New Jersey CDL: Passenger Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is before the trip.

Many charter and intercity carriers have passenger comfort and safety rules. At the start of the trip, tell the passengers about the rules on smoking, drinking, or use of personal electronic devices. Explaining the rules at the start will help avoid trouble later on. While driving, keep an eye on the passengers. Remind them if you see them breaking the rules.

Not quite. The answer is slow down.

You should always be able to stop within the distance you can see ahead. Your low-beam headlights let you see only about 250 feet ahead. At 55 mph, your vehicle will travel 250 feet in just 3.1 seconds – not enough time to notice and safely avoid a hazard that's within 250 feet of you. At 30 mph, your vehicle will travel 250 feet in 5.7 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is You must be able to stop within the distance that you can see ahead.

You should know the safe driving speeds for your vehicle under both ideal driving conditions and poor driving conditions. The posted speed limits on curves are safe for cars under ideal driving conditions, but not necessarily safe for large vehicles like buses. On a curve, you may have to slow down below the posted speed.

Not quite. The answer is It depends on the state.

There is no national requirement for coach buses to stop at permanent weigh station locations. Instead, each state can set its own rules. As of March 2021, there are 24 states in which coach buses must stop at weigh stations, at least under certain circumstances.

Source: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, March 2021

Not quite. The answer is (b) and (c)

When bus passengers are injured, it’s usually because the driver (a) opened or closed the doors too quickly, (b) started or stopped too quickly or abruptly, (c) turned too quickly or abruptly, or (d) failed to check on passengers often enough while driving.

Not quite. The answer is watch for poles and tree branches.

School and mass transit buses sometimes scrape off mirrors or hit passing vehicles when pulling out from a bus stop. Remember the clearance your bus needs, and watch for poles and tree limbs at stops. Know the size of the gap your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic. Wait for the gap to open before you leave the stop. Never assume that other drivers will brake to leave you room when you signal or start to pull out.

Not quite. The answer is do any of the above.

If you have a drunk or disruptive passenger, you have a few options for the safety of all concerned. If possible, follow your carrier's guidelines for dealing with such passengers. Otherwise, you may drop the passenger off at the next scheduled stop or in any clean, well-lighted place where there are many people.

Not quite. The answer is You can carry any hazardous materials on your bus as long as they are properly labeled.

Most hazardous materials are prohibited on buses. However, certain hazardous materials (such as small-arms ammunition marked "Limited Quantity") may be allowed on a bus if the packages are properly labeled. Don't allow any hazardous material on your bus until you first make sure that the rules allow it.

Not quite. The answer is Yes, if it's medically prescribed and in a container designed for personal use.

Riders sometimes board a bus with an unlabeled HazMat. Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline. Oxygen medically prescribed for, in the possession of a passenger, and in a container designed for personal use is allowed.

Not quite. The answer is wait for a sufficient gap.

You should know the size of the gap that your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic. Before leaving the bus stop, wait for a large enough gap to open. Never assume other drivers will brake to give you room when you signal or start to pull out.

Not quite. The answer is in the aisles.

Carry-on baggage must not be left in doorways or aisles because someone could trip over it or it could block the way to an emergency exit. Carry-on luggage must be stowed so it can't restrict the driver's movements or injure passengers if it falls or shifts.

Not quite. The answer is You can lock the roof hatches in a partly open position for fresh air.

You may lock roof hatches into a partially open position to provide fresh air. However, don't leave them open permanently. When open, they add to the bus's height, which can pose problems when driving through an underpass with low vertical clearance.

Not quite. The answer is so any door or window can be used in an emergency.

Carry-on baggage must not be left in a doorway or aisle where it could trip riders. Secure baggage and freight so it (a) remains undamaged; (b) allows the driver to move freely and easily; (c) allows riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency; and (d) protects riders from injury if carry-on baggage falls or shifts.

Not quite. The answer is the defects listed on it have been certified as either repaired or not needing to be repaired.

Don't sign a previous driver's inspection report unless the defects listed on it have been certified as either repaired or not needing to be repaired. You will, of course, perform your own pre-trip inspection.

Not quite. The answer is A line on the floor that all passengers must stay behind

Buses that allow passengers to stand must have some way to show passengers that they must stand behind the driver. This can be a two-inch-wide line (called the standee line) on the floor behind the driver's seat.

Not quite. The answer is You should avoid traveling alongside other vehicles whenever possible.

Whenever another vehicle is traveling alongside yours, there's always a chance that the vehicle might try to move into your lane and accidentally hit your vehicle. Also, the vehicle is blocking you from changing lanes. It's safer to find an open spot where there are no vehicles on either side of you. (Of course, that may not be possible in heavy, congested traffic.)

Not quite. The answer is Yes, but only up to 100 pounds.

Many hazardous materials cannot be carried on a bus. These include any amounts of Division 2.3 poison gases, liquid Class 6 poisons, or tear gas; or more than 100 pounds of solid Class 6 poisons. Also, buses may never carry explosives (except small-arms ammunition) or radioactive materials in the space occupied by people. Finally, buses may not carry more than a total of 500 pounds of allowed hazardous materials, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above are true.

Don't tow a disabled bus with passengers aboard unless it would be unsafe to discharge them first. In that case, tow or push the bus to the nearest safe location to discharge the passengers.

Not quite. The answer is Slow to a safe speed before entering the curve, then accelerate slightly through it.

The safest way to take a curve is to slow down before the curve and then accelerate slightly through the curve. Braking in a curve risks a skid.

Not quite. The answer is Never

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window. Keep it closed for your passengers' safety.