247SimpleTests
CDL · On the Road

Why must bus drivers maintain greater following distance than freight drivers in similar conditions?

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

Higher consequences of any crash (passenger injuries), the need for smoother deceleration to avoid passenger injury or panic, and the higher center of gravity that limits hard braking options

  1. A Buses have less powerful brakes
  2. B Higher consequences of any crash (passenger injuries), the need for smoother deceleration to avoid passenger injury or panic, and the higher center of gravity that limits hard braking options
  3. C Bus drivers are required to follow more slowly only by company policy
  4. D They do not — following distance is identical

Why this is the answer

Bus drivers need greater following distance for several reasons. First, the consequences of any crash include passenger injuries, often serious. Second, smooth deceleration is required to avoid throwing passengers (especially standing passengers in transit operations); a hard brake that would be fine in a freight truck can injure unbelted bus passengers. Third, the high center of gravity makes panic-braking-with-steering responses more likely to roll the bus. Add 2-3 seconds beyond the freight-truck rule of thumb (one second per 10 feet of vehicle length) when in passenger service. The cushion lets you slow gradually for any unexpected event.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 4.3.7 Following Distance

Practice more questions

This question is from our CDL Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all On the Road and other topics.

Take the Passenger Transport practice test →

About this topic: On the Road

On-the-road passenger questions cover speed on curves, stopping at railroad crossings and drawbridges, managing passengers while driving, and the rules on fuelling, talking with passengers and towing. Passenger safety overrides schedule every time. This is one of 26 Passenger Transport questions on on the road, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our CDL exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

On the Road

When approaching a railroad crossing on a bus, the driver must:

 On the Road

What must a bus driver do at a drawbridge that does not have a signal or attendant?

 On the Road

What is 'pre-trip briefing' for passenger transport and why is it important?

 On the Road

When driving a bus, why is speed management on curves especially important?

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Georgia

Recommended study materials

Study guide

CDL Study Guide (Trivium)

Complete prep for all CDL written tests: general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, hazmat, and all endorsements. Includes full-length practice tests.

Check Price → Study guide

CDL Practice Tests & Flashcards (Accepted Inc.)

600+ practice questions covering every FMCSA knowledge area, plus 400 flashcards for endorsement prep.

Check Price → Study guide

Master the CDL Truck Driver's License (Arco)

Arco's classic CDL prep with in-depth FMCSA manual coverage, endorsement chapters, and scored practice exams.

Check Price →

As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate, and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links. Full disclosure →