Loading and Unloading at School and Designated Stops
School site loading
This domain tests loading and unloading at schools and designated stops. At a school, follow the school’s traffic plan and the directions of school staff. Pull into the designated bus lane or loading zone, stop clear of crosswalks and fire lanes, and set the brake. Keep the door closed until students are organized and the area is safe. Load one at a time, count students, and ensure they are seated before moving. Do not block a school driveway or emergency access.
Designated stops
Choose a stop with good sight distance and a safe place for students to wait and cross. Avoid stops on curves, hill crests, railroad tracks, or where students must cross a busy road without controls. Students should wait at least 10 feet from the bus. Use the stop arm, red lights, and crossing signal as required. If a designated stop is unsafe because of parked cars, construction, or traffic, do not unload there; move to a safer location and report the problem.
Worked example
A designated stop is on a blind curve. Cars approach at speed and cannot see the bus in time. The correct action is to continue to a safer point with clear sight distance, unload there, and report the unsafe stop to your supervisor. Unloading on the curve because it is “the designated stop” exposes students to a collision risk.
Traps that cost marks
Do not stop in a traffic lane when a safe pull-out is available. Do not unload into a crosswalk or driveway. Do not let students cross behind the bus at a school. Do not skip the count at school loading. Do not treat a posted stop as automatically safe if conditions have changed.