South Dakota Passenger Transport Practice Test

Practice test questions — Passenger Transport

1. Before driving a passenger vehicle, what unique inspection items must be checked beyond a standard pre-trip?

   • Only the windshield
   • Passenger entry doors, emergency exits, lighting, fire extinguishers, emergency reflectors and warning devices, first aid kit, electrical fuses, and passenger compartment cleanliness ✓
   • Only the wheels
   • Only the fuel level

   Passenger vehicle inspection adds items focused on rider safety and emergency response. Required checks include: passenger entry doors (open, close, latch properly); emergency exits (all functional and clearly marked, with operating instructions visible); interior and exterior lighting (especially a…

2. Why must emergency exits be specifically inspected before every trip?

   • They are not part of the inspection
   • Emergency exits must function properly so passengers can escape in a crash, fire, or rollover; a stuck or labeled-as-non-functional exit can trap passengers ✓
   • Only for aesthetic reasons
   • Only when the vehicle is over 20 years old

   Emergency exits — typically rear doors, side exits, roof hatches, and sometimes pushout windows — must be inspected to confirm they open from the inside, that operating instructions are visible to passengers, and that the alarm (if equipped) functions. A stuck or sealed-shut emergency exit has cost …

3. Where should baggage be stored on a passenger bus?

   • In the aisle for easy access
   • In the baggage compartments designed for that purpose; not in the aisle or blocking exits, and arranged so it cannot shift ✓
   • On the driver's seat
   • Only outside on the roof

   Baggage on a passenger bus must be stowed in designated baggage compartments — typically the lower-deck baggage holds on motorcoaches, overhead luggage racks, or rear stowage areas. The aisle must remain clear (it is the primary evacuation route in an emergency), emergency exits must not be blocked,…

4. Is it permitted to transport hazardous materials on a passenger bus?

   • Yes, with no restrictions
   • Only small-quantity hazmat that meets specific exemptions: small arms ammunition, certain medical oxygen, small fuel containers, etc. Most hazmat is prohibited ✓
   • Yes, if the bus has hazmat placards
   • Yes, in any quantity

   Federal regulations prohibit most hazardous materials on passenger-carrying buses because the consequences of an incident — fire, spill, or release — are catastrophic with passengers aboard. Limited exceptions allow: small arms ammunition (limited quantities); medical oxygen for the driver's persona…

5. When passengers are boarding a bus, the driver should:

   • Sit in the driver's seat and wait
   • Stand near the door or remain alert in the driver's seat to assist passengers, watch for safety issues, and ensure baggage and passengers are properly placed before departure ✓
   • Read a book until everyone is aboard
   • Leave the bus to greet boarding passengers individually

   During boarding, the driver should be alert and accessible to help passengers (especially elderly or mobility-impaired riders), watch for safety issues (slips, baggage problems, unauthorized cargo), and verify that passengers are properly seated before departure. Standing near the door or remaining …

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

   • Slow down only if a train is visible
   • Stop within 50 feet of and no closer than 15 feet to the nearest rail, look and listen carefully in both directions, then proceed when sure no train is approaching — regardless of whether warning devices are active ✓
   • Speed up to clear the tracks faster
   • Continue at posted speed

   Federal regulations require buses (with passengers aboard, generally) to stop at every railroad crossing within 50 feet of and no closer than 15 feet to the nearest rail. The driver must look and listen, opening the driver's window if practical, and only proceed when sure no train is approaching fro…

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

   • Cross at normal speed
   • Stop at least 50 feet before the bridge, look both directions, ensure the bridge is fully closed and safe to cross, then proceed at controlled speed ✓
   • Stop only if the bridge appears to be moving
   • Honk and proceed

   Federal rules require a bus to stop at least 50 feet before a drawbridge that does not have an attendant or signal, look both directions, verify the bridge is fully closed and locked into position, and only then proceed at a controlled speed. Drawbridges that may rise can leave a gap or unstable sur…

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

   • An optional courtesy to passengers
   • A safety briefing where the driver informs passengers of the emergency exits, safety equipment location, and safety rules — typically required at the start of a charter or scheduled service ✓
   • Only required for school buses
   • A type of advertising

