California CDL School Bus Test flashcards

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

S endorsement requirement

A California school bus endorsement requires a Class A or B license with passenger and school bus endorsements, plus knowledge, skills, first aid, and medical certification.

Type I school bus

A school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds, typically a full-size bus built on a truck chassis.

Type II school bus

A school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, often a van conversion used for smaller routes.

School pupil activity bus

A vehicle used to transport students for school activities rather than regular home-to-school routes; drivers hold a certificate rather than the full S endorsement.

Stop arm extension

The stop signal arm must extend at least 18 inches from the left side of the bus and operate together with the red flashing lights.

Front tire tread minimum

School bus front tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread depth; other tires require at least 2/32 inch.

Required emergency equipment

A school bus must carry a fire extinguisher rated at least 2A10BC, a complete first aid kit, and at least three emergency reflectors.

Crossover mirror purpose

The crossover mirror lets the driver see the area directly in front of the bus, including students crossing in the danger zone.

Amber light activation distance

Amber flashing lights should be activated at least 200 feet before the stop when practical, before switching to red lights for loading.

Danger zone radius

The danger zone extends at least 10 feet around the bus; students must stay outside it until the driver signals them to cross.

Student count procedure

The driver counts students as they exit and again after they clear the bus, and never moves until all are accounted for.

Crossing in front of bus

Students should cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus and only after the driver signals and can see them clearly.

Driver discipline authority

The driver may assign seats and use reasonable measures to maintain order, but may never use physical punishment.

Cell phone rule

School bus drivers may not use a cell phone while driving except in an emergency; hands-free use is also restricted.

Reporting serious misconduct

Repeated or serious student misconduct is documented and referred to the school administrator, who has authority over bus suspension.

Seated student rule

Students must remain seated while the bus is moving; the driver enforces this and does not allow standing in the aisle.

Railroad crossing stop

The bus must stop at every railroad crossing, turn off noisy equipment, open the door and window, and look and listen both ways.

Stalled on tracks

If the bus stalls on the tracks, evacuate students immediately and move them at least 100 feet from the tracks toward the approaching train.

Crossing gear rule

Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks; maintain a steady speed and confirm the bus can clear the crossing completely.

Gate and signal rule

At a gated crossing, wait until the gate rises fully and the lights stop flashing before proceeding across the tracks.

Evacuation decision

Evacuate only when there is imminent danger such as fire, hazardous materials, or the bus stopped on railroad tracks.

Evacuation assembly distance

After evacuation, students move at least 100 feet from the bus and assemble where the driver can see and count them.

Accident scene duties

Stop, secure the scene, check injuries, call 911, notify the school and carrier, and set out warning reflectors.

Injured student movement

Do not move an injured student unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; wait for emergency responders.

Fire extinguisher rating

A school bus must carry a fire extinguisher rated at least 2A10BC, mounted where the driver can reach it quickly.

PASS technique

Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep side to side to extinguish the flames.

Fire evacuation direction

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

Fire drill frequency

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

Fog driving rule

In fog, reduce speed, increase following distance, and use low-beam headlights; never use high beams in fog.

Icy road braking

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

Backing procedure

Use a spotter when available; otherwise check all mirrors and the area behind the bus, then back slowly.

Flooded roadway rule

Do not drive through flooded roadways; turn around and find an alternate route to keep students safe.

Federal driving limit

Under federal hours-of-service rules, a driver may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

Thirty-minute break

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

On-duty time defined

Loading and unloading students, pre-trip inspections, and waiting time at the carrier's direction all count as on-duty time.

Off-duty minimum

California requires school bus drivers to have at least 8 hours off duty between shifts and to report fatigue to the employer.

Post-trip walkthrough

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

Defect reporting duty

Any mechanical or safety defect found during inspection must be reported to the carrier and recorded before the bus is used again.

Parking the bus

At the end of the trip, set the parking brake, close and secure all exits, and secure the bus against unauthorized use.

Post-trip documentation

The post-trip inspection is documented with date, time, and any defects found, and misconduct or injuries are reported to the administrator.

Passing a stopped bus

California drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm in both directions unless separated by a median.

CHP annual inspection

The California Highway Patrol inspects school buses annually and issues a safety certificate that must be displayed in the bus.

Commercial BAC limit

A school bus driver must not operate with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher and is subject to drug and alcohol testing.

Illegal passing penalty

Illegally passing a stopped school bus carries a fine and possible license suspension, and the bus driver may report the violation.