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

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

2 / 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?

Halfway down the next block

After the crosswalk on the far side

In the middle of the intersection

Just prior to crossing the intersection and before the crosswalk

3 / 30

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

It saves fuel

It is only for comfort

It makes steering easier

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

4 / 30

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

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

Pedestrians are fenced off from turning vehicles

Turning drivers are always required to stop

The bus blocks all drivers’ views completely

5 / 30

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

Discuss it with your supervisor

Cancel the stop

Ignore it and choose any stop you want

Always move it to the nearest intersection on your own

6 / 30

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

Transmission in neutral only, no park brake

Park brake on only, do not change gear

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

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

7 / 30

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

Two metres

Three metres

One metre

Half a metre

8 / 30

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

When the bus first stops

When other passengers start moving

As soon as they see the bus signal light

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

9 / 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

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

The child walks away in any direction independently

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

11 / 30

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

Signal right only

Shoulder check only

Mirror check only

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

12 / 30

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

Have them cross behind the bus only

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

Tell them to run quickly across wherever they exit

Allow the student to cross anywhere mid-block

13 / 30

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

At a crosswalk on a divided highway

Mid-block on a road not divided by a median

On a sharp curve

Directly in the middle of an intersection

14 / 30

What should passengers be trained to do before boarding?

Wait in the designated safety zone until signaled to approach

Wait anywhere along the roadway

Approach the bus as soon as the amber lights come on

Walk toward the bus as soon as it slows down

15 / 30

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

In the middle of a busy intersection

At the start of every curve

Mid-block on all routes

Just through or past an intersection

16 / 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

Other drivers are always predictable

Children always behave the same way

Rules never change

17 / 30

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

Immediately in front of the bus while it is stopped

Mid-block before the bus leaves

At an intersection and crosswalk after the bus has left

Behind the bus while it is stopped

18 / 30

What does fully opening the door usually signal to passengers?

They may begin crossing behind the bus

They should move away from the bus

They may begin boarding (as previously agreed)

They should remain in the safety zone

19 / 30

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

Only pedestrians are controlled by the lights

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

20 / 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

21 / 30

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

Sound the horn repeatedly to move students

Avoid entering the yard

Drive quickly to clear the area

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

22 / 30

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

Having them walk to a central corner stop

Loading at a busy intersection

Door-to-door loading and unloading where practical

Having them cross a major road alone

23 / 30

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

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

They may cross alone if they know the route

They should always cross behind the bus

They should cross mid-block to shorten distance

24 / 30

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

It reduces the need for mirrors

The median stops all traffic automatically

It lets them cross faster mid-block

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

25 / 30

What is the time of greatest danger for your passengers?

Passenger loading and unloading

Pre-trip inspection

Parking in the yard

Highway cruising

26 / 30

What should you do after the last passenger is seated?

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

Start moving, then close the door

Release park brake with door open, then select gear

Select gear with door open, then load more passengers

27 / 30

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

At least three metres away from the passengers

Five metres in front of the passengers

One metre from the passengers

Directly beside the passengers

28 / 30

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

Crossover mirror only

Left mirror, right mirror, crossover mirror

Left mirror only

Right side mirror, crossover mirror, left mirror for traffic

29 / 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

Change the routing yourself without telling anyone

Refuse to pick up that passenger

Let the passenger decide the stop location

30 / 30

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

To allow drivers to leave early

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

To save fuel

To avoid pre-trip inspections

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.