Passenger and school bus

A vehicle seating enough passengers that its driver needs a CDL.

The line is drawn by seating capacity, counting the driver. City buses, coaches and large shuttle vans all count. Driving one needs the P endorsement.

No current stem names the term; questions on passenger vehicles ask about the P endorsement, bus inspection, loading rules and stops.

A bus that carries students to and from school or school activities.

School buses have their own rules: danger zones, mirrors, student loading and unloading, railroad stops. Driving one needs the S endorsement on top of P.

Few stems name the bus itself; questions ask about student loading, danger zones, railroad stops and the S endorsement.

A floor line on a bus behind which standing riders must stay.

On buses that allow standing, a two-inch line on the floor marks the front limit. Nobody may stand ahead of it, next to the driver. It keeps the driver's view and movement clear.

The area around a school bus where children most risk being hit.

It surrounds the bus on all sides and reaches far in front of the bumper. The first few feet in front are the deadliest. Mirrors are set to watch it.

No current stem uses the term; school-bus questions ask how far the danger zone extends and how mirrors cover it.

A bus door, window or roof hatch for leaving in an emergency.

Every exit must be labeled, undamaged and easy to open from inside. Never drive with one open. On the inspection you show the examiner how at least one works.

The P endorsement a CDL needs to drive a passenger vehicle.

You pass a knowledge test on safe driving and passenger transport, then a skills test in a bus. School bus drivers need P first, then S.

No current stem names it; Passenger-test questions cover inspection, loading, the standee line, stops and prohibited practices.

The S endorsement a CDL needs to drive a school bus.

It is added on top of the P endorsement. You pass a school-bus knowledge test and a skills test in a school bus. It can also go on a CLP.

No current stem names it; School Bus test questions cover danger zones, mirrors, loading and unloading, and evacuation.

A place where a road crosses railroad tracks at the same level.

Buses, placarded hazmat trucks and chlorine carriers must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail at every crossing. Other trucks slow down, look and listen. Low or long rigs can hang up on a raised crossing.