   A pre-trip safety briefing tells passengers where the emergency exits are, where the first aid kit and fire extinguisher are located, the rules about smoking and use of safety belts, and what to do in an emergency. Companies and agencies often require briefings on charter trips, motorcoaches, and ce…

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

   • Buses have unique speedometers
   • Buses have a high center of gravity (especially with passengers and baggage above seating level) and can roll over more easily than passenger cars in curves ✓
   • Buses cannot turn at all
   • Speed only matters on straight roads

   Modern motorcoaches and buses have high centers of gravity because the passenger compartment is well above the chassis and baggage is loaded high in some configurations. The combination makes rollover possible in curves taken too fast. Posted advisory speeds on curves are designed for passenger cars…

10. When a bus is being passed by another vehicle, the driver should:

    • Speed up to prevent the pass
    • Maintain steady speed and lane position, and slow slightly if needed to allow the passing vehicle to complete the maneuver safely ✓
    • Make it difficult for the other driver
    • Brake hard to teach the other driver a lesson

    When being passed, maintain steady speed and lane position. Slowing slightly is acceptable to help the passing vehicle complete the maneuver, particularly on two-lane roads. Speeding up to prevent the pass is dangerous and aggressive; the passing driver is committed to the maneuver and a sudden spee…

11. Which of the following is prohibited for bus drivers while passengers are aboard?

    • Looking ahead at traffic
    • Towing or pushing a disabled vehicle, fueling with passengers aboard in most cases, and certain other operations ✓
    • Following posted speed limits
    • Inspecting the vehicle

    Federal rules prohibit certain operations while passengers are aboard. Fueling with passengers aboard is prohibited except in emergencies where the passengers cannot safely exit; the fueling-while-loaded restriction reflects the risk of vapor exposure, fire, and the difficulty of evacuating a fueled…

12. Can passengers stand in the aisle while a bus is in motion?

    • Yes, anytime
    • Standing in the aisle is generally prohibited on intercity buses while in motion; rules differ for transit buses in urban areas where short standing trips are common ✓
    • Only on highways
    • Only at night

    Intercity buses and motorcoaches generally prohibit standing passengers while in motion because passenger compartments are designed for seated travel and the speeds involved make sudden stops dangerous for standing riders. Transit buses in cities and short-route services often permit standing — they…

13. After completing a passenger trip, the driver should:

    • Lock up the vehicle and leave immediately
    • Inspect the vehicle for damage, defects, and items left behind by passengers; complete required documentation; report problems for repair ✓
    • Only refuel
    • Drive home directly

    Post-trip inspection is required by federal regulation for passenger vehicles. The driver must inspect for: any damage that occurred during the trip (cracked windshield, blown tire, body damage); defects that developed during the trip (low fluid levels, lighting failures, brake issues); items left b…

14. What should the driver do with passenger belongings left on the bus?

    • Throw them away
    • Turn them in to the company's lost and found per company policy; document the items and date if required ✓
    • Keep them for personal use
    • Leave them on the bus indefinitely

    Items left by passengers should be collected, documented if required by the carrier, and turned in to the company's lost and found system. Most carriers have established procedures: items are logged with date, vehicle, route, and a brief description; valuable items are secured in a safe or locked st…

15. If a passenger becomes disruptive or threatens safety, the driver should:

    • Continue driving and ignore the situation
    • Pull the bus over to a safe location, address the situation calmly, and call for assistance from law enforcement or company dispatch if needed ✓
    • Confront the passenger physically
    • Stop in the middle of the road

    A disruptive passenger threatens the safety of the driver and other passengers. The correct response: pull off the road in a safe location (not the shoulder of a busy highway unless no alternative); set the parking brake and turn on hazard lights; calmly address the passenger; call dispatch or 911 i…

16. Should standees on a transit bus stand behind the standee line?

    • There is no standee line
    • Yes — transit buses have a marked standee line near the front; passengers must stand behind it so they do not interfere with the driver's view, controls, or door operation ✓
    • Only at scheduled stops
    • The line is decorative

    Transit buses designed to carry standing passengers have a 'standee line' marked on the floor near the front of the bus. Passengers must stand behind this line while the bus is in motion. The line is positioned so standing passengers do not interfere with the driver's forward view, the operation of …

