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Free Practice Questions for OR CDL School Bus

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Key Facts: OR CDL School Bus Exam

$10

Fee per commercial knowledge test attempt

Oregon DMV CDL fee schedule

80%

Minimum passing score

49 CFR 383.135

Up to 30 ft

Front danger-zone extent

Oregon CDL Manual Section 10

15-50 ft

Railroad crossing stop distance

ORS 811.460

Oregon DMV requires an 80% passing score on the English-only CDL School Bus knowledge test; it does not publish a current official item count or time limit. A School Bus endorsement also requires Passenger qualification, federal ELDT, a 14-day CLP hold, and a three-part skills test in a representative school bus.

Sample OR CDL School Bus Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the OR CDL School Bus exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How does Section 10 describe the danger zone around a school bus?
A.As much as 30 feet in front, with the first 10 feet most dangerous, and 10 feet on each side and behind the bus
B.Only the 2 feet immediately outside the service door
C.Exactly 50 feet in every direction
D.Only the area directly behind the rear axle
Explanation: Section 10 says the danger zone may extend as much as 30 feet from the front bumper, with the first 10 feet being the most dangerous. It extends 10 feet from the left and right sides and 10 feet behind the rear bumper.
2How far back does the blind spot directly behind a conventional school bus typically extend?
A.Usually 50 to 150 feet and possibly as much as 400 feet, depending on the bus
B.Exactly 10 feet, identical to the front bumper zone
C.Zero feet, because modern convex rear mirrors eliminate rear blind spots
D.No more than 25 feet behind the emergency exit door
Explanation: Section 10 says the rear blind spot may extend 50 to 150 feet and could extend as much as 400 feet depending on the length and width of the bus. The driver must understand the limits of the bus's mirror system.
3What is the primary function of the front-mounted crossover mirrors (crossview mirrors) on a school bus?
A.To allow the driver to view the danger zone directly in front of the front bumper, from bumper to ground, and around the front tires
B.To monitor student behavioral conduct in the middle passenger seats
C.To provide high-magnification views of distant trailing traffic on interstate highways
D.To eliminate the need for adjusting exterior side flat mirrors
Explanation: Crossover mirrors are mounted on the front fenders to let the seated driver see the front danger zone, including the area directly in front of the bumper, the ground from bumper forward, and the front wheels where small children may crouch.
4How should outside flat mirrors be adjusted on a conventional school bus?
A.So that 200 feet behind the bus is visible, along the side of the bus, and the rear tires touching the ground in the bottom of the mirror
B.Aimed outward to view oncoming cross-traffic at 90-degree angles
C.Positioned so the driver sees only the side paint of the bus to check for scratched lettering
D.Aimed downward to see only the fuel filler cap
Explanation: Outside flat mirrors should be adjusted so the driver can see 200 feet (or 4 bus lengths) behind the bus, along the side of the bus, and the rear tires touching the ground at the bottom of the mirror frame.
5What optical distortion occurs when viewing objects in outside convex mirrors on a school bus?
A.Objects appear much smaller and farther away than they actually are
B.Objects appear three times larger and closer to the rear bumper
C.Colors are inverted, making red traffic signals appear green
D.Convex mirrors eliminate all depth perception without altering apparent object size
Explanation: Because convex mirrors curve outward to capture wide-angle coverage, images are visually shrunken: objects, children, and vehicles look smaller and farther away than their actual physical position.
6When approaching a designated student bus stop, when should the driver activate the amber alternating flashing warning lights?
A.At least 100 to 300 feet before the stop (or per state law and district policy) to warn following and oncoming traffic
B.Exactly 5 feet before bringing the wheels to a complete stop
C.Only after the bus has come to a complete stop and the parking brake is set
D.One mile in advance on all residential city streets
Explanation: According to the Oregon CDL manual and pupil transportation guidelines, amber flashing warning lights must be activated 100 to 300 feet (or approximately 200 feet) before the stop to give surrounding motorists advance warning.
7How far away from waiting students should a school bus driver bring the vehicle to a complete stop?
A.At least 10 feet away from the waiting students
B.Within 12 inches of where the nearest student is standing
C.Directly alongside the students so they can touch the front door handle
D.At least 50 feet away to force students to run toward the bus
Explanation: Drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from waiting students. Stopping too close endangers students if they jostle, slip on wet grass, or crowd forward before the bus has come to a complete stop.
8What is the mandatory mechanical sequence a school bus driver must perform immediately after coming to a full stop at a bus stop?
A.Set the parking brake, place the transmission in Park or Neutral, check mirrors, and then activate the red flashing lights and stop arm
B.Open the entrance door immediately while leaving the transmission in Drive with foot on the service brake
C.Shift into reverse to illuminate the white backup lights as a warning to following cars
D.Turn off the engine completely before deploying the stop arm
Explanation: To prevent accidental bus rollaways, the driver must set the parking brake and shift into Neutral or Park. Only after checking mirrors and verifying traffic has stopped should the red flashing lights and stop arm be deployed.
9Under Oregon law (ORS 811.155), when must drivers on a public roadway stop for a school bus displaying alternating flashing red lights?
A.Drivers meeting or following the bus from either direction must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the red lights are turned off
B.Only drivers trailing directly behind the bus must stop; oncoming vehicles never stop
C.Traffic must stop only if children are actively standing in the roadway travel lanes
D.Traffic is permitted to pass the stopped school bus at a reduced speed of 10 mph
Explanation: ORS 811.155 requires drivers approaching a school bus from either direction on an undivided roadway to stop when the red flashing lights are active and remain stopped until lights are extinguished or the bus resumes motion.
10Under Oregon law (ORS 811.155), when are oncoming drivers traveling in the opposite direction NOT required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
A.When the highway has divided roadways separated by an unpaved median strip or physical barrier
B.Whenever the road has more than two paved lanes without any median
C.During morning commute hours between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM
D.When oncoming vehicles are traveling at or above 55 mph
Explanation: Under ORS 811.155(2), drivers on a separate roadway are not required to stop if the highway is divided into separate roadways by an unpaved median, barrier, or physical separation.

