California School Bus Driver Examination
with Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Ver
1. A school bus driver is operating a 40-foot transit-style bus on a two-lane road with a
posted speed limit of 55 mph. The road has a paved shoulder. The driver must stop to
load students. According to California Vehicle Code, which of the following is the
correct procedure for activating the flashing red lights and stop arm?
A. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm only when students are present and waiting.
B. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop, regardless of
student presence.
C. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm only after coming to a complete stop.
D. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm when within 100 feet of the stop, but only if
students are visible.
Answer: B. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop,
regardless of student presence.
Rationale: California Vehicle Code § 22148 requires activation of flashing red lights and
stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop when loading or unloading students, regardless of
whether students are visible, to warn traffic. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
they delay or condition activation on student presence, which is not required by law.
Page 1 of 77
,2. During a pre-trip inspection, a driver discovers that the bus's air brake system
pressure drops from 100 psi to 85 psi in one minute with the engine off and the brakes
released. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Continue the route but monitor pressure closely; a drop of 15 psi per minute is within
acceptable limits.
B. Report the defect and do not operate the bus until repairs are made; the allowable
leakage rate is less than 3 psi per minute.
C. Pump the brakes to build pressure and proceed; the system will self-adjust.
D. Ignore the drop if the bus has a backup hydraulic system.
Answer: B. Report the defect and do not operate the bus until repairs are made; the
allowable leakage rate is less than 3 psi per minute.
Rationale: Federal and California regulations limit air brake leakage to less than 3 psi per
minute for a single vehicle. A drop of 15 psi per minute indicates a serious leak, making the
bus unsafe to operate. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they either accept an
unsafe condition or suggest improper corrective actions.
Page 2 of 77
,3. A driver is transporting students with disabilities, including one student who uses a
wheelchair and has an IEP requiring a specific securement system. The driver notices
the wheelchair tie-down straps are frayed. What is the driver's legal and ethical
responsibility?
A. Proceed with the route but avoid sudden stops; frayed straps are acceptable if they still
hold.
B. Report the defective equipment immediately and do not transport the student until the
securement system is replaced or repaired.
C. Use the student's own wheelchair brakes as the primary securement and continue.
D. Ask the student's parent to provide new straps before the next trip.
Answer: B. Report the defective equipment immediately and do not transport the
student until the securement system is replaced or repaired.
Rationale: Under California Education Code and IDEA, students with disabilities must be
transported safely with proper securement. Frayed straps compromise safety and must be
reported and replaced before transport. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they
either ignore the defect or shift responsibility improperly.
4. A school bus is involved in a minor collision with a passenger car. There are no
injuries, but the bus's right rear corner has a cracked taillight. The driver must:
A. Continue the route and report the incident at the end of the day.
B. Stop, secure the scene, exchange information, and notify dispatch and CHP as
required by law.
C. Move the bus to the side, but only report if the other driver admits fault.
D. Complete the route first, then file a report within 24 hours.
Answer: B. Stop, secure the scene, exchange information, and notify dispatch and
CHP as required by law.
Rationale: California Vehicle Code § 20002 requires drivers involved in a collision to stop,
exchange information, and report to authorities if there is property damage. School bus
drivers must also notify dispatch immediately. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
they delay reporting or condition it on fault.
Page 3 of 77
, 5. Which of the following best describes the proper use of the eight-light system on a
California school bus?
A. Amber lights are used when approaching a stop; red lights and stop arm are used
when stopped and loading/unloading.
B. Red lights are used when approaching a stop; amber lights are used when stopped.
C. Amber lights are used only at railroad crossings; red lights are used for all other stops.
D. Both amber and red lights are activated simultaneously when stopping.
Answer: A. Amber lights are used when approaching a stop; red lights and stop arm
are used when stopped and loading/unloading.
Rationale: The eight-light system uses amber lights to warn of an impending stop, then red
lights and stop arm when stopped to load/unload. Option B reverses the sequence. Option
C is incorrect because amber lights are not exclusive to railroad crossings. Option D is
incorrect because simultaneous activation defeats the warning purpose.
6. A driver is conducting a post-trip inspection and finds a sleeping student on the bus.
The temperature is 95°F. What is the correct sequence of actions?
A. Wake the student, escort them off the bus, and notify dispatch and the school.
B. Call 911, wait for emergency services, and do not move the student.
C. Leave the student to sleep while completing the inspection, then return.
D. Take the student to the next stop and ask other students to watch them.
Answer: A. Wake the student, escort them off the bus, and notify dispatch and the
school.
Rationale: California law requires drivers to check for sleeping students after every route.
If found, the driver must immediately remove the student from the bus, ensure their safety,
and notify authorities. Option B is incorrect because immediate removal from a hot bus is
critical. Options C and D are negligent and dangerous.