17. What endorsement does a CDL driver need to operate a passenger vehicle?

    • Only the basic CDL
    • The P (Passenger) endorsement, which requires both a written knowledge test and a road skills test in a representative passenger vehicle ✓
    • Only the H endorsement
    • Only the N endorsement

    The P endorsement (Passenger) is required for any driver operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver). To obtain it: pass the passenger transport written knowledge test; pass a road skills test in a representative passenger vehicle (the test must be done in …

18. When stopping at a passenger pickup point on a city street, the driver should:

    • Stop anywhere convenient
    • Stop parallel to the curb, in the designated pickup zone if marked, and keep the bus far enough from the curb that passengers can safely board without stepping into traffic ✓
    • Stop in a traffic lane to save time
    • Only stop at red lights

    Passenger pickup stops should be made at designated stops (marked bus stops) when available, parallel to and as close to the curb as safe boarding allows. The bus must be far enough from the curb that wheelchair ramps can deploy and passengers can step from curb to bus without falling into a gap, bu…

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

    • Yes, with the driver's permission
    • No — only the driver occupies the driver's seat or operates vehicle controls; some buses have a barrier or signage to enforce this ✓
    • Only adults
    • Only at terminals

    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 'modes…

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

    • They do not — following distance is identical
    • 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 ✓
    • Buses have less powerful brakes
    • Bus drivers are required to follow more slowly only by company policy

    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 fin…

21. A passenger on a bus becomes aggressive and threatens other passengers. What should the driver do?

    • Stop the bus immediately in traffic and ask the passenger to leave
    • Pull to a safe location off the road when possible; contact dispatch and law enforcement; use a calm, firm voice to manage the situation; do not leave your seat to confront the passenger — your primary responsibility is vehicle control and the safety of all passengers ✓
    • Ignore the situation and continue driving
    • Allow passengers to handle the situation themselves

    DISRUPTIVE PASSENGER MANAGEMENT requires the driver to balance multiple competing priorities: vehicle and traffic safety, the safety of all passengers, and dealing with the threat. CORRECT PRIORITY ORDER: (1) MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE — do not abandon the wheel to deal with a passenger situati…

22. At what point is a bus driver responsible for passengers' safety while loading and unloading?

    • Only while passengers are on the bus
    • From before the doors open until all passengers have safely boarded, seated, or exited and the door is closed — including ensuring passengers are clear of the vehicle before moving ✓
    • Only when the bus is in motion
    • The bus company is responsible; the driver is only responsible for driving

    PASSENGER SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY extends beyond the time passengers are seated on the moving bus. LOADING: Before opening the doors at a stop, the driver should verify the bus is completely stopped and stable; when doors open, the driver is responsible for ensuring boarding passengers move safely and…

23. What is the bus driver's responsibility regarding standees (passengers standing in the aisle)?

    • Standees are always permitted with no restrictions
    • Standees are only permitted on urban and transit buses — NOT on charter or intercity highway buses; where permitted, standees must remain behind the standee line; the driver must know the legal standee capacity and not exceed it ✓
    • All buses may carry any number of standees
    • Standees must stand at the front of the bus near the driver

    STANDEE RULES in bus operations vary by service type and are a licensing exam topic because violations create serious safety hazards in emergencies and crashes. INTERCITY AND CHARTER BUSES (highway operation): Standing passengers are generally PROHIBITED — federal regulations (49 CFR 392.62) prohibi…

24. What must the passenger vehicle driver check about emergency exits during pre-trip inspection?

    • Nothing — emergency exits are maintained by the bus company only
    • Verify all emergency exits (rear doors, roof hatches, side windows) open and close properly; emergency release mechanisms are functional and accessible; exits are clearly marked and unobstructed; passengers can be briefed on their location ✓
    • Only the main front door needs inspection
    • Emergency exits only need checking after an incident

    EMERGENCY EXIT INSPECTION is a critical pre-trip requirement because these exits are the escape routes passengers depend on if the main door is blocked or the bus is inaccessible. WHAT TO CHECK: REAR EMERGENCY DOOR: Open and close it; verify the push-bar or release mechanism operates smoothly; check…

