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

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

Only school buses manufactured before 2005

Only city transit buses

School buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2005

All vehicles over 4,500 kg

2 / 30

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

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

At the start sign of the loading zone

At the end sign of the loading zone

Inside the boundaries of the loading zone

3 / 30

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

The bus is out of service

The bus is traveling at highway speed

The bus has a mechanical problem

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

4 / 30

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

Exceed capacity only on rural routes

Never load the bus beyond its licensed capacity

Allow standing passengers if trips are short

Decide capacity based on comfort

5 / 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 allow the bus to go faster

They reduce fuel consumption

They enhance safety when used and trained properly

6 / 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

7 / 30

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

Collect fares from passengers

Direct traffic at all intersections

Assist with engine inspections

Help prevent the driver from hitting children in blind areas

8 / 30

When should all passengers be seated?

Only when the principal is on board

Only before turning left

Only on highways

Before you move the bus again

9 / 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?

No more than 10 metres away

At least 5 metres into the intersection

Exactly at the stop line

At least 60 metres away

10 / 30

What are school-bus loading zones?

Any parking lot near a school

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

Any shoulder wide enough for a bus

Only areas painted yellow

11 / 30

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

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

Partly blocking a crosswalk

12 / 30

What should passengers do upon entering the bus?

Walk around greeting other students first

Go directly to their seats and sit down

Stand in the aisle until the bus moves

Sit on the steps near the door

13 / 30

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

Cross behind the bus in small groups

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

Run across as fast as possible

14 / 30

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

Clear for at least 30 metres (100 ft.)

Clear for at least 10 metres (33 ft.)

Clear for at least 60 metres (200 ft.)

Clear for at least 150 metres (500 ft.)

15 / 30

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

All students are holding their books

All traffic has stopped

All students are in a single file

The interior lights are off

16 / 30

What should the driver do before driving off after unloading?

Turn off all interior lights immediately

Sound the horn twice and drive away

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

Accelerate quickly to clear the area

17 / 30

Where should passengers leaving the vehicle cross the roadway?

Diagonally from the back door

Alongside the bus close to its body

Behind the bus where it is quieter

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

18 / 30

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

The bus is entering a highway

The bus is backing up

The bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers

The bus is about to change lanes

19 / 30

Where should you stop to load or unload passengers?

On the shoulder whenever possible

In the nearest parking lot

On the travelled portion of the roadway, not the shoulder

Partly on the sidewalk

20 / 30

When may passengers enter or leave the bus?

Only when it is not moving

When the bus slows below 10 km/h

Whenever the door is open

Whenever traffic is light

21 / 30

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

In the middle of the intersection

At least 100 metres away from the intersection

On the opposite side of the intersection only

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

22 / 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

Activate them at all red lights

Use them only when turning left

Use them only in poor weather

23 / 30

When should passengers leave their seats?

Only after the bus has come to a full stop

As the bus is slowing down

When other students stand up

Whenever they see their stop ahead

24 / 30

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

Sound the horn continuously

Lower the windows on the right side

Engage the overhead red lights and activate the stop arm

Turn off all overhead lights

25 / 30

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

Diagonally for a shorter distance

At a right angle to the bus, never diagonally

In any direction as long as they hurry

Parallel to the bus

26 / 30

Where should you NOT load or unload passengers?

Near a school driveway entrance on a flat road

In a clearly marked loading zone

On a straight, level road

On a steep grade or curve

27 / 30

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

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

Always operate the red flashing lights in the zone

Use warning lights only during bad weather

Use only the amber lights in the zone

28 / 30

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

Speak to the driver at any time

Look out the windows

Wear brightly coloured clothing

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

29 / 30

When should you turn on the flashing overhead amber lights?

As you approach a stop to load or unload passengers

Only if visibility is poor

Only when requested by the school principal

Only after the passengers have boarded

30 / 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 at least one minute has passed

Until traffic becomes heavy

Until all passengers who must cross the highway have done so

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.