Passenger CDL Practice Test

What endorsement is needed to drive a city bus?

• A. Passenger (P)
• B. Tank (N)
• C. Hazmat (H)
• D. School Bus (S)

What additional endorsement is needed for school buses?

• A. School Bus (S) plus Passenger (P)
• B. Only S
• C. Only P
• D. No additional

How often should you check mirrors when driving a bus?

• A. Frequently — adjust to scan for hazards and passenger movement
• B. Once per trip
• C. Every hour
• D. Only at stops

When boarding passengers, drivers must:

• A. Wait until passengers are seated and bags are stowed
• B. Pull away as soon as door closes
• C. Speed up
• D. Skip seatbelts

What is the brake-door interlock used for in transit buses?

• A. Prevents bus from moving with door open
• B. Locks driver door
• C. Engages parking brake automatically
• D. Opens emergency exits

Hazardous materials may be transported on buses:

• A. Only in limited quantities and not in passenger compartment
• B. Always allowed
• C. Never
• D. Only in baggage

Maximum weight of small-arms ammunition allowed on a bus is:

• A. 100 pounds
• B. 500 pounds
• C. 50 pounds
• D. No limit

What is the standee line?

• A. Line behind which standing passengers must stay
• B. Line at the curb
• C. Border around driver
• D. Loading line

What is required at every railroad crossing for buses?

• A. Stop, look both ways, listen, then proceed
• B. Slow only
• C. Honk
• D. Continue at speed

How far from the nearest rail must a bus stop at a railroad crossing?

• A. 15 to 50 feet
• B. 5 to 15
• C. 50 to 100
• D. 100 to 200

When approaching a railroad crossing, the driver should:

• A. Slow down, listen, look both ways, then proceed if clear
• B. Speed up to clear quickly
• C. Stop on the tracks if signal changes
• D. Always honk

When may a bus driver fuel the bus?

• A. Only with no passengers on board, in a properly ventilated area
• B. Anytime
• C. With passengers if quick
• D. Only at night

When boarding a wheelchair passenger, drivers should:

• A. Use lift/ramp safely, secure the wheelchair, follow agency rules
• B. Skip securement
• C. Lift manually
• D. Refuse boarding

What is the safest behavior at a bus stop?

• A. Pull fully to the curb, signal, observe traffic and pedestrians
• B. Stop in lane
• C. Double-park
• D. Skip signal

You should accelerate after stops:

• A. Smoothly to avoid throwing standing passengers
• B. Quickly
• C. Pump pedal
• D. With brake on

When inspecting a bus, drivers must check:

• A. Emergency exits, seats, signage, fire extinguisher, mirrors
• B. Engine only
• C. Tires only
• D. Lights only

When is it OK to leave the bus running at a stop?

• A. Generally not — set parking brake and shut off if leaving
• B. Always
• C. Only in cold weather
• D. Only at terminals

What is the proper procedure for unruly passengers?

• A. Pull over safely, ask passenger to leave, contact dispatch/police if needed
• B. Speed up
• C. Ignore
• D. Continue and confront

What is the rule about backing a bus?

• A. Avoid if possible — significant blind spots
• B. Back freely
• C. Back at speed
• D. Back without signaling

What is the danger of carrying common hazards on a bus?

• A. Fire, explosion, spills threaten passengers
• B. Cosmetic only
• C. Fuel cost
• D. No danger

How should standees be addressed?

• A. Ask them to stay behind the standee line and hold on
• B. Ignore
• C. Tell them to sit on floor
• D. Speed up

When unloading passengers, you should:

• A. Stop fully at the safe location, set brake, then open door
• B. Open door rolling
• C. Stop in middle of lane
• D. Skip parking brake

What is the procedure for a disabled bus on the road?

• A. Move passengers to safety, deploy warning devices, contact dispatch
• B. Leave passengers on bus
• C. Wait without warning
• D. Continue to nearest exit at low speed

How far should the bus be from passengers boarding/exiting?

• A. Within reach of curb to minimize step distance
• B. 5 ft from curb
• C. Anywhere
• D. In middle of street

What is a "deadhead" trip?

