OH CDL School Bus Test key terms

A required check of the bus before each trip covering tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, emergency exits, and safety equipment, documented on a written report so defects are found and corrected before students board.

The driver's signed record of the pre-trip inspection and any defects found. It must be completed every trip and reviewed by the carrier, since a defect left undocumented is treated as a defect the driver missed.

A defect serious enough that the bus may not be driven until repaired, such as faulty brakes, steering, lights, or a broken emergency exit. Drivers must report it and refuse to operate the vehicle.

A test of the air system: build pressure to the governor cut-out, check for leaks with the engine off, confirm the low-pressure warning activates, and verify the spring brakes apply when pressure drops.

The brake set whenever the bus is stopped to load or unload students. It must hold the bus stationary on a grade, and the driver keeps it applied until the door is closed and the stop is complete.

The placement of the bus at a school or curb so students can move between door and sidewalk without entering the roadway. It is chosen to minimize walking distance and eliminate the need to cross traffic.

The area immediately around the bus, roughly ten feet in every direction, where students are hardest to see and most at risk. Drivers must account for every student in it before moving.

The designated area at a school or stop where students board and exit. It must be clear of parked cars, snowbanks, and other obstructions, and the driver must not open the door until it is safe.

The large mirror showing a true, undistorted view of the road behind the bus. It is used for traffic observation, while convex mirrors cover the blind spots along the sides and front.

A curved mirror that widens the field of view along the sides of the bus but makes objects appear smaller and farther away. Drivers use it to watch tires, the door area, and students near the bus.

A mirror mounted at the front of the bus, often on the hood or fender, that lets the driver see the area directly ahead and beside the front bumper where small students can disappear from view.

Any area around the bus that mirrors do not reveal, including directly behind the rear bumper and low beside the front wheels. Drivers must physically check or reposition to confirm no student is there.

The practice of counting students as they leave and re-enter the bus, then reconciling the numbers, so no child is left asleep or forgotten on board. Counts must be done at every stop and at trip end.

A walk through the bus at the end of every route, checking under seats and in the back, to confirm no student remains aboard. It is required even when the driver believes all students have exited.

A quick tally of students before the bus moves, used to confirm that the number aboard matches the number expected and that everyone is seated before departure.

The assignment and arrangement of students in seats so each is secured and visible, aisles stay clear, and no student stands while the bus is moving. It supports order and quick evacuation.

The written set of rules, consequences, and reporting steps a driver follows to manage student behavior. It must be applied consistently and shared with the school so administrators can support the driver.

A written account of a student's rule violation submitted to the school after the route. It should record what happened, when, who was involved, and what the driver did before referring the matter.

Any activity that pulls the driver's attention from the road, including talking with students, adjusting the radio, or handling a phone. Managing behavior early prevents it from becoming a driving hazard.

Any place where a road crosses train tracks at the same level. School buses must stop at all of them unless the crossing is exempted by regulation, and the driver must look and listen before proceeding.

A crossing officially designated as not requiring a school bus stop, usually because of signalization or traffic control. Drivers must confirm the exemption from an official list, never assume it.

The procedure at a crossing: stop before the tracks, open the door and window to listen, look both ways, and proceed only when certain no train is approaching and the bus can clear the tracks.

The barrier that lowers to block traffic at a crossing. A driver must never drive around it, and must wait until it is fully raised and the lights stop flashing before moving.

Turning on four-way flashers before a crossing warns following traffic that the bus is stopping. The driver should activate them early enough to give drivers behind time to slow down.

A practiced exercise in which students leave the bus through doors, windows, or roof hatches within a set time. Regular drills build the speed and order needed when a real emergency occurs.

Any door, window, roof hatch, or rear exit designed for rapid escape. Each must be labeled, unobstructed, and checked during the pre-trip inspection so it opens when needed.

The planned path students take away from the bus after exiting, chosen to keep them clear of traffic and fire. Students should be moved well away and kept together until accounted for.

The steps taken after a collision: stop, secure the bus, check for injuries, protect the scene, notify dispatch and emergency services, and account for every student before releasing anyone.

Removing students from the bus when staying aboard is more dangerous than leaving, such as a fire or hazardous spill. Order and direction are given calmly, and students are counted afterward.

The portable extinguisher carried on the bus and checked for charge and seal during inspection. Drivers must know its location and how to use it, though student evacuation always comes first.

The stocked kit required on the bus, checked for missing or expired supplies during inspection. It is used for minor injuries while professional medical help is summoned.

The driver's ongoing effort to keep students calm, seated, and aware of rules so the bus stays safe. It relies on clear expectations, early correction, and support from school staff.

The fixed sequence for stopping, setting the brake, signaling students, counting them, and closing the door. Following the same steps every time prevents students from being left or struck.

The driver's gesture telling students when it is safe to cross in front of the bus. It supplements, but never replaces, the driver's visual check that traffic has stopped.

The extendable sign on the left side of the bus that signals traffic to stop while students load or unload. Drivers deploy it at every stop where it is required by law.

The S endorsement added to a CDL that authorizes driving a school bus, requiring a knowledge test, a skills test in a school bus, and a clean driving record review.

The P endorsement required to drive a vehicle carrying passengers, covering loading, unloading, and emergency procedures. A school bus driver typically holds both P and S endorsements.