Louisiana Commercial Driver License
School Bus Endorsement Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
1. During a pre-trip inspection of a school bus equipped with an air brake system, the
driver observes that the air pressure builds from 85 to 100 psi in 50 seconds with the
engine at operating RPM. According to FMCSA pre-trip inspection standards, what is
the correct interpretation and required action?
A. The build rate is acceptable; proceed with the trip.
B. The build rate is too slow; the vehicle must be placed out of service until repaired.
C. The build rate is too fast; the governor may be malfunctioning and requires immediate
adjustment.
D. The build rate is acceptable only if the low-air warning activates before 60 psi.
Answer: B. The build rate is too slow; the vehicle must be placed out of service until
repaired.
Rationale: FMCSA requires air pressure to build from 85 to 100 psi in less than 45 seconds
at operating RPM; 50 seconds exceeds this limit, indicating a potential compressor or leak
issue. The vehicle must be placed out of service. Options A and D incorrectly accept the
slow build, and C misstates the problem as too fast.
2. A school bus driver is approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing with a
passive warning device (crossbuck) and no gates or flashing lights. The bus is carrying
15 passengers, including students. Under Louisiana law and federal CDL standards,
which action is required?
A. Stop only if a train is visible or audible.
B. Slow to 15 mph and proceed with caution.
C. Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, then proceed only
when safe.
D. Stop only if the bus is a school bus transporting students; otherwise, no stop is
required.
Answer: C. Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, then
proceed only when safe.
Rationale: Federal and Louisiana law require school buses to stop at all railroad
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,crossings, regardless of warning devices, unless the crossing is exempted by the state. The
stop must be within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Options A, B, and
D all violate this mandatory stop requirement.
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,3. A bus driver is conducting a loading/unloading operation at a school. The bus is
equipped with a crossing gate. According to Louisiana school bus safety procedures,
when should the driver retract the crossing gate?
A. Immediately after the last student steps off the bus.
B. After all students have crossed in front of the bus and are safely on the curb.
C. Before the students begin to cross, to avoid tripping hazards.
D. Only after the bus door is closed and the bus is ready to move.
Answer: B. After all students have crossed in front of the bus and are safely on the
curb.
Rationale: The crossing gate must remain extended until all students have crossed in front
of the bus and are safely on the curb or sidewalk, ensuring they are visible and protected.
Retracting it earlier (A or C) creates a hazard, and retracting after door closure (D) is too
late and unnecessary.
4. Which of the following best describes the proper use of the eight-light warning
system on a school bus during a loading/unloading stop?
A. Amber lights activate at least 100 feet before the stop; red lights activate once the bus
is stopped.
B. Red lights activate first to warn traffic, followed by amber lights when the bus is
stopped.
C. Amber lights are used only in inclement weather; red lights are used in clear
conditions.
D. The eight-light system is optional if the bus has a stop arm.
Answer: A. Amber lights activate at least 100 feet before the stop; red lights activate
once the bus is stopped.
Rationale: The eight-light system requires amber warning lights to be activated at least 100
feet before the stop to alert traffic, and red lights to be activated once the bus is stopped
and the door is opened. Option B reverses the sequence, C misstates weather use, and D
incorrectly makes the system optional.
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, 5. A driver is performing a brake check on a school bus with air brakes. The driver
applies the brakes and holds them for one minute with the engine off and the parking
brake released. The air pressure drops from 100 to 85 psi. What does this indicate?
A. The leakage rate is within acceptable limits (less than 3 psi per minute).
B. The leakage rate is excessive; the bus must be taken out of service.
C. The leakage rate is normal for a bus with a large air tank.
D. The leakage rate is acceptable if the low-air warning activates at 60 psi.
Answer: B. The leakage rate is excessive; the bus must be taken out of service.
Rationale: For a single vehicle with air brakes, the maximum allowable leakage rate is 3
psi per minute with the engine off and brakes applied. A drop of 15 psi in one minute (15
psi/min) far exceeds this limit, indicating a serious leak. Options A, C, and D incorrectly
accept the excessive leakage.
6. In Louisiana, which of the following convictions will result in a mandatory one-year
disqualification of a commercial driver's license, even for a first offense?
A. Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or
higher.
B. Speeding 15 mph over the limit in a commercial vehicle.
C. Failing to wear a seat belt while operating a commercial vehicle.
D. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a commercial vehicle.
Answer: A. Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of
0.04% or higher.
Rationale: Under FMCSA and Louisiana law, a first conviction for driving a CMV with a
BAC of 0.04% or higher results in a one-year disqualification. Speeding (B), seat belt
violations (C), and hand-held phone use (D) may carry penalties but do not trigger
mandatory one-year disqualification for a first offense.
