SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

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SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

• PASSING THE PAST
• February 22, 2005

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NEW REQUIREMENTS

• School bus drivers must have a CDL if they drive
  any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more
  people, including the driver.
• Must pass the S endorsement as well as the P
  endorsement to drive a school bus.

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Obtaining A CDL Permit

• Pass a 50 question General Knowledge written
  test.
• Pass the 25 question Air Brake written test if
  bus is equipped.
• Pass the 20 question Passenger Endorsement
  written test.
• Pass the 20 question School Bus Endorsement
  written test.

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Obtaining A CDL License

• Pass with 80 on the following
• Pre-trip inspection.
• Obstacle Course.
• Road Test Skills.

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DANGER ZONES

• The danger zone is any area anywhere
• outside the bus where children are in the
• most danger of being hit, either by
• another vehicle, or their own bus.

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Danger Zone Dimensions

• Extend as much as 30 to the front.
• Extends 10 on the sides.
• Extend as much as 10 from the rear bumper.
• The left side is always the most dangerous.

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Mirror Use Adjustments

• One should always check the mirror's for anything
  in view.
• And to know all environment surroundings.

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Convex Mirrors

• Located either below or above outside flat mirror
  (west coast). Older buses.
• Newer buses, below the outside flat mirror
  (double nickle).

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Mirror View

• See the entire side of the bus up to the mirror
  mounts.
• Front of the rear tires touching the ground.
• At least 1 traffic lane on either side.

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View cont

• Are used to monitor the sides at an angle.

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Crossover Mirrors

• The entire area in front of the bus from the
  front bumper at ground level.
• The right left front tires touching the ground.
• The area from the front of the bus to the service
  door.
• Along with convex mirror, view should be clear as
  to notice anyone or thing in danger zone.

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Flat Mirrors

• Located on sides of the bus, drivers eye sight,
  shoulder level.
• From mirror view, can see 200 and blind spot as
  much as 400 or more behind the driver.

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Overhead Inside Rearview Mirror

• Located above driver head and windshield.
• Used to monitor inside activity.
• There exist a blind spot as much as 400 more
  behind the driver.

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Inside Mirror Cont

• Must be able to see top of rear window in top of
  mirror.
• All the students, including the heads of those
  behind you.

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Loading Unloading

• More students are killed while getting on or off
  the bus than riding the bus.
• All stops should be approved by school district
  official, not parent or guardian.
• Always use mirrors and activate alternating lamps
  crossing arm bar at all stops.

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When Approaching Stop

• Carefully and at slow rate of speed.
• Look for pedestrians, traffic, objects, before,
  during and after stopping.
• Continuously check mirrors.
• If the school bus is equipped, activate
  alternating flashing amber warning lights before
  stops in accordance with state law.

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Cont

• Continuously check mirrors to monitor danger
  zones.
• Move as far right on traveled portion of roadway.
• Bring bus to a full stop 10 away from students
  designated stop.
• Shift to N then set parking brake.

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Cont

• Open service door, if possible, enough to
  activate alternating red lights when vehicles
  around you are a safe distance from you.
• Make a final check that traffic has stopped
  before opening service door all the way and
  signaling the students to enter.

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Loading Procedures

• Students should be facing the bus as it arrives.
• Students should board only as the driver signals
  them to.
• Monitor danger zones.
• Count all students as they get on.
• If one is missing, find them, ask others where
  they may be.

20
Loading Cont

• Have them board the bus in single file.
• Have dome light on if dark.
• Wait till students are seated and facing the
  front before taking off.
• Check all mirrors, make sure no one is trying to
  catch missed bus.

21
Loading Cont

• If all not on according to count
• Secure the bus.
• Remove the key.
• Check the sides of bus.
• Look under the bus.

22
Loading Cont

• After all have been accounted for
• Close door.
• Engage transmission.
• Release parking brake.
• Cancel flashing signals.
• Give left turn signal.
• Enter traffic with caution according to mirrors.

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Loading on Campus

• Turn off key.
• Remove key if leaving drivers seat.
• Position yourself to supervise loading as
  required by your state and local laws.

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Unloading on the Route

• Perform a safe stop at designated areas only.
• Have students remain seated until told to exit.
• Check all mirrors.
• Count all students as they unload.
• Know exactly where they are before pulling off.

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Unloading Cont

• Tell students to exit the bus at least 10 away
  from the bus.
• Tell them to stay where you can see them.
• Check all mirrors so you know their exact
  location.
• If missing, according to count, secure the bus.

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Unloading Cont

• Check around and under the bus.

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Unloading, Pulling Off

• Close the door.
• Engage transmission.
• Release the parking brake.
• Cancel flashing red lights.
• Give left turn signal.
• After traffic disperses, enter flow if safe to do
  by scanning your mirrors.

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Unloading Special Note

• If you miss ones unloading stop, NEVER back up.
• Follow local guidelines.

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Crossing the Roadway

• Walk approximately 10 away from the side of the
  bus to a position where you can see them.
• Walk to a location at least 10 in front of the
  right corner of the bumper.
• Staying away from the bus.
• Stop at the right edge of the roadway.