25. When must a bus driver NOT allow passengers to board?

    • When the seats are full but standees are permitted
    • When the total passenger count would exceed the vehicle's rated capacity; when the vehicle is in an unsafe location (blocking traffic, unstable ground); and when a passenger is visibly incapacitated from alcohol or drugs in a way that could endanger themselves or others ✓
    • Bus drivers must accept all passengers at all times
    • Only when there are no seats remaining regardless of standee rules

    BOARDING REFUSAL is an authority and responsibility of the driver in specific circumstances. LEGAL BASIS: Federal and state regulations establish the conditions under which a driver may or must refuse boarding. OVERCAPACITY: The vehicle's rated capacity (combination of seated and standing as certifi…

26. At a railroad crossing, what must a bus driver do even if no train is visible?

    • Proceed if no train is visible
    • Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail; open the door and listen for trains; look in both directions; proceed only when safe — this is a federal requirement for all buses carrying passengers regardless of whether gates or signals are present ✓
    • Only stop if a warning light is flashing
    • Yield only if the railroad crossing has a stop sign

    RAILROAD CROSSING RULES for buses carrying passengers are more stringent than for other vehicles because buses carry multiple lives. MANDATORY STOP REQUIRED: Federal law (49 CFR 392.10) requires buses carrying passengers to STOP at ALL railroad crossings — even uncontrolled crossings, even if no gat…

27. What is the driver's responsibility regarding the passenger vehicle's posted capacity placard?

    • Capacity placards are decorative and not binding
    • The driver must know the seating and standing capacity and not exceed either; the capacity must be posted inside the vehicle and the driver is responsible for compliance ✓
    • Only the bus company needs to know the capacity
    • Capacity limits apply only to school buses

    VEHICLE CAPACITY COMPLIANCE is the driver's direct responsibility once behind the wheel. WHAT THE PLACARD SHOWS: Seating capacity (number of passengers who can be seated with each in a designated seat); standing capacity where applicable (transit buses); total maximum occupancy including driver and …

28. During the pre-trip inspection of a passenger vehicle, what must the driver verify about the bus's flooring and steps?

    • Only verify the front step is in good condition
    • All flooring must be solid with no holes or missing sections that could cause passengers to trip or fall through; steps must be sound with functional slip-resistant surfaces; lighting for steps and aisles must work; handrails must be secure ✓
    • Flooring inspection is the maintenance department's job
    • Flooring only needs inspection after passenger complaints

    FLOORING AND STEP INSPECTION in passenger vehicles is a passenger safety requirement distinct from basic vehicle mechanical inspection. WHY FLOORING MATTERS IN PASSENGER VEHICLES: Passengers — including elderly passengers, passengers with mobility limitations, and passengers unfamiliar with the spec…

29. What is the procedure for a bus driver if they suspect or discover a passenger has a medical emergency?

    • Continue to the destination before calling for help
    • Pull to a safe stop as quickly as possible; call 911 and dispatch; provide any first aid within your training and certification; follow carrier emergency procedures; keep other passengers calm; if trained in CPR/AED and appropriate, begin assistance while waiting for emergency services ✓
    • Ask other passengers to assist and continue driving
    • Medical emergencies are not the driver's responsibility

    PASSENGER MEDICAL EMERGENCY requires the bus driver to act as the first responder until emergency services arrive, because the driver is responsible for all persons on the vehicle. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: STOP THE BUS — pull to the nearest safe location off the road; a bus moving at speed while a passen…

30. What is the 'danger zone' concept as it applies to passenger vehicle loading and unloading?

    • The area behind the bus where exhaust fumes collect
    • The area around the bus — especially front corners and sides — where passengers, particularly children, can be run over because they are in the driver's blind spots; the driver must verify all passengers are clear of these zones before moving ✓
    • The area near the engine compartment
    • The danger zone refers to highway traffic only

    THE DANGER ZONE is a safety concept describing the areas around a vehicle where pedestrians — especially children — are most at risk of being run over because they fall in the driver's blind spots. DANGER ZONES AROUND A BUS: FRONT: The area directly in front of the bus is partially visible from the …

31. At a railroad crossing, a bus driver opens the front door before crossing. What is the purpose of this action?

    • To cool the bus
    • To allow passengers to exit if they choose
    • To improve the driver's ability to hear an approaching train — the windshield and sealed cab reduce sound; an open door allows train sounds to be heard more clearly before committing to cross ✓
    • Because federal regulations require bus doors to be open at all railroad crossings for exactly 30 seconds

