Rhode Island CDL: Passenger Vehicles Practice Test

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 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 flash your brake lights to let the drivers behind you know that you are stopping.

You may have to stop on the roadway to load or unload passengers. In such situations, warn following drivers by flashing your brake lights. Do not stop suddenly.

Not quite. The answer is Shift your attention back and forth, near and far.

While driving your vehicle, look ahead a full 12–15 seconds. Be aware of what is happening all around your vehicle, both farther from it and closer to it. Keep shifting your attention back and forth, near and far, left and right, so that you can constantly scan all these areas.

Not quite. The answer is 15

Under Rhode Island law, every motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire and every school bus carrying at least one school child must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.

Source: R.I.G.L. § 31-20-4

Not quite. The answer is every emergency exit

As part of your vehicle inspection test, you will have to check every emergency exit to be sure that it is undamaged, operating smoothly, and able to be closed securely from the inside. Also check that all emergency exit warning devices are working.

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 A spare jacket

Federal regulations require CMVs to carry emergency warning devices, such as reflective triangles, and a properly rated fire extinguisher. A spare jacket may be useful in cold weather, but it is not federally required emergency equipment. Spare electrical fuses are also no longer federally required under current FMCSA regulations.

Source: 49 CFR 393.95

Not quite. The answer is 50 feet

When you approach a drawbridge without a signal light or traffic control attendant, you must stop at least 50 feet before the draw of the bridge to make sure that the drawbridge is closed and safe to cross.

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 No, not in space occupied by people.

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 gas) and liquid Class 6 (poison) cannot be carried in any amounts. Explosives and radioactives cannot be carried in the passenger area. Riders sometimes board a bus with an unlabeled hazardous material. Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline.

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.

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 Rhode Island Commercial Driver License 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 Rhode Island CDL will include restriction L, which will limit you to driving vehicles without air brakes.

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 do not allow riders on the bus until departure time.

To help prevent theft or vandalism of the bus, charter bus drivers should not allow passengers to board the bus until departure time.

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 railroad crossings marked as "exempt"

At unattended drawbridges and ordinary railroad crossings, you must stop and look before you proceed. However, a railroad crossing marked as "exempt" or "abandoned" has been abandoned, or its use has been discontinued. At such crossings, you don't have to stop, but you must slow down and check for other vehicles before proceeding.

Not quite. The answer is all of the above.

Relatively small amounts of hazardous materials that are packaged to reduce risk may be classified as a “Limited Quantity (LQ).” Examples include aerosol cans and chemicals (such as bleaches) that are intended to be sold retail to consumers. LQ materials are exempt from the usual shipping paper requirements for hazmat. Also, a vehicle transporting only LQ packages does not have to be placarded. The maximum allowed amounts and the federal packaging requirements for LQ depend on the hazard class of the material. The outer packaging of each LQ package must bear the diamond-shaped Limited Quantity mark. This mark replaces the older “Other Regulated Materials – Domestic (ORM-D)” designation, which was phased out by December 31, 2020. Unlike ORM-D, Limited Quantity packages may be shipped internationally, subject to United Nations (UN) and other international requirements.

Not quite. The answer is 6 fusees

Make sure your bus has the fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors (3 reflective triangles or at least 6 fusees) required by law. Spare electrical fuses and liquid-burning flares are no longer required as emergency equipment under current FMCSA regulations.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

When changing lanes, check your mirrors at each of the following times: (1) before you change lanes, to make sure there is enough room; (2) after you have signaled, to check that no one has moved into your blind spot; (3) right after you start the lane change, to double-check that your path is clear; and (4) after you complete the lane change.