NJ CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

The danger zone is the area within 10 feet of the bus on all sides - directly in front, behind, and along both flanks - where the driver's mirrors and peripheral vision are weakest.

Students are most at risk when they cross the roadway, stoop to pick up dropped items near the wheels, or stand in front of the bus outside the driver's view; these are the leading scenarios in loading-zone fatalities.

The driver must count and account for every student at each stop: a count as students exit, a count as they enter, and a final visual sweep before moving.

Students must walk at least 10 feet away from the bus and, if crossing, walk to a point at least 10 feet ahead of the front bumper so the driver can see them over the hood.

Never move the bus while a student is inside the danger zone; the driver signals students to cross only after making eye contact and receiving a hand signal from the student.

The driver uses the stop signal arm, flashing red lights, and horn (as a warning) to control traffic, but the horn must never be used to signal a student to cross.

A student who drops an object near or under the bus must leave it and move to a safe place; the driver retrieves the item only after securing the bus and confirming all students are clear.

Mirror checks are continuous during unloading: the driver scans the flat and convex mirrors for movement near the wheels before releasing the parking brake.

Flashing amber (yellow) lights warn traffic that the bus is preparing to stop; they are activated in advance of the stop and switched to red only when the bus is stopped or stopping.

Flashing red lights and the extended stop arm require all traffic in both directions to stop, except on a divided highway where oncoming traffic is separated by a physical median or barrier.

The stop signal arm is extended whenever students are loading or unloading and red lights are flashing; it is retracted before the bus moves.

The bus must be stopped with the front bumper at least 10 feet from the student's crossing point, and the driver should position the bus so students do not have to walk behind it.

At each stop the driver applies the parking brake, places the transmission in neutral (or park per procedure), and maintains pressure on the brake until students are clear.

A pre-stop scan checks mirrors, traffic behind, and the shoulder for students approaching; the driver does not open the door until the bus is fully stopped and secured.

If a stop is skipped or a student is not present, the driver follows local policy for reporting and does not back up to pick up a late student.

The driver confirms the stop arm and red lights are functioning before the route; a defective stop arm or red light means the bus is out of service for student loading.

Evacuation decision rule: evacuate when there is fire, smoke, a fuel leak, a hazardous-material spill, or the bus is in a position where it may be struck (e.g., stopped on railroad tracks).

Do not evacuate when staying aboard is safer - for example, downed power lines on the bus, a bus in deep water, or a position where students would exit into traffic.

The driver secures the bus (parking brake, neutral, engine off, keys removed), activates hazard lights, and notifies dispatch or 911 before or during evacuation as conditions allow.

Evacuation order: students exit through the front door when possible; the rear emergency door is used when the front is blocked, and roof or side windows are last resorts.

Students evacuate to a point at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind of fire or spills, and remain there under a designated student leader until the driver accounts for everyone.

The driver assigns helpers in advance: a leader who leads students to safety and a helper who assists younger students and checks the bus for remaining passengers.

After evacuation the driver takes the roster, first-aid kit, and emergency reflector kit if safe, and performs a head count against the roster before reporting.

A bus evacuation drill is conducted at least twice each school year in New Jersey, and the driver documents participation.

The pre-trip inspection covers brakes, steering, lights (head, tail, brake, turn, hazard, red/amber warning), stop arm, mirrors, tires, horn, wipers, emergency exits, and first-aid and reflector kits.

Brake checks include a static air-loss test and a low-pressure warning check on air-brake buses; a pressure drop beyond specification or failure of the warning buzzer/buzzer-light places the bus out of service.

Tire defects that remove a bus from service include tread depth below the minimum, cuts or bulges exposing cord, and improper inflation; dual tires must not touch.

The driver performs a post-trip inspection and walk-through to confirm no student remains aboard, then completes the written report.

Any defect affecting safe operation must be reported to the carrier in writing before the next trip; the driver does not operate a bus with a known safety defect.

The emergency exit check confirms each door opens freely from inside and outside, the buzzer sounds when opened, and the exit is unobstructed.

Mirror adjustment is verified before each trip: the driver must see the front bumper, both sides of the bus, and the danger zone along each flank.

The daily inspection report and defect record are retained as required by the carrier and are subject to state inspection.

At every railroad crossing the bus stops not less than 15 feet and not more than 50 feet from the nearest rail, regardless of warning devices or gates.