About the OR CDL School Bus Exam

The Oregon CDL School Bus endorsement knowledge test is administered by Oregon DMV for commercial drivers operating school buses transporting pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students. It covers Section 10 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, including danger zones, mirror usage, loading and unloading procedures, emergency vehicle evacuation, railroad-highway crossings under ORS 811.460, student management, and antilock braking systems. OpenExamPrep provides independent English-language four-option practice questions based on the official manual and state traffic regulations. They are not an official test simulation or a substitute for certified school bus driver training.

Exam sponsor: Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

An automated knowledge test administered by Oregon DMV covering Section 10 (School Buses) of the current Oregon Commercial Driver Manual. Applicants must also qualify for the Passenger (P) endorsement and pass the Air Brakes test when operating an air-braked bus. After the required knowledge tests, federal ELDT, and a CLP held for at least 14 days, applicants complete vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road skills tests in a representative school bus.

Time Limit

Not published

Passing Score

80%

Exam / Certification Fees

$10 per commercial knowledge test attempt; $40 Commercial Learner Permit fee; $30 fee to add or remove a commercial endorsement.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Core Section 10 area

Danger Zones and Mirror Systems

Danger zones extending up to 30 feet in front and 10 feet at the sides and rear, plus crossover, convex, and flat mirror use.

Core Section 10 area

Loading, Unloading, and Student Safety

Approaching stops, amber/red warning lights, ORS 811.155 compliance, safe student crossing procedures, and dropped object hazards.

Core Section 10 area

Emergency Evacuation and Procedures

Mandatory evacuation conditions, securing the bus, orderly exit routes, and lead/rear student helper duties.

Core Section 10 area

Railroad Crossings and Driving Safety

Mandatory railroad grade crossing stops under ORS 811.460, noise suppression, door opening, and ABS operation.

State/federal licensing area

Student Management and Oregon Licensing Rules

Managing student conduct, handling unruly students without off-stop discharge, Oregon Department of Education coordination, and ELDT prerequisites.

Preparing for the OR CDL School Bus Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80%
  • Assessment: An automated knowledge test administered by Oregon DMV covering Section 10 (School Buses) of the current Oregon Commercial Driver Manual. Applicants must also qualify for the Passenger (P) endorsement and pass the Air Brakes test when operating an air-braked bus. After the required knowledge tests, federal ELDT, and a CLP held for at least 14 days, applicants complete vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road skills tests in a representative school bus.
  • Time limit: Not published
  • Exam / certification fees: $10 per commercial knowledge test attempt; $40 Commercial Learner Permit fee; $30 fee to add or remove a commercial endorsement. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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OR CDL School Bus: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Section 10 (School Buses) of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, including the danger zone of as much as 30 feet in front and 10 feet at each side and behind the bus.
2Understand the proper sequence for loading and unloading: activate amber warning lights in advance, stop at least 10 feet from waiting students, set parking brake, shift to neutral/park, check mirrors, and activate red lights and stop arm before opening the door.
3Separate the legal stop rule from the manual procedure: ORS 811.460 controls where a qualifying bus stops, while Section 10 tells the driver to quiet the bus, turn off noisy equipment, open the service door and driver window, look and listen, and avoid shifting on the tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Oregon DMV publish the School Bus knowledge test question count?

No. Oregon DMV confirms an 80% minimum passing score for commercial knowledge tests but does not publish a current official item count or time limit for the School Bus test.

Do I need the Passenger endorsement before getting a School Bus endorsement in Oregon?

Yes. Federal and Oregon CDL rules require school bus drivers to qualify for and hold both the Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.

What is the danger zone around an Oregon school bus?

The current Oregon CDL manual says the danger zone may extend up to 30 feet in front, with the first 10 feet most dangerous, and 10 feet to each side and behind the bus.

What is the stop distance at railroad crossings for an Oregon school bus?

Under ORS 811.460, school bus drivers must stop at a marked stop line or, if none exists, between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail at a crossing that is not exempt.