Pennsylvania CDL: Passenger Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is No, because it may distract the bus driver from driving.

Conversations with passengers represent a distraction from the driving task. The bus driver should avoid all potential distractions while driving the bus. The only real way to treat feelings of sleepiness is with sleep.

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

Know how big a gap in traffic your bus needs to merge into traffic. Before you can pull out of a bus stop, you must wait for a large enough gap in traffic. Never assume that other drivers will brake to let you into traffic.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above must be true.

Make sure that the aisles and stairwells are clear, the handles, handholds, and railings are securely fastened, and all emergency exits are closed and secured. Signage must be visible. If there is a red emergency door light above the emergency exit, it must work properly and be turned on whenever you use your headlights.

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 it must be secured while the bus is being driven.

Emergency exit doors and windows must be securely closed whenever the bus is moving. Signage must be visible. If there is a red emergency door light above the emergency exit, it must work properly and be turned on whenever you use your headlights.

Not quite. The answer is must never be left in a doorway or aisle.

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.

Not quite. The answer is slow down and make sure it's safe to proceed.

You don't have to stop at a drawbridge if you have a green light or there is an attendant or traffic officer present. However, you should still slow down and make sure that the drawbridge is closed and safe to drive on before you proceed across it. The Rio Vista Bridge shown in the image is a vertical-lift bridge that crosses the Sacramento River along California State Route 12.

Not quite. The answer is 50 feet

Stop at drawbridges that do not have a signal light or traffic control attendant. Stop at least 50 feet before the draw of the bridge and look to make sure the draw is completely closed before you proceed across.

Not quite. The answer is driving safely and transporting passengers safely.

You must have a Passenger (P) endorsement on your CDL to drive a vehicle with 16 or more occupants including yourself. To obtain this endorsement, you must meet several requirements including passing a knowledge test and a skills test in a vehicle that is representative of the class of vehicle you will be driving professionally. The knowledge test covers safe commercial driving and safe transportation of passengers. These subjects are covered in chapters 2 and 4 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual. Note: If you plan to drive buses with air brakes, you must also pass a separate knowledge test on air brakes, and the vehicle for the skills test must have air brakes. Otherwise your Pennsylvania CDL will include restriction L, which will limit you to driving vehicles without air brakes.

Not quite. The answer is Your stopping distance quadruples if you double your speed.

You need about four times as much stopping distance when travelling at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

Not quite. The answer is 100 pounds of any one class of allowed hazardous materials.

Passenger buses can carry up to 100 pounds of each class of hazardous materials and up to 500 pounds total. However, there are some exceptions. Division 2.3 (poison gases) and liquid Class 6 (poisons) cannot be carried in any amounts. Class 1 (explosives) and Class 7 (labeled radioactives) cannot be carried in the passenger area.

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 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 at a streetcar crossing

You must stop at a red light, a stop sign, a railroad crossing, or whenever a flagperson (flagger) signals you to stop. At a streetcar crossing, at a crossing marked as “exempt” or “abandoned,” or wherever a police officer or flagger is signaling you to proceed, slow down and carefully check for other vehicles.

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 500 pounds.

Buses may carry small amounts of certain hazardous materials such as small-arms ammunition and consumer commodities marked "Limited Quantity" (formerly "ORM-D"). Buses may not carry more than 100 pounds of any class or more than 500 pounds total.

Not quite. The answer is your ability to drive safely is impaired by illness or fatigue.

Federal regulations prohibit you from operating a commercial motor vehicle if your ability to drive safely is impaired for any reason: fatigue, illness, or the side effects of medications you're taking.

Not quite. The answer is may be locked in a partially open position.

You may lock roof hatches into a partially open position to provide fresh air. However, don't leave them open all the time. 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 safe for cars in good weather.

Each curve has a safe "design speed," which is its safe speed for cars in good weather. However, at that speed, a bus is more prone to rolling over. And it may not be safe for any vehicles to travel at that speed in bad weather. In particular, a bus could go sliding right off the road. For safety on curves, slow down below the posted speed. If your bus is leaning outward on a banked curve, you are driving too fast.

Not quite. The answer is Whenever you're driving

Always wear your seat belt whenever your bus is in motion. In the event of a crash, your seat belt will keep you from being badly injured or thrown out of your seat, which would result in your losing control of your vehicle.