Michigan CDL DMV Endorsement Bus 1

While students are boarding a school bus, the driver should supervise the loading while watching all mirrors for any students running to catch the bus.

At bus stops, drivers should warn passengers about potential hazards. This may include warning them to watch their step when exiting the bus by way of lowered stairways.

A bus does not need to stop before crossing a drawbridge controlled by a green signal light. The driver should still slow down and verify that it is safe before crossing.

A school bus driver should load and unload students only at designated stops that have been approved by appropriate school district officials.

A bus driver should always reduce speed when entering a curve. If a bus leans toward the outside of a banked curve, it is moving too fast.

Railroad crossings that do not have any kind of traffic control device are known as passive crossings. The decision to proceed across tracks at a passive crossing is entirely up to the driver.

When stopping to pick up students, a school bus driver should ensure that all surrounding traffic has stopped before opening the door and signaling for the students to approach the bus.

A school bus driver should always approach bus stops slowly and cautiously.

Buses should always enter curves at reduced speeds. A driver should be especially cautious if entering a curve under wet or slippery conditions.

On a bus designed to carry standing passengers, no passengers may stand in front of the rear of the driver's seat. Any such bus must have a line on the floor, or some other marking, that indicates where passengers may not stand. This is called a standee line.

On a bus, it is acceptable to lock some roof hatches in a partially-opened position to provide fresh air, but this should not be made a regular practice. Remember that opening these hatches will slightly increase a bus's clearance.

School bus drivers may only pick up students at official stops designated by authorized school officials.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) help prevent brake lockup when driving on slippery surfaces. If a driver brakes too hard on a slippery surface, ABS makes it easier for the driver to maintain control of their vehicle. A vehicle equipped with ABS should be driven and braked in the same way as a vehicle without ABS.

When inspecting the interior of a bus, you must make sure everything is safe and in proper working condition. Take the time to ensure that each handhold and railing is securely in place and safe to be used.

The danger zones of a school bus are areas in which children are most likely to be hit, either by another vehicle or by the bus itself. Such areas are located to the front, sides, and rear of a bus. Danger zones can extend 10 feet from every side of a bus.

Students who are about to unload a school bus should remain seated until the driver tells them that it is safe to exit. After exiting the bus, they should walk to a position that is at least 10 feet away from the bus so the driver can clearly see them.

Backing a school bus is strongly discouraged and should only be done if there is no safe alternative. If you must drive in reverse, be sure to follow all proper safety protocol.

It is possible for students to be injured, or even killed, as a result of their clothing, accessories, or bodies getting caught on a handrail or door while exiting a school bus. The driver should closely watch students as they exit to ensure that they have all unloaded the bus successfully and have reached a safe location.

Crossover mirrors are used to help a driver see the danger zone area directly in front of a school bus. The mirrors should also display the danger zone areas to the left and right sides of the bus, including the area from the front of the bus to the service door.

In general, school bus drivers should stop before any railroad crossings to check the tracks for approaching trains. Drivers should stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail in order to have the best view of the tracks. They should look and listen for approaching trains before proceeding through the crossing.