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

The “Loading and Unloading – General Procedures” chapter in the free Alberta school bus practice test highlights the critical safety steps that drivers and students must follow.

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

1 / 30

Where alternately flashing lights are required, passengers living on the same side of the road should:

Stand touching the side of the bus until it leaves.

Go to a safety zone clear of the bus where the operator can see them.

Cross the road to the opposite side regardless of where they live.

Walk down the road in front of the bus as it pulls away.

2 / 30

A key reason students have been run over by their own bus is:

They talk too loudly while exiting.

They sit too close to the front of the bus.

They forget to look both ways before crossing.

They go into areas around the bus that are not visible to the operator.

3 / 30

One tragic situation involved students:

Sliding down the handrail of the bus steps and falling.

Standing too close to the inside of the front door.

Running along beside the moving bus.

Climbing onto snow banks beside the bus and slipping under the bus as it pulled away.

4 / 30

If the operator in an urban area loses track of a passenger at a stop, they must:

Secure the bus, do a total shutdown, take the key, check around the bus, and write up the incident.

Continue the route and check with the school later.

Ask remaining students to look outside for the missing child while the bus idles.

Call a friend to help search and then resume driving.

5 / 30

If the operator loses track of a passenger at a stop, the operator must first:

Honk the horn several times and drive away carefully.

Ask students on board if they saw anything and keep driving.

Secure the bus, do a total shutdown, take the key, and go out to check around the bus.

Call another bus to assist and then continue the route.

6 / 30

Students crossing the road on a rural route with flashing lights should be trained to:

Do one last check for traffic before leaving the safety of the front of the bus.

Cross behind the bus to avoid oncoming traffic.

Wait until the bus has completely left the area before crossing.

Run quickly across without looking.

7 / 30

Safe loading and unloading procedures be reviewed:

Only at the start of the school year.

Only if there is an incident.

At the beginning of the year, at least three additional times, and whenever a new passenger boards for the first time.

Once every two years.

8 / 30

The purpose of assigning safety zones for passengers is to:

Ensure the operator can see students and know they are not under or too close to the bus.

Keep students quiet while waiting.

Make it easier to line students up by grade.

Speed up loading and unloading times.

9 / 30

In urban areas, alternately flashing amber or red lights must be used when loading or unloading unless:

It is outside of regular school hours.

The operator knows all parents personally.

A municipal bylaw or Ministerial regulation specifically exempts their use.

The weather is clear and dry.

10 / 30

If a missing passenger cannot be seen anywhere around the bus after checking:

The operator should assume the child went home.

The operator should call the school and continue the route without documenting.

The operator should walk ahead of the bus 10 paces, wait for a signal, then document the incident.

The operator should immediately reverse the bus to look again.

11 / 30

What is a key safety principle when deciding whether to back into a road if sightlines, conditions, or terrain are poor (e.g., narrow road, snowbanks)?

Backing should continue as usual regardless of conditions

Speed should be increased to complete the maneuver quickly

Students should help direct the backing maneuver from outside the bus

Safety is the main concern and other options for loading and unloading should be considered

12 / 30

In many urban areas where bylaws prohibit flashing lights and stop arms, other motorists:

Are free to pass the bus at any time.

Must wait until the bus driver waves them on.

Are only allowed to pass on the left side.

Must always stop behind the bus.

13 / 30

What reminder emphasizes the danger of backing when students are outside the bus?

“Always back toward the students!”

“Students on the ground – don’t back around!”

“Backing is safer when students are nearby!”

“Back up slowly and students will be fine!”

14 / 30

Passengers who must cross the road without the benefit of alternately flashing lights should be reminded to:

Cross immediately in front of the bus as it stops.

Follow other children without checking traffic.

Cross directly at the stop location without waiting.

Wait in the safety zone until the bus departs, then go to the intersection to cross safely.

15 / 30

After loading or unloading on a highway, what courtesy should a school bus operator extend to other traffic?

Allow traffic to proceed before resuming position on the highway

Remain stopped until all traffic has dissipated

Pull back into traffic immediately with lights still flashing

Block following traffic to control speed

16 / 30

On rural roads where passengers must cross the road, the bus should be:

Positioned to allow the students to cross the road safely in front of the bus.

