CDL · On the Road

How should a bus driver handle a disruptive passenger who is threatening the safety of others?

Correct answer

Avoid discharging the passenger where it would be unsafe; if removal is necessary, do it at a safe place such as a scheduled stop, well-lit area, or by involving authorities, never at a hazardous spot

  1. A Leave the driver's seat to confront them while moving
  2. B Speed up to end the trip faster
  3. C Stop in any traffic lane immediately and order them off
  4. D Avoid discharging the passenger where it would be unsafe; if removal is necessary, do it at a safe place such as a scheduled stop, well-lit area, or by involving authorities, never at a hazardous spot

Why this is the answer

A driver may need to deal with a disruptive or dangerous passenger, but the manual warns against putting that person off the bus at an unsafe location — for example, in the middle of nowhere, on a busy highway, or somewhere that would endanger them or others. If a passenger must be removed, it should be at a safe, well-lit place such as a scheduled stop, a bus station, or with the help of police. The driver should not abandon control of the bus to confront someone while driving. Protecting all passengers, including the disruptive one, guides how the situation is handled.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 4.3.6 Disruptive Passengers

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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.

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