When may a school bus make a U-turn?

On a four-lane divided highway with a wide enough median

Whenever students are not aboard

At any signal-controlled intersection when the light is green

On any road that has no sign prohibiting U-turns

In an urban area, which reversing move is illegal?

Backing slowly on a quiet street

Backing into a marked parking stall

Backing with a guide standing behind

The bus chapter is mainly about school buses. Does it matter to other bus drivers?

Yes, most of it applies to all bus operations

Only if the bus has an S endorsement

No, it applies only to school buses

Only the railway section applies

When may a school bus reverse on school grounds?

With an adult outside at the rear directing

Only when there are no students aboard

Alberta Class 1–4 overview

Alberta Class 1–4: Driving a bus

Breakdowns, turns, reversing and turnarounds, U-turn limits for school buses, parking on a hill, seating and door rules, refuelling and evacuation drills.

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18 questions
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Driving a bus · Question 1Score 0/0

By law, which door do students use to enter and leave a school bus?

Tip: press 1–4 to answer and Enter for the next question.

Study reference: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 5 Operating Class 2 Vehicles — Information for bus operators, School bus breakdowns, Turns, Reversing, Turning around, Safe driving

All 18 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

By law, which door do students use to enter and leave a school bus?
1. The rear door in bad weather
2. The front door
3. Either door, at the driver's choice
4. The rear door when the bus is full
When may a school bus make a U-turn?
1. On a four-lane divided highway with a wide enough median
2. Whenever students are not aboard
3. At any signal-controlled intersection when the light is green
4. On any road that has no sign prohibiting U-turns
In an urban area, which reversing move is illegal?
1. Backing slowly on a quiet street
2. Backing into an intersection
3. Backing into a marked parking stall
4. Backing with a guide standing behind
The bus chapter is mainly about school buses. Does it matter to other bus drivers?
1. Only if the bus has an S endorsement
2. No, it applies only to school buses
3. Only the railway section applies
4. Yes, most of it applies to all bus operations
When may a school bus reverse on school grounds?
1. Only when there are no students aboard
2. Never, under any condition
3. With an adult outside at the rear directing
4. Only at a speed below 10 km/h
How far from the curb may the wheels of a parked bus be?
1. No more than 50 cm
2. No more than 30 cm
3. No more than 1 m
4. No more than 15 cm
Which are the three standard methods for evacuating a bus?
1. Rear exit, side windows and roof hatch
2. Windows, roof hatch and front door
3. Front exit only, in three groups
4. Front, rear, or both at once
When should a bus driver shift gears during a turn?
1. Whenever the engine labours
2. At the start of the turn
3. Halfway through the turn
4. Never during the turn
Near the crest of a hill, when is a U-turn allowed?
1. Only at night with the hazard lights on
2. Whenever no sign prohibits the U-turn
3. Only if the road is gravel
4. If drivers within 150 m can see you
May you refuel a bus while passengers are aboard?
1. No
2. Yes, if the doors are open
3. Yes, if the engine is off
4. Yes, with diesel only
How is a turnaround done with a bus?
1. Back into a side road on the right
2. Make a U-turn at the next intersection
3. Back into a side road on the left
4. Reverse along the shoulder
Students must be picked up at a turnaround point. When do they board?
1. After the left turn onto the main road
2. Before the turnaround
3. While the bus is reversing
4. After backing into the side road
You are pulling away from the curb in a bus. Who has the right of way?
1. Whoever moves first
2. The bus, if its signal is on
3. Traffic already on the road
4. The bus, because it is larger
A bus breaks down on a rural highway in daylight. Where do the warning devices go?
1. 75 m ahead of and behind the bus
2. 30 m ahead of and behind the bus
3. 150 m ahead only
4. 10 m behind the bus only
Your bus is stopped, waiting to turn left. How should the front wheels be?
1. Straight, with the parking brake on
2. Turned left, ready to go
3. Pointed straight ahead, brake pedal pressed
4. Turned right toward the curb
There are two left-turn lanes at an intersection. Which one should the bus use?
1. The outer left-turn lane
2. The inner left-turn lane
3. Whichever is shorter
4. Neither; go straight instead
You cannot fix the breakdown quickly and cannot call for help. What should you do?
1. Stay with the bus
2. Leave the bus locked and go
3. Walk to find a phone
4. Send a student for help
Your bus breaks down in a safe spot with no danger nearby. Where should the passengers usually stay?
1. On the roadside ditch
2. In the oncoming lane shoulder
3. Walking to the next stop
4. On the bus

Driving a bus: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Information for bus operators (p. 55)

The chapter is mainly about school buses, but most of its facts and procedures apply to every bus operation.
A bus operator is responsible for the safe transport of many passengers in all weather, road and traffic conditions, whether the bus is commercial, school or private.
Know all rules, laws, bylaws and company policies that apply to your operation.

