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CDL Test: Passenger transport questions and answers

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Passenger transport

42 questions

  1. #1

    At a railroad crossing, a bus must stop:

    1. At least 5 feet from the nearest rail
    2. Within 10 feet of the crossbuck
    3. Between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail
    4. Exactly 100 feet before the tracks

    Answer: C. Stop between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail, with four-way flashers on; stop whether or not you carry passengers.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.3.5 Railroad-highway CrossingsStop your bus between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rails.

  2. #2

    If your bus has a manual transmission, while crossing railroad tracks you should:

    1. Never change gears
    2. Shift up to gain speed
    3. Shift into neutral
    4. Change gears only on the second track

    Answer: A. Never change gears while crossing the tracks.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.3.5 Railroad-highway CrossingsIf your bus has a manual transmission, never change gears while crossing the tracks.

  3. #3

    At a drawbridge with no signal light or attendant, a bus must stop how far before the draw?

    1. 15 feet
    2. 25 feet
    3. 100 feet
    4. 50 feet

    Answer: D. Stop 50 feet before the draw and make sure it is completely closed before crossing.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.3.6 DrawbridgesStop 50 feet before the draw of the bridge.

  4. #4

    Standing riders on a bus must stay:

    1. Next to the driver
    2. Behind the standee line
    3. In the stairwell
    4. Anywhere if they hold a rail

    Answer: B. No rider may stand in front of the standee line; buses that allow standing have a two-inch line on the floor.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.2.3 Standee Lineno rider may stand in front of the standee line which is forward of the rear of the driver's seat.

  5. #5

    A bus must never carry more than how much allowed hazardous material in total?

    1. 100 pounds
    2. 250 pounds
    3. 500 pounds
    4. 1,000 pounds

    Answer: C. Never more than 500 pounds total of allowed hazardous materials, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.2.2 Forbidden Hazardous Materialsmore than 500 pounds total of allowed hazardous materials, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.

  6. #6

    Which of these may a bus carry?

    1. Small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D
    2. Tear gas
    3. Liquid Class 6 poison
    4. Division 2.3 poison gas

    Answer: A. Buses may carry small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D, emergency hospital supplies and drugs; tear gas, liquid Class 6 poison and Division 2.3 gas are forbidden.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.2.2 Forbidden Hazardous MaterialsBuses may carry small-arms ammunition labeled orm-d, emergency hospital supplies, and drugs.

  7. #7

    Which is true about fueling a bus?

    1. Fuel only with riders on board
    2. Fueling indoors is safer
    3. Riders must hold the nozzle
    4. Never refuel in a closed building with riders on board

    Answer: D. Avoid fueling with riders aboard unless absolutely necessary, and never in a closed building with riders on board.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.5 Prohibited Practicesnever refuel in a closed building with riders on board.

  8. #8

    On a transit bus, the brake-door interlock:

    1. Replaces the parking brake
    2. Applies the brakes and holds the throttle at idle when the rear door is open
    3. Locks the doors while moving
    4. Opens the rear door at stops

    Answer: B. It applies the service brakes and holds the throttle at idle when the rear door is open; do not use it in place of the parking brake.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.6 Use of Brake-door Interlocksthe interlock applies the service brakes and holds the throttle in idle position when the rear door is open.

  9. #9

    If your bus leans toward the outside on a banked curve, it means:

    1. The tires are underinflated
    2. The load is uneven
    3. You are driving too fast
    4. The curve is safe at that speed

    Answer: C. Leaning toward the outside on a banked curve means you are driving too fast.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.3.4 Speed on Curves or TurnsIf your bus leans toward the outside on a banked curve, you are driving too fast.

  10. #10

    Which tires are NOT allowed on the front wheels of a bus?

    1. Recapped or regrooved tires
    2. Radial tires
    3. Tubeless tires
    4. New tires

    Answer: A. Front wheels must not have recapped or regrooved tires.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.1 Vehicle Inspectiontires (front wheels must not have recapped or regrooved tires).

