Michigan CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover engine compartment, exterior, and passenger area; check fluid levels, belts, hoses, and battery securement.

Test brake system: with engine running and air pressure built up, apply service brake and hold; listen for leaks; check warning light and buzzer.

Inspect tires for tread depth (minimum 4/32 inch for front, 2/32 inch for rear), cuts, bulges, and proper inflation.

Check all lights: headlights (high/low), turn signals, brake lights, tail lights, clearance lights, and hazard flashers; verify from outside vehicle.

Verify emergency exits open freely from inside and outside; check that exit signs are illuminated and buzzers sound when opened (if equipped).

Test steering for excessive play (more than 10 degrees free play is a defect); check power steering fluid and belt.

Inspect exhaust system for leaks, secure mounting, and proper clearance from fuel lines and brake hoses.

Check school bus-specific items: stop arm extends and retracts fully, red flashing lights operate, crossing gate (if equipped) moves freely.

After inspection, complete and sign the inspection report; note any defects and ensure they are repaired before driving.

Approach the stop with caution; activate amber warning lights at least 100 feet (or as required by state law) before the stop to warn traffic.

Stop the bus parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb (or edge of roadway) to minimize the gap students must cross.

Set parking brake, place transmission in neutral (or park), and activate red flashing lights and stop arm before opening the door.

Students must cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see them; never allow crossing behind the bus.

Count students as they exit and as they enter; ensure no student remains on the bus after the route is complete.

Before moving, check all mirrors, ensure all students are seated and accounted for, deactivate red lights, retract stop arm, and close door.

When loading, have students wait in a safe location away from the roadway until the bus stops and the driver signals them to board.

If a student must cross the road, driver should signal them when it is safe; students should wait for the driver's hand signal.

Never allow students to retrieve items from under the bus; driver must secure the area and use proper procedure if an item is dropped.

Establish clear rules at the beginning of the school year and post them visibly in the bus.

Use positive reinforcement and nonverbal cues (eye contact, proximity) to manage minor misbehavior before it escalates.

Speak calmly and firmly; avoid arguing with students and never use physical force except to protect safety.

Address unsafe behaviors immediately (e.g., standing while bus is moving, throwing objects) by pulling over safely and securing the bus.

Document repeated or serious disciplinary problems and report them to school administration according to district policy.

Do not put a student off the bus except at school or a designated safe location; never leave a student unattended.

Use the bus PA system to give clear instructions; repeat expectations and acknowledge compliant behavior.

For students with special needs, follow the IEP or behavioral plan; consult with special education staff for individualized strategies.

In an emergency, stop the bus in a safe location away from traffic, set parking brake, and activate hazard lights.

Evacuate students only when necessary (fire, hazardous material, unsafe position); otherwise keep students on bus and call for help.

When evacuating, use the safest exit (door or emergency window); assist students and designate a meeting point at least 100 feet from the bus.

Conduct emergency evacuation drills at least twice per school year (Michigan requires two drills, one in each semester).

Carry a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and emergency reflectors; know their locations and how to use them.

If involved in a crash, secure the scene, check for injuries, call 911, and notify school authorities; do not move injured persons unless necessary.

Use the radio or phone to communicate emergency information: location, nature of emergency, number of students, and injuries.

After an evacuation, account for all students and keep them together until released to authorized personnel or emergency responders.

Michigan law requires school buses to stop at all railroad crossings, even if no train is visible, unless the crossing is exempted by the state.

Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail; do not stop on the tracks or within the crossing area.

Before proceeding, open the service door and driver's window, turn off all radios and fans, and listen for approaching trains.

Look both ways and check for a second train before crossing; ensure tracks are clear in both directions.

Cross tracks without shifting gears; do not stop or change gears while on the tracks.

If the bus stalls on the tracks, immediately evacuate students to a safe distance (at least 100 feet) and call 911 or the railroad emergency number.

Michigan requires school buses to be equipped with a crossing gate (if manufactured after a certain date) and to use it properly.

At crossings with active signals (lights, bells, gates), wait until signals stop and gates are fully raised before proceeding.

Never attempt to cross if there is insufficient space on the far side of the tracks to clear the crossing completely.