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