Alabama CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover the engine compartment, exterior walk-around, and interior/lighting checks before every trip.

Check the engine oil dipstick level with the engine off and the vehicle level; low oil can trigger overheating or engine failure.

Coolant is checked at the reservoir only when the engine is cool; opening a hot pressurized radiator cap can cause severe burns.

Inspect all belts for glazing, cracking, and correct deflection; a loose or frayed belt can disable the alternator or water pump.

Test the parking brake by setting it and attempting to move; the bus must not roll on a grade.

Verify brake lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, and the stop arm extend and retract; the crossover mirror must show the stop arm.

Check tire tread depth and sidewalls for cuts, bulges, and correct inflation; dual tires must not touch each other.

Emergency exits, fire extinguisher (charged and mounted), and first aid kit must be present and accessible; test the exit buzzer.

The service door must open and close smoothly and the door warning buzzer must sound if the door is not fully latched.

Activate amber warning lights before the stop and red flashing lights with the stop arm extended once stopped for loading or unloading.

Students must cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see them; they must wait for the driver's hand signal.

The driver must account for every student by name or count before moving; use a seating chart and a face-to-name check.

Students must never cross behind the bus; the rear danger zone extends well beyond the rear bumper and is not fully visible.

The stop arm and red lights must stay extended until all students are clear of the danger zone and the driver secures the bus.

Kindergarten and early elementary students must be released only to a parent, guardian, or authorized adult at the stop.

If a student drops an item near the bus, the student must stop and wait; the driver signals only after confirming it is safe to retrieve.

Before departing a stop, re-check mirrors, count students, secure the door, and cancel the warning lights and stop arm.

The driver's primary responsibility is safe operation of the bus; behavior management is secondary but required.

Establish and post clear bus rules at the start of the year; consistent enforcement reduces discipline problems.

Use a progressive discipline approach: verbal warning, assigned seat, written referral, then suspension of riding privileges.

Never leave the driver's seat to discipline a student while the bus is moving or occupied; stop and secure the bus first.

Assign seats and use a seating chart to document who sat where when investigating a reported incident.

Report serious or repeated misconduct in writing to the school administrator per local policy.

Do not physically restrain or strike a student except to prevent imminent harm under local policy and law.

Keep communication calm and neutral; arguing with a student escalates and distracts from driving.

At a railroad crossing, stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Turn off all radios and fans, open the driver's window, and look and listen in both directions before crossing.

Never stop on tracks; if the bus stalls on a crossing, evacuate students immediately and move them at least 100 feet away from the tracks.

After a stall, call 911 or the railroad emergency number and move away from the crossing before attempting to warn trains.

For a front-door evacuation, students exit in order and move to a safe assembly point; the driver accounts for all students.

For a rear emergency door evacuation, the driver or a trained student operates the door; students exit and assemble away from traffic.

The fire extinguisher should be used only on small fires and only if the driver can do so without risk; otherwise evacuate first.

After any evacuation, the driver must account for every student, notify dispatch, and remain with students until help arrives.

Activate four-way flashers and place reflective triangles when stopped for an emergency on a roadway, if it is safe to do so.