  11. #11

    If you work for an interstate carrier, after each shift you must:

    1. Only report defects verbally
    2. Inspect the bus once a week
    3. Wash the bus
    4. Complete a written inspection report for each bus driven

    Answer: D. A written inspection report is required for each bus driven; if there are no defects, the report should say so.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.4 After-trip Vehicle InspectionIf you work for an interstate carrier, you must complete a written inspection report for each bus driven.

  12. #12

    May you tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard?

    1. Yes, always
    2. Only if getting off would be unsafe, and only to the nearest safe spot
    3. Only at night
    4. Only on the highway

    Answer: B. Do not tow or push with riders aboard unless getting off would be unsafe; then only to the nearest safe spot.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual (PUB 223), 4.5 Prohibited Practicesdo not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard the vehicle, unless getting off would be unsafe.

  13. #13

    A bus driver must have a CDL if the vehicle is designed to seat:

    1. 9 or more persons, not counting the driver
    2. 12 or more persons, including the driver
    3. 16 or more persons, including the driver
    4. 30 or more persons, not counting the driver

    Answer: C. A CDL is required for a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons, including the driver.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73Bus drivers must have a commercial driver license if they drive a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons, including the driver.

  14. #14

    To get the passenger endorsement you must pass a knowledge test on which sections of the manual?

    1. Sections 2 and 4
    2. Sections 1 and 3
    3. Sections 3 and 5
    4. Sections 4 and 6

    Answer: A. The passenger endorsement knowledge test covers Sections 2 and 4 of the manual.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73To get the endorsement you must pass a knowledge test on Sections 2 and 4 of this manual.

  15. #15

    If your bus has airbrakes, you must also pass a knowledge test on:

    1. Section 3
    2. Section 6
    3. Section 9
    4. Section 5

    Answer: D. A bus with airbrakes also requires a knowledge test on Section 5 (air brakes).

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73(If your bus has airbrakes, you must also pass a knowledge test on Section 5.)

  16. #16

    When should you sign the previous driver's inspection report?

    1. As soon as you receive it from the previous driver, so you can start your trip
    2. Only if reported defects have been certified as repaired or not needing repair
    3. Only if the bus looks clean and no body damage can be seen from outside
    4. After the first stop of your trip, once you have seen how the bus runs

    Answer: B. Signing certifies that the defects reported earlier have been fixed.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73Only if defects reported earlier have been certified as repaired or not needed to be repaired, should you sign the previous driver’s report.

  17. #17

    Before driving, the aisles and stairwells of your bus should be:

    1. clear only at night
    2. always clear
    3. used to store baggage
    4. clear only on charter trips

    Answer: B. Aisles and stairwells should always be clear for rider safety.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73Aisles and stairwells should always be clear.

  18. #18

    Which is true about emergency exit doors and windows?

    1. They may be left open for fresh air in warm weather
    2. They may be open if riders ask
    3. They must be open on mass transit buses
    4. Never drive with one open

    Answer: D. Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

  19. #19

    If your bus has a red emergency door light, you should:

    1. make sure it works and turn it on whenever you use your outside lights
    2. turn it on only during emergencies, such as when evacuating the bus
    3. leave it off to save the battery unless the bus is parked at night
    4. turn it on only in the daytime, when the outside lights are off

    Answer: A. The red emergency door light must work, and it should be on at night or any time you use your outside lights.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73If there is a red emergency door light, it must work. Turn it on at night or any other time you use your outside lights.

  20. #20

    Which is correct about emergency roof hatches on a bus?

    1. They must always stay fully open whenever the bus is in service and carrying riders
    2. They must never be opened for any reason, even to let in fresh air on a hot day
    3. You may lock some in a partly open position for fresh air, but not as a regular practice
    4. They may be left open on every trip as a regular practice to keep the bus cool

    Answer: C. Some roof hatches may be locked partly open for fresh air, but not as a regular practice.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73You may lock some emergency roof hatches in a partly open position for fresh air. Do not leave them open as a regular practice.

  21. #21

    A bus must have spare electrical fuses unless it is equipped with:

    1. a fire extinguisher
    2. emergency reflectors
    3. a rear-vision mirror
    4. circuit breakers

    Answer: D. The bus must carry spare electrical fuses, unless it has circuit breakers.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73The bus must also have spare electrical fuses, unless equipped with circuit breakers.

