Commercial driver's guide to operation, safety and licensing

or restrict their use. All drivers must
activate the alternately flashing
lights when loading and unloading
passengers, except when operating
on a roadway where a bylaw
prohibits their use.
• Drivers of vehicles must stop when
approaching a stopped school bus
displaying alternately flashing red lights
from either direction on an undivided
highway, and from behind the bus on a
divided highway.
• On buses equipped with the eight-light
system, the alternately flashing amber
lights shall be activated as the bus
begins to slow down for the stop. Where
possible, minimize traffic disruption by
allowing vehicles to pass before turning
on the alternately flashing red lights.
• Pull as far to the right as practical before
stopping to load or unload passengers.
Choose a location that allows safe
footing and is at least one metre away
from the students waiting to board.
The law allows a driver to stop on the
roadway if a suitable and safe location
off the roadway is not available.
• Activate the alternately flashing red
lights when the bus comes to a
complete stop. The alternately
flashing lights must not be used
when the bus is not involved in
loading or unloading passengers.
• Before loading or unloading, check
that all traffic has stopped, that the
transmission is in neutral for a manual
transmission, or park for an automatic
and the park brake is applied. Keep firm
pressure on the brake pedal.
• Open the door of the bus and let the
passengers on or off.
• If students must cross the highway in
a rural area after getting off the bus,
instruct them to go at least 10 paces in
front of the bus, stop before they enter
the roadway and wait for your direction
before crossing the road. Establish a
line of sight with them; look up and
down the roadway checking for traffic
before you let them cross in front of the
bus. Do not lose sight of the students
as they cross and be sure that you can
account for all of them.
• Before moving, check all mirrors,
including the cross over mirror, to
ensure that no students are lingering
near the bus.
• Turn off the alternately flashing lights
after all the students are seated, release
the park brake, and when it is safe
signal left and re-enter the traffic flow.
Drivers must also be aware of the
following:
• The bus must not be moving while
students enter or exit.
• It is against the law to back a school
bus in a schoolyard without guidance
from a responsible person located
outside and at the rear of the bus. You
must be able to see the guide at all
times. You are responsible for all your
movements.
• Be sure that all the students are seated
while the bus is in motion.
• Never exceed the seating capacity
of the bus.
• Always use frequent mirror checks to be
sure that it is safe before activating the
alternately flashing red lights or giving
a signal for the students to cross the
roadway. Even though other drivers are
required by law to stop, they may not.
CHAPTER FIVE
Operating Class 2 vehicles 57