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BC Class 1–4: School buses

Which licences cover school buses, daily brake checks, school bus equipment and signs, loading and unloading, flashing red lights and railway crossings.

  • 13 questions
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School buses · Question 1Score 0/0

How often must the floor of a school bus be washed with disinfectant?

Study reference: Driving Commercial Vehicles (ICBC, 2024 edition), Ch. 6 Skills for driving buses, taxis, limousines and ride-hailing vehicles — Operating a school bus, Loading and unloading

All 13 questions in this test

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

  1. How often must the floor of a school bus be washed with disinfectant?

    1. Once a school term
    2. Once a month
    3. Every day
    4. At least once a week

  2. May a Class 5 driver drive a passenger vehicle used as a school bus?

    1. Only on rural routes
    2. Yes, any size, as long as no passengers ride
    3. Only if it seats 10 or fewer, driver included
    4. No, never

  3. What standard must school bus fire extinguishers meet?

    1. ULC Standard 100
    2. ISO 9001
    3. NSC Standard 13
    4. CSA Standard D250

  4. What does the crossing control arm on a school bus do?

    1. Keeps crossing children in your view
    2. Opens the entrance door
    3. Signals the bus is turning
    4. Blocks traffic from passing the stopped bus

  5. Before opening the doors at a stop, from how far must the school bus be visible in each direction?

    1. At least 60 m
    2. At least 30 m
    3. At least 150 m
    4. At least 85 m

  6. How often should school bus brakes be tested?

    1. Every week
    2. Every month
    3. Only at inspection
    4. Every day

  7. What is a special activity bus?

    1. A school bus with no set schedule
    2. A bus used for city transit on fixed routes
    3. A bus that carries only adults
    4. A tour bus with a sleeper

  8. A school bus with children reaches an uncontrolled main railway crossing. What must the driver do?

    1. Stop right at the first rail
    2. Turn on the red lights and cross
    3. Slow down and cross without stopping if clear
    4. Stop 5 to 15 m away and listen

  9. When should you turn off the flashing lights and fold in the stop sign?

    1. After you start moving
    2. As soon as the entrance doors have closed
    3. When the first car stops
    4. Once passengers are aboard or across

  10. When must a school bus driver use the flashing red lights?

    1. At every railway crossing, with or without signals
    2. Only in school zones
    3. Whenever the bus is parked
    4. Whenever passengers cross the road

  11. May passengers stand on a school bus while it moves?

    1. Only older students
    2. Yes, if all the seats are already full
    3. No; all must be seated first
    4. Yes, on short trips

  12. A peace officer finds your school bus unfit. When may it be used as a school bus again?

    1. After 24 hours
    2. Once it has been fixed
    3. The next school day
    4. After the current route ends

  13. How tall must the letters on a "School Bus" sign be?

    1. At least 20 cm
    2. At least 15 cm
    3. At least 10 cm
    4. At least 30 cm

School buses: 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 ↗

Which licences cover school buses (p. 3–4)

  • Class 2 covers school buses of any size; Class 4 unrestricted covers school buses seating at most 25 including the driver.
  • A Class 5 driver may drive a passenger vehicle used as a school bus only if it seats no more than 10 including the driver.
  • A special activity bus is operated for a school and does not run on a set schedule.

Operating a school bus (p. 127)

  • All bus rules also apply to school buses, plus every part of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations about school buses.
  • If a mechanical inspector or peace officer finds a school bus unfit, it may not be used as a school bus until fixed.
  • A rental vehicle temporarily replacing a school bus must meet all school bus rules, and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement must be told as soon as possible.
  • Test school bus brakes every day; never operate one unless the brakes are safe.
  • Never carry passengers on a school bus that is defective in any way.

School bus equipment (p. 128)

  • Refuel only with all passengers off and the engine turned off.
  • Every school bus needs an approved fire extinguisher, an approved first-aid kit, and flares or flags.
  • School bus fire extinguishers must meet CSA Standard D250.
  • Every school bus displays two "School Bus" signs, black letters at least 20 cm high on yellow, front and rear; the rear sign goes just above or below the rear window.
  • New school buses need two sets of rear-view mirrors on each side, a mirror showing the entrance door, and a convex mirror at the front showing the road right in front of the bus.
  • Passengers may not stand on a school bus; everyone must be seated before the bus moves.
  • Wash the floor with a disinfectant solution at least once a week.

Loading and unloading a school bus (p. 129)

  • Before opening the doors: full stop, at least 3 m of road clear on the left, bus visible from at least 60 m in each direction, and passengers use the right side only.
  • School buses have alternating flashing red lights and swing-out stop signs, and may also have flashing amber lights shown with the red lights.
  • Use the flashing red lights whenever passengers cross the road before boarding or after leaving the bus.
  • All drivers must stop when a school bus shows flashing red lights.
  • New school buses may have a crossing control arm that swings out in front so you can see children crossing in front.
  • Make sure crossing passengers are clear of your path before moving off.
  • Turn off the lights and fold in the stop sign once passengers are aboard or safely across, then let waiting traffic go before pulling out.

Railway crossings and fire extinguishers (p. 53, 67)

  • A school bus carrying children must stop at every uncontrolled main railway crossing, 5 to 15 m from the crossing.
  • Open the driver's window or passenger door to listen, and do not shift gears while crossing.
  • Bus drivers who get in and out frequently may be exempt from wearing seatbelts at 40 km/h or less.

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