  22. #22

    The bus driver's seat belt should be:

    1. used only on highways
    2. used always, for safety
    3. used only in bad weather
    4. used only when carrying children

    Answer: B. The driver's seat should have a seat belt, and you should always use it for safety.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73The driver’s seat should have a seat belt. Always use it for safety.

  23. #23

    Where must you NOT allow riders to leave carry-on baggage?

    1. Under their own seat
    2. On their lap
    3. In a doorway or aisle
    4. In an overhead rack

    Answer: C. Do not allow riders to leave carry-on baggage in a doorway or aisle.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 73Do not allow riders to leave carry-on baggage in a doorway or aisle.

  24. #24

    How many different four-inch, diamond-shaped hazard labels are there?

    1. Nine
    2. Five
    3. Seven
    4. Twelve

    Answer: A. There are nine different four-inch, diamond-shaped hazard labels.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74There are nine different four-inch, diamond-shaped hazard labels.

  25. #25

    Shippers must mark containers of hazardous material with the material's name, hazard label and:

    1. weight in pounds
    2. driver's license number
    3. identification number
    4. date of manufacture

    Answer: C. Containers must show the material's name, identification number and hazard label.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74The rules require shippers to mark containers of hazardous material with the material’s name, identification number, and hazard label.

  26. #26

    Of the allowed hazardous materials, a bus may carry no more than how much of any one class?

    1. 100 pounds
    2. 50 pounds
    3. 250 pounds
    4. 500 pounds

    Answer: A. A bus may carry no more than 500 pounds total, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74More than 500 pounds total of allowed hazardous materials, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.

  27. #27

    Which of these must a bus never carry in the space occupied by people?

    1. Emergency hospital supplies
    2. Drugs
    3. Small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D
    4. Labeled radioactive materials

    Answer: D. Buses must never carry labeled radioactive materials in the space occupied by people.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Labeled radioactive materials in the space occupied by people.

  28. #28

    Which of these should you NOT allow riders to carry on the bus?

    1. A small purse or handbag
    2. Car batteries or gasoline
    3. A folded winter jacket
    4. A paperback library book

    Answer: B. Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline.

  29. #29

    No rider may stand forward of:

    1. the front door
    2. the rear of the driver's seat
    3. the middle of the bus
    4. the first row of passenger seats

    Answer: B. No rider may stand forward of the rear of the driver's seat.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74No rider may stand forward of the rear of the driver’s seat.

  30. #30

    When arriving at a destination or intermediate stop, what should you announce?

    1. Only the name of the driver and the total length of the route
    2. The speed limit and the weather conditions at the destination
    3. Only the fare for the next trip and the number of seats left
    4. The location, reason for stopping, next departure time and bus number

    Answer: D. You should announce the location, the reason for stopping, the next departure time and the bus number.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74When arriving at the destination or intermediate stops announce: The location. Reason for stopping. Next departure time. Bus number.

  31. #31

    If the aisle is on a lower level than the seats, you should:

    1. remind riders of the step-down, preferably before coming to a complete stop
    2. say nothing, since riders can already see the step-down themselves
    3. warn riders only after one of them has tripped on the step-down
    4. tell riders only at the final destination, as they are leaving the bus

    Answer: A. Remind riders of the step-down, and it is best to tell them before the bus comes to a complete stop.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74If the aisle is on a lower level than the seats, remind riders of the step-down. It is best to tell them before coming to a complete stop.

  32. #32

    Why should charter bus drivers not allow riders on the bus until departure time?

    1. It saves fuel
    2. It is required for the bus's air brakes to warm up
    3. It helps prevent theft or vandalism of the bus
    4. It keeps the aisle clear of baggage

    Answer: C. Keeping riders off the bus until departure time helps prevent theft or vandalism.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Charter bus drivers should not allow riders on the bus until departure time. This will help prevent theft or vandalism of the bus.

  33. #33

    When should you mention rules about smoking, drinking or the use of radios?

    1. Only after a rider breaks a rule
    2. At the final stop
    3. Only if a rider asks
    4. At the start of the trip

    Answer: D. Explaining the rules at the start of the trip helps to avoid trouble later on.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Explaining the rules at the start will help to avoid trouble later on.

