MO CDL School Bus cheat sheet

The danger zone is the area within 10 feet of the school bus on all sides; the highest-risk areas are directly in front of the hood, directly behind the bus, and along the right side.

Crossover mirrors are convex mirrors mounted at the front corners; they show the front bumper and the area up to about 10 feet ahead so the driver can see students crossing in front.

Convex mirrors give a wide view but make objects look smaller and farther away; never use a convex mirror alone to judge distance.

Flat side mirrors show a true-size view of the bus sides and adjacent traffic lanes; adjust each one so a small part of the bus body is visible.

School buses have large blind spots behind and beside the bus; scan all mirrors frequently, especially before changing lanes, turning, or pulling away from a stop.

Before opening the door at a stop, check traffic and mirrors; keep checking mirrors while students load or unload and again before moving the bus.

Never move the bus while a student is inside the 10-foot danger zone; wait until the student is clearly on the bus or safely away from it.

After loading or unloading, count the students visible in the mirrors and know where each one is before releasing the parking brake.

Students waiting for the bus should stand at least 10 feet from the bus and the roadway until the driver signals them to board.

Load and unload students one at a time; students should use the handrail and keep three points of contact on the steps.

The driver counts students as they load, counts again as they unload, and checks the count before moving the bus; a missing student means stop and investigate.

If a student drops an item near the bus, the student should not bend down or reach under the bus; the student should tell the driver and move away.

Use the stop arm and flashing red lights when loading or unloading students on a roadway, and turn them off before the bus moves.

Students who must cross the road should cross in front of the bus only after the driver signals that it is safe and the driver can see them.

Avoid backing the bus to pick up or drop off students; if backing is unavoidable, use a spotter and do not move until the spotter signals that the area is clear.

For students with disabilities, allow extra time, secure mobility devices before moving, and follow the student's individual transportation plan.

Know the location and operation of every emergency exit on the bus: front door, rear door, side windows, and roof hatches.

Evacuate when there is fire, a hazardous material release, the bus is stopped on railroad tracks, or the bus is in imminent danger; otherwise keep students aboard in a safe location.

Use the front door as the primary exit, the rear door as the backup, and both exits when speed is necessary; students should leave belongings behind.

Move evacuated students at least 100 feet from the bus and, when possible, upwind of smoke, fire, or spilled hazardous material.

After evacuation, take the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and warning reflectors if it is safe, then count students and check for injuries.

Call 911 after evacuation and give the location, number of students, and any injuries or hazards.

Do not evacuate students into traffic; if the bus is in a traffic lane but there is no fire or other immediate danger, keep students aboard and call for help.

Teach students how to open the rear door emergency release and roof hatch before an emergency occurs.

A school bus must stop at every railroad-highway crossing, even when lights are not flashing and gates are up, unless the crossing is officially exempt.

Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, open the door, turn off the radio and fan, and listen and look in both directions.

Select the proper gear before reaching the tracks; never shift gears while crossing because a shift can cause the bus to stall on the tracks.

Do not start across the tracks unless there is enough space on the other side for the entire bus to clear the crossing.

At crossings with multiple tracks, check each track separately in both directions; one train can hide another train approaching on a parallel track.

If the bus stalls on the tracks, evacuate students immediately and move them at least 100 feet away and upwind, then call 911 and the railroad emergency number.

At night, use headlights and look carefully for trains; do not rely on crossing lights alone.

After crossing, do not stop until the rear of the bus is completely clear of the tracks.

State bus rules and expectations at the beginning of the year and reinforce them consistently; post the rules where students can see them.

Do not try to discipline students while the bus is moving; stop in a safe place, secure the bus, and then deal with the behavior.

Use physical force only when necessary to protect students or others from imminent harm; never use force as punishment.

Speak calmly, avoid arguing with students, and avoid embarrassing a student in front of others.

Assign seats when needed to manage behavior, keep the aisle clear, and require students to remain seated facing forward while the bus is moving.

If students fight, stop the bus in a safe location, set the parking brake, radio for help, and separate students only if it can be done safely.

Do not put a student off the bus except at a regular stop or at school; never leave a student beside a highway.

Report serious behavior incidents to the school in writing and follow the district's referral procedure.

ABS prevents wheels from locking during hard braking, which helps the driver keep steering control while stopping.

Brake normally in an emergency: apply firm, continuous pressure and hold it; do not pump the brake pedal.

A pulsing or vibrating brake pedal and mechanical noise during ABS operation are normal; keep pressure on the pedal.

ABS does not always shorten stopping distance and may lengthen it on gravel, snow, or loose surfaces; maintain a safe following distance.

If the ABS warning light stays on after the bulb check, the antilock system has a fault; normal brakes still work, but the defect must be reported.

During the pre-trip inspection, turn on the ignition and confirm that the ABS light comes on and then goes off; if it does not, check the system.

ABS is not a substitute for safe speed, proper following distance, or smooth braking on slippery roads.

Secure a wheelchair at four points, set the wheelchair brakes, and restrain the student with a lap and shoulder belt before the bus moves.

Never leave children unattended on a school bus; after every trip, walk the bus and check all seats, under seats, and the rear.

Avoid backing; if backing is necessary, use a spotter and do not move until the spotter is visible and signals that the area is clear.

In bad weather, reduce speed, increase following distance, brake gently, and avoid sudden steering movements.

Do not fuel a school bus with students aboard; turn off the engine, prohibit smoking, and follow the district's fueling procedure.

In hot weather, check the bus for heat buildup and never leave students inside; in cold weather, check for students who may be left behind.

At night, use headlights, reduce speed, and scan mirrors carefully because students and vehicles are harder to see.

Follow the school's traffic plan for loading and unloading, and do not rush students with disabilities or students who need extra time.

The pre-trip inspection includes tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, horn, wipers, fluids, belts, emergency exits, stop arm, and flashing lights.

Test the brakes during the pre-trip inspection, including air pressure buildup, leak check, and warning light or buzzer operation.

Adjust the flat, convex, and crossover mirrors before driving so the driver can see the bus sides, front bumper, and the area around the bus.

After every route, walk to the back of the bus and check every seat, under seats, and the aisle for sleeping or left-behind children.

Report any defect found during a pre-trip or post-trip inspection in writing, and do not drive a bus with a safety defect until it is repaired.

Check the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning reflectors, fuses, and emergency exits for presence and condition.

Secure the bus at the end of the trip: set the parking brake, remove the key, turn off lights and accessories, and close the door.

Conduct the post-trip inspection after every route and after every field trip, not only at the end of the day.