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New Jersey CDL: School Bus

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New Jersey CDL School Bus

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Question 1 of 25
  1. 1. A child moves toward the left side of a stopped school bus. Besides the bus itself, what danger makes that area especially important to watch?
  2. 2. A driver takes over a school bus whose mirrors suited the previous driver's seating position. What should happen before operating it?
  3. 3. A school bus's outside flat mirrors give a good view along its sides. Does that establish that a small child immediately below or in front of a mirror will be visible in it?
  4. 4. While checking a school bus's crossover mirrors, the driver finds a strip ahead of the front bumper that neither the mirrors nor direct vision cover. What does that indicate?
  5. 5. A school bus's crossover mirrors show the area ahead of the bumper, but the driver is still checking coverage near the entrance. Which additional area belongs in that view?
  6. 6. A school bus has a glass-bottomed rear emergency door, giving its interior rearview mirror some view behind the bus. How should the driver monitor approaching rear traffic?
  7. 7. Students see their school bus arrive at the designated stop and begin approaching before the driver has signaled them. What should the driver reinforce?
  8. 8. A driver counted six students waiting at a school-bus stop but has seen only five board. What should the driver do about that mismatch?
  9. 9. After checking the mirrors and asking the boarding students, the driver still cannot account for a child last seen outside the school bus. What should happen before any movement?
  10. 10. Several students try to climb a school bus's entrance steps side by side to board faster. Which instruction matches the loading guidance?
  11. 11. All students have boarded a school bus, but one is kneeling backward on a seat to talk to a friend. What condition should the driver establish before moving?
  12. 12. The driver has made the required school-bus stop and activated its warning equipment. Why check traffic again before signaling waiting students to approach?
  13. 13. As a school bus arrives at a route stop, students who will get off start leaving their seats before the driver gives instructions. What should the driver reinforce?
  14. 14. A driver realizes the school bus has just passed a student's assigned unloading stop. The student suggests reversing a short distance. What is the appropriate response?
  15. 15. A student's notebook falls near the school bus while students are getting off. Which instruction should the driver teach for this situation?
  16. 16. A student carrying a loose bag strap has just stepped off the school bus. Which assessment is sound before the driver moves?
  17. 17. The school-bus route has ended and the interior appears empty in the mirror. What further check helps detect a student who may be asleep out of that view?
  18. 18. A driver who knows the roadside stop procedure is assigned to unload in a school's off-road bus area. What should determine the specific procedure used there?
  19. 19. A school-bus emergency plan normally uses older student helpers, but they will not be on every trip. What preparation addresses that limitation?
  20. 20. Students are unloading while two seated students begin a minor disagreement that poses no immediate danger. What should guide the timing of the driver's response?
  21. 21. A school bus is safely stopped and secured, but a serious student behavior problem means the driver cannot safely resume the route. What is the appropriate next step?
  22. 22. After stopping and securing the school bus to address a behavior problem, how should the driver speak to the students involved?
  23. 23. Students are still outside after unloading. A colleague suggests backing the school bus a short distance while a lookout watches them. What does the school-bus guidance say?
  24. 24. A school bus has no other safe way to move, no students are outside, and backing will follow the applicable local procedure. What task does the manual assign a lookout?
  25. 25. A school bus begins a turn with its front clear of nearby objects. What should the driver continue checking in the mirrors as the turn develops?
Review all 25 questions with answers

  1. A child moves toward the left side of a stopped school bus. Besides the bus itself, what danger makes that area especially important to watch?

    Correct answer: Vehicles that may pass beside the bus

    The manual identifies passing traffic as an additional danger along the left side. The danger zones around a school bus include risks from other vehicles as well as the bus itself.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-1, physical 127 > 10.1.1 Danger Zones ↗

  2. A driver takes over a school bus whose mirrors suited the previous driver's seating position. What should happen before operating it?

    Correct answer: Check every mirror's view and adjust as needed

    Each mirror must provide the driver the best available viewing area before operation. A previous driver's settings do not establish adequate coverage from the current driving position.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-1, physical 127 > 10.1.2 Correct Mirror Adjustment ↗

  3. A school bus's outside flat mirrors give a good view along its sides. Does that establish that a small child immediately below or in front of a mirror will be visible in it?

    Correct answer: No; that mirror still has nearby blind areas

    The manual identifies blind spots immediately below and in front of each outside flat mirror. Good side coverage does not eliminate the need to use the other views and account for students.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-1, physical 127 > 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors ↗

  4. While checking a school bus's crossover mirrors, the driver finds a strip ahead of the front bumper that neither the mirrors nor direct vision cover. What does that indicate?

