Unit D-1: Driving Fundamentals

The Manitoba School Bus Knowledge Test includes a crucial section on “Driving Fundamentals.” This section assesses a driver’s understanding of basic driving principles essential for safe school bus operation.

Manitoba School Bus Test - Unit D-1: Driving Fundamentals

1 / 30

What is a “don’t pass law” violation?

Passing a stopped school bus that has red warning lights flashing and stop arm extended

Passing any vehicle on a curve

Passing a bus that has only amber lights flashing

Overtaking a bus in a school parking lot

2 / 30

The braking force required to stop a vehicle varies directly with its:

Weight and speed

Fuel type and engine size

Number of passengers

Colour and size

3 / 30

Which steering method is recommended for school bus drivers?

Push-pull steering

Palming the wheel

One-hand steering

Hand-over-hand steering

4 / 30

On a bus with an automatic transmission, what happens as the speed increases?

The transmission automatically shifts to higher gears

The transmission stays in the lowest gear

The driver must shift manually through all gears

The engine automatically shuts down at high speed

5 / 30

What steering hand positions are recommended for a school bus driver?

Left hand at 9 o’clock, right hand at 3 o’clock

Both hands at the top of the wheel

Left hand at 10 o’clock, right hand in lap

One hand at 12 o’clock only

6 / 30

Before backing during a turnaround, what must you do regarding other traffic?

Check traffic front and rear and ensure a sufficient gap exists

Turn on hazard lights and back without checking

Rely on other drivers to stop for you

Honk continuously while backing

7 / 30

How far in front of the bus should students be instructed to cross?

About 3 metres/10 feet in front, beyond the extended crossing arm

Along the right side of the bus without crossing in front

Directly in front of the bumper

At the midpoint of the crossing arm

8 / 30

Why must school bus drivers rely extensively on mirrors?

To view critical areas around the bus

To check engine performance

To avoid using shoulder checks

To reduce fuel consumption

9 / 30

When starting a bus with an automatic transmission, what is the first step listed?

Release the park brake

Depress the service brake

Depress the accelerator

Move the selector to drive

10 / 30

After deciding to pass, what is the correct sequence to enter the passing lane?

Check mirrors, activate left signal, shoulder check, then pull smoothly into the passing lane

Honk horn, then move into the passing lane

Shoulder check, move into lane, then signal

Signal, move immediately, then check mirrors

11 / 30

Stopping distance becomes greater as:

Speed decreases

Vehicle weight decreases

Speed increases

Road surface improves

12 / 30

On which type of roadway are motorists NOT required to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights on the opposite side?

Any road with a double solid line

A divided highway separated by a physical barrier

An urban street with a painted median

A two-lane rural road

13 / 30

What does The Highway Traffic Act require regarding traffic and a school bus with flashing red warning lights?

Traffic may proceed slowly if no students are visible

Only traffic in school zones must stop

All traffic must stop for school buses displaying flashing red warning lights

Only traffic behind the bus must stop

14 / 30

When executing a turnaround, what is required regarding student location?

Students may walk around the bus while it is backing up

Students may wait across the road during the turnaround

Students must always be on the bus while the turnaround is being executed

Students should stand on the shoulder to watch the manoeuvre

15 / 30

If the weight of a vehicle is doubled, to stop in the same distance the braking force must be:

Doubled

Unchanged

Tripled

Halved

16 / 30

What is the average height range of a school bus?

2.8 m to 3.2 m

4.0 m to 4.5 m

3.5 m to 4.0 m

1.5 m to 2.0 m

17 / 30

When both weight and speed of a vehicle are doubled, the braking force must be:

Increased eight times

Unchanged

Increased four times

Doubled

18 / 30

Before performing a turnaround where you will back into a road, driveway, or access, where should you first position the bus?

Two bus lengths past the driveway

One bus length ahead of the road, driveway, or access

Half a bus length before the driveway

Directly beside the driveway entrance

19 / 30

What is the school bus driver’s top priority?

Passenger safety

Vehicle cleanliness

Fuel economy

On-time arrival

20 / 30

After passing another vehicle, when is it appropriate to return to the right lane?

Immediately after passing, without signalling

After you are at least 1½-bus lengths ahead and have signalled right

As soon as your front bumper is ahead of the other vehicle

Only when the other driver flashes headlights

21 / 30

When passing, what is your responsibility regarding speed limits?

Drive at whatever speed feels safe to you

Exceed the speed limit briefly to complete the pass

Match the speed of the fastest lane

Never exceed the posted speed limit

22 / 30

Compared to an automobile, a school bus generally has:

Similar stopping distance but faster acceleration

Shorter stopping distance and faster acceleration

Shorter stopping distance and similar acceleration

Longer stopping distance and slower acceleration

23 / 30

During the loading phase at a turnaround, what must you do after students have boarded and loading is complete?

Leave the door open for better visibility

Turn off all lights and proceed at once

Close the service door to cancel red warning lights, stop arm, and crossing arm, and allow traffic to clear

Begin backing immediately with lights still activated

24 / 30

For better fuel economy, drivers should:

Avoid quick acceleration and extended engine idling periods

Use lower gears at all times

Accelerate quickly to reach cruising speed

Idle the engine to keep it warm at all times

25 / 30

On a two-lane roadway, what must you check before passing?

That the shoulder is wide enough to use

That your bus can exceed the speed limit briefly

That the vehicle ahead has slowed to a near stop

That there is no oncoming traffic and passing is allowed by signs and road markings

26 / 30

If an approaching vehicle does not appear to be stopping while students must cross the roadway, what should the driver do?

Turn off the warning lights to avoid confusion

Keep the students on the bus until it is safe to unload

Have students cross more quickly

Wave at the vehicle to slow down

27 / 30

If the speed of a vehicle is doubled, to stop in the same distance the braking force must be:

Tripled

Increased four times

Doubled

Unchanged

28 / 30

During unloading at a turnaround, when should you unload the students?

After executing the turnaround and safely re-entering the roadway, following unloading procedures

Before performing the turnaround so they can guide you

While the bus is turning back onto the roadway

While the bus is backing into the driveway

29 / 30

To drive a school bus safely and efficiently, this handbook should be used together with:

The air brake handbook only

Municipal bylaws only

The Manitoba Driver’s Handbook and the Professional Driver’s Manual

The vehicle owner’s manual only

30 / 30

What is the correct method for backing into a road, driveway, or access during a turnaround?

Back while looking only through the interior mirror

Back with your eyes on the dashboard instruments

Back without mirrors, using only side windows

Back using the outside rear-view mirrors

Your score is

Topics covered include proper use of mirrors, defensive driving techniques, maintaining safe following distances, and effective braking methods. Candidates must also demonstrate awareness of road signs, signals, and right-of-way rules. Mastery of these fundamentals ensures drivers can safely navigate various traffic conditions and protect their passengers. Passing this section is vital for anyone seeking to become a certified school bus driver in Manitoba, as it lays the foundation for advanced driving skills.