Loading and Unloading Procedures
Loading and unloading rules
The exam tests the danger zone, student counting, signal use, and stop-arm procedure. The danger zone is the area within 10 feet around the bus, especially in front and behind.
Core rules
- Stop with the bus parallel to and close to the curb, set parking brake, place transmission in park or neutral, and activate red lights and stop arm.
- Students wait at least 10 feet from the curb or roadway edge and board only after the driver signals.
- Count students before opening the door, as they board, and after unloading. Account for every student.
- Students crossing after unloading must cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus, after the driver signals that traffic is stopped.
- Never allow students to cross behind the bus. If a student drops an item, the student leaves it and tells the driver.
A student drops a book under the rear tire after exiting. Reasoning: the student must not retrieve it. The driver keeps the student visible, maintains the count, secures the bus, and retrieves the item only if it can be done safely or reports it. The critical exam point is that no student goes behind or under the bus.
Traps that cost marks
Treating the danger zone as only 5 feet, letting students cross behind, losing count during a disrupted stop, and unloading where traffic or the roadside is unsafe. If a stop is missed, do not back up; follow the route and report it.