    Correct answer: The mirror and direct views need to overlap

    Crossover-mirror coverage should extend from the front bumper at ground level to where direct vision is possible, with the views overlapping. An unseen strip can conceal a child.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-2, physical 128 > 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors > overlapping direct and mirror views ↗

  5. A school bus's crossover mirrors show the area ahead of the bumper, but the driver is still checking coverage near the entrance. Which additional area belongs in that view?

    Correct answer: The front-wheel and service-door area

    The crossover mirrors also cover front-wheel danger zones and the area from the bus's front to the service door. Rear traffic and passenger-seat views are different mirror tasks.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-2, physical 128 > 10.1.5 Outside Left and Right Side Crossover Mirrors > front tires and service-door coverage ↗

  6. A school bus has a glass-bottomed rear emergency door, giving its interior rearview mirror some view behind the bus. How should the driver monitor approaching rear traffic?

    Correct answer: Use the exterior side mirrors for that traffic

    On this bus design, the interior mirror may offer limited rear visibility, but a substantial blind area remains. The manual directs the driver to use the exterior side mirrors to monitor approaching traffic.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-3, physical 129 > 10.1.6 Overhead Inside Rearview Mirror ↗

  7. Students see their school bus arrive at the designated stop and begin approaching before the driver has signaled them. What should the driver reinforce?

    Correct answer: Wait for the driver's signal before boarding

    Students should wait in their designated location and board only when the driver signals. The bus's arrival or another student's movement is not the boarding signal.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.2 Loading Procedures > waiting and driver signal ↗

  8. A driver counted six students waiting at a school-bus stop but has seen only five board. What should the driver do about that mismatch?

    Correct answer: Ask the students where the missing child is

    The driver should count students and ensure all have boarded. If one is missing, ask the others where that student is. If a child outside remains unaccounted for, the bus must stay secured while the area is checked.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.2 Loading Procedures > count students and ask about a missing student ↗

  9. After checking the mirrors and asking the boarding students, the driver still cannot account for a child last seen outside the school bus. What should happen before any movement?

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

    An unaccounted-for child outside requires a physical check around and under the bus after it has been secured. The loading guidance also directs the driver to take the key. Moving to search creates danger.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.2 Loading Procedures > student outside cannot be accounted for ↗

  10. Several students try to climb a school bus's entrance steps side by side to board faster. Which instruction matches the loading guidance?

    Correct answer: Board slowly in single file, using the handrail

    The manual calls for slow, single-file boarding with use of the handrail. Crowding or rushing the steps interferes with that safe boarding pattern.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.2 Loading Procedures > single file and handrail ↗

  11. All students have boarded a school bus, but one is kneeling backward on a seat to talk to a friend. What condition should the driver establish before moving?

    Correct answer: Students are seated and facing forward

    The school-bus loading guidance says to wait until students are seated and facing forward. Merely clearing the steps or holding a seatback does not satisfy that school-bus guidance.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.2 Loading Procedures > seated and facing forward ↗

  12. The driver has made the required school-bus stop and activated its warning equipment. Why check traffic again before signaling waiting students to approach?

    Correct answer: A driver may still be moving past the bus

    The final traffic check comes before fully opening the door and inviting students forward. Operating warning equipment does not establish that every approaching driver has stopped. Local stop procedures still apply.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop (continued from printed 10-3) > final traffic check ↗

  13. As a school bus arrives at a route stop, students who will get off start leaving their seats before the driver gives instructions. What should the driver reinforce?

    Correct answer: Remain seated until told to exit

    The route-unloading guidance keeps students seated until the driver tells them to exit. Recognizing their stop is not the signal to leave their seats.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.3 Unloading Procedures on the Route > remain seated until told to exit ↗

  14. A driver realizes the school bus has just passed a student's assigned unloading stop. The student suggests reversing a short distance. What is the appropriate response?

    Correct answer: Do not reverse; follow local missed-stop procedures

    The manual specifically says not to back up after missing a student's unloading stop and to follow local procedures. It does not authorize an improvised replacement unloading location.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-4, physical 130 > 10.2.3 Unloading Procedures on the Route > missed-stop note ↗

  15. A student's notebook falls near the school bus while students are getting off. Which instruction should the driver teach for this situation?

    Correct answer: Leave it, move to safety, and alert the driver

    Bending down or returning for a dropped item can put a student out of the driver's view. The student should leave the item, move out of the danger zone, and get the driver's attention for help.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-5, physical 131 > 10.2.5 Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading > Dropped or Forgotten Objects ↗

  16. A student carrying a loose bag strap has just stepped off the school bus. Which assessment is sound before the driver moves?

