Section 11.3 - School Bus Only +15CDL · CDL · English

School bus student lights and arms allow the driver to communicate loading/unloading intentions and force students to cross safely. Both front and back must be inspected and demonstrated.

• ✓Inspect and demonstrate strobe (if equipped), alternately flashing amber lights, and alternately flashing red lights on front and rear
• ✓Verify the corresponding dash indicators are operational
• ✓Inspect the stop arm is securely mounted, extends fully, and its lights and dash indicator work
• ✓Inspect the safety arm is securely mounted and extends fully in conjunction with the stop arm

School buses must carry emergency first aid and body fluid cleanup kits that are present and in usable condition.

• ✓Inspect that the emergency first aid kit is present and its seal is not broken
• ✓Inspect that the body fluid cleanup kit is present and its seal is not broken
• ✓A broken seal may indicate missing items

Maintain proper lane position, stop at proper points, and complete turns in the correct lane on multiple-lane roads.

• ✓Do not put the vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings
• ✓Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop signs
• ✓Finish a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the center line
• ✓Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane
• ✓Move to or remain in the right-most lane unless the lane is blocked

At any accident where you are not seriously hurt, the basic steps are: protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured. Keep another accident from happening at the same spot.

• ✓Protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured
• ✓Try to get your vehicle to the side of the road, put on flashers, and set out reflective triangles
• ✓If stopping to help, park away from the accident so emergency vehicles have room
• ✓Call authorities and try to give your exact location

If a qualified person is helping, stay out of the way unless asked. Otherwise do your best: don't move a severely injured person unless there's danger of fire or traffic, stop heavy bleeding, and keep the person warm.

• ✓Don't move a severely injured person unless danger of fire or traffic makes it necessary
• ✓Stop heavy bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound
• ✓Keep the injured person warm

The area ahead is the most important space. Following distance is based on vehicle length and speed.

• ✓Allow at least one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph
• ✓Add one second for safety at speeds over 40 mph
• ✓Example: a 40-foot vehicle needs 4 seconds under 40 mph and 5 seconds over 40 mph
• ✓Add more space when the road is slippery

Large vehicles need extra space in turns due to off-tracking. Proper turning technique prevents crashes.

• ✓Turn right slowly and turn wide as you complete the turn, keeping the rear close to the curb
• ✓Do not swing wide to the left as you start a right turn (drivers may pass on the right)
• ✓On a left turn, reach the center of the intersection before turning to avoid off-tracking hits
• ✓With two left turn lanes, use the rightmost turn lane

Heavy vehicles are often tailgated. Manage this by staying right and handling tailgaters safely.

• ✓Stay in the right lane when a heavy load slows you down
• ✓Increase your following distance to give a tailgater room and avoid sudden moves
• ✓Do not speed up and do not use tricks like flashing brake lights to deal with tailgaters

Overhead and underneath clearances must be verified. Posted heights may be inaccurate and vehicle height changes with load.

• ✓Do not assume posted bridge/overpass heights are correct; repaving or snow can reduce clearance
• ✓An empty van is taller than a loaded one
• ✓Watch clearance below on dirt roads, drainage channels, and railroad tracks to avoid getting hung up

Large vehicles need larger gaps because of slow acceleration and their length.

• ✓You may need a much larger gap to enter traffic than a car would
• ✓Allow more room if your vehicle is heavily loaded because acceleration is slower
• ✓Make sure you can get all the way across a road before traffic reaches you

Pull off the road and park in an open area away from anything that might catch fire; don't pull into a service station. Keep the fire from spreading and use the right extinguisher for the fire class.

• ✓Park in an open area away from buildings, trees, and other vehicles; don't pull into a service station
• ✓For an engine fire, turn off the engine and don't open the hood; shoot foam through louvers or from underneath
• ✓For a cargo fire in a van/box trailer, keep the doors shut to avoid supplying oxygen
• ✓When using the extinguisher, stay as far away as possible and aim at the base of the fire
• ✓Position yourself upwind and continue until the fire is cooled

Vehicle fires can result from accidents, tires, electrical shorts, fuel, and cargo. Prevention includes vehicle inspection, en route inspections for heat, following safe procedures, monitoring gauges, and caution with flammables.

