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

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

Walk along the road beside the bus.

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

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

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

2 / 30

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

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

The operator should immediately reverse the bus to look again.

The operator should assume the child went home.

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

3 / 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

Block following traffic to control speed

Pull back into traffic immediately with lights still flashing

4 / 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.

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

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.

5 / 30

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

No safety zone is necessary.

Students must change sides of the road each time.

Only one safety zone is needed.

Two separate safety zones are always require

6 / 30

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

Run across the road directly from the stop location.

Follow the bus and cross where it turns.

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

Cross diagonally mid-block as quickly as possible.

7 / 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.

Run quickly across without looking.

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

8 / 30

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

Are only allowed to pass on the left side.

Must always stop behind the bus.

Are free to pass the bus at any time.

Must wait until the bus driver waves them on.

9 / 30

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

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.

Follow other children without checking traffic.

Cross immediately in front of the bus as it stops.

10 / 30

Urban area is defined as:

Only downtown areas with traffic lights.

Any area with more than 10,000 people.

Any school zone regardless of location.

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

11 / 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

Stop in the lane to discourage passing

Increase speed to avoid being passed

Ignore other drivers’ impatience

12 / 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 unload students directly on the roadway.

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

13 / 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.

14 / 30

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

Two safety zones.

No safety zones.

A safety zone inside the bus only.

Only one safety zone at the rear of the bus.

15 / 30

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

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.

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

16 / 30

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

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

“Backing is safer when students are nearby!”

“Back up slowly and students will be fine!”

“Always back toward the students!”

17 / 30

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

A municipal bylaw or Ministerial regulation specifically exempts their use.

The weather is clear and dry.

The operator knows all parents personally.

It is outside of regular school hours.

18 / 30

Counting the number of passengers leaving at each stop because:

It helps track bus fuel usage.

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

It is needed for end-of-day paperwork.

It speeds up future stops.

19 / 30

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

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

Ask the child to correct the caregiver.

Ignore it since the caregiver is responsible.

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

20 / 30

Before pulling away after unloading, the operator should:

Ask another motorist if it looks clear.

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

Assume all students have gone straight home.

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

21 / 30

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

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

Accelerate to help the vehicle pass quickly

Swerve slightly to the left to warn the driver

Move onto the shoulder to create more room

22 / 30

Safe loading and unloading procedures be reviewed:

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.

Only at the start of the school year.

Only if there is an incident.

23 / 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.

Call another bus to assist and then continue the route.

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.

24 / 30

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

Parked at an angle across both lanes.

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

Left running in the middle of the intersection.

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

25 / 30

One tragic situation involved students:

Standing too close to the inside of the front door.

Sliding down the handrail of the bus steps and falling.

Running along beside the moving bus.

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

26 / 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.

Stand directly in front of the bus bumper.

Wait on the shoulder directly beside the rear wheels.

Cross behind the bus immediately.

27 / 30

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

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

They sit too close to the front of the bus.

They forget to look both ways before crossing.

They talk too loudly while exiting.

28 / 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

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

Students should help direct the backing maneuver from outside the bus

Speed should be increased to complete the maneuver quickly

29 / 30

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

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

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

Only cross when walking with an adult.

Pause at the curb, then proceed without looking.

30 / 30

The purpose of assigning safety zones for passengers is to:

Make it easier to line students up by grade.

Speed up loading and unloading times.

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

Keep students quiet while waiting.

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.