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

The “Loading and Unloading – General Procedures” chapter in the free Alberta school bus practice test covers key safety steps for drivers and students.

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

1 / 30

In preparing for a right-side turnaround, after loading is complete and passengers are seated, what should the operator ensure before moving?

The bus engine is off

Headlights are turned off

Alternately flashing lights have been cancelled

Interior lights are off

2 / 30

When unloading passengers after completing a right-side turnaround, what must you do before they get off?

Turn off all lights and leave the stop arm retracted

Secure the bus, open the door, and activate the alternately flashing red lights, stop arm, and crossing arm (if applicable)

Open the emergency exit as well as the main door

Keep the bus in gear and open the door without lights

3 / 30

For a right-side turnaround, when should passengers be loaded and unloaded?

Load and unload during the backing manoeuvre

Never load or unload at a turnaround location

Load passengers before the turnaround and unload after reversing

Load passengers after the turnaround and unload before reversing

4 / 30

When must a turnaround be made in relation to loading and unloading passengers?

Before unloading and after loading, so passengers are never near the bus during the turnaround

After unloading and before loading

At any convenient time, regardless of passenger location

During unloading but before loading

5 / 30

Where should passengers be picked up and dropped off whenever possible?

At any point that saves time

In the middle of the intersection

On the right side (home side) of the road

On the left side of the road

6 / 30

When should the door be closed during loading or unloading procedures?

After the first passenger exits

Immediately when the bus stops

Only after the bus begins moving

Once passengers are safe, either seated on the bus or in the outside safety zones

7 / 30

In a left-side turnaround, when do you activate the alternately flashing amber lights?

After signaling left and before securing the bus

Only if there is oncoming traffic

Only after stopping and securing the bus

After students begin crossing

8 / 30

What is a key safety concern with a left-side turnaround compared to a right-side turnaround?

Poor sightlines that make it difficult to see oncoming traffic

Increased fuel consumption

Inability to use alternately flashing lights

Difficulty opening the door on the left side

9 / 30

Why must bus operators report changes like new blind spots or increased traffic to their supervisor and school district?

To reduce fuel expenses

To increase route length

Because routes must change every year regardless

Because a stop that was safe at one time may become unsafe

10 / 30

How should routes be designed regarding children crossing the highway?

To ensure frequent crossings for practice

So that all passengers must cross at least once

Without considering crossing locations

To minimize the number of crossings children must make

11 / 30

What important rule applies to backing related to main roads and highways?

Back out onto highways only during daylight

Never turn around at a road that requires backing out onto a provincial or heavily travelled road

Back out only if using hazard lights

Back out only when students are not on board

12 / 30

What should passengers be reminded to do while crossing the highway?

Look only straight ahead

Walk with eyes closed to trust the driver

Keep their eyes on the bus only

Continually watch for traffic

13 / 30

On what types of roads should left-side turnarounds never be done?

Residential cul-de-sacs only

Any road in a school zone

Gravel side roads

Provincial highways or other heavily travelled roads

14 / 30

What must be clearly designated when using a left-side turnaround, especially if sightlines are poor?

A loading zone only for staff

A no-stopping zone for the bus

Safety zones where waiting passengers know exactly where to stand

Parking spots for other vehicles

15 / 30

When preparing for a right-side turnaround, what should you do as you approach the turnaround road?

Ignore mirrors until you are stopped

Maintain speed until you reach the turnaround road, then signal

Signal right 10 metres before the turnaround road and brake hard

Check mirrors often, start slowing down early, and signal right as you pass the turnaround road

16 / 30

After backing into the side road during a right-side turnaround, what is an important consideration for passenger safety?

Bus should be as far from the edge of the road as possible regardless of footing

Passengers should exit onto any surface available

Footing is only a concern in dry weather

Bus position should allow good footing for passengers getting off

17 / 30

After unloading in a right-side turnaround, what is the correct sequence before re-entering the main road?

Leave red lights activated until you reach highway speed

Re-enter the main road and then close the door

Signal right and pull out immediately

Close the door, deactivate the red lights, signal left, and re-enter when safe

18 / 30

What is generally true about right-side versus left-side turnarounds on rural routes?

The right-side turnaround is safer than the left-side turnaround

The left-side turnaround is safer than the right-side turnaround

Turnarounds are never necessary

Both are equally high-risk and prohibited

19 / 30

During a left-side turnaround, when should you back the bus into the closest lane without crossing the centerline?

Before unloading passengers

After passengers are seated or have moved a safe distance away, and after you have selected reverse and begun sounding the horn as required

While passengers are walking away from the bus

As soon as you activate the amber lights

20 / 30

During unloading, what should you do to ensure all passengers have cleared the danger zone around the bus?

Close the door as soon as the last student steps off the bottom step

Assume they are clear once they step onto the ground

Count them and ensure they are all well past the end of the bus

Ask another driver to verify their locations

21 / 30

When unloading and crossing in front of the bus, how should passengers move before crossing the highway?

Cross diagonally behind the bus

Walk behind the bus to cross

Run directly across from the door

Walk 10 paces along the shoulder in front of the bus, then cross in front of the crossing arm

22 / 30

Who can provide valuable input about bus routes and stop characteristics that affect safety?

Only traffic police

Only parents

Only school administrators

Bus operators who are out in the field every day

23 / 30

For a right-side turnaround, how should the bus be positioned before beginning to reverse into the side road?

Park on the opposite side of the main road

Stop directly at the entrance of the side road

Pull approximately one bus length ahead of the road to be backed into

Stop halfway into the side road before backing

24 / 30

During unloading, how can the operator help keep passengers aware of traffic conditions as they depart?

By giving instructions only at the start of the school year

By constantly talking to passengers, updating them about traffic and reminding them to check while crossing

By remaining silent to avoid distraction

By playing a recorded message only at the end of the route

25 / 30

In a left-side turnaround, when should you signal left to indicate your intention to turn?

10 metres before the intersection

At approximately 100 metres before the turn

Only as you begin turning

Only if traffic is directly behind you

26 / 30

When reversing into a side road for a right-side turnaround, how should the operator use the horn?

Use the horn only after reversing is complete

Sound the horn once for every bus length while backing until fully on the side road

Sound the horn continuously

Do not use the horn to avoid startling passengers

27 / 30

What is the main advantage of using turnarounds for loading and unloading?

They move the bus off the main road, reducing traffic conflict hazards and increasing safety

They make the route shorter

They allow higher driving speeds

They eliminate the need for flashing lights

28 / 30

Where should you stop the bus on the main road before backing into a right-side turnaround road?

Half a bus length before the turnaround road

Two bus lengths past the turnaround road

Approximately one bus length ahead of the road you will be backing into

Directly beside the road you will be backing into

29 / 30

When backing into a side road for a right-side turnaround, how often should you sound the horn?

Only if you see another vehicle

Continuously while reversing

Only once at the start of reversing

Once for every bus length as you reverse

30 / 30

What should the operator do after closing the door at a stop?

Only check the rearview mirror

Signal right and move away

Perform a mirror check, shoulder check, and signal left before moving off

Move immediately without checking mirrors

Your score is

Drivers must stop completely, activate flashing lights, and check all mirrors before allowing students to board or leave the bus. Students should cross the street only after receiving a clear signal from the driver and should always walk in front of the bus. These procedures are designed to protect students from traffic hazards and ensure a safe environment during daily loading and unloading at bus stops and schools.