Chapter 3: Loading and unloading passengers

Loading and unloading passengers on a school bus requires careful attention to safety procedures.

Ontario School Bus Test - Chapter 3: Loading and unloading passengers

1 / 30

What are school-bus loading zones?

Any shoulder wide enough for a bus

Areas of a roadway or school driveway designated by signs as loading/unloading zones

Any parking lot near a school

Only areas painted yellow

2 / 30

Where should you NOT load or unload passengers?

On a steep grade or curve

Near a school driveway entrance on a flat road

On a straight, level road

In a clearly marked loading zone

3 / 30

What is indicated by flashing overhead red lights on a school bus?

The bus is backing up

The bus is about to change lanes

The bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers

The bus is entering a highway

4 / 30

How should you position the bus in a school-bus loading zone?

Close to the right curb or edge of the roadway between the zone signs

Partly blocking a crosswalk

At an angle across several lanes

In the centre of the roadway

5 / 30

As of July 1, 2022, which buses in Ontario must operate an Eight Lamp Amber-Red Warning System?

All vehicles over 4,500 kg

Only city transit buses

School buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2005

Only school buses manufactured before 2005

6 / 30

What is indicated by flashing overhead amber lights on a school bus?

The bus is traveling at highway speed

The bus has a mechanical problem

The bus is out of service

The bus is coming to a stop to pick up or drop off passengers

7 / 30

When may passengers enter or leave the bus?

Whenever traffic is light

Whenever the door is open

When the bus slows below 10 km/h

Only when it is not moving

8 / 30

Regarding bus capacity, what is the driver required to do?

Exceed capacity only on rural routes

Decide capacity based on comfort

Allow standing passengers if trips are short

Never load the bus beyond its licensed capacity

9 / 30

What should students do when more than one student leaves the bus and must cross?

Cross behind the bus in small groups

Cross one at a time without waiting

Form a group in front of the bus on the right shoulder or curb, then look for the driver’s signal to cross

Run across as fast as possible

10 / 30

What must you do as soon as the bus has stopped for passengers?

Lower the windows on the right side

Sound the horn continuously

Turn off all overhead lights

Engage the overhead red lights and activate the stop arm

11 / 30

When are school-bus passengers most vulnerable?

When the bus is parked at the depot

When loading and unloading

When the bus is cruising on the highway

When the bus is being refueled

12 / 30

What is the main role of a “spotter” or safety patroller?

Assist with engine inspections

Help prevent the driver from hitting children in blind areas

Collect fares from passengers

Direct traffic at all intersections

13 / 30

When should you turn on the flashing overhead amber lights?

Only when requested by the school principal

Only after the passengers have boarded

As you approach a stop to load or unload passengers

Only if visibility is poor

14 / 30

Where must you NOT stop to load or unload passengers in relation to a loading zone?

On the opposite side of the highway from a school-bus loading zone

At the end sign of the loading zone

At the start sign of the loading zone

Inside the boundaries of the loading zone

15 / 30

What must passengers NOT do regarding the driver’s view?

Obstruct the driver’s vision to the front, sides, or rear

Look out the windows

Wear brightly coloured clothing

Speak to the driver at any time

16 / 30

Where should you stop to load or unload passengers?

Partly on the sidewalk

On the travelled portion of the roadway, not the shoulder

On the shoulder whenever possible

In the nearest parking lot

17 / 30

When loading or unloading at traffic-signal lights, how should you use the upper, alternating red flashing lights and stop arm?

Activate them at all red lights

Use them only when turning left

Do not activate them

Use them only in poor weather

18 / 30

What should passengers do upon entering the bus?

Walk around greeting other students first

Stand in the aisle until the bus moves

Sit on the steps near the door

Go directly to their seats and sit down

19 / 30

Before loading or unloading, what should your view of the road be in each direction?

Clear for at least 150 metres (500 ft.)

Clear for at least 30 metres (100 ft.)

Clear for at least 10 metres (33 ft.)

Clear for at least 60 metres (200 ft.)

20 / 30

What should the driver do before driving off after unloading?

Turn off all interior lights immediately

Accelerate quickly to clear the area

Sound the horn twice and drive away

Check the convex cross-over mirrors to ensure no passengers are crossing in front of the bus

21 / 30

Where should passengers leaving the vehicle cross the roadway?

Diagonally from the back door

Behind the bus where it is quieter

Alongside the bus close to its body

Only in front of the bus, about three metres (10 ft.) from the front, using the safety crossing arm as a guide

22 / 30

When should all passengers be seated?

Only on highways

Only when the principal is on board

Before you move the bus again

Only before turning left

23 / 30

How should passengers cross the roadway in relation to the bus?

At a right angle to the bus, never diagonally

Diagonally for a shorter distance

In any direction as long as they hurry

Parallel to the bus

24 / 30

When should passengers leave their seats?

Whenever they see their stop ahead

As the bus is slowing down

Only after the bus has come to a full stop

When other students stand up

25 / 30

If you must use the flashing red lights and stop arm near an intersection with traffic-signal lights, how far from the intersection should you stop?

No more than 10 metres away

At least 5 metres into the intersection

Exactly at the stop line

At least 60 metres away

26 / 30

How long must you remain stopped with red lights flashing and the stop arm activated?

Until traffic becomes heavy

Until all passengers who must cross the highway have done so

Until at least one minute has passed

Only until the first child reaches the sidewalk

27 / 30

As a final step in loading passengers, what must you ensure before signalling students to board?

All students are holding their books

All traffic has stopped

All students are in a single file

The interior lights are off

28 / 30

What is a key benefit of newly developed safety equipment (mirrors, motion detectors, crossing barriers, perimeter braking systems)?

They eliminate the need for driver training

They enhance safety when used and trained properly

They allow the bus to go faster

They reduce fuel consumption

29 / 30

Which of the following is a rule for school-bus loading zones?

Use only the amber lights in the zone

Do not operate the flashing lights and stop arm within a school-bus loading zone

Use warning lights only during bad weather

Always operate the red flashing lights in the zone

30 / 30

Where should you stop when loading or unloading at traffic-signal lights?

In the middle of the intersection

As close as possible to the intersection, near the curb or edge of the roadway

At least 100 metres away from the intersection

On the opposite side of the intersection only

Your score is

The driver must stop in a safe, designated area, activate flashing lights, and extend the stop arm before students board or exit. Students should wait until the bus has stopped completely and only approach when signaled by the driver. While unloading, children must cross in front of the bus, never behind, and maintain eye contact with the driver. The driver must check mirrors and surroundings to ensure all students are safely clear before moving. Following these steps helps prevent accidents and ensures a secure journey for every passenger.