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

The free Alberta school bus practice test features questions on the “Loading and Unloading – General Procedures” chapter, designed to assess a driver’s understanding of essential safety steps.

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

1 / 30

When training passengers, when are they allowed to move toward the bus?

As soon as they see the bus signal light

When the bus first stops

When other passengers start moving

Only after the door is fully opened and you have given the agreed signal

2 / 30

Which guiding principle applies during loading/unloading?

Focus only on traffic, not passengers

Perform several tasks at once to save time

Do one thing at a time and never lose sight of your passengers

Trust that children will always follow rules

3 / 30

In school yards at the end of the day, how should you approach the pickup/drop-off location?

Avoid entering the yard

Sound the horn repeatedly to move students

Proceed with caution and, if necessary, stop before the designated stop until things calm down

Drive quickly to clear the area

4 / 30

For a normal safe stop with trained passengers waiting properly, how far from the nearest passenger should you stop?

Half a metre

One metre

Two metres

Three metres

5 / 30

What is generally preferred for loading/unloading children with special needs?

Loading at a busy intersection

Door-to-door loading and unloading where practical

Having them walk to a central corner stop

Having them cross a major road alone

6 / 30

Why must you never become complacent with passengers’ behavior?

A child who has behaved safely many times might suddenly do something unpredictable and dangerous

Children always behave the same way

Rules never change

Other drivers are always predictable

7 / 30

In an urban area where alternately flashing lights are allowed, what is generally the safest location for a stop?

Directly in the middle of an intersection

On a sharp curve

Mid-block on a road not divided by a median

At a crosswalk on a divided highway

8 / 30

What is the time of greatest danger for your passengers?

Parking in the yard

Pre-trip inspection

Highway cruising

Passenger loading and unloading

9 / 30

What is the correct order to secure the bus during loading or unloading?

Park brake on only, do not change gear

Transmission in neutral only, no park brake

Park brake on, transmission in neutral, foot firmly on the foot brake, cancel signal

Foot on brake only, leave in drive, keep signal on

10 / 30

For young children with special needs, what is the general rule about crossing a road?

They may cross alone if they know the route

They should always cross behind the bus

They should never be required to cross unless accompanied by a responsible person

They should cross mid-block to shorten distance

11 / 30

What is a key ongoing responsibility of the bus operator around the bus?

Monitor only the traffic behind the bus

Watch passengers only while they are seated

Focus only on the route sheet

Constantly monitor what is going on and be prepared for the unexpected

12 / 30

What should passengers be trained to do before boarding?

Approach the bus as soon as the amber lights come on

Wait in the designated safety zone until signaled to approach

Walk toward the bus as soon as it slows down

Wait anywhere along the roadway

13 / 30

If a mid-block stop appears on your route sheet, what should you do?

Cancel the stop

Always move it to the nearest intersection on your own

Ignore it and choose any stop you want

Discuss it with your supervisor

14 / 30

Before moving the bus after loading, what is the correct mirror-check sequence?

Left mirror only

Right side mirror, crossover mirror, left mirror for traffic

Crossover mirror only

Left mirror, right mirror, crossover mirror

15 / 30

When performing a lane change to the right, what must you do before moving?

Mirror check, shoulder check, signal right, and move when safe

Signal right only

Shoulder check only

Mirror check only

16 / 30

In terms of stop locations, where are most school bus stops (when alternately flashing lights are not used) normally placed?

At the start of every curve

Mid-block on all routes

In the middle of a busy intersection

Just through or past an intersection

17 / 30

At drop-off for a special-needs child, what must the bus operator ensure?

The child is left at the curb regardless of supervision

The child exits the bus, then the bus may leave immediately

The child gains entry to the home/business/school and a responsible person acknowledges receiving the child

The child walks away in any direction independently

18 / 30

On a road divided by a median, when a school bus is loading or unloading, who is required to stop?

All traffic in both directions

No traffic is required to stop

Only traffic approaching from the rear of the bus

Only traffic approaching from the front

19 / 30

What should you do after the last passenger is seated?

Select gear with door open, then load more passengers

Close the door, ensure passengers remain seated, select gear, release park brake

Release park brake with door open, then select gear

Start moving, then close the door

20 / 30

Why is stopping just before an intersection or crosswalk preferable on a divided road when passengers must cross?

They can cross using the intersection or crosswalk, not relying on flashing lights for the far side

The median stops all traffic automatically

It reduces the need for mirrors

It lets them cross faster mid-block

21 / 30

If a student lives on the opposite side of the street in an urban area, what is the preferred solution?

Tell them to run quickly across wherever they exit

Have them cross behind the bus only

Allow the student to cross anywhere mid-block

Direct the student to cross at an intersection or crosswalk or have the route changed so they do not have to cross

22 / 30

When special routing is required due to age or medical needs of a passenger, what is your responsibility?

Confirm with your supervisor that the routing information is correct and safe

Refuse to pick up that passenger

Change the routing yourself without telling anyone

Let the passenger decide the stop location

23 / 30

If alternately flashing lights are to be used in an urban area and the route planner indicates an intersection stop, where should it be located?

In the middle of the intersection

Halfway down the next block

Just prior to crossing the intersection and before the crosswalk

After the crosswalk on the far side

24 / 30

What does fully opening the door usually signal to passengers?

They should move away from the bus

They may begin boarding (as previously agreed)

They should remain in the safety zone

They may begin crossing behind the bus

25 / 30

How should passengers cross the road relative to the bus at T intersections?

Behind the bus while it is stopped

Mid-block before the bus leaves

Immediately in front of the bus while it is stopped

At an intersection and crosswalk after the bus has left

26 / 30

Why must you secure the bus even if it has an automatic transmission with a park position?

It is only for comfort

It saves fuel

It makes steering easier

There is still a risk the bus could move while passengers are loading or unloading

27 / 30

Why should buses be in position for afternoon pickup before passengers are dismissed?

To avoid pre-trip inspections

To save fuel

To reduce movement of buses while large numbers of students are present

To allow drivers to leave early

28 / 30

When stopping to load passengers who are playing and pushing as you approach, where should you stop initially?

One metre from the passengers

Directly beside the passengers

Five metres in front of the passengers

At least three metres away from the passengers

29 / 30

Why should you be cautious when stopping near an intersection with alternately flashing lights on?

The lights automatically stop all vehicles from all directions

The flashing lights do not control traffic on the cross-street

Cross-street traffic must always stop

Only pedestrians are controlled by the lights

30 / 30

Why must extreme caution be used when passengers are crossing at intersections with alternately flashing lights?

Turning drivers are always required to stop

Drivers turning the corner may not see the lights or the passenger

Pedestrians are fenced off from turning vehicles

The bus blocks all drivers’ views completely

Your score is

These practice questions focus on proper stopping techniques, the use of flashing lights, and checking mirrors before students board or exit the bus. Drivers are also tested on signaling students when it’s safe to cross and ensuring all students have cleared the area before moving. Reviewing these questions helps future drivers learn how to protect students during loading and unloading, making the roads safer and preparing them effectively for the Alberta school bus exam.