AZ CDL School Bus flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Total stopping distance

The sum of perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance. It is the full distance a bus travels from the moment a hazard appears until the bus comes to a complete stop.

Following distance rule

Keep one second for each 10 feet of bus length at speeds under 40 mph, and add one extra second above 40 mph. A 40-foot bus at 40 mph needs about 4 seconds.

Perception distance

The distance the bus travels from the moment a hazard becomes visible until the driver's brain recognizes it as a hazard. It occurs before any braking action begins.

Reaction distance

The distance traveled while the driver's foot moves from the accelerator to the brake pedal after recognizing a hazard. It depends on driver alertness and speed.

Braking distance and speed

Braking distance increases with the square of speed. Doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, so a bus at 60 mph needs about four times the distance of one at 30 mph.

Pivot point turning method

Rear wheels track inside the front wheels, so the driver swings wide before a turn and watches the rear axle in the mirrors to keep the bus clear of curbs and objects.

Backing a school bus

Before backing, walk around the bus to check for children and obstacles, use mirrors and a spotter, and back slowly. If unsure, stop and look again.

Railroad crossing procedure

Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when required, silence noisy devices, listen, then cross without shifting gears. Never stop on the tracks.

Skid correction

Remove the cause of the skid rather than braking hard. Ease off the accelerator or brake, steer in the direction the rear is sliding, and avoid sudden inputs until traction returns.

Bus stop brake and gear

At a passenger stop, the bus is stopped with the parking brake set and the transmission in neutral or park before the door is opened for students.

Standing passengers rule

No passenger may stand while a school bus is moving. Every rider must be seated and, where equipped, use the seat belts or child restraint required by law.

Rated passenger capacity

The maximum number of passengers the bus may carry, set by seat count and manufacturer rating. Small students may be counted three per bench seat only where regulations allow.

Designated stops only

A school bus loads and unloads passengers only at designated stops. Stopping elsewhere requires authorization and a safe location off the traveled roadway.

Passenger accounting

The driver must account for every passenger at each stop and at the end of the route, using a seating chart or assigned seats when the route requires it.

Release of students

Students leave the bus only at their assigned stop or when released to an authorized adult. Young students are never released at an unsupervised location.

Unobstructed exits

Emergency doors, windows, and roof hatches must be kept clear of obstructions and checked for proper operation during the pre-trip inspection before every route.

Six pre-trip inspection areas

Engine compartment, lights and mirrors, brakes and suspension, tires and wheels, emergency equipment, and interior seating and exits. All six are checked before departure.

Tire rejection criteria

Reject any tire with insufficient tread depth, incorrect inflation, cuts, bulges, or cord showing. Such defects can cause blowouts and must be reported before the bus is operated.

Brake tests before departure

Test the service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake. The parking brake must hold the bus on a grade, and any brake defect places the bus out of service.

Required emergency equipment

A fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency warning triangles, and a seat belt cutter where required must be aboard, charged, and in their assigned locations.

Stop arm and warning lights

The stop arm and red warning lights must deploy and retract fully and flash only when the door opens or the switch is engaged. Check them during pre-trip inspection.

Mirror adjustment

Mirrors are adjusted so the driver can see the rear tires, the door area, and the danger zone around the bus before moving. Poor adjustment hides children near the wheels.

Defect reporting

Any defect affecting safety is reported to the dispatcher before the bus is operated. A bus with a safety defect is placed out of service until repaired.

Post-trip inspection

After the route, walk the bus, check for sleeping or left-behind students, secure the bus, and complete the written report documenting the inspection and any defects.

Eight-light warning system

Amber lights warn traffic that the bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and the stop arm signal that students are loading or unloading and traffic must stop.

Amber light timing

Amber warning lights are activated at least 100 feet before the stop, and red lights and the stop arm are used once the bus is stopped where state law requires them.

Crossing in front of bus

Students cross the road in front of the bus, never behind it, and only after the driver signals that it is safe. The driver watches them reach the far side.

Danger zone

The area about 10 feet around the bus where students are hard to see from the driver's seat. Students must stay out of it unless the driver directs them.

Dropped item rule

If a student drops something near the bus, the driver secures the bus and retrieves the item. Students never go back for dropped objects near the wheels.

Driver authority over students

The driver's authority applies while students are on the bus and during loading and unloading. Discipline is handled calmly and reported to the school.

When to evacuate

Evacuate when the bus is on fire, carrying hazardous materials, or in imminent danger. Otherwise, keeping students aboard the bus is usually the safer choice.

Evacuation assembly

Students exit by the nearest safe exit, move at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind, and assemble at a designated point where the driver takes a head count.