OH CDL School Bus Test cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover the same items a CDL driver checks on any commercial vehicle plus school-bus-specific items: stop arm, flashing red lights, crossing gate, emergency exits, and the child-reminder/alarm system if equipped.

The seven-step CDL inspection sequence: (1) vehicle overview and engine compartment, (2) walk-around and left side, (3) front, (4) right side, (5) rear, (6) brake check (air-brake tests if equipped), (7) in-cab inspection and startup checks.

Air-brake tests in order: static leak test (governor cut-out, engine off), applied leak test (hold foot brake, watch pressure drop), low-pressure warning by 60 psi, and emergency/parking spring-brake pop-out between 20 and 45 psi.

Brake adjustment limit for a standard stroke chamber is about 2 inches; for a long-stroke chamber it is about 2.5 inches. Pushrod travel beyond the limit means the bus is out of service.

Strobe-light and warning-light systems: amber lights signal an approaching stop (used to warn traffic), red lights and the stop arm deploy only when students are actually loading or unloading.

When backing, use all mirrors, get out and check behind the bus if unsure, use a spotter when available, and back only when necessary. Backing is the highest-risk basic-control maneuver for a school bus.

Mirror adjustment: see the entire side of the bus, a portion of the rear tires, and enough of the traffic lane behind. Convex mirrors show a wider view but make objects look smaller and farther away.

At a stop, set the parking brake, place the transmission in neutral (or park for automatic), and keep your foot on the brake until loading or unloading is complete and the door is closed.

Stop at least 10 feet from the nearest rail at a crossing; before loading or unloading, count students and confirm the danger zone is clear.

The danger zone is the area within 10 feet around the bus. Students must never enter it without the driver's signal and must never cross in front of the bus until the driver signals them across.

Deploy the stop arm and flashing red lights only when students are loading or unloading. Turn them off and retract the stop arm before the bus moves.

Loading procedure: stop, set parking brake, neutral, activate red lights and stop arm, open door, count students as they board, close door, count again, secure the bus, then proceed.

Unloading procedure: stop, set brake, neutral, red lights and stop arm, students exit and move to a safe point at least 10 feet off the roadway, count students, then release the brake and proceed.

Students who must cross the road cross only in front of the bus, at least 10 feet ahead, after the driver signals them to cross. The driver watches them until they reach the far side.

Never leave the driver's seat with students aboard unless the parking brake is set and the bus is secured. Never allow a student to leave the bus at an unauthorized stop.

At a stop, the driver must account for every student: count on, count off, and check the bus (including under seats and in the rear) before securing it at the end of the route.

The driver's authority over students begins when they board and ends when they leave the bus; the driver is responsible for order and safety on the vehicle.

Standing rules: no standing while the bus is moving unless the bus is equipped with standee rails and the district permits it; students remain seated and facing forward.

Discipline approach: state the rule, give a clear direction, and use a calm, firm voice. Escalate only as needed; never physically discipline a student.

Report serious or repeated misbehavior to the school administrator in writing, with date, time, route, student names, and what happened.

A student may be removed from the bus only under district policy and administrative authority; the driver does not unilaterally eject a student.

Distractions from passengers are managed by pulling over safely, stopping, and addressing the behavior before continuing. Never turn around to discipline while driving.

Bullying, fighting, or threats are safety incidents: stop the bus in a safe place, separate students if possible, and notify dispatch and administration.

Keep the bus interior free of loose objects that can become projectiles; students must keep aisles clear and belongings secured.

Stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing unless the crossing is exempt and the bus can completely clear the tracks. School buses carrying students must stop, open the door, and listen.

Stopping distance: stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Procedure: activate hazard lights, stop, open the service door, turn off noisy equipment (radio, fans), look and listen both ways, then close the door and proceed only when clear.

Never shift gears while crossing the tracks; select the gear before entering the crossing and maintain speed through it.

If the bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks: evacuate students immediately, move them at least 100 feet away from the tracks and in the direction of an oncoming train, then call 911 and report the crossing.

If a train is approaching and the bus is stuck, get everyone out and away; do not attempt to restart or move the bus with students aboard.

Do not stop on tracks or in a crossing queue. Ensure there is room on the far side to completely clear the crossing before starting across.

Crossing signals (flashing lights, gates, bells) mean stop; never drive around a lowered gate or ignore an active signal, even if no train is visible.

Evacuation decision factors: fire or smoke, danger of a crash, hazardous materials spill, bus position (on tracks, in water, on a slope), and whether staying aboard is safer than leaving.

Evacuation order: stop the bus safely, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, activate hazard lights, then direct students out the safest exit (front door, rear door, side windows, roof hatch).

After evacuation, move students at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind of any fire or spill; account for every student by name and count.

Post-crash steps: stop, secure the scene, check for injuries, call 911, notify dispatch, set out warning triangles (if safe), and do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger.

Warning devices: place reflective triangles about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the bus (or as required by speed limit) to warn traffic.

Fire: evacuate immediately, do not attempt to fight a large fire, and keep students upwind and at a safe distance. A small fire may be fought only if it is safe and you are trained.

First aid and CPR: provide care within your training until EMS arrives. Do not give medication or move a suspected spinal-injury victim unless there is immediate danger.

Report every crash and evacuation to the school district and complete required written reports, including names, times, injuries, and damage.

