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Maryland CDL school buses

State-law questions identify the Maryland requirement. COMAR questions concern covered local-school-system transportation; local procedures may be stricter. Handbook recommendations are not presented as separate state laws. Maryland student transportation rules

Maryland CDL school buses

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Question 1 of 64
  1. 1. For a new school-bus endorsement, what must an applicant do in addition to the school-bus knowledge test?
  2. 2. A child disappears beside your stopped bus. Which area needs attention?
  3. 3. You take over a school bus from a taller driver. What should happen before you operate it?
  4. 4. What should properly adjusted outside flat mirrors show on a school bus?
  5. 5. A vehicle looks small in a school bus's convex mirror. What must the driver remember?
  6. 6. During a mirror check, which view belongs in the outside convex mirrors?
  7. 7. Which mirror system helps reveal a child directly in front of the bus below normal direct sight?
  8. 8. How should crossover-mirror coverage meet the area you can see directly ahead?
  9. 9. Can the overhead inside mirror replace exterior checks before you leave a student stop?
  10. 10. A parent asks you to move tomorrow’s bus stop to another driveway. What does the Maryland CDL handbook direct?
  11. 11. As you slow for a student stop, when should you check for children and traffic?
  12. 12. Under Maryland’s statute, what is the minimum advance distance for amber warning lights at an ordinary on-roadway student stop where no exception applies?
  13. 13. Under the Maryland CDL handbook’s recommended approach, how far should the stopped front bumper be from waiting students?
  14. 14. According to the Maryland CDL handbook, how should you secure the bus at a student stop before boarding?
  15. 15. The red loading lights are flashing. What must you confirm before fully opening the door and signaling children to approach?
  16. 16. How should students board after you give the signal?
  17. 17. Six children were waiting, but you counted five boarding. What is the correct response?
  18. 18. Everyone you first saw at the stop is seated. Why check the mirrors again before departure?
  19. 19. When are newly boarded students ready for the bus to depart?
  20. 20. At a drop-off stop, when should students leave their seats?
  21. 21. A student drops a notebook close to a bus wheel. What should the student do?
  22. 22. Why watch a student's clothing and backpack while the student steps off?
  23. 23. Before crossing in front of the bus, where should a student wait for the driver's signal?
  24. 24. A student has crossed in front of the bus to its left edge. What comes next?
  25. 25. One unloading student is no longer visible and you cannot account for them. What should you do?
  26. 26. You have driven past a student's assigned stop. What should you do?
  27. 27. On a four-lane highway, how must a Maryland public-school route arrange student pickup and discharge?
  28. 28. An approved Maryland public-school on-highway loading zone is completely off the roadway. What minimum width does COMAR specify?
  29. 29. At an approved Maryland public-school on-highway or off-highway loading zone, which signals are used for safe entry and exit?
  30. 30. A Maryland school vehicle carries an adult passenger but no children. At a railroad crossing with no applicable exception, does §21-703(a)(2) still require its special stop?
  31. 31. At a Maryland railroad crossing where your school vehicle must stop under §21-703, how far from the nearest rail should it stop?
  32. 32. What does the Maryland CDL handbook recommend for hazard lights on approach to a school-bus railroad stop?
  33. 33. At the required rail stop, how should you prepare to look and listen?
  34. 34. After the required stop, your Maryland school vehicle can safely cross the railroad tracks. What does the statute require about manual gear changes?
  35. 35. Using the Maryland CDL handbook’s general storage-space guideline, what room should be available beyond a crossing before committing the bus?
  36. 36. Using the handbook’s procedure at one multiple-track crossing, what should you do after stopping and verifying every track is clear?
  37. 37. Under Maryland §21-703, what does an official exempt highway–rail grade crossing plaque change?
  38. 38. A train clears one track, but the red lights continue flashing at a multi-track crossing. What should you do?
  39. 39. Your school bus stalls on the tracks and cannot clear them promptly. What is the priority?
  40. 40. The bus is stopped after an incident, with no immediate danger inside. How should evacuation be decided?
  41. 41. Smoke and fire threaten the bus's occupied passenger area. What should you do first?
  42. 42. The normal entrance is unsafe to use during an evacuation. What should guide your choice of another exit?
  43. 43. If time and conditions permit, how should you secure the bus before directing an emergency evacuation?
  44. 44. Why should every student learn emergency-exit procedures, even when older student helpers are assigned?
  45. 45. Once students have reached the evacuation meeting place, what must the driver establish?
  46. 46. A train is approaching a bus trapped on the rails. In which direction should evacuees move?
  47. 47. How often does Maryland’s public-school transportation regulation require school-vehicle evacuation exercises?
  48. 48. May a Maryland public-school vehicle with students aboard be routed across an uncontrolled high-speed railroad crossing?
  49. 49. A Maryland public-school bus has completed one activity trip and will make another later today. When is its post-operational check due?
  50. 50. Two students argue inside while other children are still unloading. What should your attention remain on first?
  51. 51. A passenger's behavior prevents you from safely driving the school bus. What should you do?
  52. 52. In an emergency stop with working ABS on your school bus, what should you avoid?
  53. 53. What does ABS fail to protect a school bus from?
  54. 54. Strong crosswinds begin pushing your school bus sideways. What is the appropriate response?
  55. 55. As you turn away from a curb, why check the school bus's rear overhang in the mirrors?
  56. 56. According to the Maryland CDL handbook, should a driver back a school bus while students remain outside it?
  57. 57. Where backing is permitted and truly unavoidable at a pickup, what student sequence does the Maryland CDL handbook recommend?
  58. 58. When is a preoperational check required for a Maryland public-school vehicle?
  59. 59. The route has ended and the bus seems quiet. What must the driver still do?
  60. 60. A Maryland public-school vehicle has been withdrawn from service as mechanically unsafe. What must happen before it returns to service?
  61. 61. After a school activity trip, you discover a damaged stop arm during the post-trip check. What should happen next?
  62. 62. May a routine Maryland public-school route be planned over the bus manufacturer’s rated passenger capacity?
  63. 63. A proposed Maryland public-school off-highway loading zone would require the bus to back out. Is that location acceptable under COMAR?
  64. 64. A Maryland local school system requires a safety procedure stricter than COMAR’s minimum, without conflicting with state or federal rules. Which statement is correct?
Review all 64 questions with answers

