Stopping at School Crossings and for School Buses +5Ontario · CDL · English

You must stop for a stopped school bus with upper alternating red lights flashing, whether behind or approaching from the front. From behind, stop at least 20 metres away. On a road with a median strip, only vehicles behind the bus must stop. Remain stopped until the stop arm folds and lights stop flashing.

• ✓Stop for a school bus with flashing upper red lights whether behind or oncoming
• ✓From behind, stop at least 20 metres away
• ✓On a road with a median strip, only vehicles behind the bus must stop

Failing to stop for a stopped school bus with red lights flashing is illegal: first offence $400 to $2,000 fine and six demerit points; second within five years $1,000 to $4,000 and six demerit points, and possible jail up to six months. The registered owner may receive fines if the driver is not charged, and unpaid fines block permit renewal.

• ✓First offence for failing to stop for a school bus: $400 to $2,000 fine and six demerit points
• ✓Second offence within five years: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail
• ✓The registered owner may receive fines and unpaid fines block vehicle permit renewal

Where a school-crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign, you must stop before the crossing and remain stopped until all people, including the guard, have cleared the entire roadway. Drivers who don't follow requirements may receive a substantial fine and three demerit points.

• ✓Stop for a crossing guard's red and white stop sign and remain stopped until the roadway is clear
• ✓Failing to obey a school crossing guard can bring a fine and three demerit points

Fuel efficiency starts at ignition. Use zero throttle in a gear needing no throttle and do not pump the throttle (fuel is pre-measured). Use ether sparingly. Warm up 3–5 minutes, or 7–10 minutes below 0°C, without revving. Ensure oil and air pressure are in normal ranges.

• ✓Start with zero throttle; do not pump the throttle as it wastes fuel and damages cylinder walls
• ✓Warm up 3–5 minutes, or 7–10 minutes if below 0°C, without revving
• ✓Use ether sparingly to avoid engine harm
• ✓Confirm oil and air pressure are in normal operating ranges at start-up

Change gears smoothly (about 30% improvement in operating costs) and always use the clutch to protect gear teeth. Practise progressive shifting near 1600 RPM, shifting before the maximum governed RPM. Run in the highest gear range for a low-rev range and back off going downhill.

• ✓Always use the clutch to avoid wearing transmission gear teeth
• ✓Practise progressive shifting at about 1600 RPM, before reaching governed maximum
• ✓Run the engine in the highest gear range to keep a low-rev range
• ✓Back off the accelerator downhill and use cruise control where appropriate

Turn off the engine when stopped for any length of time to save fuel, reduce maintenance, prolong engine life and cut emissions. An idling tractor-trailer burns up to four litres of fuel per hour at 900 RPM. Use good starting, control idling, be an RPM miser, use progressive shifting and manage road speed.

• ✓Turn off the engine when stopped for any length of time
• ✓An idling tractor-trailer burns up to four litres of fuel per hour at 900 RPM
• ✓Reduce average speed and use progressive shifting to save fuel
• ✓Keep tires inflated to manufacturer recommendations — 1% fuel wasted per 10 psi under-inflation

Proper warm-up lubricates components and reduces wear. Start with zero throttle in a no-throttle gear; do not pump the throttle since fuel is pre-measured. Use ether sparingly. Warm up gradually without revving and confirm oil and air pressure are in normal ranges.

• ✓Start using zero throttle in a gear that needs no throttle; do not pump the throttle
• ✓Warm up 3-5 minutes, or 7-10 minutes if below 0°C, without revving the engine
• ✓Ensure oil and air pressure are in normal operating ranges during start-up

Shift smoothly and use progressive shifting at about 1600 RPM to reduce wear, noise and fuel use. Always use the clutch, run in the highest gear range for low RPM, back off going downhill, use cruise control where appropriate, and turn off the engine when stopped for any length of time.