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School Bus Endorsement Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
1. During a pre-trip inspection of a school bus equipped with an air brake system, the
driver observes that the air pressure builds from 85 to 100 psi in 50 seconds with the
engine at operating RPM. According to FMCSA pre-trip inspection standards, what is
the correct interpretation and required action?
A. The build rate is acceptable; proceed with the trip.
B. The build rate is too slow; the vehicle must be placed out of service until repaired.
C. The build rate is too fast; the governor may be malfunctioning and requires immediate
adjustment.
D. The build rate is acceptable only if the low-air warning activates before 60 psi.
Answer: B. The build rate is too slow; the vehicle must be placed out of service until
repaired.
Rationale: FMCSA requires air pressure to build from 85 to 100 psi in less than 45 seconds
at operating RPM; 50 seconds exceeds this limit, indicating a potential compressor or leak
issue. The vehicle must be placed out of service. Options A and D incorrectly accept the
slow build, and C misstates the problem as too fast.
2. A school bus driver is approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing with a
passive warning device (crossbuck) and no gates or flashing lights. The bus is carrying
15 passengers, including students. Under Louisiana law and federal CDL standards,
which action is required?
A. Stop only if a train is visible or audible.
B. Slow to 15 mph and proceed with caution.
C. Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, then proceed only
when safe.
D. Stop only if the bus is a school bus transporting students; otherwise, no stop is
required.
Answer: C. Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, then
proceed only when safe.
Rationale: Federal and Louisiana law require school buses to stop at all railroad
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,crossings, regardless of warning devices, unless the crossing is exempted by the state. The
stop must be within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Options A, B, and
D all violate this mandatory stop requirement.
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,3. A bus driver is conducting a loading/unloading operation at a school. The bus is
equipped with a crossing gate. According to Louisiana school bus safety procedures,
when should the driver retract the crossing gate?
A. Immediately after the last student steps off the bus.
B. After all students have crossed in front of the bus and are safely on the curb.
C. Before the students begin to cross, to avoid tripping hazards.
D. Only after the bus door is closed and the bus is ready to move.
Answer: B. After all students have crossed in front of the bus and are safely on the
curb.
Rationale: The crossing gate must remain extended until all students have crossed in front
of the bus and are safely on the curb or sidewalk, ensuring they are visible and protected.
Retracting it earlier (A or C) creates a hazard, and retracting after door closure (D) is too
late and unnecessary.
4. Which of the following best describes the proper use of the eight-light warning
system on a school bus during a loading/unloading stop?
A. Amber lights activate at least 100 feet before the stop; red lights activate once the bus
is stopped.
B. Red lights activate first to warn traffic, followed by amber lights when the bus is
stopped.
C. Amber lights are used only in inclement weather; red lights are used in clear
conditions.
D. The eight-light system is optional if the bus has a stop arm.
Answer: A. Amber lights activate at least 100 feet before the stop; red lights activate
once the bus is stopped.
Rationale: The eight-light system requires amber warning lights to be activated at least 100
feet before the stop to alert traffic, and red lights to be activated once the bus is stopped
and the door is opened. Option B reverses the sequence, C misstates weather use, and D
incorrectly makes the system optional.
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, 5. A driver is performing a brake check on a school bus with air brakes. The driver
applies the brakes and holds them for one minute with the engine off and the parking
brake released. The air pressure drops from 100 to 85 psi. What does this indicate?
A. The leakage rate is within acceptable limits (less than 3 psi per minute).
B. The leakage rate is excessive; the bus must be taken out of service.
C. The leakage rate is normal for a bus with a large air tank.
D. The leakage rate is acceptable if the low-air warning activates at 60 psi.
Answer: B. The leakage rate is excessive; the bus must be taken out of service.
Rationale: For a single vehicle with air brakes, the maximum allowable leakage rate is 3
psi per minute with the engine off and brakes applied. A drop of 15 psi in one minute (15
psi/min) far exceeds this limit, indicating a serious leak. Options A, C, and D incorrectly
accept the excessive leakage.
6. In Louisiana, which of the following convictions will result in a mandatory one-year
disqualification of a commercial driver's license, even for a first offense?
A. Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or
higher.
B. Speeding 15 mph over the limit in a commercial vehicle.
C. Failing to wear a seat belt while operating a commercial vehicle.
D. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a commercial vehicle.
Answer: A. Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of
0.04% or higher.
Rationale: Under FMCSA and Louisiana law, a first conviction for driving a CMV with a
BAC of 0.04% or higher results in a one-year disqualification. Speeding (B), seat belt
violations (C), and hand-held phone use (D) may carry penalties but do not trigger
mandatory one-year disqualification for a first offense.
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