Before crossing, the driver opens the driver's window and the door (or service door) to listen, looks both ways, and confirms the track is clear in both directions.

The driver crosses only when there is room to clear the tracks completely on the far side; the bus must never stop on the tracks.

The bus crosses in the gear that will not require shifting; the driver does not shift gears while on the crossing.

If the bus stalls on the tracks, the driver immediately evacuates students to a point at least 100 feet away and upwind, then calls 911 and the railroad.

Flashing lights, bells, or gates require a full stop and a wait until the signals stop and the track is confirmed clear; never drive around a lowered gate.

The driver silences fans, radios, and heaters before crossing so that a train horn or bell can be heard.

At multiple-track crossings the driver checks each track separately; a train on one track can hide a second train on another.

Loading sequence: stop the bus, set the parking brake, activate amber then red lights, extend the stop arm, open the door, and supervise students as they board one at a time.

Unloading sequence: stop, secure the bus, activate red lights and stop arm, check mirrors, release students, count them as they exit, and confirm they are clear of the danger zone before retracting the arm.

Students must board and exit in an orderly line, using the handrail, with no pushing; the driver supervises from a position where all students are visible.

The driver does not allow a student to cross the street until the student has reached the edge of the roadway and the driver signals with a hand motion that it is safe.

Students who must cross should cross in front of the bus, never behind it, and should walk, not run, to the far side.

At a stop where students are loading or unloading, the driver keeps the door open and the red lights on until the last student is clear of the danger zone.

Kindergarten and early-grade students should be released only to a parent, guardian, or designated adult when local policy requires it; the driver verifies the receiving adult.

The driver never allows students to leave the bus at an undesignated stop or to board while the bus is moving.

The school bus speed limit in New Jersey is 50 mph on all roadways, including highways, unless a lower posted limit applies.

The driver adjusts speed for weather, road surface, traffic, and visibility; the posted limit is a maximum, not a target.

Following distance should allow a stop within the distance the driver can see to be clear; a minimum of one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus a buffer is a common rule.

The driver uses the 4-second following rule in good conditions and doubles it in rain, fog, or when loaded with students.

Speed is reduced before curves, intersections, and stops; braking is smooth and progressive to protect standing or seated students.

The driver scans 12-15 seconds ahead and checks mirrors every 5-8 seconds to monitor traffic and students.

Distracted driving rules apply: no cell phone use, no texting, and no eating or drinking while operating a school bus.

The driver yields to pedestrians in crosswalks, to students near the bus, and to emergency vehicles, pulling to the right and stopping when required.

In fog, rain, or snow the driver reduces speed, increases following distance, uses low-beam headlights, and avoids sudden braking or steering.

On ice or snow the driver accelerates and brakes gently, avoids cruise control, and allows extra stopping distance; chains or winter tires are used per carrier policy.

When a bus is stuck or sliding, the driver keeps students seated, secures the bus, and calls for assistance rather than attempting to push or tow with students aboard.

At night the driver uses low beams when meeting traffic and dims lights for oncoming vehicles; interior lights are kept low to preserve night vision.

In high winds the driver grips the wheel firmly, reduces speed, and is alert for crosswinds on bridges and open stretches.

When a bus is disabled on a roadway, the driver activates hazard lights, sets reflectors or triangles, and keeps students aboard unless a hazard requires evacuation.

The driver does not drive through flooded roadways; water depth and current are unpredictable and can stall or sweep the bus.

If a student becomes ill or unruly, the driver stops in a safe location, secures the bus, and follows the carrier's student-management and reporting procedure.

New Jersey law requires motorists to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, in both directions, and to remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the arm retracts.

A motorist who passes a stopped school bus with red lights flashing commits a violation subject to fines and license points; the bus driver reports the violation with the plate number.

The school bus speed limit is 50 mph, and school buses may not operate over that speed even where a higher limit is posted.

School bus drivers must hold the required license endorsements and a valid medical certificate, and must complete pre-service and in-service training, including evacuation drills.

School buses must meet New Jersey inspection requirements and carry required equipment, including a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and emergency reflectors.

The driver must report any accident involving the bus, and any injury to a student, to the carrier and to the appropriate authorities as required.

Use of a handheld cell phone while operating a school bus is prohibited; hands-free use is also restricted for school bus drivers.

School bus drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing under federal and state rules, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.