When are the alternately flashing red lights and the stop arm used?

Whenever the bus stops in traffic

Alberta Class 1–4: School bus stops and railway crossings

Amber and red flashing lights, the stop arm, loading and unloading steps, students crossing in front of the bus, and how a school bus stops at railway crossings.

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School bus stops and railway crossings · Question 1Score 0/0

While stopped at an uncontrolled crossing, what should a school bus driver open?

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Study reference: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 5 Operating Class 2 Vehicles — Passenger loading and unloading, Railway crossing

All 18 questions in this test

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

While stopped at an uncontrolled crossing, what should a school bus driver open?
1. All of the passenger windows
2. Only the rear emergency door
3. Nothing; keep everything closed
4. The front door and the driver's window
When are the alternately flashing red lights and the stop arm used?
1. During any breakdown
2. Only to load or unload
3. Whenever the bus stops in traffic
4. At every railway crossing
You must load students on the roadway because there is no room off it. How far from waiting students should you stop?
1. At least one metre away
2. At least ten paces away
3. Right beside them
4. At least five metres away
If a school bus has a strobe lamp, when must it be on?
1. Only while students cross
2. Only on gravel or snowy roads
3. Only at night on rural roads
4. In fog, blizzards or smoke
A train is approaching a crossing. How close to the nearest rail may you stop?
1. No closer than 5 m
2. No closer than 2 m
3. No closer than 50 m
4. No closer than 15 m
When does a school bus driver turn on the alternately flashing amber lights?
1. Only once the bus has fully stopped
2. While crossing railway tracks
3. As it starts slowing for a stop
4. Whenever the bus is parked
On a multi-lane road, which lane should a school bus use when stopping at a railway crossing?
1. The right-most lane
2. The left-most lane
3. The centre lane
4. Any lane with less traffic
Which lights should a school bus use at a railway crossing?
1. The stop arm lights
2. The hazard lights
3. The alternately flashing red lights
4. The alternately flashing amber lights
At a railway crossing with a stop sign, where must you stop?
1. Exactly at the stop sign, wherever it is
2. Within 30 m of the rail
3. Between 5 m and 15 m from the nearest rail
4. Between 2 m and 5 m from the rail
Students must cross a rural highway after leaving the bus. Where should they walk first?
1. Two paces beside the door
2. At least 10 paces in front of the bus
3. Directly behind the bus
4. Along the shoulder to the rear
What is the rule about shifting gears while crossing railway tracks?
1. Shift up once you are halfway across
2. Shift down if the bus begins to slow
3. It is not allowed
4. It is allowed with an automatic only
A driver passes your stopped school bus while its red lights flash. What can you do?
1. Follow the vehicle to get its details
2. Sound the horn and chase it
3. Note the licence plate and report it to police
4. Nothing; only police can see it
Outside an urban area, how close to a controlled railway crossing may you park?
1. Not within 15 m of the nearest rail
2. Anywhere off the travelled lane
3. Not within 100 m of the nearest rail
4. Not within 50 m of the nearest rail
When do you turn off the flashing lights after a stop?
1. Once you start moving
2. After all students are seated
3. As soon as the door closes
4. When the stop arm folds itself
Which vehicles must stop at every uncontrolled railway crossing?
1. School buses and explosives or fuel carriers
2. Only school buses carrying students
3. Only vehicles carrying more than 24 people
4. All buses and all trucks over 4,500 kg
On a divided highway, which drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
1. Drivers in both directions
2. Only drivers in the oncoming lanes
3. No one, on a divided highway
4. Drivers coming from behind the bus
The bus has an automatic transmission. Before opening the door to unload, what should you do?
1. Shift to neutral and release the brakes
2. Leave it in drive and hold the brake pedal
3. Park, park brake, foot on the brake
4. Turn off the engine and red lights
Before you move off after unloading, which mirror helps you check for students near the front of the bus?
1. The interior rear-view mirror
2. The crossover mirror
3. No mirror; use the horn
4. The convex side mirror only

School bus stops and railway crossings: 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 ↗

Passenger loading and unloading (pp. 58–59)

Unless a municipal bylaw changes it, a school bus driver turns on the alternately flashing amber lights when starting to slow down to stop for loading or unloading passengers.
The alternately flashing red lights and stop arm are used only while loading and unloading passengers.
Other drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights from either direction on an undivided highway, and from behind on a divided highway.
Park the bus off the roadway; if that is not possible the law allows stopping on the roadway where there is suitable ground space for passengers.
When stopping on the roadway, pull as far right as practical and stop at least one metre away from students waiting to board.
Turn on the flashing red lights once the bus has come to a complete stop.
Before opening the door: check that traffic has stopped, put a manual transmission in neutral or an automatic in park, apply the park brake and keep firm pressure on the brake pedal.
Students who must cross a rural highway walk at least 10 paces in front of the bus, stop before the roadway and wait for the driver's direction.
Keep a line of sight with crossing students, check traffic both ways before signalling them to cross, and do not lose sight of them.
Before moving, check all mirrors, including the crossover mirror, for students lingering near the bus.
Turn off the flashing lights after all students are seated, release the park brake, signal left and re-enter traffic when safe.
The bus must be stopped when loading and unloading; all students must be seated while it is moving.
Use frequent mirror checks before turning on the red lights or signalling students to cross; other drivers may not stop even though the law requires it.
If a driver passes the flashing red lights, note the licence plate and report it to the local police.

Railway crossings (pp. 59–60)

When a train is approaching, stop no closer than 5 m from the nearest rail and wait until it has passed or stopped and it is safe to cross.
At a stop sign, stop between 5 m and 15 m from the nearest rail.
Cross in a gear that will not need changing; shifting gears while crossing is prohibited.
Outside an urban area, do not park within 50 m of the nearest rail of a crossing controlled by a traffic control device.
At uncontrolled crossings, school buses, vehicles carrying explosives, and vehicles used for flammable liquids or gas must stop between 5 m and 15 m from the nearest rail, unless a bylaw or peace officer directs otherwise.
While stopped, look and listen both ways for a train or its signals.
A school bus driver opens the front door and, if practical with one hand, the window to the driver's left.
Reduce noise: turn off fans and audio and ask passengers to be quiet.
Use the hazard lights at the crossing to warn other drivers; the alternately flashing amber or red lights must not be used for railway crossings.
Use the right-most lane so the open door is less likely to be hit.
When safe to go, close the door and turn off the hazard lights.

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