• A. Bus operated without revenue passengers
• B. Tour bus
• C. Empty bus due to maintenance
• D. Bus driver test

Buses generally have a higher center of gravity, so drivers must:

• A. Take curves slower and avoid abrupt steering
• B. Drive faster in curves
• C. Use sharp inputs
• D. Speed up turns

What is the proper response to a bomb threat or suspicious package?

• A. Stop safely, evacuate per agency policy, call authorities
• B. Continue route
• C. Check package yourself
• D. Drive home

What should you do if the brake-door interlock activates while moving?

• A. Stop safely; do not bypass interlock
• B. Bypass and continue
• C. Speed up to overcome
• D. Disable circuit

When pulling away from the curb, you should:

• A. Signal, check mirrors and blind spots, ease into traffic
• B. Pull out without signal
• C. Look forward only
• D. Speed in

Bus drivers must report:

• A. Accidents, mechanical issues, hazardous conditions per company rules
• B. Personal events
• C. Weather only
• D. Passenger names

What can happen if the bus exceeds speed for a curve?

• A. Rollover or loss of control
• B. Better fuel economy
• C. Smoother ride
• D. No effect

Why must drivers know agency emergency procedures?

• A. Regulations and passenger safety depend on them
• B. For paperwork
• C. For training pay
• D. For fuel

What is the safest behavior in heavy crowds at a stop?

• A. Inch forward carefully and use horn lightly to alert
• B. Drive normally
• C. Honk loudly
• D. Stop early

Bus tires must meet which special requirement?

• A. Steer tires at least 4/32" tread; no recap on steer axle
• B. 2/32" any axle
• C. Recap on steer OK
• D. No requirement

What is a "trolley pole" on a transit bus?

• A. Electrical pickup for overhead trolley wire (electric buses)
• B. Mast for flag
• C. Antenna
• D. Mirror arm

When operating a bus in winter, drivers should:

• A. Increase following distance and reduce speed for ice/snow
• B. Maintain speed
• C. Use trailer brake only
• D. Skip signaling

Bus passengers may not bring on board:

• A. Hazardous materials beyond limited quantities
• B. Luggage
• C. Bottled water
• D. Food

How are emergency exits inspected?

• A. Open and close each exit; check warning systems and lights
• B. Visual only
• C. Skip
• D. Only at end of trip

When is alcohol prohibited on a bus?

• A. Always under federal CMV regulations
• B. Only at night
• C. Only certain states
• D. Allowed in moderation

What is the danger of opening doors before fully stopping?

• A. Passengers can fall out
• B. Wears door
• C. Saves time
• D. No danger

Bus drivers should remind passengers:

• A. To remain seated or hold on while bus is moving
• B. To open windows
• C. To talk loudly
• D. To stand near driver

How far in advance should you slow for a stop?

• A. Far enough to avoid throwing passengers forward
• B. 5 ft
• C. 50 ft
• D. 500 ft

What is a "kneeling" feature on a bus?

• A. Lowers entrance for easier boarding
• B. Folds front wheels
• C. Drops the engine
• D. Lowers windows

What is "transit signal priority"?

• A. System that gives buses preferential green lights
• B. Bus brake system
• C. Driver phone
• D. Stop sign override

When carrying baggage, you should:

• A. Secure it so it cannot move and block aisles or exits
• B. Stack high
• C. Block exits
• D. Allow loose items

Buses must yield to:

• A. Emergency vehicles, pedestrians at crosswalks per law
• B. Other buses
• C. Trucks
• D. Motorcycles only

How often must bus drivers complete medical exams?

• A. At least every 24 months (federal CMV rule)
• B. Every 5 years
• C. Every 10 years
• D. Once

What is the safest behavior at school zones for any bus?

• A. Slow down and watch for children at all times
• B. Same as highway
• C. Speed up to clear quickly
• D. Honk

What is the proper procedure for a wheelchair passenger?

• A. Use lift, position chair facing forward, secure straps to chair frame
• B. Skip straps
• C. Push manually
• D. Place across aisle

Bus drivers should keep:

• A. Emergency contact and incident report info accessible
• B. Personal items only
• C. Music loud
• D. Windows shut