Illinois CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

The danger zone is the area within 10 feet of the school bus on all sides; it is where students are at greatest risk of being struck.

On a roadway, activate flashing red lights and extend the stop arm when loading or unloading students; in a designated off-road loading zone, hazard lights may be used.

Students who must cross the road wait for the driver's hand signal, then walk at least 10 feet ahead of the bus before crossing.

Count students before moving the bus and after each stop; never move until every student is seated.

A student who drops an item near the bus must tell the driver and never crawl under or reach beneath the bus.

Before unloading, check traffic in all mirrors; after unloading, recheck mirrors and confirm no student remains near the bus.

Do not leave a school bus unattended with students aboard; set the parking brake, place the transmission in park, and stop the engine.

Students normally load and unload from the right side of the bus; use the crossing procedure only when the student must cross the roadway.

Illinois prohibits corporal punishment, including on school buses; drivers may use only reasonable nonphysical measures to maintain order.

A driver may not put a student off the bus except at school or a regular stop, unless an emergency requires removal.

Serious student misconduct must be reported in writing to school authorities; transportation may be denied under school board policy.

Students must remain seated while the bus is moving; the driver may assign seats and require quiet, orderly behavior.

School bus drivers may not use a cell phone while driving; a two-way radio may be used for emergencies and dispatch.

Only authorized students and school personnel may ride the school bus; drivers must not transport unauthorized persons.

If behavior threatens safety, pull over safely, stop the bus, and use the radio to request assistance.

School buses have a rear emergency door, side door, roof hatches, and emergency windows; drivers must know each exit's location and operation.

Evacuate only when staying aboard is more dangerous, such as fire, smoke, fuel leak, flood, or a bus stalled on railroad tracks.

Students nearest the exit leave first; after exiting, move students at least 100 feet from the bus and stay upwind of fire.

After a crash, set the parking brake, turn off the engine, activate hazard lights, check for injuries, and call 911.

Do not move injured students unless immediate danger requires it; wait for emergency medical personnel when possible.

Use a fire extinguisher only on small fires and only if trained and safe to do so; otherwise evacuate immediately.

Place warning reflectors behind and ahead of the bus as required, and keep students away from traffic lanes.

Illinois school districts conduct school bus evacuation drills; drivers participate and document that students know exit procedures.

Illinois school buses must stop at all railroad crossings, except where an officer or flagger controls traffic or tracks are clearly abandoned.

Stop between 10 and 50 feet from the nearest rail; never stop on the tracks.

Procedure: stop, open the service door, look and listen, close the door, then proceed when clear.

At multiple-track crossings, check each track separately; a train on one track can hide a train on another.

If the bus stalls on tracks, evacuate immediately, move students at least 100 feet away, and call 911.

Trains extend beyond the rails; students and drivers must stand well back because overhang can strike people near the crossing.

When railroad lights flash or gates lower, stop and wait until gates rise and lights stop before crossing.

Do not cross unless there is enough space on the far side for the entire bus; never block a crossing.

Before each trip, check tires, brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, stop arm, emergency equipment, and fluid leaks.

Illinois school buses are inspected by the Illinois State Police at least every six months, in addition to the driver's daily pre-trip inspection.

The maximum speed for a school bus in Illinois is 55 mph, or the lower posted limit if one applies.

Maintain at least four seconds of following distance in normal conditions; increase the gap in rain, snow, or fog.

Illinois law requires headlights when windshield wipers are on; turn on headlights in rain, snow, or fog.

With air brakes, verify pressure build-up and the low-pressure warning, and test the brakes before driving.

On slippery roads, reduce speed, brake gently, and avoid sudden steering or hard acceleration.

In fog, use low-beam headlights, slow down, and increase following distance; do not use high beams.