California CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

A California school bus endorsement requires a Class A or B commercial license with passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements; the S endorsement is added to a P endorsement.

To obtain the S endorsement the driver must pass a knowledge test, a skills test in a school bus, a first aid examination, and hold a valid medical certificate.

Drivers must complete initial instruction plus annual refresher training covering loading/unloading, student management, emergency evacuation, railroad crossings, and post-trip inspections.

A 'school bus' is a vehicle designed to carry more than 10 passengers and used to transport students to or from school or school-related activities.

A 'school pupil activity bus' (SPAB) carries students for school activities but is not a regular home-to-school route vehicle; SPAB drivers hold a certificate rather than the full S endorsement.

A Type I school bus has a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds; a Type II is 10,000 pounds or less and is typically a van conversion.

School buses are exempt from certain size/weight limits but must meet California Highway Patrol construction and equipment standards, inspected annually.

A commercial driver transporting hazardous materials or operating a bus must meet the higher medical and testing standards; the S endorsement is canceled if the driver fails to maintain required training.

A pre-trip inspection covers engine compartment, exterior lights, tires, brakes, steering, suspension, mirrors, emergency exits, and passenger safety equipment; defects must be corrected or reported before driving.

Required emergency equipment includes a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency reflectors (triangles), and a spare fuse or other items specified by CHP standards.

Stop signal arm must extend at least 18 inches from the left side of the bus and be visible to approaching traffic; red flashing lights must operate with the arm.

All emergency exits, roof hatches, and windows must open freely and be unobstructed; exit release handles must be clearly marked and accessible.

Mirrors must be adjusted to provide the required fields of view, including the crossover mirror for seeing the area in front of the bus.

Tires must be inspected for tread depth, sidewall damage, and proper inflation; the minimum tread depth for front tires on a school bus is 4/32 inch, and 2/32 inch for other tires.

The pre-trip inspection must be documented and any defect affecting safety must be reported to the carrier and repaired before the bus is operated.

Service door and emergency door warning buzzers or lights must function; the driver verifies the parking brake holds and the bus does not move.

Activate flashing amber lights at least 200 feet before the stop when practical; switch to red lights and extend the stop arm only when students are loading or unloading.

Students must cross in front of the bus only after the driver signals them and they can see the driver; the driver keeps them in view at all times.

The driver counts students as they exit and again after they have cleared the bus; never move the bus until all students are accounted for and seated or clear of the danger zone.

The danger zone extends at least 10 feet around the bus; students must be instructed to stay out of it and to wait for the driver's signal.

When loading, students line up at least 10 feet from the door and board only after the driver signals; the driver remains at the door or in a position to observe.

Use the horn to warn students if they are in danger; do not use the horn to hurry students.

At railroad crossings, the driver opens the door, turns off noisy equipment, and listens before proceeding; loading/unloading is never done on a railroad crossing.

If a student must cross the street, the driver signals when it is safe; students should cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see them.

The driver is responsible for order on the bus and may assign seats or use other reasonable measures to maintain safety.

Discipline must be consistent, fair, and never involve physical punishment; the driver may report serious misconduct to the school administrator.

The driver should give clear expectations at the start of the year and reinforce them with positive recognition and consistent consequences.

Bullying, fighting, and threats must be addressed immediately; the driver stops the bus in a safe location if needed to restore order.

The driver must not leave the bus unattended with students aboard except in an emergency, and must not use a cell phone while driving except for emergencies.

Students must remain seated while the bus is moving; the driver enforces this rule and may not allow students to stand in the aisle.

The driver documents repeated misconduct and follows the district's referral process; the school administrator has authority over suspension from the bus.

The driver must not use physical force except to protect students or others from imminent harm, and must report any use of force.

Stop at all railroad crossings, whether or not the signal is active, unless the crossing is exempt and the bus can clear it completely.

Turn off all noisy equipment (radio, heater fan, etc.) and open the service door and driver's window to listen before proceeding.

Look and listen in both directions; proceed only when the bus can completely clear the tracks without stopping.

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

If a train is approaching, get students out and away from the tracks, then call 911 or the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks; maintain a steady speed and check that the bus can clear the crossing before starting.

At crossings with a stop signal or gate, wait for the gate to rise fully and the lights to stop flashing before proceeding.

Report any crossing signal malfunction to the railroad and the school district.

Evacuate only when there is imminent danger (fire, hazardous materials, or the bus is on railroad tracks); otherwise keep students on the bus and call for help.

When evacuating, students exit through the nearest safe exit, move at least 100 feet from the bus, and assemble in a designated area where the driver can see them.

The driver accounts for all students after evacuation and reports the count to emergency responders.

