Maryland CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection: walk the bus checking tires, wheels, lug nuts, lights, mirrors, stop arm, crossing gate, emergency exits, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and belt cutter; report defects before driving.

Maryland requires a daily pre-trip inspection and a written post-trip inspection report; the driver must note any defect that could affect safety or lead to a breakdown.

Check the emergency exits (rear door, side windows, roof hatches) open and close freely and that buzzers/alarms sound when opened with the ignition on.

Test the eight-light warning system (amber and red alternately flashing lights) and the stop arm; the stop arm must extend fully and its red lights must flash when activated.

Mirror adjustment: the crossover mirror must show the area in front of the bus from the bumper to about 12 feet ahead so the driver can see students crossing in front.

Brake check: test air pressure build-up and loss, low-air warning, and parking brake; a school bus must have a working emergency (spring) brake that applies automatically at low pressure.

Tire rules: reject a tire with tread depth below 4/32 inch on front wheels (2/32 inch elsewhere), cuts, bulges, or exposed cords; check dual tires are not touching.

Interior check: seats secure, aisle clear, handrail tight, heater and defroster working, and no loose items that could become projectiles in a sudden stop.

Stop the bus so students do not have to cross the road to board or leave when you can avoid it; load and unload in a safe, well-lit spot away from traffic.

Shift to Park (automatic) or Neutral with parking brake set, and turn off the engine before opening the door for loading or unloading.

Activate the eight-light system and stop arm; students must wait until the driver signals them to cross, and the driver must watch the crossing path until each student is clear.

Students crossing in front must walk at least 10 feet ahead of the bus so the driver can see them over the hood and in the crossover mirror.

Count students as they leave and again when they reach a safe point; never move the bus until you have accounted for every student.

When unloading at a school, follow the local procedure: students exit and move away from the bus; do not let them walk behind the bus.

If a student drops an item near the bus, they must tell the driver and not retrieve it themselves; the driver retrieves it or moves the bus first.

At railroad crossings and divided highways, stop the bus, open the door, and listen before proceeding; never allow students to cross a multi-lane road to board.

Maryland law makes the driver responsible for order on the bus; the driver may assign seats and must report serious or repeated misbehavior to the school administrator.

State the rules at the start of the year: remain seated, keep aisles clear, no loud noise, no eating or drinking, keep hands and objects inside the bus.

Use a calm, firm voice and address behavior by name and rule; avoid arguing with a student while the bus is moving.

If a fight or serious safety threat occurs, stop the bus in a safe place, secure the bus, and call dispatch or 911; do not physically restrain students unless trained and authorized.

For a disruptive student, first give a verbal warning, then a seat change, then a written referral; follow the district's progressive discipline plan.

Never put a student off the bus except at school or the student's assigned stop; never leave a student unsupervised.

Do not use the bus radio or phone for personal reasons; keep communication brief and related to safety or operations.

Document incidents with time, location, students involved, witnesses, and action taken; submit the report to the school the same day.

Maryland requires school buses to stop at all railroad-highway grade crossings, whether or not the crossing is marked with a stop sign or signals, unless a police officer or flagger directs otherwise.

Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail; shift to a lower gear and do not shift again until fully across the tracks.

Turn off all radios and fans, open the door (and window if needed), and listen before proceeding; look both ways and check for a second train.

If the gates are down, do not go around them; wait until they rise fully and the lights stop flashing.

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

After a stall, call 911 or the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing, and if a train is coming, move away from the tracks along the direction of the train's approach at a 45-degree angle.

Never stop on the tracks; make sure there is room on the far side to clear the crossing completely before starting across.

At a crossing with a flashing light or gate, a school bus must still stop and check, even when the signal says proceed.

Evacuation order: stop the bus in a safe place, set the parking brake, turn off the engine, remove the key, and activate hazard lights; then direct students out the safest exit.

Use the rear emergency door, side door, or roof hatch depending on the hazard; fire favors the side door if it is clear, and a bus in water or on its side uses roof hatches.

Students evacuate in a line, leave belongings behind, and move at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind of a fire; account for every student by name.

Fire: pull the extinguisher pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep; only fight a small fire with a clear escape route.

First aid: check responsiveness and breathing, call 911, control bleeding with direct pressure, and do not move an injured student unless there is immediate danger.

Report emergencies by radio or phone with location, number of students, nature of the emergency, and injuries; stay on the line until released.

Post-trip: walk the bus front to back, check under seats and in the aisle, and ensure no student remains on board; this is required after every route.

If a bus is involved in a crash, secure the scene, check students, call 911, and do not move injured students unless there is fire or traffic danger.