Pre-trip inspection must cover the same items a CDL driver checks on any commercial vehicle plus school-bus-specific items: stop arm, flashing red lights, crossing gate, emergency exits, and the child-reminder/alarm system if equipped.

The seven-step CDL inspection sequence: (1) vehicle overview and engine compartment, (2) walk-around and left side, (3) front, (4) right side, (5) rear, (6) brake check (air-brake tests if equipped), (7) in-cab inspection and startup checks.

Air-brake tests in order: static leak test (governor cut-out, engine off), applied leak test (hold foot brake, watch pressure drop), low-pressure warning by 60 psi, and emergency/parking spring-brake pop-out between 20 and 45 psi.

Brake adjustment limit for a standard stroke chamber is about 2 inches; for a long-stroke chamber it is about 2.5 inches. Pushrod travel beyond the limit means the bus is out of service.

Strobe-light and warning-light systems: amber lights signal an approaching stop (used to warn traffic), red lights and the stop arm deploy only when students are actually loading or unloading.

When backing, use all mirrors, get out and check behind the bus if unsure, use a spotter when available, and back only when necessary. Backing is the highest-risk basic-control maneuver for a school bus.

Mirror adjustment: see the entire side of the bus, a portion of the rear tires, and enough of the traffic lane behind. Convex mirrors show a wider view but make objects look smaller and farther away.

At a stop, set the parking brake, place the transmission in neutral (or park for automatic), and keep your foot on the brake until loading or unloading is complete and the door is closed.

Stop at least 10 feet from the nearest rail at a crossing; before loading or unloading, count students and confirm the danger zone is clear.

The danger zone is the area within 10 feet around the bus. Students must never enter it without the driver's signal and must never cross in front of the bus until the driver signals them across.

Deploy the stop arm and flashing red lights only when students are loading or unloading. Turn them off and retract the stop arm before the bus moves.

Loading procedure: stop, set parking brake, neutral, activate red lights and stop arm, open door, count students as they board, close door, count again, secure the bus, then proceed.

Unloading procedure: stop, set brake, neutral, red lights and stop arm, students exit and move to a safe point at least 10 feet off the roadway, count students, then release the brake and proceed.

Students who must cross the road cross only in front of the bus, at least 10 feet ahead, after the driver signals them to cross. The driver watches them until they reach the far side.

Never leave the driver's seat with students aboard unless the parking brake is set and the bus is secured. Never allow a student to leave the bus at an unauthorized stop.

At a stop, the driver must account for every student: count on, count off, and check the bus (including under seats and in the rear) before securing it at the end of the route.

The driver's authority over students begins when they board and ends when they leave the bus; the driver is responsible for order and safety on the vehicle.

Standing rules: no standing while the bus is moving unless the bus is equipped with standee rails and the district permits it; students remain seated and facing forward.

Discipline approach: state the rule, give a clear direction, and use a calm, firm voice. Escalate only as needed; never physically discipline a student.

Report serious or repeated misbehavior to the school administrator in writing, with date, time, route, student names, and what happened.

A student may be removed from the bus only under district policy and administrative authority; the driver does not unilaterally eject a student.

Distractions from passengers are managed by pulling over safely, stopping, and addressing the behavior before continuing. Never turn around to discipline while driving.

Bullying, fighting, or threats are safety incidents: stop the bus in a safe place, separate students if possible, and notify dispatch and administration.

Keep the bus interior free of loose objects that can become projectiles; students must keep aisles clear and belongings secured.

Stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing unless the crossing is exempt and the bus can completely clear the tracks. School buses carrying students must stop, open the door, and listen.

Stopping distance: stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Procedure: activate hazard lights, stop, open the service door, turn off noisy equipment (radio, fans), look and listen both ways, then close the door and proceed only when clear.

Never shift gears while crossing the tracks; select the gear before entering the crossing and maintain speed through it.

If the bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks: evacuate students immediately, move them at least 100 feet away from the tracks and in the direction of an oncoming train, then call 911 and report the crossing.

If a train is approaching and the bus is stuck, get everyone out and away; do not attempt to restart or move the bus with students aboard.

Do not stop on tracks or in a crossing queue. Ensure there is room on the far side to completely clear the crossing before starting across.

Crossing signals (flashing lights, gates, bells) mean stop; never drive around a lowered gate or ignore an active signal, even if no train is visible.

Evacuation decision factors: fire or smoke, danger of a crash, hazardous materials spill, bus position (on tracks, in water, on a slope), and whether staying aboard is safer than leaving.

Evacuation order: stop the bus safely, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, activate hazard lights, then direct students out the safest exit (front door, rear door, side windows, roof hatch).

After evacuation, move students at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind of any fire or spill; account for every student by name and count.

Post-crash steps: stop, secure the scene, check for injuries, call 911, notify dispatch, set out warning triangles (if safe), and do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger.

Warning devices: place reflective triangles about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the bus (or as required by speed limit) to warn traffic.

Fire: evacuate immediately, do not attempt to fight a large fire, and keep students upwind and at a safe distance. A small fire may be fought only if it is safe and you are trained.

First aid and CPR: provide care within your training until EMS arrives. Do not give medication or move a suspected spinal-injury victim unless there is immediate danger.

Report every crash and evacuation to the school district and complete required written reports, including names, times, injuries, and damage.