only
2. A knowledge test and a skills test in a school bus
3. A skills test only
4. No test if you already hold P
Show answer
B. A knowledge test and a skills test in a school bus Federal rules require both. You must also qualify for the passenger (P) endorsement. (49 CFR 383.93(c)(5); 383.123(a))
How far can the danger zone in front of a school bus extend?
1. 30 feet
2. 10 feet
3. 100 feet
4. 5 feet
Show answer
A. 30 feet As much as 30 feet from the front bumper, with the first 10 feet the most dangerous. (CDL manual: School Buses)
How far does the danger zone extend from each side and from the rear bumper?
1. 30 feet
2. 10 feet
3. 3 feet
4. 5 feet
Show answer
B. 10 feet 10 feet to the left, 10 feet to the right and 10 feet behind the rear bumper. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Which side of the bus is always considered dangerous, and why?
1. The front, because of the engine
2. The left, because of passing cars
3. The right, because of the curb
4. The rear, because of the exhaust
Show answer
B. The left, because of passing cars Traffic passes on the left, so a child on that side is always at risk. (CDL manual: School Buses)
The outside flat mirrors should be adjusted so you can see behind the bus at least:
1. 50 feet
2. 200 feet, or 4 bus lengths
3. 1 bus length
4. 500 feet
Show answer
B. 200 feet, or 4 bus lengths Also along the sides of the bus and the rear tires touching the ground. (CDL manual: School Buses)
The blind spot directly behind a school bus can extend up to:
1. 400 feet
2. 1,000 feet
3. 50 feet
4. 20 feet
Show answer
A. 400 feet It usually runs 50 to 150 feet and could extend up to 400 feet, depending on the length and width of the bus. (CDL manual: School Buses)
The outside convex mirrors should show:
1. The area in front of the bumper
2. Only the rear bumper
3. The whole side up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires and at least one traffic lane on each side
4. The inside of the bus
Show answer
C. The whole side up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires and at least one traffic lane on each side They give a wide-angle view, but people and objects in them do not appear at their true size and distance. (CDL manual: School Buses)
What are the crossover mirrors for?
1. Seeing the danger zone directly in front of the bus and along the sides to the service door
2. Watching traffic 200 feet behind
3. Monitoring riders inside the bus
4. Seeing over hills
Show answer
A. Seeing the danger zone directly in front of the bus and along the sides to the service door They show the area in front of the bumper down to ground level that you cannot see directly, and the front tires. Direct vision and mirror view should overlap. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Are more students killed as passengers inside school buses or while getting on and off?
1. As passengers inside
2. While getting on or off the bus
3. About the same
4. Neither; students are never killed at bus stops
Show answer
B. While getting on or off the bus More students are killed each year while loading and unloading than as passengers, which is why the stop procedures matter so much. (CDL manual: School Buses)
May you move a bus stop to a safer spot on your own?
1. No, not without written approval from the right school district official
2. Yes, if it is safer
3. Yes, if parents agree
4. Only in bad weather
Show answer
A. No, not without written approval from the right school district official Routes and stops are set by the school district. Never change a stop without written approval. (CDL manual: School Buses)

If your bus has them, when should you turn on the alternating flashing amber lights?
1. At least 200 feet, or about 5 to 10 seconds, before the stop (or as state law says)
2. Only on highways
3. When the door opens
4. After the bus stops
Show answer
A. At least 200 feet, or about 5 to 10 seconds, before the stop (or as state law says) The amber lights warn traffic that you are about to stop. The red lights come on once you have stopped. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Approaching a stop, turn on the right turn signal about:
1. 100 to 300 feet, or about 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over
2. 20 feet before
3. 1,000 feet before
4. At the stop itself
Show answer
A. 100 to 300 feet, or about 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over Signal, keep checking the mirrors, and move as far right as possible on the traveled part of the road. (CDL manual: School Buses)
When you stop to load, the front bumper should be at least how far from the waiting students?
1. 50 feet
2. 10 feet
3. 3 feet
4. 25 feet
Show answer
B. 10 feet At least 10 feet, so the students have to walk to the bus and you can see how they move. (CDL manual: School Buses)
At each stop, you should:
1. Turn off the engine and leave the bus
2. Keep the bus in gear with your foot on the brake
3. Put the transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park) and set the parking brake
4. Leave the door open while moving slowly
Show answer
C. Put the transmission in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park) and set the parking brake Securing the bus at every stop keeps it from moving while children are near it. (CDL manual: School Buses)
When should you turn on the alternating red lights?
