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

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

Decide capacity based on comfort

Exceed capacity only on rural routes

Never load the bus beyond its licensed capacity

Allow standing passengers if trips are short

2 / 30

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

The bus has a mechanical problem

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

The bus is traveling at highway speed

The bus is out of service

3 / 30

Where should you stop to load or unload passengers?

On the shoulder whenever possible

On the travelled portion of the roadway, not the shoulder

Partly on the sidewalk

In the nearest parking lot

4 / 30

When should all passengers be seated?

Before you move the bus again

Only before turning left

Only when the principal is on board

Only on highways

5 / 30

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

The bus is entering a highway

The bus is about to change lanes

The bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers

The bus is backing up

6 / 30

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

On the opposite side of the intersection only

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

At least 100 metres away from the intersection

In the middle of the intersection

7 / 30

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

Until at least one minute has passed

Only until the first child reaches the sidewalk

Until all passengers who must cross the highway have done so

Until traffic becomes heavy

8 / 30

What should the driver do before driving off after unloading?

Accelerate quickly to clear the area

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

Sound the horn twice and drive away

Turn off all interior lights immediately

9 / 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?

At least 60 metres away

At least 5 metres into the intersection

Exactly at the stop line

No more than 10 metres away

10 / 30

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

At a right angle to the bus, never diagonally

Parallel to the bus

In any direction as long as they hurry

Diagonally for a shorter distance

11 / 30

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

Wear brightly coloured clothing

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

Look out the windows

Speak to the driver at any time

12 / 30

What should passengers do upon entering the bus?

Stand in the aisle until the bus moves

Walk around greeting other students first

Go directly to their seats and sit down

Sit on the steps near the door

13 / 30

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

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

Use only the amber lights in the zone

Always operate the red flashing lights in the zone

Use warning lights only during bad weather

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 start sign of the loading zone

Inside the boundaries of the loading zone

At the end sign of the loading zone

15 / 30

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

Clear for at least 30 metres (100 ft.)

Clear for at least 10 metres (33 ft.)

Clear for at least 60 metres (200 ft.)

Clear for at least 150 metres (500 ft.)

16 / 30

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

Assist with engine inspections

Direct traffic at all intersections

Help prevent the driver from hitting children in blind areas

Collect fares from passengers

17 / 30

When should you turn on the flashing overhead amber lights?

As you approach a stop to load or unload passengers

Only when requested by the school principal

Only if visibility is poor

Only after the passengers have boarded

18 / 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 school buses manufactured before 2005

School buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2005

Only city transit buses

19 / 30

When should passengers leave their seats?

Only after the bus has come to a full stop

When other students stand up

Whenever they see their stop ahead

As the bus is slowing down

20 / 30

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

All students are holding their books

All students are in a single file

All traffic has stopped

The interior lights are off

21 / 30

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

They enhance safety when used and trained properly

They reduce fuel consumption

They eliminate the need for driver training

They allow the bus to go faster

22 / 30

What are school-bus loading zones?

Only areas painted yellow

Any parking lot near a school

Any shoulder wide enough for a bus

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

23 / 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

24 / 30

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

Turn off all overhead lights

Engage the overhead red lights and activate the stop arm

Sound the horn continuously

Lower the windows on the right side

25 / 30

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

Use them only in poor weather

Do not activate them

Activate them at all red lights

Use them only when turning left

26 / 30

Where should you NOT load or unload passengers?

Near a school driveway entrance on a flat road

On a straight, level road

On a steep grade or curve

In a clearly marked loading zone

27 / 30

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

Cross one at a time without waiting

Cross behind the bus in small groups

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

28 / 30

Where should passengers leaving the vehicle cross the roadway?

Alongside the bus close to its body

Diagonally from the back door

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

Behind the bus where it is quieter

29 / 30

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

Partly blocking a crosswalk

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

At an angle across several lanes

In the centre of the roadway

30 / 30

When are school-bus passengers most vulnerable?

When the bus is parked at the depot

When the bus is being refueled

When loading and unloading

When the bus is cruising on the highway

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.