  1. For a new school-bus endorsement, what must an applicant do in addition to the school-bus knowledge test?

    Correct answer: Qualify for P and pass the required school-bus driving test.

    The S endorsement requires qualification for the passenger endorsement and a driving skills test in a school bus of the appropriate vehicle group. Practice quizzes do not satisfy these licensing or training requirements.

    Source: 49 CFR 383.123(a); official eCFR text displayed current through September 10, 2026; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  2. A child disappears beside your stopped bus. Which area needs attention?

    Correct answer: The danger zones around every side of the bus.

    Children can be hidden close to the front, sides or rear. The left side also exposes them to passing traffic; a single mirror view is not a complete check.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.1; physical PDF page 254 (printed 254); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  3. You take over a school bus from a taller driver. What should happen before you operate it?

    Correct answer: Check and adjust each mirror for your own seated view.

    Mirror coverage depends on the driver's position. Check all mirrors before operation and have any inadequate view corrected.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.2; physical PDF page 255 (printed 255); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  4. What should properly adjusted outside flat mirrors show on a school bus?

    Correct answer: Bus sides, rear tires at ground level and traffic behind.

    Flat mirrors help monitor side clearances and rear traffic. They do not remove the close-in blind spots in front of or behind the bus.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.3; physical PDF page 256 (printed 256); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  5. A vehicle looks small in a school bus's convex mirror. What must the driver remember?

    Correct answer: Its apparent size and distance can be distorted.

    Convex mirrors widen the viewing area but distort apparent size and distance. Use them together with the other mirrors and direct observation.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.4; physical PDF page 256 (printed 256); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  6. During a mirror check, which view belongs in the outside convex mirrors?

