Unit D-3: Driving Fundamentals

The “Driving Fundamentals” section of the Manitoba School Bus License Test is essential for ensuring that applicants understand the basic principles of safe bus operation.

Manitoba School Bus Test - Unit D-3: Driving Fundamentals

1 / 30

What is meant by the “eight lamp warning system” on Manitoba school buses?

Eight amber lamps around the sides of the bus

Two white and six red lamps around the bus

Four red lamps at the front and four at the rear

Two amber and two red flashing lamps at the front and rear of the bus

2 / 30

After completing a left turn onto a multi-lane highway, what should you do when it is safe?

Accelerate and move into the right lane as soon as possible, signalling the lane change

Stop in the left lane to check traffic

Move immediately to the shoulder

Stay in the left lane at all times

3 / 30

Before making a right turn, where should you position the bus in the lane?

Straddling the centre line

One to two metres from the right edge of the lane/curb

As close as possible to the left curb

In the centre of the roadway

4 / 30

If the push-pull steering method feels too slow, what does that indicate?

The steering system is defective

The steering wheel is too small

You are travelling too fast around the turn

You should switch to hand-over-hand steering

5 / 30

If traffic builds up behind you and a regular stop is not imminent, what should you do?

Turn on hazard lights and continue at the same speed

Signal right, pull as far off the roadway as possible, stop, let vehicles pass, then signal left and re-enter

Move to the left lane and increase speed

Wave vehicles around you without pulling over

6 / 30

What is the first step when you must change lanes?

Move into the new lane, then signal

Speed up without signalling to create a gap

Signal your intent

Rely only on your mirrors without signalling

7 / 30

How far must motorists stop from a school bus displaying flashing red warning lights and stop arm?

Any distance, as long as they slow down

No less than 5 metres/16 feet from the bus

At least one car length from the bus

Exactly 3 metres/10 feet from the bus

8 / 30

Before opening the service door to unload students, what must you do?

Ask students to stand in the aisle

Release the parking brake

Turn off the engine

Check all mirrors to ensure traffic has stopped

9 / 30

What should drivers use to help see the danger zones around the bus?

Only the interior rear-view mirror

The outside convex mirrors

Only hand signals from students

The stop arm camera

10 / 30

When approaching a designated route stop under ideal road conditions, when should you begin to slow the bus down?

Only when you reach the exact stop location

A minimum of 45 metres/150 feet from the stop

A minimum of 90 metres/300 feet from the stop

As soon as you see students near the stop

11 / 30

What must the driver ensure when approaching and leaving a bus stop?

That all windows are closed

That students are seated in assigned seats

That other motorists are stopping until it is safe for students to proceed

That only the interior lights are on

12 / 30

When rounding a right-hand curve, where should you position the bus in your lane?

As far right as possible, near the shoulder

Close to the left edge of your lane

Close to the centre of your lane, using the full width of the lane

Straddling the lane line

13 / 30

When being overtaken and passed and there is no hazard, what should you do?

Slow down abruptly to create space

Move to the left lane to give more room

Speed up to prevent being passed

Stay in the right lane and maintain speed

14 / 30

What must a driver do with the warning lamp master control switch at a railway crossing if opening the door automatically operates the red warning lamps and stop arm?

Flash the amber lights only

Turn off the warning lamp master control switch before opening the door

Leave the warning lamp master control switch on at all times

Turn on the eight-lamp system to warn other drivers

15 / 30

On highways, when should you activate your turn signal before turning?

Only when slowing down

At least 30 metres (100 feet) before the turn

At least 150 metres (500 feet) before the turn

Only if turning left

16 / 30

At a railway crossing, how far must a school bus stop from the nearest rail in a restricted speed area?

Exactly 20 metres/66 feet

Not less than 10 metres/32 feet

Not less than 15 metres/50 feet

Not less than 5 metres/16 feet

17 / 30

What are the “danger zones” around a school bus?

The left side of the bus only

Areas around the bus that cannot be readily seen by the driver

Only the area directly in front of the bus

Only the area directly behind the bus

18 / 30

How should the bus be positioned when stopping to unload passengers?

Slightly left of the lane centre to deter passing

In any position that is quickest to stop

In the centre of the roadway to control traffic

As far to the right side of the road as practical

19 / 30

When making a right turn, into which lane should you enter?

The right-most lane available

The left-most lane available

The centre lane only

Any lane that is open

20 / 30

When students must cross the roadway after unloading, where should they first walk to?

To the middle of the lane behind the bus

Directly behind the bus and then across the road

To the opposite shoulder without stopping

Approximately 3 metres/10 feet in front of the bus where the driver can see them

21 / 30

After students have crossed the roadway, when should the driver close the service door?

As soon as traffic begins to move again

Once all departing passengers have reached a safe location

Immediately after the last student steps onto the roadway

Before students step off the bus

22 / 30

In urban areas, when should you activate your turn signal before making a right or left turn?

Only if there is traffic behind you

Only as you begin the turn

At least 30 metres (100 feet) before the turn

At least 5 metres before the turn

23 / 30

Before changing lanes, what must you ensure regarding your blind spot?

That only small vehicles are in the blind spot

That at least one vehicle is in the blind spot

That mirrors are adjusted so blind spots don’t matter

That no vehicle is in the blind spot

24 / 30

What is a key safety principle to remember at railway crossings?

The bus can outrun a slow-moving train

Trains always have the right-of-way

The stop is optional if there are no passengers

Buses may proceed if no train is visible within 1 km

25 / 30

What is the primary rule regarding the eight-lamp warning system?

It is used only when loading or unloading passengers

It must be used at railway crossings

It can be used to signal any hazard on the road

It must be on whenever the bus is stopped

26 / 30

What is the best practice when approaching a curve that may be too fast to handle safely?

Shift into neutral in the curve

Brake hard in the middle of the curve

Accelerate into the curve

Decelerate and brake, if necessary, before entering the curve

27 / 30

Before making a left turn, how should you position the bus in your lane?

To the left edge of the lane

To the right edge of the lane

In the exact centre of the road

Partially in the oncoming lane

28 / 30

What should you do at the same time as you begin slowing the bus for a stop?

Turn on the hazard lights

Activate the amber warning lights

Open the service door to signal your intent

Activate the red warning lights immediately

29 / 30

If you must stop while waiting to make a left turn, how should you hold the steering wheel?

Keep the front wheels straight and the brake pedal depressed

Turn the wheels to the right and apply the accelerator

Turn the wheels to the left and release the brake

Keep the wheels turned left and use the park brake only

30 / 30

When considering overtaking and passing, when should you NOT pass a lead vehicle?

When there is a wide shoulder available

When it is travelling slightly below the speed limit

When it is signalling a left turn or changing lanes, or passing pedestrians, cyclists, or animals

When the weather is clear and dry

Your score is

This portion of the test evaluates knowledge of crucial driving skills such as using mirrors effectively, maintaining safe following distances, and proper steering and braking techniques. It also covers awareness of traffic signs, signals, and right-of-way rules. By mastering these concepts, drivers demonstrate their ability to handle a school bus safely in various traffic situations. Success in this section is critical for earning a school bus license in Manitoba, as it reflects a strong foundation in safe driving practices.