OH CDL School Bus Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Pre-trip inspection purpose

To catch defects before the bus carries students. It covers all commercial-vehicle items plus school-bus-specific equipment like the stop arm, red lights, emergency exits, and child-reminder system.

Air-brake static leak test

With the engine off and the system charged, hold the foot brake and watch the pressure gauge. Excessive pressure drop means a leak that must be fixed before driving.

Low-pressure warning threshold

The low-air warning must activate by 60 psi. Below that, the emergency spring brakes should pop out between 20 and 45 psi, and the bus must not be driven.

Brake adjustment limit

Standard stroke chambers allow about 2 inches of pushrod travel; long-stroke chambers allow about 2.5 inches. More travel means the brakes are out of adjustment and the bus is out of service.

Seven-step inspection sequence

Overview and engine compartment, left side, front, right side, rear, brake check, then in-cab inspection and startup checks. Following the fixed order prevents skipped items.

Amber versus red warning lights

Amber lights warn traffic that the bus is about to stop. Red lights and the stop arm deploy only while students are actually loading or unloading, and are turned off before moving.

Backing a school bus

Back only when necessary. Use all mirrors, get out and check behind if unsure, and use a spotter when available. Backing is the highest-risk basic-control maneuver.

Securing at a stop

Set the parking brake, put the transmission in neutral or park, and keep your foot on the brake until loading or unloading is finished and the door is closed.

Danger zone

The area within 10 feet around the bus. Students must not enter it without the driver's signal and must never cross in front of the bus until the driver signals them across.

Loading procedure order

Stop, set the parking brake, shift to neutral, activate red lights and stop arm, open the door, count students as they board, close the door, count again, then proceed.

Unloading procedure order

Stop and secure the bus, activate red lights and stop arm, let students exit and move at least 10 feet off the roadway, count them, then release the brake and proceed.

Crossing in front of bus

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

Counting students

Count students as they board and as they exit, and check the bus including under seats and the rear before securing it. This prevents leaving a child aboard.

Stop arm use

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

Driver authority on the bus

The driver is responsible for order and safety from the time students board until they leave. Authority comes from district policy and state law, not from physical force.

Managing passenger distractions

Pull over safely, stop, and address the behavior before continuing. Never turn around to discipline while the bus is moving, because that removes your attention from the road.

Reporting serious misbehavior

Report serious or repeated misbehavior to the school administrator in writing, including date, time, route, student names, and a factual description of what happened.

Student removal from bus

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

Standing rule

Students remain seated and facing forward while the bus is moving unless the bus has standee rails and the district permits standing. Aisles stay clear of belongings.

Fighting or threats

Treat fighting, bullying, or threats as safety incidents: stop in a safe place, separate students if possible, and notify dispatch and administration.

Grade crossing stop distance

Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. This keeps the bus clear of the train while letting you see down the tracks.

Grade crossing procedure

Activate hazard lights, stop in the required zone, open the service door, turn off noisy equipment, look and listen both ways, close the door, then proceed only when clear.

Gear selection at crossings

Select the gear before entering the crossing and never shift while on the tracks. Maintain speed through the crossing so the bus does not stall on the rails.

Stalled on the tracks

Evacuate students immediately, move them at least 100 feet from the tracks and toward any oncoming train, then call 911 and report the crossing location.

Active crossing signals

Flashing lights, bells, or lowered gates mean stop. Never drive around a lowered gate or ignore an active signal, even when no train is visible.

Clearing the crossing

Do not start across unless there is room on the far side for the entire bus to clear the tracks. Never stop on the tracks or in a crossing queue.

Evacuation decision factors

Consider fire or smoke, crash danger, hazardous-materials spills, bus position such as on tracks or in water, and whether staying aboard is safer than leaving.

Evacuation order

Stop 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, or roof hatch.

Post-evacuation assembly

Move students at least 100 feet from the bus and upwind of any fire or spill. Account for every student by name and count before anyone leaves the scene.

Post-crash steps

Stop and 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 triangle placement

Place reflective triangles about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the bus, or as required by the speed limit, to warn approaching traffic after a stop or crash.

Bus fire response

Evacuate immediately and keep students upwind and at a safe distance. Fight only a small fire if it is safe and you are trained; never reboard a burning bus.