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CDL · On the Road

Why should a bus driver maintain a longer following distance than a car driver?

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

Because a loaded bus is heavy and takes longer to stop, and the driver is responsible for many passengers, so extra space is needed to brake smoothly and avoid hard stops

  1. A Buses have no brakes of their own
  2. B Only the speed limit determines following distance
  3. C Because a loaded bus is heavy and takes longer to stop, and the driver is responsible for many passengers, so extra space is needed to brake smoothly and avoid hard stops
  4. D Following distance is the same for all vehicles

Why this is the answer

A bus is large and heavy and needs a greater distance to stop than a passenger car, and sudden hard braking can throw standing passengers and unsecured riders forward. By keeping a generous following distance, the driver can brake smoothly and gradually, anticipate traffic changes, and avoid abrupt stops that endanger passengers. The cushion also gives more time to react to hazards. Because the driver is responsible for everyone aboard, defensive following distance is a core habit of safe passenger transport, and it should be increased further in poor weather or heavy traffic.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 4.3.7 Following Distance

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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.

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

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