    The mandatory bus railroad crossing stop requires the driver to listen for trains. Modern bus cabs are significantly quieter than open air — the windshield, insulation, and engine noise can mask a train's horn and wheel noise until very close. Opening the front door removes this acoustic barrier. Th…

32. During the pre-trip inspection of a bus, what must the driver check regarding the passenger seats?

    • Only that the seats are clean
    • Seat mounting — are seats firmly attached with no wobble or broken frames; seat back integrity — seats that collapse forward on braking can injure passengers; condition of any seatbelts on equipped buses; aisle must be clear for emergency evacuation ✓
    • Only count the number of seats
    • Seats require no inspection

    PASSENGER SAFETY requires that every seat be structurally sound. A loose or broken seat that shifts during a crash or emergency stop can cause serious passenger injury — the seat becomes a projectile and the passenger loses their restraint system. Pre-trip seat inspection: manually push on each seat…

33. How far in advance of a bus stop should the driver begin activating hazard lights or use approved signal procedures to warn following traffic?

    • At the stop
    • At least 100 feet before the stop on surface streets; longer on highways — early warning gives following traffic time to slow and prevents rear-end collisions ✓
    • Only when carrying school children
    • Hazard lights are not used for bus stops

    ADVANCE WARNING for bus stops protects both passengers (who must safely board and alight) and the bus from following traffic. On a surface street at 35 mph, a following vehicle traveling at the same speed needs 100+ feet of warning to safely slow and stop. On highways, warning distance should be pro…

34. After all passengers have disembarked at the final destination, what must the driver do before leaving the bus?

    • Nothing — if passengers walked off, the bus is empty
    • Walk the entire bus from front to back checking under every seat and in overhead areas for remaining passengers — especially sleeping passengers, young children, or those with medical conditions who did not disembark ✓
    • Only check the back row
    • Check only the seats nearest the door

    POST-ROUTE BUS SWEEP is a mandatory safety procedure preventing the tragedy of passengers left on an empty bus — which can become a death trap in extreme heat within minutes. Required sweep procedure: after ALL expected passengers have left, the driver physically walks the entire interior; checks UN…

35. What is the importance of checking the bus's air conditioning and heating systems during a passenger vehicle pre-trip?

    • Comfort is not a safety issue; HVAC need not be inspected
    • Passenger comfort directly affects safety — overheating can cause medical emergencies in elderly or vulnerable passengers; failure of defrost systems compromises driver visibility; HVAC systems must be verified to function for the expected environmental conditions ✓
    • Only check in extreme temperatures
    • Only check if passengers request it

    HVAC is a passenger safety system, not just a comfort feature: HEAT: In cold climates, a heating system failure can endanger elderly passengers, children, and those with circulatory conditions; DEFROST: The defrost system is a VISIBILITY safety system — without it, windows fog or ice over, impairing…

36. Where should standing passengers NOT be allowed to stand on a bus?

    • Anywhere is fine
    • Forward of the standee line (a line or marking behind the driver's seat) — passengers must not stand in front of this line because it would interfere with the driver and is unsafe ✓
    • Only at the back
    • Standing is never allowed

    STANDEE LINE: A line marked on the floor (or a sign) behind the driver's seat. RULE: On buses designed to allow standing, passengers must NOT stand forward of (in front of) the standee line. WHY: Standing in front of the line would interfere with the driver's operation, block the driver's view, and …

37. Can a bus carrying passengers transport hazardous materials?

    • Yes, any amount
    • Buses are generally PROHIBITED from carrying certain hazardous materials, and there are strict limits on others — passengers and certain hazmat (like explosives, large amounts of flammables, poisons) cannot be transported together for safety ✓
    • Yes, if placarded
    • Only fuel

    HAZMAT ON PASSENGER BUSES: Buses carrying passengers are PROHIBITED from carrying certain hazardous materials and strictly limited on others. PROHIBITED (cannot carry with passengers): Class A or B explosives; certain poisons (Division 2.3 poison gas, Division 6.1 poison); large quantities of certai…

