Series 2-2a: Loading and Unloading – General Procedures

The “Loading and Unloading – General Procedures” chapter in the Alberta school bus practice test focuses on essential safety measures for transporting students.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 2-2a: Loading and Unloading – General Procedures

1 / 30

What should the driver do with passengers before moving the bus after a stop?

Ask passengers to open windows

Ensure all passengers are seated and take a final look in the mirrors for stragglers

Let passengers remain in the aisle

Allow passengers to stand if they are holding onto seats

2 / 30

What additional safety step is required when unloading students?

Ask students to form two lines

Only count students as they board

Have students exit without counting to save time

Count students as they get off the bus and again when they reach their safety zone

3 / 30

What sequence of signals does a following motorist see as a bus prepares to stop?

Alternately flashing amber lights, then right signal, then brake lights, then amber cancel and red lights plus stop arm on stopping

Right signal, then left signal, then hazard lights

Red lights first, then amber lights

Brake lights only

4 / 30

Why might the bus operator need to turn on the interior light during early morning pickups?

To make the operator clearly visible to awaiting passengers

To help the driver read paperwork

To conserve battery power

To signal other motorists to stop

5 / 30

What is the first step after closing the door and deactivating the red lights?

Turn on the alternately flashing amber lights

Signal right again

Select the appropriate gear and release the parking brake

Immediately accelerate without checking mirrors

6 / 30

What must passengers do when the bus is unloading and the driver is performing mirror checks?

Remain seated until the driver is ready to unload

Begin exiting as soon as the bus stops

Stand in the aisle ready to exit

Move toward the front of the bus

7 / 30

Before pulling back into the driving lane after a stop, the driver must:

Perform mirror check, shoulder check, and signal left

Turn on hazard lights, then move

Sound the horn twice

Flash high beams at oncoming traffic

8 / 30

What lights must be activated when approaching a left-side loading or unloading stop?

Alternately flashing amber lights

Alternately flashing red lights only

Hazard lights only

Interior lights only

9 / 30

How should a bus driver generally manage other traffic near a stop?

Use the alternately flashing red lights as soon as possible to control traffic

Wave other drivers around using hand signals

Stop in the middle of the lane to block all traffic

Manage traffic with respect and consideration, not by trying to control it with alternating lights when possible

10 / 30

Which of the following is prohibited for a school bus on a provincial highway?

Using signal lights

Using the right lane

Using mirrors before a stop

Using the shoulder or “Parking Lane” as a driving lane

11 / 30

When should the door be closed and the alternately flashing red lights deactivated?

As soon as the first student boards or steps off

When the last vehicle has passed the bus

Immediately after opening the door

Only after loading passengers are safely seated or unloading passengers are in the designated safety zone

12 / 30

What additional advantage is there to keeping hands at the top of the steering wheel during loading and unloading?

Quick access to the horn if required

Improved fuel efficiency

It keeps the driver warmer

Better control of the door

13 / 30

When choosing a stopping location, where should the bus be positioned relative to waiting passengers?

As close as possible so students board faster

As far right as practical and at least 1 metre away from waiting passengers

Partly on the shoulder and partly on the road

Directly in front of the first student in line

14 / 30

Before passengers cross the highway at a left-side stop, how should the operator indicate it is safe to cross?

By turning off the bus engine

By honking the horn twice

By flashing the headlights

By using a hand gesture to signal the passengers to proceed

15 / 30

When must the alternately flashing amber lights be activated?

Only after the bus has completely stopped

As you first begin to slow for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers

Only when traffic is heavy

Only when passengers are already boarding

16 / 30

Approximately how far in advance should you signal right before a stop?

Only after you have come to a stop

About 10 metres

About 500 metres

About 100 metres

17 / 30

When positioning the bus at a left-side loading stop, how far from the waiting passengers should the bus be stopped (depending on road width)?

Directly beside the passengers

Approximately 10 paces

Approximately 2 paces

Approximately 25 paces

18 / 30

Where should the operator place their hands during the crossing procedure to help manage student crossings safely?

On the gearshift

In their lap

At the top of the steering wheel

On the door control only

19 / 30

When loading at a left-side stop where passengers must cross the highway, what should the operator do regarding mirrors?

Avoid mirror checks to reduce distractions

Check mirrors only after passengers are seated

Check mirrors only before stopping

Check mirrors often throughout the procedure

20 / 30

At a left-side stop, in which direction should the operator signal when moving the bus into position to load or unload?

Signal left

No signal is required

Signal right

Signal both left and right

21 / 30

Why might a bus driver slow down well before a stop to allow traffic to pass?

To make the stop faster

To make following drivers impatient

Because the safest place for other traffic is gone

To avoid using mirrors as often

22 / 30

When unloading at a location where passengers must cross the highway, when should passengers be allowed to leave the bus?

Immediately when the red lights activate

Only when it is safe, as determined by the operator

Only when other motorists signal them

As soon as the bus stops and door opens

23 / 30

When may the alternately flashing red lights be activated?

While the bus is still rolling to a stop

Whenever students stand up

Only after the bus has completely stopped, is properly secured, and traffic is controlled

As soon as the driver decides to slow down

24 / 30

What happens when the bus door is opened at a stop?

Alternately flashing amber lights cancel and red lights activate along with the stop arm and crossing arm (if applicable)

The turn signals begin flashing automatically

Only the brake lights come on

The alternately flashing red lights turn off

25 / 30

When approaching a known school bus stop, what should the driver do first?

Move onto the shoulder to prepare to stop

Check mirrors often to read traffic patterns for following and oncoming vehicles

Turn on hazard lights immediately

Speed up to clear the area quickly

26 / 30

Why should the bus stop at least 1 metre away from waiting passengers?

To improve fuel efficiency

To reduce risk of someone being shoved under the bus due to pushing and shoving

To allow other vehicles to pass between the bus and students

To make students walk farther as a discipline measure

27 / 30

Once the bus has stopped, what is the correct sequence to secure it?

Open the door first to let students off, then apply the parking brake

Cancel right signal, place gear in neutral, set parking brake, maintain pressure on brake pedal

Turn off engine, release parking brake, then open the door

Put bus in park, take feet off all pedals, then signal left

28 / 30

What is the primary purpose of repeated mirror and shoulder checks before opening the door?

To verify the fuel level

To look for the next bus stop

To check for vehicles approaching from the rear, both sides, and from the front

To see if students are standing up

29 / 30

Why should the operator avoid waving other vehicles on during loading and unloading?

The operator might be held responsible if a passenger is injured

It is illegal to wave at other motorists

It confuses the bus passengers

It wastes time

30 / 30

How do bus operators communicate their intentions to other motorists during loading and unloading?

Through verbal instructions shouted from the window

Primarily by hand-signals out the window

By sounding the horn repeatedly

Through the use of their lights, not by using hand-signals

Your score is

Drivers must ensure the bus is fully stopped and the flashing lights are activated before opening the doors. Students should wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the road and always cross in front of the bus at a safe distance. The driver is responsible for checking mirrors and ensuring all students have cleared the area before moving. Following these procedures helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of all students during loading and unloading at bus stops and schools.