• ✓Under-inflated tires and duals that touch can cause tire fires
• ✓Electrical shorts, driver smoking, improper fueling, and loose fuel connections cause fires
• ✓Check that the fire extinguisher is charged during inspection
• ✓Check tires, wheels, and truck body for heat whenever you stop

Class A fires are wood/paper/combustibles; Class B are gasoline/oil/grease; Class C are electrical; Class D are combustible metals. A B:C extinguisher works on electrical fires and burning liquids; A:B:C also works on wood, paper, and cloth.

• ✓B:C extinguishers work on electrical fires and burning liquids
• ✓A:B:C extinguishers also work on burning wood, paper, and cloth
• ✓Don't use water on an electrical fire (shock) or gasoline fire (spreads flames)
• ✓A burning tire must be cooled with lots of water
• ✓Class C electrical fires: DO NOT USE WATER

Never use burning signals like flares or fuses around tanks for Class 3 flammable liquids or Division 2.1 flammable gas (loaded or empty), or vehicles loaded with explosives—use reflective triangles or red electric lights instead. The power unit of placarded vehicles must have a fire extinguisher rated 10 B:C or more.

• ✓Never use flares or fuses around flammable liquid/gas tanks or explosives
• ✓Use reflective triangles or red electric lights as stopped vehicle signals
• ✓Placarded vehicle power units must have a fire extinguisher rated 10 B:C or more
• ✓Turn off engine before fueling; someone must control the nozzle

Drivers must find out about permits and special routes; avoid populated areas, tunnels, and narrow streets when placarded. Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives require a written route plan. Stop 15 to 50 feet before railroad crossings for placarded vehicles, any amount of chlorine, or cargo tanks used for hazmat.

• ✓Explosives (Div 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) require a written route plan carried by the driver
• ✓Stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail for placarded or chlorine-carrying vehicles
• ✓Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks
• ✓Avoid tunnels, populated areas, and open fires when placarded

Never park with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 5 feet of the traveled road. Except briefly for operational needs, do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, building, place where people gather, or open fire. Someone must always watch the vehicle unless it's on shipper/carrier/consignee property or in a safe haven.

• ✓Never park explosive-laden vehicles within 5 feet of the traveled road
• ✓Do not park within 300 feet of bridges, tunnels, buildings, crowds, or open fires
• ✓Someone must always watch a parked explosive-laden vehicle
• ✓A safe haven is an approved place for unattended explosive-laden vehicles

The attendant of a placarded vehicle must be in the vehicle (awake, not in sleeper berth) or within 100 feet with clear view, aware of the hazards, know emergency procedures, and be able to move the vehicle if needed.

• ✓Attendant must be within 100 feet of the vehicle with it in clear view
• ✓Attendant must be awake and not in the sleeper berth
• ✓Attendant must know the hazards and emergency procedures
• ✓Attendant must be able to move the vehicle if needed

Examine each tire at the start of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked, using a tire pressure gauge. Do not drive with a leaking or flat tire except to the nearest safe place. Chlorine cargo tank drivers must carry an approved gas mask and a leak control emergency kit.

• ✓Examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked
• ✓The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is a tire pressure gauge
• ✓Remove any overheated tire and place it a safe distance away
• ✓Chlorine drivers need an approved gas mask and a dome cover leak emergency kit

All external lights must be inspected from outside the vehicle to confirm they operate and illuminate properly, allowing the driver to see and be seen.

• ✓Inspect front, side, and rear lights: turn signals, 4-way flashers, low and high beam headlights, clearance/marker lights, taillights, and brake lights
• ✓Inspect that brake lights come on when brakes are applied and turn off when released
• ✓On a combination vehicle, you need only inspect the rear of the trailer
• ✓You must direct the examiner to specific lights; if you forget a light, you will not get credit

Steer the vehicle accurately and keep both hands on the wheel except while shifting.