Page 4 of 77
with Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Ver
1. A school bus driver is operating a 40-foot transit-style bus on a two-lane road with a
posted speed limit of 55 mph. The road has a paved shoulder. The driver must stop to
load students. According to California Vehicle Code, which of the following is the
correct procedure for activating the flashing red lights and stop arm?
A. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm only when students are present and waiting.
B. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop, regardless of
student presence.
C. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm only after coming to a complete stop.
D. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm when within 100 feet of the stop, but only if
students are visible.
Answer: B. Activate flashing red lights and stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop,
regardless of student presence.
Rationale: California Vehicle Code § 22148 requires activation of flashing red lights and
stop arm at least 200 feet before the stop when loading or unloading students, regardless of
whether students are visible, to warn traffic. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
they delay or condition activation on student presence, which is not required by law.
Page 1 of 77
,2. During a pre-trip inspection, a driver discovers that the bus's air brake system
pressure drops from 100 psi to 85 psi in one minute with the engine off and the brakes
released. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Continue the route but monitor pressure closely; a drop of 15 psi per minute is within
acceptable limits.
B. Report the defect and do not operate the bus until repairs are made; the allowable
leakage rate is less than 3 psi per minute.
C. Pump the brakes to build pressure and proceed; the system will self-adjust.
D. Ignore the drop if the bus has a backup hydraulic system.
Answer: B. Report the defect and do not operate the bus until repairs are made; the
allowable leakage rate is less than 3 psi per minute.
Rationale: Federal and California regulations limit air brake leakage to less than 3 psi per
minute for a single vehicle. A drop of 15 psi per minute indicates a serious leak, making the
bus unsafe to operate. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they either accept an
unsafe condition or suggest improper corrective actions.
Page 2 of 77
,3. A driver is transporting students with disabilities, including one student who uses a
wheelchair and has an IEP requiring a specific securement system. The driver notices
the wheelchair tie-down straps are frayed. What is the driver's legal and ethical
responsibility?
A. Proceed with the route but avoid sudden stops; frayed straps are acceptable if they still
hold.
B. Report the defective equipment immediately and do not transport the student until the
securement system is replaced or repaired.
C. Use the student's own wheelchair brakes as the primary securement and continue.
D. Ask the student's parent to provide new straps before the next trip.
Answer: B. Report the defective equipment immediately and do not transport the
student until the securement system is replaced or repaired.
Rationale: Under California Education Code and IDEA, students with disabilities must be
transported safely with proper securement. Frayed straps compromise safety and must be
reported and replaced before transport. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they
either ignore the defect or shift responsibility improperly.
4. A school bus is involved in a minor collision with a passenger car. There are no
injuries, but the bus's right rear corner has a cracked taillight. The driver must:
A. Continue the route and report the incident at the end of the day.
B. Stop, secure the scene, exchange information, and notify dispatch and CHP as
required by law.
C. Move the bus to the side, but only report if the other driver admits fault.
D. Complete the route first, then file a report within 24 hours.
Answer: B. Stop, secure the scene, exchange information, and notify dispatch and
CHP as required by law.
Rationale: California Vehicle Code § 20002 requires drivers involved in a collision to stop,
exchange information, and report to authorities if there is property damage. School bus
drivers must also notify dispatch immediately. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
they delay reporting or condition it on fault.
Page 3 of 77
, 5. Which of the following best describes the proper use of the eight-light system on a
California school bus?
A. Amber lights are used when approaching a stop; red lights and stop arm are used
when stopped and loading/unloading.
B. Red lights are used when approaching a stop; amber lights are used when stopped.
C. Amber lights are used only at railroad crossings; red lights are used for all other stops.
D. Both amber and red lights are activated simultaneously when stopping.
Answer: A. Amber lights are used when approaching a stop; red lights and stop arm
are used when stopped and loading/unloading.
Rationale: The eight-light system uses amber lights to warn of an impending stop, then red
lights and stop arm when stopped to load/unload. Option B reverses the sequence. Option
C is incorrect because amber lights are not exclusive to railroad crossings. Option D is
incorrect because simultaneous activation defeats the warning purpose.
6. A driver is conducting a post-trip inspection and finds a sleeping student on the bus.
The temperature is 95°F. What is the correct sequence of actions?
A. Wake the student, escort them off the bus, and notify dispatch and the school.
B. Call 911, wait for emergency services, and do not move the student.
C. Leave the student to sleep while completing the inspection, then return.
D. Take the student to the next stop and ask other students to watch them.
Answer: A. Wake the student, escort them off the bus, and notify dispatch and the
school.
Rationale: California law requires drivers to check for sleeping students after every route.
If found, the driver must immediately remove the student from the bus, ensure their safety,
and notify authorities. Option B is incorrect because immediate removal from a hot bus is
critical. Options C and D are negligent and dangerous.
Page 4 of 77