• ✓Practise progressive gear shifting at approximately 1600 RPM, shifting before maximum governed RPM
• ✓Always use the clutch to avoid wearing transmission gear teeth
• ✓Turn off the engine when stopped for any length of time to save fuel and reduce emissions
• ✓Professional shifting can improve operating costs by about 30 percent

Route and vehicle setup significantly affect fuel use. Flat multi-lane highways, proper tire inflation, reduced speed, and controlled idling all save fuel. Candidates should know specific figures tested in the Green Smarts quiz.

• ✓Snow-covered roads can increase fuel consumption by 15 to 20%
• ✓Inflate tires to the manufacturer's recommendation; 1% of fuel is wasted per 10 psi of under-inflation
• ✓An idling tractor-trailer burns up to four litres of fuel per hour at 900 RPM
• ✓New diesel engines: downshift at about 1200 RPM and up-shift at about 1600 RPM
• ✓Reducing average speed and reducing aerodynamic drag by 10% can each improve fuel efficiency (about 5%)

Pedestrian crossovers allow pedestrians to cross where there are no traffic lights, sometimes with flashing overhead yellow lights. Drivers, including cyclists, must stop and allow pedestrians to cross, proceeding only after pedestrians and crossing guards are safely on the sidewalk. Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a crossover, and never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

• ✓Stop and allow pedestrians to fully cross before proceeding at a pedestrian crossover
• ✓Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover
• ✓Never pass a vehicle stopped to allow pedestrians to cross

Insurers, self-insurers, auctioneers, importers and salvagers who take possession of used vehicles must determine whether severely damaged/total-loss vehicles should be branded and notify the ministry. The brand appears on the permit, abstracts and UVIP to protect used-vehicle buyers. There are four brands: None, Irreparable, Salvage and Rebuilt.

• ✓Irreparable: damage so severe the vehicle can only be used for parts/scrap and can never be driven in Ontario
• ✓Salvage: the vehicle may be repaired/rebuilt but cannot be registered as fit to drive until rebuilt
• ✓Rebuilt: previously Salvage, rebuilt and passed a structural inspection; may be registered as fit if it passes a Safety Standards Certificate
• ✓Written-off motorcycles must be branded Irreparable and cannot be branded Salvage
• ✓Trailers, farm tractors, mopeds, motorized snow vehicles, street cars and 1980-or-earlier vehicles are exempt

Insurers, fleet owners, auctioneers, importers and salvagers must determine whether severely damaged or written-off vehicles should be branded and notify the ministry. The brand appears on the permit, abstracts and UVIP to protect used-vehicle buyers. There are four brands: None, Irreparable, Salvage, and Rebuilt.

• ✓Irreparable: damage so severe the vehicle can only be used for parts or scrap and can never be driven in Ontario
• ✓Salvage: the vehicle can be repaired or rebuilt but cannot be registered as fit to drive until inspected
• ✓Rebuilt: a previously Salvage vehicle that passed structural inspection and may be registered as fit to drive if it passes a safety inspection
• ✓Motorcycles written off must be branded Irreparable and cannot be branded Salvage
• ✓Trailers, farm tractors, mopeds, snow vehicles, street cars, and vehicles model year 1980 or earlier are exempt

Rear wheels do not pivot and follow a shorter path (off-track) than the front wheels; the greater the wheelbase, the greater the off-track. Lead your turning arc according to curve sharpness and off-track. A right curve requires keeping front wheels close to the left of the lane; a left curve requires keeping them close to the right edge to prevent the rear wheels crossing into oncoming traffic.

• ✓Rear wheels follow a shorter path (off-track) than the front wheels
• ✓The greater the wheelbase, the greater the amount of off-track
• ✓On a right curve keep front wheels left; on a left curve keep them right to control off-track

Know your vehicle's height and width and obey clearance signs on bridges and underpasses. Maximum vehicle height in Ontario is 4.15 metres. Remember road repairs, rough roads, ice and floods may reduce otherwise adequate clearance. Follow signs at dangerous conditions and obey truck bans on certain highways, times or days.

• ✓Maximum vehicle height in Ontario is 4.15 metres
• ✓Obey clearance signs on bridges and underpasses
• ✓Road repairs, ice and floods may reduce otherwise adequate clearance