Communicating
What the exam tests
Signals, warning lights, horn use, and communication with students and other drivers.
Core rules
- Signal early and clearly: at least 100 feet before a turn in city driving, and before any lane change.
- Use the school bus eight-light system correctly: amber lights warn traffic that you are preparing to stop; red lights and the stop arm mean students are loading or unloading.
- Use four-way flashers when stopped for a hazard or when moving slowly.
- Use the horn only to warn others, not to express anger.
- Make eye contact with pedestrians and cyclists when possible.
- At a bus stop, signal students when it is safe to cross; do not assume they will wait for your signal.
- If your lights or signals fail, use hand signals and get the defect repaired.
Worked example
You approach a stop with students waiting. You activate the amber warning lights, slow down, stop, then activate the red lights and extend the stop arm. You wait until traffic has stopped before signaling the students to cross. Reasoning: the amber phase gives drivers time to stop; the red phase and stop arm legally protect the crossing.
Traps that cost marks
Using the horn aggressively; forgetting to cancel a turn signal; signaling students to cross before traffic has stopped; relying on the stop arm alone without checking traffic.