  34. #34

    While driving a bus, you should scan:

    1. only the road straight ahead of the bus, since riders look after themselves
    2. the interior of the bus as well as the road ahead, to the sides and to the rear
    3. only the mirrors on the left side and the road to the front of the bus
    4. only the interior of the bus and the riders, never the road ahead or the sides

    Answer: B. Scan the interior of the bus as well as the road ahead, to the sides and to the rear.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74While driving, scan the interior of your bus as well as the road ahead, to the sides, and to the rear.

  35. #35

    Where should you discharge a drunk or disruptive rider?

    1. Anywhere along the route, immediately, to remove the rider from the bus at once
    2. On the shoulder of the highway, away from the other riders, so the trip can continue
    3. At the next scheduled stop or a well-lighted area with other people, where it is safe for them
    4. In a dark, empty area, away from other people, where the rider cannot disturb anyone

    Answer: C. Do not discharge such riders where it would be unsafe; a scheduled stop or well-lighted area is safer.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Don’t discharge such riders where it would be unsafe for them. It may be safer at the next scheduled stop or a well-lighted area where there are other people.

  36. #36

    Where do bus accidents often happen?

    1. At intersections
    2. Only on long straight highways
    3. Only in parking lots
    4. Only in tunnels

    Answer: A. Bus accidents often happen at intersections, so use caution even if a signal or stop sign controls other traffic.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 74Bus accidents often happen at intersections.

  37. #37

    When pulling out from a bus stop, you should:

    1. signal and pull out at once, since other drivers are required to yield to the bus
    2. pull out quickly to force a gap, because a bus is bigger than other vehicles
    3. wait for the gap to open and never assume other drivers will brake for you
    4. rely on riders to watch for traffic and tell you when it is clear

    Answer: C. Wait for the gap to open; never assume other drivers will brake to give you room.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75Wait for the gap to open before leaving the stop. Never assume other drivers will brake to give you room when you signal or start to pull out.

  38. #38

    Crashes on curves that kill people and destroy buses usually result from:

    1. excessive speed, often on a road made slippery by rain or snow
    2. brake failure only, caused by badly worn brake linings or drums
    3. tire pressure that is too high, especially in hot weather
    4. riders standing in the aisle and moving toward the front

    Answer: A. Such crashes result from excessive speed, often when rain or snow has made the road slippery.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75Crashes on curves that kill people and destroy buses result from excessive speed, often when rain or snow has made the road slippery.

  39. #39

    After a train has passed a crossing, before crossing you must make sure:

    1. the train's last car has a signal light that shows the track is clear
    2. your bus doors are closed and every rider has taken a seat
    3. your riders are all standing behind the standee line on the floor
    4. there isn't another train coming in the other direction on other tracks

    Answer: D. Before crossing after a train has passed, make sure no other train is coming in the other direction on other tracks.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75Before crossing after a train has passed, make sure there isn’t another train coming in the other direction on other tracks.

  40. #40

    At the end of a shift, mass transit drivers should also make sure that:

    1. the riders have paid their fares and the tickets have been counted
    2. passenger signaling devices and brake-door interlocks work properly
    3. the fuel tank is completely full and the engine oil has been changed
    4. the standee line has been repainted and the floor has been cleaned

    Answer: B. Mass transit drivers should check that passenger signaling devices and brake-door interlocks work properly.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75Mass transit drivers should also make sure passenger signaling devices and brake-door interlocks work properly.

  41. #41

    If you find no defects during the after-trip inspection, the written report should:

    1. be left blank
    2. say so
    3. not be filed
    4. list the previous driver's defects

    Answer: B. If there are no defects, the report should say so.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75If there are no defects, the report should say so.

  42. #42

    Which of these is a prohibited practice while driving a bus?

    1. Scanning the interior of the bus along with the road ahead
    2. Checking your mirrors every five to eight seconds while driving
    3. Wearing your seat belt at all times while the bus is in motion
    4. Talking with riders or engaging in any other distracting activity

    Answer: D. Do not talk with riders, or engage in any other distracting activity, while driving.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 4, p. 75Don’t talk with riders, or engage in any other distracting activity, while driving.
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