Chapter 3: Loading and unloading passengers

Loading and unloading passengers on a school bus requires careful attention to safety procedures.

Ontario School Bus Test - Chapter 3: Loading and unloading passengers

1 / 30

Where should you stop to load or unload passengers?

Partly on the sidewalk

On the travelled portion of the roadway, not the shoulder

In the nearest parking lot

On the shoulder whenever possible

2 / 30

When are school-bus passengers most vulnerable?

When the bus is being refueled

When the bus is parked at the depot

When loading and unloading

When the bus is cruising on the highway

3 / 30

How long must you remain stopped with red lights flashing and the stop arm activated?

Only until the first child reaches the sidewalk

Until all passengers who must cross the highway have done so

Until at least one minute has passed

Until traffic becomes heavy

4 / 30

When loading or unloading at traffic-signal lights, how should you use the upper, alternating red flashing lights and stop arm?

Do not activate them

Use them only in poor weather

Use them only when turning left

Activate them at all red lights

5 / 30

What must passengers NOT do regarding the driver’s view?

Obstruct the driver’s vision to the front, sides, or rear

Speak to the driver at any time

Wear brightly coloured clothing

Look out the windows

6 / 30

When should you turn on the flashing overhead amber lights?

As you approach a stop to load or unload passengers

Only after the passengers have boarded

Only if visibility is poor

Only when requested by the school principal

7 / 30

Where should passengers leaving the vehicle cross the roadway?

Only in front of the bus, about three metres (10 ft.) from the front, using the safety crossing arm as a guide

Behind the bus where it is quieter

Alongside the bus close to its body

Diagonally from the back door

8 / 30

How should you position the bus in a school-bus loading zone?

Partly blocking a crosswalk

Close to the right curb or edge of the roadway between the zone signs

At an angle across several lanes

In the centre of the roadway

9 / 30

Regarding bus capacity, what is the driver required to do?

Decide capacity based on comfort

Allow standing passengers if trips are short

Never load the bus beyond its licensed capacity

Exceed capacity only on rural routes

10 / 30

What is indicated by flashing overhead red lights on a school bus?

The bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers

The bus is entering a highway

The bus is backing up

The bus is about to change lanes

11 / 30

What is the main role of a “spotter” or safety patroller?

Assist with engine inspections

Direct traffic at all intersections

Help prevent the driver from hitting children in blind areas

Collect fares from passengers

12 / 30

What should passengers do upon entering the bus?

Stand in the aisle until the bus moves

Go directly to their seats and sit down

Walk around greeting other students first

Sit on the steps near the door

13 / 30

As of July 1, 2022, which buses in Ontario must operate an Eight Lamp Amber-Red Warning System?

Only city transit buses

Only school buses manufactured before 2005

All vehicles over 4,500 kg

School buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2005

14 / 30

What should the driver do before driving off after unloading?

Check the convex cross-over mirrors to ensure no passengers are crossing in front of the bus

Accelerate quickly to clear the area

Sound the horn twice and drive away

Turn off all interior lights immediately

15 / 30

What must you do as soon as the bus has stopped for passengers?

Engage the overhead red lights and activate the stop arm

Turn off all overhead lights

Lower the windows on the right side

Sound the horn continuously

16 / 30

Where should you stop when loading or unloading at traffic-signal lights?

At least 100 metres away from the intersection

As close as possible to the intersection, near the curb or edge of the roadway

In the middle of the intersection

On the opposite side of the intersection only

17 / 30

When should passengers leave their seats?

As the bus is slowing down

Only after the bus has come to a full stop

Whenever they see their stop ahead

When other students stand up

18 / 30

Which of the following is a rule for school-bus loading zones?

Use warning lights only during bad weather

Use only the amber lights in the zone

Do not operate the flashing lights and stop arm within a school-bus loading zone

Always operate the red flashing lights in the zone

19 / 30

How should passengers cross the roadway in relation to the bus?

At a right angle to the bus, never diagonally

Diagonally for a shorter distance

In any direction as long as they hurry

Parallel to the bus

20 / 30

Before loading or unloading, what should your view of the road be in each direction?

Clear for at least 10 metres (33 ft.)

Clear for at least 60 metres (200 ft.)

Clear for at least 150 metres (500 ft.)

Clear for at least 30 metres (100 ft.)

21 / 30

If you must use the flashing red lights and stop arm near an intersection with traffic-signal lights, how far from the intersection should you stop?

Exactly at the stop line

At least 5 metres into the intersection

At least 60 metres away

No more than 10 metres away

22 / 30

What is indicated by flashing overhead amber lights on a school bus?

The bus has a mechanical problem

The bus is traveling at highway speed

The bus is coming to a stop to pick up or drop off passengers

The bus is out of service

23 / 30

What is a key benefit of newly developed safety equipment (mirrors, motion detectors, crossing barriers, perimeter braking systems)?

They eliminate the need for driver training

They reduce fuel consumption

They enhance safety when used and trained properly

They allow the bus to go faster

24 / 30

When may passengers enter or leave the bus?

Whenever traffic is light

Whenever the door is open

When the bus slows below 10 km/h

Only when it is not moving

25 / 30

When should all passengers be seated?

Before you move the bus again

Only when the principal is on board

Only on highways

Only before turning left

26 / 30

Where should you NOT load or unload passengers?

On a straight, level road

Near a school driveway entrance on a flat road

On a steep grade or curve

In a clearly marked loading zone

27 / 30

As a final step in loading passengers, what must you ensure before signalling students to board?

All students are holding their books

All students are in a single file

The interior lights are off

All traffic has stopped

28 / 30

Where must you NOT stop to load or unload passengers in relation to a loading zone?

At the end sign of the loading zone

At the start sign of the loading zone

Inside the boundaries of the loading zone

On the opposite side of the highway from a school-bus loading zone

29 / 30

What are school-bus loading zones?

Any shoulder wide enough for a bus

Any parking lot near a school

Only areas painted yellow

Areas of a roadway or school driveway designated by signs as loading/unloading zones

30 / 30

What should students do when more than one student leaves the bus and must cross?

Cross behind the bus in small groups

Run across as fast as possible

Form a group in front of the bus on the right shoulder or curb, then look for the driver’s signal to cross

Cross one at a time without waiting

Your score is

The driver must stop in a safe, designated area, activate flashing lights, and extend the stop arm before students board or exit. Students should wait until the bus has stopped completely and only approach when signaled by the driver. While unloading, children must cross in front of the bus, never behind, and maintain eye contact with the driver. The driver must check mirrors and surroundings to ensure all students are safely clear before moving. Following these steps helps prevent accidents and ensures a secure journey for every passenger.