    Correct answer: The bus sides and at least one adjacent lane on each side.

    The handbook calls for side coverage up to the mirror mounts, the front of the rear tires touching the ground, and an adjacent lane on each side.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.4; physical PDF page 257 (printed 257); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  7. Which mirror system helps reveal a child directly in front of the bus below normal direct sight?

    Correct answer: The outside crossover mirrors.

    Crossover mirrors cover the front bumper danger zone and areas near the front wheels and service door. They supplement direct vision rather than replacing the other mirrors.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.5; physical PDF page 257 (printed 257); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  8. How should crossover-mirror coverage meet the area you can see directly ahead?

    Correct answer: The mirror view and direct view should overlap.

    Overlapping views help avoid an unseen gap in the front danger zone. Proper adjustment includes the front bumper area at ground level and the front tires.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.5; physical PDF page 258 (printed 258); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  9. Can the overhead inside mirror replace exterior checks before you leave a student stop?

    Correct answer: No; it primarily monitors the passenger compartment.

    The interior mirror is mainly for observing students. Its limited rear view and blind spots do not replace the exterior mirror checks for traffic and children.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.1.6, continued on page 259; physical PDF page 258 (printed 258); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  10. A parent asks you to move tomorrow’s bus stop to another driveway. What does the Maryland CDL handbook direct?

    Correct answer: Obtain written approval from the school district before changing the stop.

    The handbook directs drivers not to change a stop location without written district approval. Use approved routes and stops rather than accepting an informal request; follow the local authorization procedure.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.1; physical PDF page 259 (printed 259); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  11. As you slow for a student stop, when should you check for children and traffic?

    Correct answer: Before, during and after bringing the bus to a stop.

    Approach cautiously while repeatedly scanning pedestrians, traffic and the mirrors. A situation can change while the bus is slowing or stopped.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.1; physical PDF page 259 (printed 259); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  12. Under Maryland’s statute, what is the minimum advance distance for amber warning lights at an ordinary on-roadway student stop where no exception applies?

    Correct answer: At least 100 feet before the full stop.

    Maryland’s statutory minimum is 100 feet, with red lights activated upon stopping. The CDL handbook’s generic 200-foot example is not this statutory minimum; stricter local procedures still apply.

    Source: Maryland Transportation §22-228(d); official General Assembly text checked September 15, 2026. ↗

  13. Under the Maryland CDL handbook’s recommended approach, how far should the stopped front bumper be from waiting students?

    Correct answer: At least 10 feet.

    The handbook recommends at least 10 feet so children approach a stationary bus where the driver can observe them. This is handbook guidance; comply with the approved stop and local operating procedure.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.1; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  14. According to the Maryland CDL handbook, how should you secure the bus at a student stop before boarding?

    Correct answer: Parking brake applied; transmission in neutral or park.

    The handbook calls for the parking brake to be set and the transmission in Park, or Neutral when there is no Park position. Follow the vehicle-specific and local operating procedure before students approach.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.1; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  15. The red loading lights are flashing. What must you confirm before fully opening the door and signaling children to approach?

    Correct answer: Traffic has actually stopped.

    Warning lamps and the stop arm do not physically stop a motorist. Make the final traffic check before inviting children toward the bus.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.1; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  16. How should students board after you give the signal?

    Correct answer: Slowly, single file, using the handrail.

    Orderly, single-file boarding with the handrail reduces falls and lets you observe each student. Use the dome light when darkness makes the steps harder to see.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.2; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  17. Six children were waiting, but you counted five boarding. What is the correct response?

    Correct answer: Account for the missing child before moving.

    Count students and know where each one is. Ask about a missing child and, if necessary, secure the bus and physically check around and underneath before moving.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.2; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  18. Everyone you first saw at the stop is seated. Why check the mirrors again before departure?

    Correct answer: A late-arriving child may now be approaching the bus.

