CDL School Bus Endorsement — All Questions

When making a right turn in a school bus, you should:

• a.Turn slowly and keep the rear of the bus close to the curb to avoid others squeezing in✓
• b.Turn as sharply as possible from the far lane
• c.Swing wide to the left before turning right
• d.Speed up through the turn

In a right turn, turn slowly and keep the rear wheels close to the curb so another vehicle cannot move up between the bus and the curb. Because of the bus's length, its rear tires track inside the front tires (off-tracking). Swinging wide left first can mislead following drivers into passing on the right.

Off-tracking means that when a bus turns:

• a.All wheels follow the same path
• b.The rear wheels follow a wider path than the front
• c.The rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels✓
• d.The bus slides sideways

Off-tracking is the tendency of the rear wheels of a long vehicle to follow a tighter, shorter path than the front wheels during a turn. This is why the rear of the bus can cut across a curb or into an adjacent lane. Drivers must account for it by positioning the bus properly before turning.

The safest way to handle any backing situation in a school bus is to:

• a.Back quickly to get it over with
• b.Avoid backing whenever possible, and if you must, use a lookout and go slowly✓
• c.Rely only on the mirrors
• d.Back without stopping

Backing a school bus is dangerous because of large blind spots, so it should be avoided whenever possible. When unavoidable, back slowly, use all mirrors, and use a trained lookout or ground guide to watch the rear and sides. Never back where students are present unless absolutely necessary and fully supervised.

You should generally avoid backing a school bus when students are around because:

• a.The transmission may overheat
• b.It confuses other drivers
• c.It wastes fuel
• d.Children may be in the rear blind spot where you cannot see them✓

Backing near students is extremely hazardous because a child can be directly behind the bus in the driver's largest blind spot. If backing is unavoidable, use a ground guide and have an adult keep students away from the rear. Whenever possible, plan routes and stops that do not require backing.

Antilock braking systems (ABS) are designed to:

• a.Work only on dry roads
• b.Keep the wheels from locking up so you can maintain steering control during hard braking✓
• c.Replace the need to slow down for curves
• d.Let you stop in a much shorter distance

ABS prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking, which lets the driver retain steering control and avoid skidding. It does not necessarily shorten stopping distance; its benefit is control. Drivers should brake firmly and steer as needed, letting the ABS do its job without pumping the pedal.

With ABS, in an emergency stop you should:

• a.Brake lightly to avoid activating it
• b.Shift to neutral and coast
• c.Pump the brake pedal rapidly
• d.Apply firm, steady pressure and steer, letting the system prevent lockup✓

On a vehicle with ABS, apply firm and continuous pressure to the brake and steer around the hazard; the system automatically prevents wheel lockup. Do not pump the pedal, which can reduce ABS effectiveness. The driver keeps steering because ABS preserves steering control.

If ABS fails, your bus will:

• a.Have no brakes at all
• b.Still have normal braking, so you brake as you would without ABS✓
• c.Only brake in reverse
• d.Automatically stop itself

If the ABS malfunctions, you still have normal service brakes and can stop the bus as you would a vehicle without ABS. The ABS warning lamp will alert you to the fault, and the system should be repaired. You simply lose the anti-lock function, not the brakes themselves.

In wet or slippery conditions, a school bus driver should:

• a.Slow down, increase following distance, and brake gently and early✓
• b.Brake hard at the last moment
• c.Maintain normal highway speed
• d.Follow closely to use the vehicle ahead as a guide

On wet, snowy, or icy roads, reduce speed, increase your following distance, and brake smoothly and early to avoid skids. Sudden steering or braking can cause loss of control, especially with a heavy, high vehicle. Give yourself extra room and time in poor conditions.

Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when:

• a.The tires are brand new
• b.You are driving slowly in light rain
• c.The road is dry and hot
• d.You drive too fast on a wet road and the tires ride up on a film of water✓

Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle travels fast enough on standing water that the tires lose contact with the road and ride on a water film, causing loss of traction and steering. Reducing speed in the rain is the main prevention. If it occurs, ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking or steering.

