Outside a designated loading area or passenger-free garage, an Arizona school bus needs to back beside school grounds. What assistance does the rule require?
Correct answer: An authorized person at the rear, visible to the driver, directing it.
The person directing this backing procedure must be authorized by the driver and stand at the rear in the driver's view. Designated loading areas must be arranged to prevent backing; the rule separately excepts passenger-free garages or storage areas.
Source: R13-13-104(B)(12)-(13): loading-area design and directed backing. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An Arizona school bus has no automatic alarm that sounds while backing. What warning must the driver give immediately before backing?
Correct answer: Sound the horn to warn motorists and pedestrians.
The rule requires the horn immediately before backing unless an automatic backing alarm provides the stated exception. A warning does not replace checking clearance and using any required guide.
Source: R13-13-104(B)(14): horn before backing and automatic-alarm exception. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An empty Arizona school bus approaches a railroad grade crossing where no police officer or traffic control signal is directing the bus to proceed. Does being empty remove its school-bus stopping duty?
Correct answer: No; the Arizona school-bus rule includes buses without passengers.
DPS's November 2025 checklist includes school buses with or without passengers, while recognizing direction by an officer or traffic control signal. Neither is directing the bus to proceed here. An empty bus is not automatically exempt from stopping.
Source: DPS 802-03217 Pre-Trip Inspection, Rev. 11/25, physical page 1: Railroad Crossings, third bullet (empty buses and directing officer or signal). ↗
An Arizona school bus has a noise-suppression switch. At a required railroad stop with no officer directing traffic, what should the driver do to check for a train?
Correct answer: Suppress noise and fully open the service door and left window.
Activate the noise-suppression switch and fully open the service door and the window to the driver's left to look and listen. Close the service door before proceeding; deactivate noise suppression after crossing the tracks.
Source: R13-13-104(B)(15)(b), (d): sound reduction, openings and closing before crossing. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An ordinary Arizona roadside student stop would be 150 feet from a railroad grade crossing. It is not a railroad station or a road paralleling the tracks. Is that location permitted?
Correct answer: No; loading or unloading within 200 feet is prohibited here.
The school-bus rule prohibits loading or unloading within 200 feet of a railroad grade crossing, with the stated station and parallel-highway exceptions. Those exceptions do not apply to this scenario.
Source: DPS 802-03217 Pre-Trip Inspection, Rev. 11/25, physical page 1: Railroad Crossings, final bullet (200-foot loading rule and exceptions). ↗
A wheelchair has been attached to an Arizona school bus's wheelchair securement system. What additional restraint requirement remains?
Correct answer: The passenger must also be secured with the required restraint system.
The driver must secure both the wheelchair and the wheelchair passenger using the required systems. Securing the chair alone does not secure its occupant.
Source: R13-13-104(B)(16): secure both the wheelchair and the passenger. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
Which footwear meets the Arizona school-bus rule's basic design requirement, assuming it does not interfere with safe driving or other duties?
Correct answer: Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes.
The driver must wear closed-toe, closed-heel footwear that does not interfere with safe bus operation or other driver duties. Closed construction alone does not make an unsuitable shoe safe.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(2): closed-toe, closed-heel noninterfering footwear. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An Arizona interstate is posted at 75 mph. Under the school-bus operational rule, what is the bus's maximum speed before allowing for lower safe speeds required by conditions?
Correct answer: 65 mph.
The school-bus interstate limit is 65 mph or the posted limit, whichever is lower. Weather, traffic or other hazards may require a speed below that ceiling.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(3): 65 mph or the lower posted interstate limit. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
Which fueling setup meets the Arizona school-bus rule's restrictions?
Correct answer: Outdoors, engine off, with passengers off the bus.
The bus must not be fueled in a closed building, with its engine running, or while passengers are aboard. Each restriction applies; satisfying only one or two is insufficient.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(10): closed-building, engine-running and passenger prohibitions. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
A large instrument case fits on an Arizona school bus only by blocking part of an emergency exit. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Require a safe arrangement that leaves aisles and exits unobstructed.
Musical or athletic equipment must not block an aisle or emergency exit. It also must be controlled or secured and kept out of the driver's compartment and step-well; it cannot displace seating needed by a passenger.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(22), (34): musical equipment and unobstructed exits. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
After how much continuous driving must an Arizona school-bus driver stop to check the wheels and tires under the school-bus rule?
Correct answer: After two continuous hours.
The rule requires a stop after every two continuous hours to check wheels and tires for wear, damage and inflation. It does not replace the checks required before operating the bus.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(26): wheels and tires after two continuous hours. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An Arizona school-bus driver proposes making a personal hands-free phone call while operating the bus. Does hands-free operation make that call acceptable under the school-bus rule?
Correct answer: No; the device restriction also covers hands-free personal calls.
The school-bus rule prohibits the listed interactive wireless devices whether or not hands-free. Its separate two-way voice-system provision is for assisting passenger transportation, not a general exception for personal calls.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(27)-(28): transport communication and device prohibition. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
Outside an applicable operations-check exception, an Arizona school-bus driver is leaving the compartment of a keyed, automatic-transmission bus. Which setup meets the rule?
Correct answer: Set the parking brake, select park or neutral, turn off and remove the key.
The automatic bus must have its parking brake set, transmission in park or neutral, and ignition off with its key removed. The rule separately specifies first or reverse for a standard transmission and power deactivation for a keyless ignition.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(29): securement, transmission types and ignition. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
After unloading, an Arizona bus appears empty and its child-alert procedure has been completed. Is the driver excused from inspecting the interior?
Correct answer: No; the driver must also inspect for passengers and belongings.
The physical interior inspection and any required child-alert procedures are additional duties, not alternatives. Check every time unloading appears to leave no passengers aboard.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(30): interior inspection in addition to child-alert procedures. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
What minimum evacuation-drill participation does the Arizona school-bus rule require from each school-bus driver every school year?
Correct answer: At least two evacuation drills each school year.
Each school-bus driver must participate in at least two drills during every school year. The school's drills also include passengers present that day and instruction on exits, emergency equipment, safe movement and orderly conduct.
Source: R13-13-104(D)(31): twice-yearly drills and driver participation. DPS-linked Minimum Standards, Supp. 26-2 (June 30, 2026). Complete R13-13-104(B)/(D), surrounding exceptions and section history checked October 1, 2026; Article 1 school buses, not separate Article 3 vehicles. ↗
An Arizona school bus is involved in an accident. Alongside obtaining needed emergency assistance and notifying the appropriate law enforcement, when must the driver report it to the employer?
Correct answer: Immediately.
DPS directs the driver to report to the employer immediately. The employer then promptly notifies DPS by telephone and submits written verification within 72 hours of that telephone notification; the written deadline does not postpone the driver's report.
Source: DPS Student Transportation: School Bus Accident Reporting Procedures, steps 1-4. ↗
