Chapter 3-4: Safe and responsible driving

Practicing with free Ontario bus driver test questions from the “Safe and Responsible Driving” chapter is essential for future bus drivers. This chapter focuses on defensive driving habits, hazard recognition, and responsible choices behind the wheel.

Ontario Bus Driver - Chapter 3-4: Safe and responsible driving

1 / 30

If the fog is too dense to continue, what is the safest action?

Turn off all lights and wait in the lane

Drive on the shoulder at normal speed

Pull completely off the road into a safe parking area and turn on emergency flashers with low beams

Stop in your lane with hazard lights on

2 / 30

It is illegal to:

Use your signal when pulling over

Pull over to the right for an emergency vehicle

Stop for an emergency vehicle

Follow within 150 metres of a fire vehicle or ambulance responding to a call

3 / 30

When you see a personal vehicle with a flashing green light responding to an emergency, you should:

Ignore the light

Follow closely behind

Yield the right-of-way to help them reach the emergency quickly and safely

Block the lane to slow them down

4 / 30

What is hydroplaning?

When windshield wipers move too fast

When tires ride on top of water like water skis, reducing control

When brakes overheat on dry pavement

When the engine stalls in cold weather

5 / 30

When driving in rain, how should you adjust your driving?

Maintain highway speed to keep moving water away

Drive slowly enough to be able to stop within the distance you can see

Follow the vehicle ahead very closely

Use only your parking lights to reduce glare

6 / 30

What should you NOT do in fog?

Stop on the travelled portion of the road

Slow down gradually

Use low-beam headlights

Reduce distractions

7 / 30

A particular distraction risk for school-bus drivers is:

Low seat position

High levels of noise and activity inside the bus

Lack of mirrors

No power steering

8 / 30

The safest way to use a cell phone while driving is to:

Hold it in one hand while steering with the other

Pull over and park to use it, have a passenger take the call, or let it go to voicemail

Keep it on your lap and glance at it often

Use it only in heavy traffic

9 / 30

After an emergency vehicle passes, you should:

Change lanes several times

Immediately pull out without looking

Check that the way is clear and signal before merging back into traffic

Follow directly behind it

10 / 30

Failing to pull over and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle can result in:

A conviction and a fine

Automatic licence cancellation every time

No consequence if traffic is heavy

A friendly warning only

11 / 30

To reduce distraction from vehicle controls, you should:

Adjust controls continuously while driving

Test every control while in motion

Identify and preset climate and audio settings before driving

Turn controls off and ignore comfort

12 / 30

On a road with two or more lanes, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights, you must:

Stop and wait until it leaves

Stay in the same lane at normal speed

Move over into another lane to leave one-lane clearance if safe

Pass on the shoulder

13 / 30

Commercial drivers may use a two-way radio if:

A passenger holds it for them

They hold it in their hand at all times

They rest it on their lap

The microphone is securely mounted within easy reach

14 / 30

On freeways, when an emergency vehicle is coming with lights or siren on, you must not:

Reduce your speed

Drive on or block the shoulder

Use your turn signals

Change lanes to the right

15 / 30

What happens to road surfaces when rain first begins to fall?

They provide more traction

They immediately flood

They become slippery

They do not change

16 / 30

If a driver must take their eyes off the road to address a behavioural issue on a bus:

The passengers become more alert

The bus becomes safer

There is a greater risk of a collision

The road becomes less busy

17 / 30

To reduce driver distractions before driving, you should:

Eat a meal while driving

Attend to personal grooming and plan your route before you leave

Decide your route while driving

Groom yourself while stopped at lights

18 / 30

Why is driving on flooded roads dangerous?

Water may prevent your brakes from working

It increases engine temperature

It only affects fuel economy

It makes steering easier

19 / 30

Even with driver-assistance features, you can still be charged because:

You are expected to be in care and control and able to take over immediately

The law does not apply to such vehicles

The system is fully responsible for driving

The car drives itself completely

20 / 30

A flashing green light on a personal vehicle may indicate:

A vehicle with mechanical problems

A taxi in service

A driving student

A firefighter or volunteer medical responder going to an emergency

21 / 30

To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, what should you do?

Have good tires with deep tread and slow down on wet roads

Drive in the outermost lane only

Use cruise control in heavy rain

Inflate your tires beyond the recommended pressure

22 / 30

A key reminder about distraction is:

Brief distractions are always harmless

Distractions are only risky for new drivers

A split-second distraction can result in injury or even death

Only long distractions are risky

23 / 30

When you see a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights on your side of the road, you must:

Maintain normal speed

Turn off your headlights

Slow down and pass with caution

Stop completely every time

24 / 30

After driving through a flooded stretch of road, what should you do to test and dry your brakes?

When safe, stop quickly and firmly at 50 km/h to ensure the vehicle stops straight

Drive at high speed without braking

Pump the gas pedal repeatedly

Turn the engine off while moving

25 / 30

What should you do if your windshield wiper blades do not clean the glass without streaking?

Use only washer fluid

Turn them off

Replace them

Wipe the windshield only by hand while driving

26 / 30

In addition to specific “distracted driving” penalties, a driver not paying full attention can be charged with:

Speeding only

Parking violations only

Careless driving or dangerous driving

No additional offences

27 / 30

Why should you avoid driving in puddles?

They clean your tires

They cool your brakes

They improve traction

They can hide potholes and the spray can obstruct vision or harm others

28 / 30

Using non-hands-free cellular phones while driving is:

Allowed on rural roads only

Allowed if traffic is light

Allowed at low speed

Prohibited and subject to fines and other penalties

29 / 30

A possible penalty for failing to slow down and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck is:

Only a small administrative fee

Mandatory vehicle confiscation with no fine

A fine, demerit points, licence suspension, and possibly jail time

Only a verbal warning

30 / 30

Before pulling over for an emergency vehicle, you should:

Check mirrors, look in front and both sides, and allow others to pull over

Only look straight ahead

Stop without checking mirrors

Only watch the emergency vehicle

Your score is

The practice questions help candidates understand key topics such as safe following distances, handling distractions, and responding appropriately in emergencies. By regularly using these free test questions, aspiring drivers can identify their strengths and address areas that need improvement. This preparation not only boosts confidence for the official exam but also promotes safer, more responsible driving practices essential for Ontario’s roads and communities.