NM CDL School Bus flashcards
NM CDL School Bus · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Railroad crossing stop distance
- A school bus must stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail, set the parking brake, open the service door and driver's window, and listen before crossing.
- Crossing without shifting
- Before crossing railroad tracks, select a gear that lets the bus cross completely without shifting, and cross only when there is room to clear the tracks on the far side.
- Unloading at crossings
- Do not unload students where they would have to cross railroad tracks. Move the bus to a location clear of the tracks before releasing students.
- Driver crossing signal
- Students cross the roadway only on a hand signal from the driver, given after the driver checks traffic in both directions and confirms the crossing is clear.
- Student management authority
- The driver supervises conduct aboard the bus and reports discipline problems in writing to school officials; the driver does not use physical punishment.
- Pre-trip inspection scope
- The pre-trip inspection checks fluid levels, belts, hoses, lights, reflectors, tires, wheels, brakes, steering, mirrors, emergency exits, and the stop arm before each trip.
- Post-trip walk-through
- At the end of each route the driver walks the bus, checks every seat and the aisle, and confirms no student remains aboard before securing the bus.
- Air brake check
- With the engine running and pressure built, apply and hold the service brake; a pressure drop or warning buzzer means the bus is placed out of service.
- Tire defect criteria
- A tire with a cut, bulge, exposed cord, or insufficient tread depth makes the bus unsafe; dual tires must not touch each other.
- Mirror adjustment
- Mirrors are set so the driver can see the front bumper, both sides of the bus, and the area just behind the rear wheels before moving.
- Stop arm failure
- If the stop arm or flashing red lights fail the pre-route test, the bus cannot be used for loading and unloading students until repaired.
- Loading sequence
- Stop, set the parking brake, place the transmission in neutral or park, open the door, supervise boarding, count students, close the door, then proceed.
- Unloading sequence
- Stop, set the parking brake, check mirrors and traffic, signal students only when clear, and count students again after they are clear of the bus.
- Rear door evacuation
- Students exit the rear emergency door one at a time and move at least 100 feet from the bus to a designated assembly point for accounting.
- Roof hatch evacuation
- When doors are blocked, students exit through the roof hatch with assistance, and the driver remains until all are clear and accounted for.
- Fire evacuation direction
- Evacuate students upwind and away from the bus, keeping them clear of traffic and away from the fuel tank area.
- Evacuation engine shutdown
- During evacuation, stop the bus, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key, and turn on hazard lights before opening an exit.
- Wheelchair securement
- The wheelchair is secured to the floor with four-point tiedowns and the occupant with a lap and shoulder belt; the driver confirms both before moving.
- Head count requirement
- The driver counts students at every loading and unloading stop and again after any stop where students leave the bus.
- Seated while moving
- Students must remain seated while the bus is moving; standing, moving in the aisle, or extending arms out windows is prohibited.
- Release responsibility
- The driver is responsible for student safety from boarding until release to a parent, guardian, or school personnel according to district policy.
- Rated seating capacity
- Never exceed the bus's rated seating capacity; counting standing students as passengers is a violation of safe loading rules.
- Special-needs stop procedure
- For students with disabilities, the bus may stop at a specific door and use a lift or ramp; securement is verified before the bus moves.
- CDL threshold for buses
- A CDL is required to operate a school bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
- Required endorsements
- A school bus driver needs both the passenger (P) endorsement and the school bus (S) endorsement in addition to the CDL.
- School bus knowledge test
- The school bus endorsement test covers loading and unloading, railroad crossings, student management, and emergency exit procedures.
- Medical certification
- School bus drivers must hold a valid medical examiner's certificate and meet the physical qualification standards for commercial drivers.
- Background clearance
- School bus drivers must pass a background check and fingerprint clearance required under state and federal rules before transporting students.
- Alcohol disqualification threshold
- A first conviction for driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher disqualifies the driver for one year.
- Lifetime disqualification
- A second conviction for a major offense results in lifetime disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle, with no reinstatement.
- Serious traffic violation penalty
- A second serious traffic violation within three years, such as excessive speeding or reckless driving, results in a 60-day disqualification.
- Crossing violation disqualification
- Failing to stop at a railroad-highway grade crossing, or crossing without room to clear, results in disqualification of the CDL holder.