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Crossing Cont

• Should be able to see their feet.
• Before crossing
• Have them to look in all directions and at you to
  be sure it is safe to cross.
• Check to make sure your red lights are flashing.
• Wait for your signal before they cross.

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Crossing Cont

• He / she should cross far enough in front of the
  bus to be in your view.
• Walk to the left edge of the bus, stop, wait for
  your signal to cross, eyeing all directions of
  traffic flow.
• Cross when safe to do so.

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Unloading at School

• Are the same procedures as loading on campus.
• However, always do a walk through and check for
  sleeping students.
• Check for hiding students.
• And for any items left on the bus.

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Dangers of Loading Unloading

• Always keep students in plain view while
  boarding.
• If a student drops an object, they should leave
  said object, and ask for help.
• Handrails require extensive observation for
  hang-ups.
• Never leave until all are clear from bus.

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Post-trip Inspection

• At the end of each delivery of destination,
  always do a walk through.
• Check for sleeping students.
• Check for articles left on the bus.
• Check for damage and vandalism.
• Report any mechanical problems.
• Double check for any left BE-HINDS.

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Emergency Exit and Evacuations

• Knowing what to do before you cant do.
• 1st and foremost important consideration is to
  recognize a hazard.
• As a general rule, student safety and control is
  best maintained by keeping students on the bus.
• Call dispatch, advise them of situation.

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Emergency Cont

• Share plan while you can.
• Remember, the decision to evacuate the bus must
  be a timely one.

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Evacuating Causes

• Is there danger of fire?
• Is there a smell of leaking fuel?
• Is there a chance of being hit?
• Is the bus in a sighted path of a tornado or
  rising waters?
• Would removing students be more dangerous than
  not evacuating.

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Mandated Evacuations

• The bus is on fire.
• The bus is stalled on railroad tracks.
• The bus is in danger of collision.
• The position of the bus may change and increase
  danger.
• Evacuate because of a hazardous spill.

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Evacuating Procedures

• If possible, assign 2 responsible, older students
  to assist at each exit.
• Assign another responsible student to lead them
  to a safe distance.
• Explain all procedures to everyone on the bus.
• Have alternate assistants assigned in case of
  absence or immobility.

40
Evacuating Cont

• A safe place to move students is 100 away from
  bus, off road and in direction of traffic.
• Lead students upwind in case of fire. Lead
  students away from railroad tracks in direction
  of train at an angle.
• Lead students upwind at least 300 away in risk
  of a hazardous spill.

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Evacuating Cont

• In the event of a sighted path of a tornado,
  escort to a ditch.
• Escort to a culvert.
• A ditch line careful that area not prone to
  flooding.
• Away from bus so as not to be toppled by the bus.

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Evacuating Cont

• Have students lay face down.

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Exiting The Bus

• Front, rear, side door.
• Roof hatches,
• Emergency exit windows.
• Any combination that will safely evacuate
  students best.

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Exiting Cont

• Secure the bus.
• Parking brake set.
• Gear selection is N.
• Shut off engine.
• Remove ignition key.
• Activate Hazard flashers( 4-way).

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Exiting Cont

• Notify someone if time permits. (compound)
• Explain in details, what, when, and resources
  needed.
• Dangle radio microphone out of window if equipped
  for later use.
• If not, send a responsible student for help.

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Exiting Cont

• Order evacuation.
• Evacuate the bus.
• Never move a student if you believe to have a
  neck or spinal injury unless his / her life is in
  danger.
• Walk through the bus and do a student sweep.

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Exiting Cont

• Retrieve emergency equipment.
• Join the rest of students and check on each of
  them and their need.
• Protect the scene.
• Set out emergency reflectors.
• Prepare information for emergency personnel.

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Railroad-highway Crossings

• Passive Crossings
• This type of crossing has no traffic control
  devices.
• You must stop at these crossings.
• These crossings have yellow circular advance
  warning signs.
• Pavement markings and cross bucks.

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Railroad-highway Crossings Cont

• Active Crossings
• These have traffic control devices installed at
  the crossing to regulate traffic.
• They have flashing red lights with bells.
• They can also be flashing red lights with bells
  and gates.

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Railroad Warning Signs Devices

• Advance Warning signs
• The round, black on yellow sign is placed ahead
  of a public railroad-highway crossing.
• It means to slow down and be prepared to stop.
• Look, listen for oncoming train.

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Signs

• Most of what you see will be about 200 from
  crossing.

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Warning Signs Cont

• Pavement Markings
• They mean the same as advance warning sign.
• They consist of an X with the letters RR on
  each side of X.
• There is a no passing zone on two lane roads.

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Warning Signs Cont

• There may be a white stop line painted on the
  roadway before the railroad tracks.
• The front of the bus must remain behind this line
  while stopped at crossing.

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Signs

• The white line will be at the head of marking.

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Warning Signs Cont

• Cross buck Signs
• This sign marks a passive crossing.
• You must yield the right-of-way to train.
• There will be a sign under the cross buck to tell
  you if there is more than one set of tracks.

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Warning Signs Cont

• Active crossing with more than 1 set
  of tracks.