• ✓Do not over-steer or under-steer the vehicle
• ✓Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times unless shifting
• ✓Return both hands to the wheel once a shift is completed

Alcohol impairs muscle coordination, reaction time, depth perception, and night vision, and affects judgment and inhibition. The liver processes only about one-third ounce of alcohol per hour at a fixed rate; only time will sober you up.

• ✓Only time, not coffee or a cold shower, will sober you up
• ✓The liver processes about one-third ounce of alcohol per hour, less than a standard drink
• ✓The first part of the brain affected controls judgment and self-control
• ✓Alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream and is carried to the brain

BAC measures the amount of alcohol in your body and is determined by how much you drink, how fast, and your weight. Standard drinks (12 oz 5% beer, 5 oz 12% wine, 1.5 oz 80 proof liquor) contain the same amount of alcohol.

• ✓BAC is higher with more alcohol, faster drinking, and lower body weight
• ✓A 12-oz beer, 5-oz wine, and 1.5-oz shot of 80 proof liquor contain equal alcohol
• ✓Effects on driving include straddling lanes, jerky starts, and running signs/lights
• ✓Subtract .01% BAC for each 40 minutes of drinking

Laws prohibit possession/use of many drugs while on duty and being under the influence of controlled substances or any substance making the driver unsafe. Prescription/over-the-counter drugs may impair driving. If too ill to drive safely, don't drive.

• ✓Common cold medicines can make you sleepy and affect safe driving
• ✓A doctor-prescribed drug is permitted only if the doctor says it won't affect safe driving
• ✓Don't use any drug that hides fatigue; the only cure for fatigue is rest
• ✓If too ill to drive safely, you must not drive except in an emergency to reach a safe stop

Do not fight hazmat fires without training and equipment—call for help. Feel trailer doors before opening; if hot, do not open. Do not touch, smell, or eat/drink/smoke around leaks. If hazmat is spilling, park it, secure the area, stay there, and call for help—never drive to find a phone.

• ✓Do not fight hazardous materials fires without proper training and equipment
• ✓Do not open hot trailer doors—air may make the fire flare up
• ✓Never touch or smell leaking material to identify it
• ✓If spilling: park it, secure the area, stay there, and call for help

The DOT Emergency Response Guidebook is indexed by proper shipping name and identification number for responders. At a crash, keep people away, limit material spread if safe, communicate the danger, and provide responders with shipping papers and emergency response info.

• ✓The ERG is indexed by proper shipping name and identification number
• ✓Keep people far away and upwind at a hazmat incident
• ✓Provide emergency responders with shipping papers and emergency response information
• ✓Keep shipping papers with you at the scene

You or your employer must call the National Response Center (800-424-8802) when a hazmat incident causes death, hospitalization, over $50,000 property damage, evacuation over one hour, closure of a major artery for one hour or more, or fire/breakage/spillage of radioactive or infectious materials. CHEMTREC (800-424-9300) provides technical info.

• ✓Call the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 for qualifying incidents
• ✓Report if a person is killed, hospitalized, or property damage exceeds $50,000
• ✓Report evacuations over one hour or major artery closures of one hour or more
• ✓Carriers must make detailed written reports within 30 days of an incident

For explosives, warn others, keep bystanders away, and remove explosives at least 200 feet before separating collided vehicles. For compressed gas leaks, notify the shipper. For radioactive leaks, do not touch or inhale and don't use the vehicle until cleaned. For corrosives, wash exposed vehicle parts with water.

• ✓Remove explosives at least 200 feet from vehicles and buildings before separating collided vehicles
• ✓Notify the shipper if compressed gas is involved in any accident
• ✓Do not use a radioactive-contaminated vehicle until cleaned and checked with a survey meter
• ✓Wash vehicle parts exposed to corrosive liquid thoroughly with water

The front and engine area inspection covers light lenses, critical fluid levels, fluid and air leaks, and the steering system.