1. Only when students cross
2. When traffic is a safe distance from the bus, with the stop arm extended
3. After the students are seated
4. 500 feet before the stop
Show answer
B. When traffic is a safe distance from the bus, with the stop arm extended Then make a final check that all traffic has stopped before fully opening the door and signaling students to come. (CDL manual: School Buses)
You cannot account for a student outside the bus. You should:
1. Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath it
2. Ask the other students to look
3. Drive on and report it later
4. Honk the horn and wait
Show answer
A. Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath it A child may be in a blind spot or under the bus. Never move until every student is accounted for. (CDL manual: School Buses)
You realize you drove past a student’s unloading stop. You should:
1. Back up carefully to the stop
2. Make a U-turn at once
3. Not back up; follow local procedures
4. Let the student off where you are
Show answer
C. Not back up; follow local procedures Backing a school bus is very dangerous. Follow your district’s procedure for a missed stop. (CDL manual: School Buses)
After unloading on the route, students should walk at least how far from the side of the bus?
1. 30 feet
2. 3 feet
3. 10 feet
4. 50 feet
Show answer
C. 10 feet At least 10 feet, to a place where you can plainly see all of them. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Students who must cross the road should first walk to a point:
1. Right against the front bumper
2. Along the left side of the bus
3. At least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper
4. Directly behind the bus
Show answer
C. At least 10 feet in front of the right corner of the bumper There they stay in your view. They stop at the edge of the road, look, and wait for your signal to cross. (CDL manual: School Buses)
As crossing students reach the left edge of the bus, they should:
1. Wave to traffic
2. Run the rest of the way
3. Stop and look again for your signal to continue
4. Go back to the bus
Show answer
C. Stop and look again for your signal to continue Then check traffic both ways and keep looking in all directions as they finish crossing. (CDL manual: School Buses)
A student drops a book near the bus. What should students be taught to do?
1. Pick it up quickly
2. Leave it, move out of the danger zone and get the driver’s attention
3. Crawl under the bus to get it
4. Wait by the wheel until the bus leaves
Show answer
B. Leave it, move out of the danger zone and get the driver’s attention A child who stops for a dropped object can disappear from your sight at the most dangerous moment. (CDL manual: School Buses)
When must the driver evacuate the bus?
1. When the bus is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing
2. Whenever the engine stalls anywhere
3. Whenever it rains heavily
4. Whenever a student feels sick
Show answer
A. When the bus is stalled on or next to a railroad crossing Also when the bus is on fire or may catch fire, its position may change and increase the danger, a collision is imminent, or a hazmat spill requires it. (CDL manual: School Buses)
As a general rule, in an emergency the students are safest:
1. In the front seats
2. Off the bus, in every case
3. On the bus, unless staying exposes them to unnecessary risk
4. Walking to the nearest building
Show answer
C. On the bus, unless staying exposes them to unnecessary risk Student safety and control are usually best kept on the bus. The decision to evacuate must still be made in time. (CDL manual: School Buses)
After an evacuation on a road, a safe place for students is at least:
1. 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic
2. 20 feet off the road, behind the bus
3. Across the road
4. Right next to the bus
Show answer
A. 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic Being toward oncoming traffic keeps them out of the path of debris if another vehicle hits the bus. (CDL manual: School Buses)
If there is a risk from spilled hazardous materials, lead students:
1. Back onto the bus
2. Upwind of the bus, at least 300 feet away
3. Downwind, 100 feet away
4. Toward the spill to see it
Show answer
B. Upwind of the bus, at least 300 feet away Upwind and at least 300 feet. If there is a fire, also lead them upwind. (CDL manual: School Buses)

Evacuating near railroad tracks, lead students as far from the tracks as possible and:
1. Along the tracks
2. Back across the tracks
3. In the direction of any oncoming train
4. Away from the direction of the train
Show answer
C. In the direction of any oncoming train Away from the tracks and toward any oncoming train, as far as possible. If fire is present, lead them upwind of the bus. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Approaching a railroad crossing, turn on the hazard lights about:
