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CDL School Bus (S) practice test

For the S endorsement. School bus drivers also need the Passenger endorsement.

Examlane has 108 School Bus questions in 7 chapters. The usual test has 20 questions and needs 80% to pass. Some states set a different length: see the state table.

Practice School Bus

Chapters

Manual sectionChapterQuestions
10.1Mirrors and danger zones15
10.2Loading and unloading32
10.3Emergency evacuation15
10.4Railroad crossings23
10.5Student management4
10.6Antilock brakes11
10.7Special conditions8

Chapter pages: School bus loading and unloading.

Ten free questions

Open a question to see the answer and why.

  1. 1. What is the greatest distance a danger zone can reach in front of a school bus?
    1. 10 feet
    2. 20 feet
    3. 30 feet
    4. 50 feet

    Answer: C. 30 feet

    The danger zone ahead of the bus can stretch up to 30 feet out from the front bumper; the most dangerous part is the first 10 feet.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.1.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  2. 2. Which statement about student deaths around school buses is correct?
    1. More students are killed getting on or off the bus than riding inside it
    2. More students are killed riding inside the bus than getting on or off
    3. About the same number are killed inside the bus as getting on or off
    4. Deaths happen only while the bus is moving

    Answer: A. More students are killed getting on or off the bus than riding inside it

    Loading and unloading is where more students are killed each year, which is why those procedures are so important.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  3. 3. When can an emergency happen to a school bus driver?
    1. Only during bad weather
    2. Only while students are on board
    3. Only on a highway
    4. At any time and in any place

    Answer: D. At any time and in any place

    Emergencies can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, so a driver must know the steps for each stage of an evacuation: before, during and after.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  4. 4. A railroad crossing has no traffic control device. What must a school bus driver do?
    1. Slow down and cross when no train is in sight
    2. Stop, then decide for yourself if it is safe
    3. Stop and wait for a signal to say when to cross
    4. Stop only when a train is in sight or can be heard

    Answer: B. Stop, then decide for yourself if it is safe

    The bus must stop at a passive crossing, and the decision to go rests entirely with the driver.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.4.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  5. 5. Students are getting off the bus and two riders start arguing inside. What should you do?
    1. Stop the unloading and go to the back of the bus to settle it
    2. Close the door and handle the argument right away
    3. Wait until the students getting off are safely away from the bus
    4. Turn and speak sharply to the arguing students while others exit

    Answer: C. Wait until the students getting off are safely away from the bus

    Loading and unloading needs all your attention. Deal with a behavior problem only after the students leaving have safely moved away, and pull over if you need to.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.5 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  6. 6. Buses with air brakes must have ABS if they were built on or after which date?
    1. March 1, 1996
    2. March 1, 1997
    3. March 1, 1998
    4. March 1, 2001

    Answer: C. March 1, 1998

    Any air-braked truck, bus, trailer, or converter dolly made March 1, 1998 or later must have ABS.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.6.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  7. 7. If your school bus has a roof-mounted strobe light, when should you use it?
    1. Whenever the bus is parked with the engine off
    2. When you have limited visibility around the bus
    3. Whenever students are on the bus
    4. Only when you can see clearly all around the bus

    Answer: B. When you have limited visibility around the bus

    The overhead strobe is for times when you cannot easily see around the bus, whether the view is slightly limited or completely blocked.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.7.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  8. 8. Why is the area to the left of a school bus always treated as dangerous?
    1. Passing cars use that side
    2. Students must wait on that side
    3. The service door opens on that side
    4. Mirrors cannot show that side

    Answer: A. Passing cars use that side

    Other vehicles pass the bus on the left, so a child there can be hit by a passing car.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.1.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  9. 9. What must a driver have before changing where a bus stop is located?
    1. A request from the students and parents at the stop
    2. A phone call from a parent
    3. Written approval from a school district official
    4. Nothing, if the new spot looks safer for the students

    Answer: C. Written approval from a school district official

    Stops are approved by the school district, so a driver may not move one without written approval from the right district official.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

  10. 10. In deciding whether to evacuate a school bus, what is the first and most important consideration for the driver?
    1. Recognizing the hazard
    2. Finding out who is at fault
    3. Estimating the cost of repairs
    4. Writing a report for the district

    Answer: A. Recognizing the hazard

    A driver cannot make a good decision until the hazard is recognized, so that comes first and matters most.

    Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.3.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

This is practice for the knowledge test. It is not Entry-Level Driver Training and does not count toward any federal training requirement.