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

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 only the amber lights in the zone

Use warning lights only during bad weather

2 / 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 backing up

The bus is about to change lanes

The bus is entering a highway

3 / 30

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

Until at least one minute has passed

Until all passengers who must cross the highway have done so

Only until the first child reaches the sidewalk

Until traffic becomes heavy

4 / 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

5 / 30

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

At an angle across several lanes

Partly blocking a crosswalk

In the centre of the roadway

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

6 / 30

What should passengers do upon entering the bus?

Sit on the steps near the door

Go directly to their seats and sit down

Walk around greeting other students first

Stand in the aisle until the bus moves

7 / 30

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

On the opposite side of the intersection only

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

At least 100 metres away from the intersection

In the middle of the intersection

8 / 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

Sound the horn twice and drive away

Turn off all interior lights immediately

Accelerate quickly to clear the area

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 60 metres away

At least 5 metres into the intersection

Exactly at the stop line

10 / 30

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

The interior lights are off

All traffic has stopped

All students are holding their books

All students are in a single file

11 / 30

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

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

Cross behind the bus in small groups

Cross one at a time without waiting

Run across as fast as possible

12 / 30

When may passengers enter or leave the bus?

Whenever traffic is light

Whenever the door is open

Only when it is not moving

When the bus slows below 10 km/h

13 / 30

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

Speak to the driver at any time

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

Wear brightly coloured clothing

Look out the windows

14 / 30

Where should you stop to load or unload passengers?

On the travelled portion of the roadway, not the shoulder

On the shoulder whenever possible

In the nearest parking lot

Partly on the sidewalk

15 / 30

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

Never load the bus beyond its licensed capacity

Decide capacity based on comfort

Exceed capacity only on rural routes

Allow standing passengers if trips are short

16 / 30

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

They enhance safety when used and trained properly

They reduce fuel consumption

They eliminate the need for driver training

They allow the bus to go faster

17 / 30

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

Assist with engine inspections

Help prevent the driver from hitting children in blind areas

Collect fares from passengers

Direct traffic at all intersections

18 / 30

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

Parallel to the bus

In any direction as long as they hurry

At a right angle to the bus, never diagonally

Diagonally for a shorter distance

19 / 30

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

Clear for at least 150 metres (500 ft.)

Clear for at least 30 metres (100 ft.)

Clear for at least 10 metres (33 ft.)

Clear for at least 60 metres (200 ft.)

20 / 30

When should passengers leave their seats?

Whenever they see their stop ahead

As the bus is slowing down

Only after the bus has come to a full stop

When other students stand up

21 / 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

22 / 30

When should all passengers be seated?

Only on highways

Before you move the bus again

Only before turning left

Only when the principal is on board

23 / 30

When should you turn on the flashing overhead amber lights?

Only after the passengers have boarded

Only when requested by the school principal

As you approach a stop to load or unload passengers

Only if visibility is poor

24 / 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 when turning left

Activate them at all red lights

Use them only in poor weather

25 / 30

Where should you NOT load or unload passengers?

On a steep grade or curve

In a clearly marked loading zone

On a straight, level road

Near a school driveway entrance on a flat road

26 / 30

What are school-bus loading zones?

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

Any parking lot near a school

Any shoulder wide enough for a bus

Only areas painted yellow

27 / 30

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

Engage the overhead red lights and activate the stop arm

Sound the horn continuously

Turn off all overhead lights

Lower the windows on the right side

28 / 30

Where should passengers leaving the vehicle cross the roadway?

Diagonally from the back door

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

Alongside the bus close to its body

Behind the bus where it is quieter

29 / 30

When are school-bus passengers most vulnerable?

When the bus is cruising on the highway

When the bus is parked at the depot

When the bus is being refueled

When loading and unloading

30 / 30

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

Inside the boundaries of the loading zone

At the start sign of the loading zone

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

At the end sign of the loading zone

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.