School Bus · Section 10.2

School bus loading and unloading: CDL practice questions

Section 10.2 covers the steps for stopping, loading and unloading students at a bus stop and at school, and how to keep students out of the danger zones. It is the largest chapter of the School Bus test.

Examlane has 32 questions on this chapter. Ten are below; open one to see the answer and why. The rest are in the practice tests.

Practice this chapter

1. If your bus has amber warning lights, when should you turn them on before a stop?
1. Only when the bus has fully stopped
2. Just as the door opens
3. About 50 feet before the stop
4. At least 200 feet before the stop
Answer: D. At least 200 feet before the stop
Turn on the flashing amber lights at least 200 feet, or about 5 to 10 seconds, before the stop to warn other drivers.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
2. About how far before pulling over for a stop should you turn on the right turn signal?
1. About 10 to 30 feet
2. About 100 to 300 feet
3. About 500 to 700 feet
4. Only after the bus has stopped
Answer: B. About 100 to 300 feet
Signal early, about 100 to 300 feet or 3 to 5 seconds before pulling over, so traffic knows you are stopping.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
3. When pulling over at a stop, where should the bus be on the road?
1. As far to the right as possible on the roadway
2. In the center of the traffic lane, clear of the edge
3. Close to the center line, well away from the students
4. In whichever lane has the least traffic
Answer: A. As far to the right as possible on the roadway
Move as far to the right as possible on the traveled part of the roadway when you pull over for a stop.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
4. Why should the front bumper stop at least 10 feet from students waiting at the stop?
1. It keeps exhaust fumes away from them
2. It gives other drivers enough room to pass the bus on the right
3. It makes students walk to the bus so you can watch them
4. It lets you open the door early before the bus fully stops
Answer: C. It makes students walk to the bus so you can watch them
Stopping 10 feet away makes the students walk to the bus, which gives you a better view of what they are doing.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
5. At each stop, what should you do with the transmission and brakes?
1. Leave the bus in gear and hold the foot brake
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key at every stop on the route
3. Shift to Park but keep the parking brake off so you can leave fast
4. Shift to Park, or Neutral if no Park, and set the parking brake
Answer: D. Shift to Park, or Neutral if no Park, and set the parking brake
At every stop the bus goes into Park, or Neutral if the bus has no Park position, and the parking brake is set.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
6. When should you turn on the alternating red lights at a stop?
1. Once traffic is a safe distance away from the bus
2. At least 200 feet before the stop
3. After the last student has boarded
4. As soon as you turn on the right turn signal
Answer: A. Once traffic is a safe distance away from the bus
Turn on the red lights only once traffic is a safe distance away, and make sure the stop arm and stop sign are extended.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
7. At a stop, when should students step onto the bus?
1. As soon as the bus comes into view
2. Only when the driver signals them
3. As soon as the red lights begin flashing
4. As soon as the bus door opens
Answer: B. Only when the driver signals them
Students board only after the driver gives the signal, so the driver controls when they move toward the bus.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
8. How should students board the bus?
1. Slowly, in single file, using the handrail
2. Quickly, in pairs, to save time
3. Slowly, in a group, holding each other
4. In any order, as long as the driver sees them
Answer: A. Slowly, in single file, using the handrail
Students should step on slowly, one at a time in single file, and hold the handrail.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
9. Before you move the bus away from a stop, how should students be positioned?
1. Standing in the aisle near the door
2. Seated sideways with their feet in the aisle
3. Seated and facing forward
4. Standing and holding the handrail
Answer: C. Seated and facing forward
Do not move the bus until every student is seated and facing forward.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
10. At a stop, you cannot locate one of your students outside the bus. What should you do?
1. Move the bus ahead a few feet and look in the mirrors
2. Secure the bus, remove the key, and look around and beneath it
3. Back the bus up slowly to look for the student
4. Leave the key in the ignition and send a student to look
Answer: B. Secure the bus, remove the key, and look around and beneath it
Before moving the bus, secure it, remove the key, and look around and beneath it yourself.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 10.2.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

Read the chapter itself in your state's CDL manual, Section 10.2. Your state's manual is free: find it in the state table.