Chapter 3-4: Safe and responsible driving

Practicing with free Ontario bus driver test questions from the “Safe and Responsible Driving” chapter is essential for future bus drivers. This chapter focuses on defensive driving habits, hazard recognition, and responsible choices behind the wheel.

Ontario Bus Driver - Chapter 3-4: Safe and responsible driving

1 / 30

On freeways, when an emergency vehicle is coming with lights or siren on, you must not:

Change lanes to the right

Drive on or block the shoulder

Use your turn signals

Reduce your speed

2 / 30

Why is driving on flooded roads dangerous?

It makes steering easier

It only affects fuel economy

Water may prevent your brakes from working

It increases engine temperature

3 / 30

Why should you avoid driving in puddles?

They can hide potholes and the spray can obstruct vision or harm others

They cool your brakes

They improve traction

They clean your tires

4 / 30

To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, what should you do?

Inflate your tires beyond the recommended pressure

Drive in the outermost lane only

Have good tires with deep tread and slow down on wet roads

Use cruise control in heavy rain

5 / 30

On a road with two or more lanes, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights, you must:

Pass on the shoulder

Move over into another lane to leave one-lane clearance if safe

Stop and wait until it leaves

Stay in the same lane at normal speed

6 / 30

If the fog is too dense to continue, what is the safest action?

Turn off all lights and wait in the lane

Drive on the shoulder at normal speed

Stop in your lane with hazard lights on

Pull completely off the road into a safe parking area and turn on emergency flashers with low beams

7 / 30

What should you NOT do in fog?

Reduce distractions

Slow down gradually

Use low-beam headlights

Stop on the travelled portion of the road

8 / 30

What is hydroplaning?

When the engine stalls in cold weather

When brakes overheat on dry pavement

When tires ride on top of water like water skis, reducing control

When windshield wipers move too fast

9 / 30

What happens to road surfaces when rain first begins to fall?

They do not change

They become slippery

They provide more traction

They immediately flood

10 / 30

Even with driver-assistance features, you can still be charged because:

The car drives itself completely

The system is fully responsible for driving

The law does not apply to such vehicles

You are expected to be in care and control and able to take over immediately

11 / 30

A flashing green light on a personal vehicle may indicate:

A taxi in service

A vehicle with mechanical problems

A driving student

A firefighter or volunteer medical responder going to an emergency

12 / 30

A key reminder about distraction is:

Only long distractions are risky

Brief distractions are always harmless

Distractions are only risky for new drivers

A split-second distraction can result in injury or even death

13 / 30

To reduce driver distractions before driving, you should:

Attend to personal grooming and plan your route before you leave

Eat a meal while driving

Groom yourself while stopped at lights

Decide your route while driving

14 / 30

A possible penalty for failing to slow down and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck is:

A fine, demerit points, licence suspension, and possibly jail time

Only a verbal warning

Mandatory vehicle confiscation with no fine

Only a small administrative fee

15 / 30

Commercial drivers may use a two-way radio if:

A passenger holds it for them

They hold it in their hand at all times

They rest it on their lap

The microphone is securely mounted within easy reach

16 / 30

After an emergency vehicle passes, you should:

Check that the way is clear and signal before merging back into traffic

Change lanes several times

Follow directly behind it

Immediately pull out without looking

17 / 30

If a driver must take their eyes off the road to address a behavioural issue on a bus:

The passengers become more alert

The road becomes less busy

The bus becomes safer

There is a greater risk of a collision

18 / 30

The safest way to use a cell phone while driving is to:

Pull over and park to use it, have a passenger take the call, or let it go to voicemail

Keep it on your lap and glance at it often

Hold it in one hand while steering with the other

Use it only in heavy traffic

19 / 30

When you see a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights on your side of the road, you must:

Turn off your headlights

Stop completely every time

Slow down and pass with caution

Maintain normal speed

20 / 30

A particular distraction risk for school-bus drivers is:

Low seat position

No power steering

High levels of noise and activity inside the bus

Lack of mirrors

21 / 30

What should you do if your windshield wiper blades do not clean the glass without streaking?

Use only washer fluid

Wipe the windshield only by hand while driving

Turn them off

Replace them

22 / 30

Failing to pull over and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle can result in:

A conviction and a fine

A friendly warning only

No consequence if traffic is heavy

Automatic licence cancellation every time

23 / 30

Before pulling over for an emergency vehicle, you should:

Check mirrors, look in front and both sides, and allow others to pull over

Only look straight ahead

Only watch the emergency vehicle

Stop without checking mirrors

24 / 30

To reduce distraction from vehicle controls, you should:

Test every control while in motion

Adjust controls continuously while driving

Turn controls off and ignore comfort

Identify and preset climate and audio settings before driving

25 / 30

Using non-hands-free cellular phones while driving is:

Allowed on rural roads only

Allowed at low speed

Allowed if traffic is light

Prohibited and subject to fines and other penalties

26 / 30

When you see a personal vehicle with a flashing green light responding to an emergency, you should:

Ignore the light

Yield the right-of-way to help them reach the emergency quickly and safely

Follow closely behind

Block the lane to slow them down

27 / 30

In addition to specific “distracted driving” penalties, a driver not paying full attention can be charged with:

Careless driving or dangerous driving

Parking violations only

No additional offences

Speeding only

28 / 30

It is illegal to:

Use your signal when pulling over

Pull over to the right for an emergency vehicle

Follow within 150 metres of a fire vehicle or ambulance responding to a call

Stop for an emergency vehicle

29 / 30

When driving in rain, how should you adjust your driving?

Follow the vehicle ahead very closely

Use only your parking lights to reduce glare

Maintain highway speed to keep moving water away

Drive slowly enough to be able to stop within the distance you can see

30 / 30

After driving through a flooded stretch of road, what should you do to test and dry your brakes?

Drive at high speed without braking

Pump the gas pedal repeatedly

Turn the engine off while moving

When safe, stop quickly and firmly at 50 km/h to ensure the vehicle stops straight

Your score is

The practice questions help candidates understand key topics such as safe following distances, handling distractions, and responding appropriately in emergencies. By regularly using these free test questions, aspiring drivers can identify their strengths and address areas that need improvement. This preparation not only boosts confidence for the official exam but also promotes safer, more responsible driving practices essential for Ontario’s roads and communities.