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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
