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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