    Correct answer: A strap could still be caught at the exit

    Clothing and accessories can catch in a handrail or door. The driver must observe exiting students and confirm they are in a safe location before moving, even after they have stepped off.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-6, physical 132 > 10.2.5 Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading > Handrail Hang-ups (continued from printed 10-5) ↗

  17. The school-bus route has ended and the interior appears empty in the mirror. What further check helps detect a student who may be asleep out of that view?

    Correct answer: Walk through the bus and check for sleeping students

    The post-trip inspection includes a walk through the bus and a check for sleeping students. A mirror glance, silence, or another student's reassurance cannot replace that check.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-6, physical 132 > 10.2.6 Post-trip Inspection > sleeping students ↗

  18. A driver who knows the roadside stop procedure is assigned to unload in a school's off-road bus area. What should determine the specific procedure used there?

    Correct answer: The applicable state and local school-site procedures

    The manual warns that school-site unloading procedures can differ from those used along a route. Its general overview does not replace the applicable state and local instructions for that setting.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-5, physical 131 > 10.2.4 Unloading Procedures at School > state and local differences ↗

  19. A school-bus emergency plan normally uses older student helpers, but they will not be on every trip. What preparation addresses that limitation?

    Correct answer: Explain emergency procedures to all students beforehand

    Older, responsible helpers may be unavailable during an emergency. All students therefore need advance instruction about emergency exits and following the driver's directions, using the applicable school emergency plan.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-6, physical 132 > 10.3.2 Evacuation Procedures > Be Prepared and Plan Ahead ↗

  20. Students are unloading while two seated students begin a minor disagreement that poses no immediate danger. What should guide the timing of the driver's response?

    Correct answer: Keep supervising unloading until students are safely away

    Loading and unloading require attention to students outside. For a routine behavior problem, the manual says to wait until departing students are safely off and away before addressing it, stopping safely afterward if needed.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-9, physical 135 > 10.5.1 Don't Deal with On-bus Problems When Loading and Unloading ↗

  21. A school bus is safely stopped and secured, but a serious student behavior problem means the driver cannot safely resume the route. What is the appropriate next step?

    Correct answer: Request assistance through the state or local procedure

    The manual directs drivers to obtain appropriate assistance when a serious problem prevents safe driving, following state or local procedures. Continuing unsafely or improvising a student's removal is not the response.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-10, physical 136 > 10.5.2 Handling Serious Problems (continued from printed 10-9) > requesting assistance ↗

  22. After stopping and securing the school bus to address a behavior problem, how should the driver speak to the students involved?

    Correct answer: Firmly and respectfully, stating the expected behavior

    The manual recommends a courteous, firm voice and a reminder of expected behavior without showing anger. School discipline and assistance procedures still govern the response.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-10, physical 136 > 10.5.2 Handling Serious Problems (continued from printed 10-9) > courteous and firm communication ↗

  23. Students are still outside after unloading. A colleague suggests backing the school bus a short distance while a lookout watches them. What does the school-bus guidance say?

    Correct answer: Do not back while students are outside the bus

    The manual strongly discourages backing a school bus and says never to do it while students are outside. A short distance, lookout, or warning sound does not remove that danger.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-11, physical 137 > 10.7.3 Backing > students outside the bus ↗

  24. A school bus has no other safe way to move, no students are outside, and backing will follow the applicable local procedure. What task does the manual assign a lookout?

    Correct answer: Warn of obstacles, approaching people, and vehicles

    The school-bus section gives the lookout a hazard-warning role, not responsibility for directing the backing maneuver. This item isolates that role; it does not provide a complete backing procedure or make backing a routine choice.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-11, physical 137 > 10.7.3 Backing > lookout's purpose ↗

  25. A school bus begins a turn with its front clear of nearby objects. What should the driver continue checking in the mirrors as the turn develops?

    Correct answer: The rear body's tail swing and clearance

    The bus's rear body can swing during a turn. The manual calls for mirror checks before and during turning to monitor that movement; front clearance alone does not establish rear clearance.

    Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 10, July 2017 footer, printed 10-11, physical 137 > 10.7.4 Tail Swing ↗

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Home / New Jersey / CDL

New Jersey CDL: School Bus

Study student safety, school-bus mirrors, loading and unloading, supervision and special precautions in 25 explained questions.

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The short sets use these same 25 records. This selection is not the official exam length or a complete skills course. School-bus procedures depend on state and local requirements. This introductory selection is not a complete stop, crossing, evacuation or backing procedure; follow your district training and instructions. Use the official CDL manual, the instructions for your vehicle and required hands-on training.