Maryland CDL School Bus Test flashcards
Maryland CDL School Bus Test · Build recall with a focused review session.
33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Pre-trip inspection purpose
- A driver walk-around and in-cab check before every route that finds safety defects such as bad tires, lights, brakes, or exits before students board.
- Eight-light warning system
- Amber lights warn traffic that the bus is stopping; red lights and the stop arm signal that students are loading or unloading and traffic must stop.
- Crossover mirror use
- The convex mirror mounted on the front fender that lets the driver see the area directly in front of the bus, including students crossing within about 12 feet.
- Stop arm inspection
- The stop arm must extend fully and its red lights flash when activated; a broken arm or light means the bus should not be used for a route.
- Emergency exit check
- Each rear door, side window, and roof hatch must open freely from inside, and the buzzer must sound when opened with the ignition on.
- Tire tread limits
- Reject front tires below 4/32 inch tread and other tires below 2/32 inch, and reject any tire with cuts, bulges, or exposed cords.
- Post-trip inspection report
- A written report after each route listing any defect that could affect safety or cause a breakdown, given to the operator or mechanic.
- Parking brake before loading
- Set the parking brake, shift to Park, and shut off the engine before opening the door so the bus cannot move while students are boarding.
- Ten-foot crossing rule
- Students who must cross in front of the bus walk at least 10 feet ahead of the bumper so the driver can see them in the crossover mirror.
- Driver signal to cross
- Students wait at the edge of the road until the driver gives a hand signal; they cross only when the driver signals and watches them clear the bus.
- Student count procedure
- Count students as they leave, count again at a safe gathering point, and never move the bus until every student is accounted for.
- Dropped item near bus
- A student who drops something near the bus must tell the driver and not retrieve it; the driver picks it up or moves the bus first.
- Unloading at school
- Students exit and move away from the bus toward the building; they must not walk behind the bus or cross in front without the driver's signal.
- Loading zone selection
- Choose a spot where students do not have to cross traffic, with good lighting and visibility, and avoid stopping on a hill or curve when possible.
- Door open at crossings
- Opening the door and window at a grade crossing lets the driver hear an approaching train over engine and heater noise before proceeding.
- Driver authority on bus
- Maryland law gives the school bus driver responsibility for order on the bus, including assigning seats and reporting serious misbehavior to school officials.
- Progressive discipline steps
- Typical sequence is a verbal warning, a seat change, and then a written referral to the school administrator for repeated or serious misbehavior.
- Fight on the bus
- Stop in a safe place, secure the bus, call dispatch or 911, and avoid physical restraint unless trained and authorized to intervene.
- Never put student off
- A driver may not discharge a student anywhere except school or the assigned stop, and may never leave a student unsupervised.
- Incident documentation
- Record time, location, students involved, witnesses, and action taken, and submit the written report to the school the same day.
- Rules at route start
- Explain expectations early: stay seated, keep aisles clear, no loud noise, no eating, and keep hands and objects inside the bus.
- Distraction-free driving
- Keep radio and phone use brief and safety-related, and avoid arguing with students while the bus is moving.
- School bus crossing stop
- Maryland requires school buses to stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing, marked or unmarked, unless a police officer or flagger directs otherwise.
- Stop distance at crossing
- Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail, then look and listen before crossing.
- Gear rule at crossing
- Shift to a lower gear before the tracks and do not shift again until the bus has completely cleared the crossing.
- Second train hazard
- After one train passes, look and listen again because a second train on another track may be approaching from either direction.
- Stall on tracks
- Evacuate students immediately and move them at least 100 feet from the tracks, away from the direction of an approaching train.
- Gates down rule
- Never drive around lowered gates; wait until the gates rise fully and the lights stop flashing before crossing.
- Clear the far side
- Do not start across the tracks unless there is enough room on the far side for the whole bus to clear the crossing without stopping.
- Evacuation setup
- Stop in a safe place, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key, and turn on hazard lights before directing students out.
- Evacuation assembly point
- Students move at least 100 feet from the bus, upwind of a fire, and stay together so the driver can account for each student by name.
- Fire extinguisher use
- Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep; fight only a small fire with a clear escape route.
- Post-trip student check
- After every route, walk the bus front to back and check under seats and in the aisle to ensure no student remains on board.