In an accident, stop, secure the scene, check for injuries, call 911, and notify the school and carrier; do not move injured students unless there is immediate danger.

Set out warning triangles or reflectors to warn traffic, and use the bus's hazard lights.

Complete an accident report with names, contact information, witness statements, and vehicle information; report to the CHP as required.

If a student is injured, provide first aid within training and do not administer medication unless authorized.

The driver must not leave the scene of an accident involving injury or death until permitted by law enforcement.

A school bus must carry at least one fire extinguisher with a minimum 2A10BC rating, mounted and accessible to the driver.

The first aid kit must be complete and inspected regularly; contents are specified by CHP standards.

Emergency reflectors: at least three bidirectional reflectors or triangles must be carried and in good condition.

In a fire, evacuate students upwind and at least 100 feet away; do not attempt to fight a large fire.

Use the fire extinguisher with the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Know the location of all emergency exits, including roof hatches and rear doors, and how to operate them.

Fire drills must be conducted at least twice a year with students aboard, and the driver documents the drills.

Smoking and open flames are prohibited on school buses; fuel the bus only with the engine off and no students aboard.

In fog, rain, or snow, reduce speed, increase following distance, and use low-beam headlights; do not use high beams in fog.

On icy or wet roads, brake gently and avoid sudden steering; increase following distance to at least double the normal gap.

In high winds, reduce speed and be alert for crosswinds, especially on bridges and open stretches.

At night, use headlights and reduce speed; the driver must be able to stop within the distance illuminated by the headlights.

When backing, use a spotter if available; if not, check all mirrors and the area behind the bus before moving, and back slowly.

In extreme heat, check tires and engine temperature; in cold weather, ensure windows are clear of ice and snow before driving.

When a hazardous materials vehicle is involved in an incident, keep students upwind and uphill and at least 100 feet away.

Do not drive through flooded roadways; turn around and find an alternate route.

California intrastate school bus drivers are generally subject to the state's hours-of-service rules, which limit driving and on-duty time and require rest breaks.

Federal hours-of-service rules apply to interstate operations: 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption.

Drivers must maintain records of duty status (logs) unless operating under an exception such as the short-haul or school bus exception.

The school bus driver must not drive after being on duty more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days under federal rules.

California requires a minimum of 8 hours off duty between shifts for school bus drivers, and drivers must report fatigue or illness to their employer.

Time spent loading and unloading students and performing pre-trip inspections counts as on-duty time.

Drivers must not falsify logs; accurate records are required and subject to inspection.

After each route, the driver must walk through the bus to check for sleeping or left-behind students and to inspect for damage or lost items.

The post-trip inspection must be documented, including the date, time, and any defects found.

Any mechanical defect or safety issue must be reported to the carrier and recorded; the bus must not be used until repaired.

The driver must check that all emergency exits are closed and secured and that the bus is parked safely with the parking brake set.

Report any student misconduct or injury that occurred during the trip to the school administrator and document it.

Report accidents, near-misses, and property damage to the carrier immediately.

The driver must ensure the bus is fueled, cleaned, and ready for the next trip as required by the district.

Post-trip inspection includes checking for hazardous items left on the bus and securing the bus against unauthorized use.

California law requires drivers to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, in both directions, unless separated by a median or physical barrier.

The penalty for illegally passing a school bus includes a fine and possible license suspension; the driver may be reported by the bus driver.

School buses must display the words 'School Bus' and be equipped with flashing red lights, a stop signal arm, and other equipment required by CHP standards.

The CHP inspects school buses annually and issues a safety certificate; the certificate must be displayed in the bus.

School bus drivers must submit to drug and alcohol testing under federal and state requirements, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.

California prohibits the use of a cell phone while driving a school bus except for emergency calls; hands-free use is also restricted for school bus drivers.

School bus drivers must report certain convictions and must not have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle.

Districts must ensure buses meet California Highway Patrol specifications and that drivers complete required training, including first aid and passenger safety.

California law requires drivers to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, in both directions, unless separated by a median or physical barrier.

The penalty for illegally passing a school bus includes a fine and possible license suspension; the driver may be reported by the bus driver.

School buses must display the words 'School Bus' and be equipped with flashing red lights, a stop signal arm, and other equipment required by CHP standards.

The CHP inspects school buses annually and issues a safety certificate; the certificate must be displayed in the bus.

School bus drivers must submit to drug and alcohol testing under federal and state requirements, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.

California prohibits the use of a cell phone while driving a school bus except for emergency calls; hands-free use is also restricted for school bus drivers.

School bus drivers must report certain convictions and must not have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle.

Districts must ensure buses meet California Highway Patrol specifications and that drivers complete required training, including first aid and passenger safety.