CDL Passenger Test Guide

What every manual says

The bus inspection, the hazardous materials riders may not bring, railroad crossings and drawbridges, and what a driver must never do with riders aboard.

1. Vehicle Systems

   A bus must have the fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors required by law.

   CA · p. 4-1

2. Bus Interior

   Because people sometimes damage unattended buses, always check the interior before driving: aisles and stairwells clear; handholds and railings, floor covering, signaling devices (including a restroom emergency buzzer), emergency exit handles and seats securely fastened and safe.

   CA · p. 4-2

3. Bus Interior

   Never drive with an emergency exit door or window open; the "Emergency Exit" sign must be clearly visible, and a red emergency door light, if fitted, must work and be on at night or whenever you use outside lights.

   CA · p. 4-2

4. Forbidden Hazardous Materials

   Explosives (other than small-arms ammunition) and labeled radioactive materials may not be carried in the space occupied by people on a bus; riders may not carry on common unlabeled hazards such as car batteries or gasoline.

   CA · p. 4-3

5. At Your Destination

   At the destination or intermediate stops, announce the location, the reason for stopping, the next departure time and the bus number; remind riders to take their carry-ons, and warn of a step-down if the aisle is lower than the seats, best before stopping.

   CA · p. 4-3

6. Passenger Supervision

   Many charter and intercity carriers have comfort and safety rules.

   CA · p. 4-4

7. Common Accidents

   Bus accidents often happen at intersections, so use caution even when other traffic is controlled by a signal or stop sign.

   CA · p. 4-4

8. Speed on Curves

   Deadly bus crashes on curves come from too much speed, often on slippery roads.

   CA · p. 4-4

9. Railroad-highway Crossing/ Stops

   A bus does not have to stop, but must slow down and check carefully for other vehicles, at streetcar crossings, where a police officer or flagger directs traffic, when a traffic signal is green, and at crossings marked "exempt" or "abandoned".

   CA · p. 4-5

10. Drawbridges

    Stop at drawbridges that have no signal light or traffic attendant, at least 50 feet before the draw, and make sure it is completely closed before crossing; you need only slow down and check when a traffic light shows green or an attendant controls traffic when the bridge opens.

    CA · p. 4-5

11. After-trip Vehicle Inspection

    Inspect your bus at the end of each shift; interstate carrier drivers must complete a written report for each bus driven, listing any defect that would affect safety or cause a breakdown, or saying there are none.

    CA · p. 4-5

12. Prohibited Practices

    Don’t tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard unless getting off would be unsafe, and then only to the nearest safe spot to let them off; follow your employer’s guidelines.

    CA · p. 4-6

13. Use of Brake-door Interlocks

    An urban transit coach’s brake and accelerator interlock applies the brakes and holds the throttle at idle while the rear door is open, releasing when it closes; don’t use it in place of the parking brake.

    CA · p. 4-6

14. Use Your Seatbelt!

    The bus driver’s seat should have a seat belt, and the driver should always use it.

    CA · p. 4-2

15. Bus Interior

    Inside the bus, aisles and stairwells must always be clear, and all seats must be safe for riders and securely fastened to the bus.

    CA · p. 4-2

Every state's manual: Passenger

Each links its passenger practice test. Federal CDL rules: endorsement P and the others.

• AlabamaSection 4 · p. 71–74
• AlaskaSection 4 · p. 74–77
• ArizonaSection 4 · p. 72–75
• ArkansasSection 4 · p. 68–71
• CaliforniaSection 4 · p. 95–100
• ColoradoSection 4 · p. 59–61
• ConnecticutSection 4 · p. 69–72
• DelawareSection 4 · p. 75–78
• FloridaSection 4 · p. 75–78
• GeorgiaSection 4 · p. 130–135
• HawaiiSection 4 · p. 77–80
• IdahoSection 4 · p. 70–73
• IllinoisSection 4 · p. 67–70
• IndianaSection 4 · p. 69–72
• IowaSection 4 · p. 73–76
• KansasSection 4 · p. 68–71
• KentuckySection 4 · p. 78–81
• LouisianaSection 4 · p. 88–91
• MaineSection 4 · p. 71–74
• MarylandSection 4 · p. 137–144
• MassachusettsSection 4 · p. 94–97
• MichiganSection 4 · p. 81–84
• MinnesotaSection 4 · p. 115–118
• MississippiSection 4 · p. 68–71
• MissouriSection 4 · p. 65–68
• MontanaSection 4 · p. 76–79
• NebraskaSection 4 · p. 80–83
• NevadaSection 4 · p. 76–79
• New HampshireSection 4 · p. 68–71
• New JerseySection 4 · p. 68–71
• New MexicoSection 4 · p. 71–74
• New YorkSection 4 · p. 81–86
• North CarolinaSection 4 · p. 73–76
• North DakotaSection 4 · p. 73–76
• OhioSection 4 · p. 65–68
• OklahomaSection 4 · p. 68–71
• OregonSection 4 · p. 71–74
• PennsylvaniaSection 4 · p. 89–93
• Rhode IslandSection 4 · p. 66–69
• South CarolinaSection 4 · p. 83–86
• South DakotaSection 4 · p. 91–94
• TennesseeSection 4 · p. 73–76
• TexasSection 4 · p. 77–80
• UtahSection 4 · p. 73–76
• VermontSection 4 · p. 81–84
• VirginiaSection 4 · p. 68–71
• WashingtonSection 4 · p. 75–78
• West VirginiaSection 4 · p. 106–109
• WisconsinSection 4 · p. 102–106
• WyomingSection 4 · p. 67–70