    Children may run toward a bus after the original group boards. Make the final exterior checks before returning safely to traffic.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.2; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  19. When are newly boarded students ready for the bus to depart?

    Correct answer: When they are seated and facing forward.

    Wait until students are seated and facing forward, then complete the exterior and traffic checks. A clear stairwell alone does not mean they are safely settled.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.2; physical PDF page 260 (printed 260); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  20. At a drop-off stop, when should students leave their seats?

    Correct answer: After the driver tells them to unload.

    Students stay seated until the driver releases them to unload. The driver counts them off and verifies that each has moved to a safe, visible position.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.3; physical PDF page 261 (printed 261); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  21. A student drops a notebook close to a bus wheel. What should the student do?

    Correct answer: Leave it and get the driver's attention from a safe place.

    Teach students not to retrieve objects near or under the bus. They should move to safety and alert the driver so the situation can be handled with the bus secured.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.5; physical PDF page 263 (printed 263); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  22. Why watch a student's clothing and backpack while the student steps off?

    Correct answer: They can catch on the handrail or door area.

    Loose straps or clothing can snag during exit. Watch each student clear the doorway and reach a safe location before departure.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.5; physical PDF page 263 (printed 263); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  23. Before crossing in front of the bus, where should a student wait for the driver's signal?

    Correct answer: At the right edge, far enough ahead for the driver to see their feet.

    The handbook teaches moving at least 10 feet ahead to a visible position at the right edge of the roadway. Students check traffic and wait for the driver's signal; local crossing procedures also apply.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.3; the approach begins on page 261; physical PDF page 262 (printed 262); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  24. A student has crossed in front of the bus to its left edge. What comes next?

    Correct answer: Stop, check traffic and confirm it is safe to continue.

    The bus can hide approaching traffic. At its left edge the student makes another traffic check and follows the driver's crossing signal before continuing.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.3; physical PDF page 262 (printed 262); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  25. One unloading student is no longer visible and you cannot account for them. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Secure the bus, take the key and check around and underneath.

    Do not move until every student is accounted for. When an outside check is needed, secure the bus and take the key before leaving the driving compartment.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.3; physical PDF page 261 (printed 261); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  26. You have driven past a student's assigned stop. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Follow the authorized missed-stop procedure without backing to it.

    The handbook directs drivers not to back after missing a stop. Follow local procedures to arrange a safe, authorized drop-off.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.3; physical PDF page 261 (printed 261); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  27. On a four-lane highway, how must a Maryland public-school route arrange student pickup and discharge?

    Correct answer: Pick up and discharge students on the side where they reside.

    The Maryland routing rule puts these stops on the students’ residential side of a four-lane highway. Warning lamps do not replace the routing requirement.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.14C; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  28. An approved Maryland public-school on-highway loading zone is completely off the roadway. What minimum width does COMAR specify?

    Correct answer: 8½ feet.

    An on-highway loading zone must be at least 8½ feet wide and completely off the roadway. It also needs adequate waiting space and sight distance; pavement is not required.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.15B(2)(a)–(d); official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  29. At an approved Maryland public-school on-highway or off-highway loading zone, which signals are used for safe entry and exit?

    Correct answer: Turn signals, without using the eight-light loading safety system.

    COMAR distinguishes these zones from on-roadway stops: use turn signals for safe entry and exit, not the eight-light loading system. An on-highway loading zone is completely off the roadway.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.15B(2)(e), B(3)(d) and B(4); official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  30. A Maryland school vehicle carries an adult passenger but no children. At a railroad crossing with no applicable exception, does §21-703(a)(2) still require its special stop?

    Correct answer: Yes; the school-vehicle category covers any passenger.

    The statute covers a school vehicle carrying any passenger, not only children. This does not establish an exemption for an empty bus under every other rule or local procedure.

    Source: Maryland Transportation §21-703(a)(2) and (b); official General Assembly text checked September 15, 2026. ↗

  31. At a Maryland railroad crossing where your school vehicle must stop under §21-703, how far from the nearest rail should it stop?

    Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet away.

