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CDL · Prohibited Practices

Are passengers permitted to sit in the driver's seating area or operate vehicle controls?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

No — only the driver occupies the driver's seat or operates vehicle controls; some buses have a barrier or signage to enforce this

  1. A Only at terminals
  2. B Yes, with the driver's permission
  3. C No — only the driver occupies the driver's seat or operates vehicle controls; some buses have a barrier or signage to enforce this
  4. D Only adults

Why this is the answer

Only the driver may occupy the driver's seat or operate vehicle controls while the bus is in service. Passengers cannot ride in the driver's seat, stand directly behind the driver in a way that interferes with operation, or touch operational controls. Some buses have a barrier (a partition or 'modesty panel') behind the driver's seat to enforce separation; others rely on signage and verbal instruction. The reason: distraction or accidental contact with controls can cause crashes, and the driver's situational awareness depends on an unobstructed view and unrestricted operation. Even friendly passengers leaning forward to chat at the wrong moment can be a safety problem.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 4.4.3 Driver's Area

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About this topic: Prohibited Practices

Prohibited practices for bus drivers include fuelling with passengers aboard, talking with passengers while driving, pushing or towing a loaded bus, and carrying prohibited hazardous materials. These are direct recall questions. This is one of 6 Passenger Transport questions on prohibited practices, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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