School bus breakdowns (pp. 55–56)

If the bus breaks down, stop in a safe place as far off the roadway as practical.
If the bus is stopped in a dangerous location, get the passengers off and guide them to a safe place; if there is no danger, it is usually safer for them to stay on the bus.
Outside an urban municipality in daylight: hazard lights on and approved warning devices 30 m (about 100 ft) ahead of and behind the bus.
In darkness, or when people and vehicles cannot be seen clearly at 150 m: hazard lights and warning devices 75 m (about 250 ft) ahead and behind.
If you cannot fix the problem quickly or radio or phone for help, stay with the bus.

Left and right turns (p. 56)

Position the bus in the right lane well in advance and signal in time to warn others.
Slow down and downshift to the gear needed for the turn before turning.
Check left, right and left again for vehicles and pedestrians.
Left turns: use the left-most available lane unless arrows or markings say otherwise.
While waiting to turn left, keep the front wheels straight and the brake pedal pressed so brake lights show and a rear-end hit will not push the bus into oncoming traffic.
Turning left off a two-lane highway, make a quick shoulder and mirror check for overtaking vehicles.
Right turns: use the right-most available lane.
With dual left-turn lanes, the outer left-turn lane is preferred.
Never shift gears during the turn; check both mirrors for body swing and clearance; cancel the signal after the turn.

Reversing and turning around (pp. 56–57)

Do not back up unless it can be done safely and without interfering with other traffic.
In an urban area it is illegal to back so any part of the vehicle enters or moves within an intersection or crosswalk.
It is illegal to reverse a school bus on or next to school grounds unless a responsible person outside at the rear is giving directions.
Reversing guidelines: check the area, use a responsible adult as guide, agree on hand signals, tell the guide where to stand, back slowly, stop at once if you lose sight of the guide.
A turnaround is done by backing into a road on the right of the main road.
For a turnaround, stop on the main road about one bus length past the road you will back into, check traffic in all directions, back in when clear, then turn left onto the main road when safe.
If passengers board or leave at the turnaround point, load them before the turnaround and unload them after backing.

U-turns (p. 57)

No U-turn if it cannot be made safely without interfering with traffic.
No U-turn on a curve or near the crest of a hill unless drivers approaching within 150 m from either direction can see the vehicle.
No U-turn where a sign prohibits it, or at a signal-controlled intersection unless specifically permitted.
No U-turn in urban areas at intersections, including alley intersections and private driveways.
A school bus may not U-turn unless the road is a four-lane divided highway, the bus is shorter than the median is wide, and the bus stops on the cross-road with no part over the traffic lanes.

Parking on a hill (p. 59)

Wheels may be no more than 50 cm (about 19 in) from the curb.
Downhill, with or without a curb: front wheels to the right (vehicle parked on the right side).
Uphill with a curb: front wheels to the left; let the front wheels roll against the curb before setting the brake.
Uphill without a curb: a single-unit vehicle turns its front wheels to the right.

Safe driving (p. 60)

If the school bus has a strobe lamp, it must be on in fog, blizzard, smoke and other poor-visibility conditions; it may be used any time more visibility is wanted.
Do not drive at a speed that is unreasonable for weather, traffic, road and vehicle conditions, or follow more closely than is reasonable and prudent.
All students must be seated and stay seated while the bus moves.
Everyone enters and leaves by the front door; by law the rear door is not used except in an emergency.
All doors must be closed while the bus is moving.
When pulling away from the curb you do not have the right of way.
When crossing a highway, wait until traffic is clear in both directions.
Do not refuel a bus with passengers on board.
Build a good relationship with passengers so they listen to you, and hold regular emergency evacuation drills.
The three standard evacuation methods: front exit, rear exit, and front and rear exits at the same time.

Study the Driving a bus rules as flashcards →