Indiana CDL School Bus Test study plan

Memorize the seven-step school bus inspection sequence and recite it aloud from memory without notes

Label every exterior light, reflector, and mirror on a bus diagram and state the purpose of each

Explain how to check brake system components including slack adjusters, push rods, and air pressure build-up and leakage limits

Distinguish between the pre-trip inspection, en-route inspection, and post-trip inspection and state when each occurs

Perform a full verbal pre-trip inspection on a real or simulated bus within 20 minutes while narrating each check

Identify the five most common causes of school bus collisions and describe the defensive driving response to each

Explain the purpose of the post-trip inspection, including the child-check walk-through and reporting of mechanical defects

Describe how to inspect and adjust mirrors for the driver's eye position and seat height

Sequence the loading and unloading procedure from approach to departure, including mirror checks and the danger zone

State the specific rules for students crossing the roadway, including the driver's hand signal and head-count responsibilities

Explain when and how to use the eight-way light system, stop arm, and crossing gate

Describe procedures for students who must cross the street and for those who do not, and identify when a driver may not discharge students

Demonstrate the hand-signal and head-count routine for a simulated crossing scenario and explain why each step matters

Explain the legal and safety reasons for never leaving students unattended on a bus

Describe the driver's role in establishing expectations for student behavior at the start of each school year

Identify the difference between driver-managed discipline and situations that must be referred to school administration

List at least six specific disruptive behaviors and a lawful, non-physical response for each

Explain how to de-escalate a conflict between students without leaving the driver's seat or stopping in an unsafe location

Describe proper documentation of a discipline referral, including objective description and avoidance of judgmental language

Explain the driver's duty regarding bullying, harassment, and students with disabilities or special needs on the bus

Memorize the complete railroad crossing procedure, including stopping distance, hazard light use, and window and door opening

State the conditions under which a school bus must stop at a crossing and the exceptions that apply

Explain what to do if the bus stalls or becomes disabled on the tracks, including evacuation direction and emergency notification

Identify the meaning of crossing signals, gates, and pavement markings and describe how to judge a safe clearing distance

Rehearse the decision sequence for a bus stalled on tracks and state the evacuation command and direction

Describe the evacuation procedure for front-door, rear-door, and emergency-window exits, including the order of evacuation and assembly point

Explain when to evacuate versus when to keep students on the bus in a fire, crash, or hazardous-materials situation

Describe how to use the fire extinguisher, emergency exits, and two-way radio during an emergency

Explain first-aid priorities and the driver's role until emergency responders arrive, including when not to move an injured student

Describe post-crash procedures including securing the scene, warning traffic, and reporting

Review and self-test on all six domains using a full-length practice exam and score the results by domain

Build a personal error log of missed items and schedule a review of the weakest two domains