The high center of gravity of a school bus means the driver must be especially careful of:

• a.Fuel economy on hills
• b.Engine temperature
• c.Reading road signs
• d.Rollover risk in sharp turns or sudden maneuvers✓

A school bus has a relatively high center of gravity, making it more prone to rollover in sharp turns, on ramps, or during sudden evasive maneuvers. Drivers should slow well before curves and avoid abrupt steering. Smooth, gradual inputs keep the tall vehicle stable.

When making a left turn, you should:

• a.Reach the center of the intersection before starting the turn to keep the rear from cutting the corner✓
• b.Turn from the right lane
• c.Cut the corner tightly to save time
• d.Start turning as soon as you enter the intersection

In a left turn, move to the center of the intersection before turning so the rear wheels, which off-track, do not cut across into oncoming lanes or over the corner. Starting the turn too early can put the rear of the bus into the path of oncoming or crossing traffic. Take left turns wide and controlled.

A safe following distance for a large bus should be:

• a.The same as a car, about two seconds
• b.Not important at low speeds
• c.As close as possible to prevent cut-ins
• d.Greater than a car because the bus is heavy and needs more room to stop✓

Because a school bus is heavy and takes longer to stop than a car, the driver needs a larger following distance. A common guideline is roughly one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length at low speed, adding time at higher speeds and in poor conditions. More space gives more time to react.

When approaching a curve, a school bus driver should:

• a.Accelerate hard entering the curve
• b.Brake in the middle of the curve
• c.Coast through in neutral
• d.Slow down before entering, then maintain a steady speed through it✓

Reduce speed before entering a curve, then hold a steady speed through it, because braking or accelerating in the curve can upset the tall bus's balance. Posted advisory speeds for curves are set for cars, so buses should go even slower. Smooth handling helps prevent skids and rollovers.

To manage the large blind spots of a school bus, a driver should:

• a.Rely on other drivers to stay clear
• b.Check mirrors frequently and be aware of blind spots before changing lanes or turning✓
• c.Assume nothing is in the blind spot
• d.Use only the interior mirror

School buses have significant blind spots to the sides and rear, so the driver must scan mirrors often and consciously account for these areas before turning, merging, or changing lanes. A quick head or mirror check reduces the risk of missing a vehicle or pedestrian. Never assume a blind spot is empty.

When driving in high winds, a tall school bus is at risk of:

• a.Being pushed sideways or, in extreme cases, rollover✓
• b.Improved braking
• c.Better fuel economy
• d.Reduced blind spots

The large flat sides and height of a school bus make it vulnerable to strong crosswinds, which can push it sideways or, in severe gusts, contribute to a rollover. The driver should slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel. On exposed bridges or open roads, extra caution is warranted.

The best way to keep the bus under control on a long downgrade is to:

• a.Ride the brakes continuously
• b.Rely only on the service brakes the whole way down
• c.Coast in neutral to save fuel
• d.Select a low gear before the descent and use engine braking with the brakes✓

Before a long downgrade, shift into a low gear so engine braking helps control speed, and use the service brakes intermittently to avoid overheating them. Riding the brakes all the way down can cause brake fade, a loss of braking power. Choosing the right gear early is key to a safe descent.

Because a school bus is longer and wider than a car, when changing lanes the driver should:

• a.Change lanes only at intersections
• b.Signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and allow extra room✓
• c.Change lanes quickly without signaling
• d.Assume other drivers will move over

The size of a school bus means the driver must signal well in advance, thoroughly check mirrors and blind spots, and ensure there is ample space before changing lanes. Other vehicles may be hidden alongside or behind. Extra room and early signaling give everyone time to react safely.

When approaching an intersection or a crest where you cannot see far ahead, a school bus driver should:

• a.Assume the road ahead is clear
• b.Maintain speed to keep traffic flowing
• c.Cover the brake, reduce speed, and be ready to stop for hidden hazards✓
• d.Rely on the horn instead of slowing

Where visibility is limited, such as a blind intersection, hillcrest, or curve, the driver should ease off the accelerator, cover the brake, and be prepared to stop for something that may be hidden ahead. The heavy bus needs extra distance to slow. Anticipating hazards you cannot yet see is a core defensive-driving habit.