1. 50 feet before
2. 200 feet before the crossing
3. 1,000 feet before
4. At the stop line
Show answer
B. 200 feet before the crossing About 200 feet before, so drivers behind know you are going to stop. Slow down and test your brakes too. (CDL manual: School Buses)
At a railroad crossing, stop the bus:
1. Within 10 feet of the nearest rail
2. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail
3. Right at the first rail
4. Just past the crossbuck
Show answer
B. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail Where you have the best view of the tracks. Then turn off radios, quiet the students, and open the service door and driver’s window to look and listen. (49 CFR 392.10(a)(1))
At a crossing with several sets of tracks, you should stop:
1. Before each set of tracks
2. Between the tracks to look
3. Only before the first set, then cross all the tracks once it is clear
4. Only before the last set
Show answer
C. Only before the first set, then cross all the tracks once it is clear Stopping between tracks can trap the bus. When you are sure no train is coming on any track, cross all of them without stopping. (CDL manual: School Buses)
The crossing gate comes down after you have started across the tracks. You should:
1. Evacuate the bus on the tracks
2. Stop and back up
3. Stop and wait for the train
4. Keep going through, even if it breaks the gate
Show answer
D. Keep going through, even if it breaks the gate Keep moving and clear the tracks. Also, never shift gears while crossing. (CDL manual: School Buses)
How much containment (storage) space do you need on the far side of a crossing?
1. 100 feet at every crossing
2. Exactly the bus length
3. Half the bus length
4. The length of the bus plus 15 feet
Show answer
D. The length of the bus plus 15 feet If it won’t fit, don’t commit. A signal or stop sign beyond the tracks must leave room for the whole bus to clear them. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Your bus stalls on the tracks. Everyone gets off and moves:
1. Straight back onto the road behind the bus
2. Along the tracks away from the train
3. To the far side of the tracks from the train
4. Far from the bus, at an angle away from the tracks and toward the train
Show answer
D. Far from the bus, at an angle away from the tracks and toward the train Get everyone out and off the tracks at once, then move them well away from the bus in that direction. (CDL manual: School Buses)
A behavior problem starts while students are getting off. You should:
1. Stop unloading and deal with it at once
2. Close the door on the unloading students
3. Drive on to the next stop
4. Wait until the unloading students are off and clear, then deal with it
Show answer
D. Wait until the unloading students are off and clear, then deal with it Loading and unloading need all your attention outside the bus. Handle the problem afterward, pulling over if needed. (CDL manual: School Buses)
Where may you put a student off the bus for bad behavior?
1. At a police station
2. Anywhere safe on the route
3. At the next intersection
4. Only at school or at the student’s own designated stop
Show answer
D. Only at school or at the student’s own designated stop If the problem is too serious to drive safely, call a school administrator or the police to remove the student. (CDL manual: School Buses)
How much tail swing can a school bus have?
1. About 6 inches
2. Up to 10 feet
3. None
4. Up to 3 feet
Show answer
D. Up to 3 feet Check your mirrors before and during every turn to watch the tail swing. (CDL manual: School Buses)

The other practice tests

CDL General Knowledge Practice Test57 questions. Following distance, stopping distance, emergencies, cargo securement, alcohol rules, inspections and hours of service.
CDL Air Brakes Practice Test30 questions. Compressor and governor, air tanks, low-pressure warnings, spring brakes, dual systems, brake lag and the inspection tests.
CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test24 questions. Rollover and rearward amplification, coupling and uncoupling, trailer air lines, the tractor protection valve and doubles.
CDL Hazmat Endorsement Practice Test30 questions. Placards, shipping papers, hazard classes, attending and parking a loaded vehicle, railroad crossings and emergencies.
CDL Tanker Endorsement Practice Test35 questions. Which tanks need the endorsement, leak checks, high center of gravity, liquid surge, baffles and bulkheads, outage and braking a tanker.
CDL Doubles and Triples Practice Test33 questions. Rollover and the crack-the-whip effect, converter dollies, coupling and uncoupling twins and triples, shut-off valves and air brake checks.
CDL Passenger Endorsement Practice Test35 questions. Bus inspection, baggage and hazardous materials rules, the standee line, railroad crossings and drawbridges, rider problems and prohibited practices.