    The statutory stop is at least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail. While stopped, look and listen in both directions and proceed only when safe; the stated exceptions are separate.

    Source: Maryland Transportation §21-703(b)–(d); official General Assembly text checked September 15, 2026. ↗

  32. What does the Maryland CDL handbook recommend for hazard lights on approach to a school-bus railroad stop?

    Correct answer: Activate them approximately 200 feet before the crossing.

    This is the handbook’s recommended railroad approach warning. It is distinct from the statutory amber-light minimum at student loading stops and does not replace local crossing procedures.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.3; physical PDF page 270 (printed 270); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  33. At the required rail stop, how should you prepare to look and listen?

    Correct answer: Quiet the students and equipment, then open the door and driver window.

    Use the agreed quiet signal and turn off noise-making equipment. With the bus stopped and quiet, open the service door and operator window and check both directions for trains or on-track equipment.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.3; physical PDF page 270 (printed 270); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  34. After the required stop, your Maryland school vehicle can safely cross the railroad tracks. What does the statute require about manual gear changes?

    Correct answer: Use a suitable gear that avoids manual shifting while crossing.

    Choose the gear before crossing so manual shifting is unnecessary. Maryland expressly prohibits manually shifting gears while passing over a railroad track.

    Source: Maryland Transportation §21-703(e)–(f); official General Assembly text checked September 15, 2026. ↗

  35. Using the Maryland CDL handbook’s general storage-space guideline, what room should be available beyond a crossing before committing the bus?

    Correct answer: Room beyond the tracks for the bus plus 15 feet.

    The handbook’s general guideline adds 15 feet to the bus length. Check the usable space beyond all tracks; do not enter if queued traffic could leave part of the bus on the crossing.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.4; physical PDF page 271 (printed 271); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  36. Using the handbook’s procedure at one multiple-track crossing, what should you do after stopping and verifying every track is clear?

    Correct answer: Continue across all tracks until the bus is completely clear.

    The handbook directs a stop before the first set and, once every track is clear, continuous travel until the bus clears all tracks. This is not the separate procedure for two crossings with a safe storage area between them.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.3; physical PDF page 270 (printed 270); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  37. Under Maryland §21-703, what does an official exempt highway–rail grade crossing plaque change?

    Correct answer: It removes the special stop requirement, not the need to cross safely.

    The plaque removes this section’s special stopping requirement. It does not give priority over a train or permission to disregard gates, warnings or any other applicable rule.

    Source: Maryland Transportation §21-703(g)(3); official General Assembly text checked September 15, 2026. ↗

  38. A train clears one track, but the red lights continue flashing at a multi-track crossing. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Remain stopped; another train may be approaching.

    A second train can approach on another track. Wait for the gates to rise, flashing warnings to stop and a safe crossing opportunity after checking all tracks.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.2; physical PDF page 269 (printed 269); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  39. Your school bus stalls on the tracks and cannot clear them promptly. What is the priority?

    Correct answer: Evacuate everyone immediately away from the tracks.

    A bus stalled or trapped on tracks requires immediate evacuation. Move far away at an angle away from the tracks and toward an approaching train's direction, avoiding the area where debris may be pushed.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.4; physical PDF page 270 (printed 270); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  40. The bus is stopped after an incident, with no immediate danger inside. How should evacuation be decided?

    Correct answer: Compare the danger of staying aboard with the danger outside.

    Evacuation can expose children to moving traffic and other hazards. Assess the emergency and evacuate when staying aboard is more dangerous; do not delay when an immediate threat requires exit.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.1; physical PDF page 264 (printed 264); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  41. Smoke and fire threaten the bus's occupied passenger area. What should you do first?

    Correct answer: Evacuate the students to a safe place.

    Fire or a serious threat of fire requires evacuation. Protect passengers and obtain emergency help; a practice question is not training to fight a bus fire.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.1; physical PDF page 265 (printed 265); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  42. The normal entrance is unsafe to use during an evacuation. What should guide your choice of another exit?

    Correct answer: The hazard location and the safest usable exit.