Stopped as far off the road as possible, even if students are out of sight.

Parked at an angle across both lanes.

Left running in the middle of the intersection.

17 / 30

Counting the number of passengers leaving at each stop because:

It speeds up future stops.

It helps track bus fuel usage.

It is needed for end-of-day paperwork.

It helps confirm that all students are safely in their safety zones.

18 / 30

When traffic is following the bus on a highway that does not easily facilitate passing, what is the recommended approach?

Whenever you can, allow traffic to pass

Ignore other drivers’ impatience

Increase speed to avoid being passed

Stop in the lane to discourage passing

19 / 30

Student loading and unloading is considered the time of greatest danger because:

Students are always running late.

Students may be in danger zones around the bus that the operator cannot see.

The bus doors may not close properly.

The bus is harder to steer at low speeds.

20 / 30

In an urban area, if picking up and dropping off in the same location:

Two separate safety zones are always require

Only one safety zone is needed.

Students must change sides of the road each time.

No safety zone is necessary.

21 / 30

Urban area is defined as:

Only downtown areas with traffic lights.

Any area with more than 10,000 people.

A city, town, village, or an urban service area within a specialized municipality.

Any school zone regardless of location.

22 / 30

When alternately flashing lights are used on a rural road and passengers do not have to cross, the bus:

Should stop far past the driveway so students walk along the road shoulder.

Should stop in the nearest intersection.

Should block the driveway, with the safety zone at least one metre down the driveway.

Should unload students directly on the roadway.

23 / 30

In rural areas where students cross and use a safety zone across the road, they should:

Return to the original side of the road before the bus departs.

Stand directly on the fog line to watch the bus leave.

Remain in the safety zone across the road until the bus leaves.

Walk along the road beside the bus.

24 / 30

When another vehicle is passing and the pass appears safe, what should the bus driver do?

Swerve slightly to the left to warn the driver

Maintain lane position and maintain or reduce speed to a reasonable rate

Accelerate to help the vehicle pass quickly

Move onto the shoulder to create more room

25 / 30

If a caregiver walks a child in front or behind the bus before it has departed, the operator should:

Ignore it since the caregiver is responsible.

Ask the child to correct the caregiver.

Refuse to allow the child to ride the bus again without notice.

Respectfully explain safety zones, emphasize child safety, and, if they refuse to comply, inform school administration.

26 / 30

The “Point, Pause, & Proceed” method teaches children in urban areas to:

Point at drivers to make them stop, then run across.

Only cross when walking with an adult.

Pause at the curb, then proceed without looking.

Hold their arm straight out pointing where they will cross, pause and check for traffic while in the crosswalk, then proceed when safe.

27 / 30

In urban areas, after the bus leaves, passengers who need to cross the road should:

Walk back to the intersection, look both ways, and cross when it is safe.

Cross diagonally mid-block as quickly as possible.

Follow the bus and cross where it turns.

Run across the road directly from the stop location.

28 / 30

Where alternately flashing lights are required, passengers living on the opposite side of the road should:

Go to a designated safety zone on the opposite side where the operator can see them.

Cross behind the bus immediately.

Wait on the shoulder directly beside the rear wheels.

Stand directly in front of the bus bumper.

29 / 30

Before pulling away after unloading, the operator should:

Only check the side mirror on the driver’s side.

Ask another motorist if it looks clear.

Assume all students have gone straight home.

Check both safety zones and ensure all passengers are accounted for.

30 / 30

In an urban area, if there are passengers living on both sides of the road, the operator will need:

No safety zones.

A safety zone inside the bus only.

Only one safety zone at the rear of the bus.

Two safety zones.

Your score is

Drivers must bring the bus to a complete stop, activate the flashing lights, and check all mirrors before opening the door for students to board or exit. Students should remain seated until the bus stops, then exit calmly and cross only in front of the bus after the driver signals it is safe. These procedures help prevent accidents, protect students from oncoming traffic, and maintain order at every stop. Mastering these steps is essential for anyone preparing for the Alberta school bus driver’s exam.