• ✓Inspect engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid (hydraulic only) between add and full marks
• ✓Do not remove the radiator cap if the engine is hot
• ✓Look for puddles, dripping fluids, and inspect hoses/air lines for condition and leaks
• ✓Inspect the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking, and connecting links/arms/rods are not worn, cracked, or loose
• ✓Inspect there are no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys/pins in steering connections

Axle components in contact with the pavement must be inspected for inflation, condition, tread depth, damage, and secure mounting.

• ✓Inspect tire inflation using a tire gauge (not by kicking or using a mallet)
• ✓Minimum tread depth is 4/32 on steering axle tires and 2/32 on all other tires
• ✓Inspect rims for damage, cracks, or bends; rims cannot have welding repairs
• ✓Inspect that all lug nuts are present, not loose, and there are no rust trails or shiny threads
• ✓Inspect there are no bent, broken, or missing studs

Springs, mounts, U-bolts, air bags, shocks, brake lines/hoses and brake contaminates must be inspected on the axle.

• ✓Inspect for missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaf/coil springs and secure mounts
• ✓Inspect that U-bolts and mounting bolts are not broken, missing, or loose
• ✓Inspect air ride suspension and shocks are secure, not damaged, and not leaking
• ✓Inspect brake hoses/lines are not cracked, worn, frayed, or leaking and couplings are secure
• ✓Inspect for contaminants like grease or oil on brake linings, pads, drums, or discs

The side and rear of the vehicle include lenses, reflectors, mirrors, battery, fuel/DEF tank, and frame members.

• ✓Inspect that side and rear lenses and reflectors are proper color, clean, not broken or missing
• ✓Inspect batteries are secure with tight connections and no excessive corrosion
• ✓Inspect the fuel tank (and DEF tank if equipped) is securely mounted, cap tight, with no leaks
• ✓Inspect frame members for cracks, broken welds, holes, or other damage

Continuously scan traffic and check mirrors, especially at intersections and in areas with pedestrians.

• ✓Check traffic and mirrors regularly
• ✓Check mirrors and traffic before, while in, and after an intersection
• ✓Scan and check traffic in high-volume areas and where pedestrians may be present

A hazard is any road condition or road user that is a possible danger. Seeing hazards early gives time to plan. Move-over laws protect roadside workers.

• ✓A hazard is any road condition or road user that is a possible danger; when a driver cuts in it becomes an emergency
• ✓Move-over laws require slowing and changing lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles or work zones when safe
• ✓If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed

Certain road users give clues that they may act unpredictably, such as blocked vision, impairment, or distraction.

• ✓People whose vision is blocked (vans, rental trucks, iced windows) are dangerous hazards
• ✓Watch for impaired drivers who weave, leave the road, stop at the wrong time, or drive too fast/slow, especially late at night
• ✓Confused drivers (tourists, out-of-state plates) may change direction or stop suddenly

Continuously scan for hazards and plan escape routes so you are prepared if a hazard becomes an emergency.

• ✓Always be looking for hazards and think about emergencies that could develop
• ✓Plan a way out of any potential emergency and be prepared to take action

Federal regulations restrict hand-held mobile phone use by CMV drivers with disqualification and civil penalties.

• ✓You may only use a hands-free phone located close to you, operated without pressing more than a single button
• ✓CDL disqualification is 60 days for a second offense within 3 years and 120 days for three or more within 3 years
• ✓Drivers face civil penalties up to $2,750 and employers up to $11,000 for violations
• ✓An emergency exception allows hand-held use to contact law enforcement or emergency services

Distraction is anything that takes attention from driving. There are physical, mental, and combined distractions, each increasing crash risk.