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Warning Signs Cont

• Flashing Red Light Signals
• Are at many active high-way grade crossings.
• The cross buck sign has flashing red lights and
  bells.
• When flashing and singing, we are to stop and
  listen, continue when performance is over!

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Warning Signs Cont

• Gates
• Are at many railroad high-way crossings.
• Have flashing lights on the gates and bells
  around the post.
• NEVER drive around the gate.
• If gate appears defective, call dispatch for
  assistance.

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Recommended Procedures

• School buses must stop at all railroad- highway
  crossings.
• Follow local and state guidelines.

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Signs
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Approaching The Crossing

• Slow down, shifting gears in a manual
  transmission.
• Activate hazard lights approximately 200 before
  crossing.
• Begin braking light technique at about 200 from
  crossing.
• Let your intentions be known.

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Approaching Cont

• Scan your surroundings and check traffic behind
  you.
• Stay to the right as possible.
• Choose an escape route in the event of a brake
  failure.

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At The Crossing

• Stop no closer than 15, and no farther than 50
  from the nearest rail where you have the best
  view of the tracks.
• Set parking brake.
• Place gear in N.
• Turn off all radio equipment or noise kill switch.

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At The Crossing Cont

• Ask everyone to be quite.
• Open service door.
• Open driver side window.
• Look and listen for oncoming train.

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Crossing The Track

• Check the crossing signals again before moving.
• At multiple-track crossings, stop only at 1st set
  of tracks.
• When you are sure of no hidden train, then
  proceed.
• Shift to low gear.

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Crossing Cont

• Release parking brake.
• Close door window.
• Stay in low rear while crossing, NEVER shift
  gears.
• If gate comes back down while crossing, BUST IT!

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Added Dangers of Crossings

• Bus stalls or trapped on tracks
• Evacuate far from the bus at an angle away from
  tracks.
• And toward oncoming train.
• Police officer at crossing
• Obey their cue.

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Dangers Cont

• Obstructed View of Tracks
• Plan your travels away from such obstructions.
• Containment or Storage Areas.
• If it wont fit , dont commit!
• As a general rule , add 15 to the length of the
  bus to determine cushion space.

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Student Management

• Handling Problems
• Follow your schools procedures for discipline
  measures.
• Stop the bus, park in a safe location.
• Secure the bus .
• Take key with you if you leave the seat.
• Speak to the aggressor calmly.

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Student Management Cont

• If change of seat is necessary, request him/her
  to relocate.
• Only as a last resort do you put a student off
  the bus.
• Notify school if so.
• When, where, and time.
• DOCUMENT for your own protection.

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Student Management Cont

• Give all information immediately to supervisor
  upon returning to bus depot.
• Keep 2 sets of DOCUMENTATION reports for your
  future reference.

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Antilock Braking Systems

• Air brake vehicles, ( trucks, buses, trailers and
  converter dollies) built on or after March 1,
  1998.
• Hydraulically braked trucks and buses with a
  gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 lbs or more
  built on or after March 1, 1999.
• The Department of Transportation required ABS on
  those above vehicles.

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ABS Cont

• Your school bus will have a yellow lamp located
  on the instrument panel.
• ABS can help prevent you from a skid.
• Help in maintaining steering wheel control.

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Braking With ABS

• Use only the braking force necessary to stop
  safely and stay in control.
• Brake the same way, regardless of whether you
  have ABS on your bus.
• As you slow down, monitor your bus and back off
  the brakes to stay in control.

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Braking Cont

• Without ABS, you still have normal brake
  function.
• Drive and brake as you always have.
• Vehicles with ABS have Yellow malfunction lamps
  to tell you if something is not working.
• On older vehicles, the lamp could stay on until
  you are driving over 5 mph.

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Braking Cont

• ABS will help in maintaining control, but not
  always shorten stopping distances.
• Abs wont change the way you normally brake.
• ABS wont compensate for bad brakes.
• The best vehicle safety device, is a safe driver.
• Drive so you will not need your ABS.

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Strobe Lights

• Some buses are equipped with roof-top mounted,
  white strobe lights.
• If your bus has a strobe light, use only when you
  have limited visibility.
• This means seeing around the bus.
• Follow local and state laws concerning the use of.

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Driving In High Winds

• Strong winds can push the school bus side ways.
• They can even blow it off the road or even tip
  it over.
• Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel with 2
  hands.
• Slow down in heavy winds.
• Call dispatch if weather appears rough for report.

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Backing

• Backing is dangerous and increases your risk of
  collision.
• Backing should only be a last resort with kids
  around.
• If Backing With A Look-out
• Signal for all to be quite.
• Check all mirrors for obstacles.

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Backing Cont

• Back slowly and smoothly.
• If no look-out, secure bus.
• Take key with you and look around your bus.
• Keep students on bus while backing.
• If you must back-up at a student drop-off point,
  be sure to unload students after backing.

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Tail Swing

• L / W MW(2) TS.
• A school bus can have as much as a 3 tail swing.
• Keep an eye on your mirrors while turning,
  before, during, and after.

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SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

• Passing the Past
• by
• Brad Lackey