Bus Stops, Railroad Crossings, and Hazard Awareness
This domain tests stop discipline, railroad crossing procedure, and scanning for hazards that are common around passenger buses. The exam wants a procedure you can perform every time, not a general warning to be careful.
Bus stop procedure
Signal early, reduce speed, and stop parallel and close to the curb without blocking a crosswalk, fire hydrant, or travel lane. Use mirrors to watch cyclists and pedestrians before opening the door. Keep the bus secured while passengers move. At departure, close the door, check mirrors and blind spots, and signal before re-entering traffic.
Railroad crossings
In Kentucky, a bus carrying passengers must stop at railroad crossings before crossing, unless a police officer or flagger is directing traffic through. Stop, open the door or window, look and listen, then cross without shifting gears. Never stop on the tracks; confirm space on the far side first. Never drive around a lowered gate or a gate that is moving. If the bus stalls on a crossing, evacuate passengers and move them away from the tracks, then call 911.
Hazard awareness
Scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead for pedestrians, cyclists, children, low clearance, and vehicles cutting into your space. Remember tail swing and blind spots when leaving a stop.
Worked example
You approach a crossing with the gate up but red lights flashing. Treat it as a stop and do not cross while the lights flash. The lights indicate an approaching train or a malfunction; either way, the gate position alone is not clearance.
Traps
Rolling stops; not opening a door or window at a crossing; stopping on the tracks; and assuming a green traffic light means the crossing is clear.