Tennessee CDL: Passenger Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Fire extinguisher and warning devices for stopped vehicles

Federal regulations require every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to carry one of the following warning devices in case the driver must stop the CMV on the road: three reflective triangles or six fusees. Federal regulations also require every CMV to carry a fire extinguisher. Your state may also require extra emergency equipment, such as a first-aid kit, on certain vehicles.

Source: 49 CFR 393.95

Not quite. The answer is at intersections.

Bus accidents often happen at intersections, where there are many drivers and pedestrians doing different things. Use caution at intersections even if there are signs or signals that are supposed to control traffic. Also use caution at railroad crossings. Buses are required to stop at railroad crossings.

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 Swaying your body to see around obstructions

A vehicle's pillars help hold up the roof and maintain structural integrity of the vehicle. The pillars on a bus can be quite wide. Together with the side mirrors, they create obstructions to your vision that can be at least a foot wide, resulting in blind spots. A pedestrian (or even a small vehicle) can seem to disappear completely behind a pillar, which can be especially dangerous if you turn into the pedestrian's path. For this reason, your bus driving instructor may teach you to "rock and roll" when turning your bus: sway your body forward and backward and from side to side to help you see around the pillars and mirrors.

Not quite. The answer is Behind the driver's seat

Some buses are designed to allow passengers to stand. These buses must have a means of showing passengers that they cannot stand forward of the driver's seat. One way is to have a standee line, a two-inch-wide line on the floor just behind the driver's seat.

Not quite. The answer is Before you bring the bus to a complete stop

Before you come to a complete stop, remind riders who are getting off the bus to take their belongings with them. If the aisle is on a lower level than the seats, also remind riders of the step-down.

Not quite. The answer is in a closed building with passengers on board.

Avoid fueling your bus with riders on board unless it is absolutely necessary. Never refuel in a closed building with riders on board.

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 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 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 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 scan the interior of your bus and the road all around it.

Many charter and intercity carriers have passenger comfort and safety rules. While driving, scan the interior of your bus as well as the road ahead, to the sides, and to the rear. You may have to remind riders about the rules, or remind them to keep their arms and heads inside the bus.

Not quite. The answer is the AM/FM radio.

Before you start to drive, you must check all the critical systems such as steering, brakes, tires, and emergency equipment to be sure they work properly. For the passengers' safety, you must also check such interior items as seats, handholds, railings, signaling devices, and emergency exits. FM or DVD music is nice, but you can safely drive your passengers to their destinations without it.

Not quite. The answer is only when the bus is stopped.

Once you start to drive, give your driving your undivided attention. Adjust your mirrors, seat, radio, etc., before you start driving or when the bus is stopped.

Not quite. The answer is 3 seconds

The formula for following distance is one second for every ten feet of vehicle length, plus an extra second if you are traveling over 40 mph. Therefore, for a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave a following distance of at least 30/10 = 3 seconds. Add an extra second (for a total of 4 seconds) if you're traveling over 40 mph.

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 500 pounds

Buses may carry small amounts of certain hazardous materials, such as small-arms ammunition labeled "Limited Quantity," emergency hospital supplies, and drugs. Buses may not carry more than 100 pounds of any hazard class or more than 500 pounds total.

Not quite. The answer is 16

To drive a vehicle with 16 or more occupants including yourself, you must have a CDL with a Passenger (P) endorsement.

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.