    Choose the front, rear, both, side, window or roof exits according to the emergency and their usability. Do not direct students through the hazard merely to use the usual entrance.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.2; physical PDF page 266 (printed 266); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  43. If time and conditions permit, how should you secure the bus before directing an emergency evacuation?

    Correct answer: Set the brake, select park or neutral, stop the engine and take the key.

    The handbook's evacuation procedure secures the vehicle against movement and uses hazard lamps. Contact dispatch if time permits, but do not delay an urgent evacuation to complete a call.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.2; physical PDF page 266 (printed 266); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  44. Why should every student learn emergency-exit procedures, even when older student helpers are assigned?

    Correct answer: All students need to know the exits and follow evacuation instructions.

    The handbook says to explain emergency procedures and exit operation to all students. Trained helpers may assist others and lead them to safety, but they do not replace that instruction.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.2; physical PDF page 265 (printed 265); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  45. Once students have reached the evacuation meeting place, what must the driver establish?

    Correct answer: That all students are accounted for and any injuries are identified.

    Keep students together at the safe meeting location, account for everyone and check their condition. Communicate with dispatch and responders rather than allowing students to wander back.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.3.2; physical PDF page 266 (printed 266); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  46. A train is approaching a bus trapped on the rails. In which direction should evacuees move?

    Correct answer: Away from the tracks, angled toward the approaching train.

    Move well away from both the bus and the tracks. Angling toward the approaching train takes evacuees away from the direction debris may be carried after impact.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.4.4; physical PDF page 270 (printed 270); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  47. How often does Maryland’s public-school transportation regulation require school-vehicle evacuation exercises?

    Correct answer: Twice each school year.

    COMAR requires school-vehicle evacuations twice each school year. Follow the school system’s drill procedures; a written practice quiz does not satisfy the exercise requirement.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.12L; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  48. May a Maryland public-school vehicle with students aboard be routed across an uncontrolled high-speed railroad crossing?

    Correct answer: No; that routing is prohibited.

    COMAR prohibits that route with students aboard and requires reasonable efforts to avoid grade-level railroad crossings. A plan to stop does not remove the routing restriction.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.14F; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  49. A Maryland public-school bus has completed one activity trip and will make another later today. When is its post-operational check due?

    Correct answer: At the end of this trip.

    The post-operational check is required at the end of each trip. It is separate from the preoperational check required on each operating day.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.13D; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  50. Two students argue inside while other children are still unloading. What should your attention remain on first?

    Correct answer: The children and traffic outside until unloading is safe.

    Loading and unloading demand exterior observation. Once students are safely away, handle the behavior issue in a safely stopped and secured bus according to local procedures.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.5.1; physical PDF page 271 (printed 271); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  51. A passenger's behavior prevents you from safely driving the school bus. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Stop and secure the bus safely, then request authorized assistance.

    Use a safe stopping location and follow the school's assistance and discipline procedures. Do not put a student out at an unauthorized location.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.5.2, continued from page 271; physical PDF page 272 (printed 272); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  52. In an emergency stop with working ABS on your school bus, what should you avoid?

    Correct answer: Pumping the brake pedal.

    Do not pump the brakes of an ABS-equipped bus in an emergency. Apply the braking force needed to stop safely while maintaining control.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.6.3; physical PDF page 272 (printed 272); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  53. What does ABS fail to protect a school bus from?

    Correct answer: A skid caused by taking a turn too fast.

    ABS helps with brake-induced wheel lock. It does not make excessive cornering speed, close following or poorly maintained brakes safe, and it does not guarantee a shorter stop.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.6.5; physical PDF page 273 (printed 273); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  54. Strong crosswinds begin pushing your school bus sideways. What is the appropriate response?

    Correct answer: Reduce speed and, if necessary, stop safely and contact dispatch.

    The large side area makes the bus vulnerable to wind. Maintain a firm grip, anticipate gusts, slow down and wait in a safe place if conditions require it.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.7.2; physical PDF page 274 (printed 274); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  55. As you turn away from a curb, why check the school bus's rear overhang in the mirrors?