• ✓Physical distraction takes your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road
• ✓Mental distraction takes your mind away from the road
• ✓Both physical and mental distraction (such as texting) give an even greater crash chance
• ✓Distraction causes slowed perception and delayed or improper action

Placards identify the hazard class on the vehicle's outside. A placarded vehicle needs at least four identical placards on front, rear, and both sides. You cannot drive a placarded vehicle without a hazardous materials endorsement.

• ✓A placarded vehicle must display at least four identical placards, readable from all four directions
• ✓Placards must be at least 9.84 inches (250mm) square, turned upright in a diamond shape
• ✓You can drive a hazmat vehicle without placards, but need a hazmat endorsement if placards are required
• ✓Driving a placarded vehicle without the endorsement is a crime
• ✓Identification numbers are preceded by 'NA' or 'UN' and listed in the ERG

Hazardous materials are products that pose a risk to health, safety, and property during transport. The rules aim to contain the product, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment.

• ✓Rules exist to contain the product, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers/equipment
• ✓Shippers use shipping papers and diamond-shaped hazard labels to warn of risk
• ✓Keep hazmat shipping papers in a driver's door pouch, in clear view within reach, or on the driver's seat when out of the vehicle

A tank endorsement is required for any commercial vehicle designed to transport liquid or gaseous materials in a tank with individual rated capacity over 119 gallons and aggregate capacity of 1,000 gallons or more, whether or not the material is hazardous.

• ✓Tank endorsement required for tanks over 119 gallons individual and 1,000 gallons aggregate
• ✓The liquid or gas in a tank does not have to be hazardous to require the endorsement
• ✓Never drive a vehicle needing placards without the hazmat endorsement

Combination vehicles require inspection of air and electric lines connecting the power unit to the trailer. Loss of air or electrical connection can result in loss of braking, control, or lighting.

• ✓Inspect connectors on both power unit and trailer are seated, sealed, free of damage, and locked in place
• ✓Inspect air hoses and electrical lines are not cut, cracked, chafed, spliced, taped, or worn
• ✓Inspect lines are not tangled, crimped, pinched, or dragging; listen for air leaks
• ✓You must inspect the connections on both the power unit and trailer to receive credit

For fifth wheel combinations, the skid plate, kingpin, apron and gap must be inspected to ensure a proper connection between tractor and trailer.

• ✓Inspect the fifth wheel skid plate is securely mounted and free of cracks, breaks, or excessive wear
• ✓Inspect the kingpin is in place and not bent, damaged, or worn
• ✓Inspect the visible apron is not bent, cracked, or broken
• ✓Inspect the trailer lies flat on the skid plate with NO gap between apron and fifth wheel

The locking mechanisms and safety devices that keep the trailer coupled must be inspected because the trailer could uncouple during travel if not secured.

• ✓Fifth wheel: look into the gap and inspect locking jaws/lever are fully secured around the kingpin with no play
• ✓Fifth wheel: inspect the release arm is engaged and the safety latch is in place
• ✓Other systems: inspect the pintle/hitch release lever or latch is locked in place and secure
• ✓Inspect safety cables or chains are secure, crossed, free of kinks, with breakaway cables engaged

For pintle hook or other combinations, the coupling hardware and trailer tongue must be inspected for secure mounting and no damage.

• ✓Inspect the pintle hook or tow hitch is securely mounted to the vehicle frame with no loose or missing parts
• ✓Inspect the drawbar ring/eye or trailer coupler is not bent, twisted, worn, or cracked
• ✓Inspect the trailer tongue for dents, twists, cracks, and broken welds
• ✓If extendable, inspect that bolts, locking pins, and cotter pins are in place

For trailers, the landing gear and reflective tape must be inspected to ensure safe travel and visibility.

• ✓Inspect the landing gear is fully raised with no missing parts and the crank handle secure
• ✓If power operated, inspect for air or hydraulic leaks
• ✓Inspect that reflective tape on sides and rear of the trailer is present and affixed securely
• ✓Reflective tape is only required for trailers, though some jurisdictions require it for school buses