Instructions

Bus

This endorsement is required for driving a school bus. To receive this endorsement, applicants must pass a test. The test consists of 20 multiple choice.. Read More

This endorsement is required for driving a school bus. To receive this endorsement, applicants must pass a test. The test consists of 20 multiple choice questions. To pass, the applicant must answer at least 16 questions correctly. Each question has three possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Maine Commercial Driver License Manual. Questions come from chapters covering School Buses, Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test and On-Road Driving. The School Bus endorsement can be used with the Class A, B or C CDL.

Number of Question 20

Passing Score 16

1. Doors should be closed while a school bus is being driven, except when:

Crossing railroad tracks.

Needing to cool off the inside of the vehicle.

There is no vehicle next to the bus.

The doors of a school bus must be kept closed any time the bus is moving, except when it is crossing railroad tracks.

2. When dropping off students at a school, a driver should:

Secure the bus by turning off the engine.

Leave the key in the ignition, if leaving the driver’s compartment.

Read a book while students unload.

When unloading students at a school, a bus driver must secure the bus by turning off the engine. If they must leave the driver's compartment, they should remove the key from the ignition. The driver must supervise the unloading process.

3. During the driving test, when encountering a railroad crossing, you should:

Pass another vehicle on the tracks if the other vehicle is going too slow.

Get out of the vehicle to check for a train.

Not change gears while your vehicle is on the tracks.

During the on-road driving test, do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in a railroad crossing.

4. If you must back up at a student pick-up point, you should:

Back up before the students load the bus.

Let the students load the bus before backing up.

Let half of the students load the bus and then back up to meet the second half.

If you must back up a school bus at a student pick-up point, do not put the bus in reverse until all students have boarded. Watch for late-comers at all times.

5. If a bus must be evacuated, it is safest for students to:

Stand no more than 50 feet away from the bus.

Stand downwind of the bus in the event of a fire.

Be led far away from any railroad tracks.

After evacuating a school bus, students should be led to a safe place at least 100 feet away from the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. This will keep them safe from flying debris if another vehicle hits the bus. Students should be upwind of any fires and as far away from railroad tracks as possible.

6. With the exception of the straight line backing exercise, a driver may exit their vehicle and check its position during testing exercises up to:

One time.

Two times.

Three times.

A driver is allowed to exit their vehicle to check its position during any basic vehicle control skills test exercise. This action is called a "look." During the straight line backing exercise, a driver may not exceed one look. During any other exercise, a driver may not exceed two looks.

7. Before evacuating a bus in response to a hazard, a driver should:

Ask the students if they want to leave.

Explain the situation to the dispatcher.

Take their time deciding if an evacuation is necessary.

If time permits, before deciding to evacuate a school bus, the driver should contact their dispatcher to explain the situation. The decision to evacuate must be a timely one.

Grade This Section