    Correct answer: Its tail can swing outward toward nearby people or objects.

    A long rear overhang can sweep outward during a turn. Check before and during the movement; do not treat a handbook example as an exact clearance for every bus.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.7.4; physical PDF page 275 (printed 275); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  56. According to the Maryland CDL handbook, should a driver back a school bus while students remain outside it?

    Correct answer: No; never back while students are outside.

    The handbook strongly discourages backing and says never to back with students outside. Follow authorized procedures and loading-zone restrictions; this guidance does not authorize an otherwise prohibited maneuver.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.7.3; physical PDF page 274 (printed 274); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  57. Where backing is permitted and truly unavoidable at a pickup, what student sequence does the Maryland CDL handbook recommend?

    Correct answer: Board all students before backing, and watch for late arrivals.

    At pickup, have all students aboard before unavoidable backing and watch for latecomers. At drop-off, finish any necessary backing before unloading. This does not authorize an off-highway loading zone that requires backing.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.7.3; physical PDF page 275 (printed 275); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  58. When is a preoperational check required for a Maryland public-school vehicle?

    Correct answer: Each day the vehicle is operated.

    The daily preoperational check is required on every day the vehicle operates. Follow the school system’s written checking procedure; periodic inspections do not replace it.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.13C and F; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  59. The route has ended and the bus seems quiet. What must the driver still do?

    Correct answer: Walk through and check for sleeping or hiding students.

    A physical post-trip check can find a student who is asleep or hidden from the driving position. Also check belongings, exits and visible problems and make required reports.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.6; physical PDF page 264 (printed 264); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  60. A Maryland public-school vehicle has been withdrawn from service as mechanically unsafe. What must happen before it returns to service?

    Correct answer: It is made safe and the transportation supervisor authorizes its return.

    An unsafe vehicle must be discontinued from use immediately. Repairs alone do not complete the return-to-service condition: the supervisor of transportation must authorize it to be placed in service again.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.13E; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  61. After a school activity trip, you discover a damaged stop arm during the post-trip check. What should happen next?

    Correct answer: Report the problem immediately to the supervisor or school authorities.

    The handbook’s post-trip check includes mirror systems, warning lamps, stop arms and other operational problems. Report problems or special situations immediately rather than passing them to the next driver unreported.

    Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 10.2.6; physical PDF page 264 (printed 264); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗

  62. May a routine Maryland public-school route be planned over the bus manufacturer’s rated passenger capacity?

    Correct answer: No; plan the route so everyone is seated within rated capacity.

    Routes must provide seats and stay within the manufacturer’s capacity. The rule says an emergency-created overload must be corrected within a reasonable time; that provision is not permission to plan an overloaded route.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.14E; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  63. A proposed Maryland public-school off-highway loading zone would require the bus to back out. Is that location acceptable under COMAR?

    Correct answer: No; this loading-zone location must not require backing.

    An off-highway loading-zone location may not require the bus to back. Choose a compliant location; a lookout or warning lights do not remove that condition.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.15B(3)(a); official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

  64. A Maryland local school system requires a safety procedure stricter than COMAR’s minimum, without conflicting with state or federal rules. Which statement is correct?

    Correct answer: Local procedures may exceed the state minimum; follow the applicable procedure.

    COMAR allows local policies to exceed its minimum requirements, but they cannot conflict with governing federal or state rules. A generic handbook example does not override an applicable local procedure.

    Source: COMAR 13A.06.07.03C–D; official Library of Maryland Regulations text checked September 15, 2026; scope: local school systems covered by 13A.06.07.03. ↗

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Maryland CDL school buses

64 questions on mirror coverage, Maryland public-school stop rules, rail crossings, evacuation, inspections and safe bus operation.

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Original study scenarios, not official exam questions or a substitute for vehicle-specific instruction. Emergency practice does not qualify you to handle a fire or failed vehicle without appropriate training. Each answer includes an explanation.