38. What must a bus driver do at a railroad crossing?

    • Speed up to cross quickly
    • Stop between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail, look and listen in both directions, open the door and window if required to listen, and not proceed until it is safe — buses must stop at railroad crossings ✓
    • Never stop
    • Only stop if a train is visible

    BUS RAILROAD CROSSING PROCEDURE: Buses (and certain other vehicles) must STOP at railroad crossings. PROCEDURE: Stop between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail; LISTEN and LOOK in both directions for trains; many require opening the service door (and sometimes a window) to listen better; do not …

39. In the event of a bus emergency requiring evacuation, what is the driver's responsibility?

    • Exit first to get help
    • Determine whether evacuation is safer than remaining in place, then if evacuating, direct passengers to the safest exits, away from traffic and hazards, and account for all passengers — passenger safety is the driver's responsibility ✓
    • Leave passengers to decide
    • Only help passengers near the front

    BUS EMERGENCY EVACUATION: The driver is responsible for passenger safety in an emergency. DECISION: First determine whether evacuating is safer than staying (sometimes staying in the bus is safer, depending on the hazard); EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY for: fire or risk of fire; in/near water; danger of coll…

40. When is it appropriate for a bus driver to allow passengers to leave carry-on baggage in the aisle or doorway?

    • Whenever the bus is full
    • Never — carry-on baggage must never block the aisle or doorways/exits; it must be secured so it can't fall on passengers or obstruct emergency exits and movement ✓
    • Only on short trips
    • Only during the day

    CARRY-ON BAGGAGE RULES: Carry-on baggage must NEVER block the aisle or doorways/emergency exits. REQUIREMENTS: Baggage must be secured so it: cannot fall on or injure passengers (e.g., from overhead racks during braking or a crash); does not obstruct the aisle (needed for movement and emergency exit…

41. Why should a bus driver be especially careful about braking smoothly?

    • It saves fuel only
    • Standing passengers and unsecured passengers can be thrown or injured by hard braking; smooth braking protects passenger safety and comfort — the driver is responsible for the wellbeing of people, not just cargo ✓
    • Buses can't brake hard
    • Braking doesn't affect passengers

    SMOOTH BRAKING FOR PASSENGER SAFETY: Because a bus carries people (often standing, moving in the aisle, elderly, or children), braking technique directly affects their safety: HARD BRAKING can throw standing passengers forward, cause falls, and injure people moving in the aisle; passengers may not b…

42. During a passenger bus pre-trip, what must be checked regarding the passenger seats?

    • Only the color
    • That seats are securely fastened to the bus (not loose or broken) — loose seats are unsafe for passengers, especially in a crash or sudden stop ✓
    • Nothing
    • Only the front seat

    PASSENGER SEAT INSPECTION: During the pre-trip, the driver must check that all passenger seats are: SECURELY FASTENED to the floor/frame of the bus (not loose, wobbly, or broken); not damaged in a way that could injure passengers; WHY: Loose or broken seats are dangerous — in a sudden stop or crash,…

43. What should a bus driver do if a passenger becomes disruptive or threatens safety during the trip?

    • Ignore it completely
    • Manage the situation to protect all passengers — this may include speaking to the passenger, and if necessary stopping at a safe location to address the issue or remove the passenger; the driver should not allow disruptive behavior to endanger others, but should not discharge passengers in unsafe locations ✓
    • Stop immediately on the highway
    • Allow any behavior

    MANAGING DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS: The driver is responsible for the safety of all passengers and must manage disruptive or threatening behavior. APPROACH: Address the behavior calmly; if it threatens safety, the driver may need to stop at a SAFE location to handle the situation (not on the highway sho…

44. At a bus stop, what should the driver do before allowing passengers to board or exit?

    • Keep the bus moving slowly
    • Bring the bus to a complete stop, secure it (brake), and ensure it is safe before opening the door — passengers should board and exit only when the bus is fully stopped and secured ✓
    • Open the door while still rolling
    • Let passengers jump off anywhere

    BOARDING AND EXITING SAFETY: Passengers should board and exit only when the bus is COMPLETELY STOPPED and SECURED. PROCEDURE: Bring the bus to a full stop at the proper location; apply the parking brake (secure the bus so it can't roll); ensure it is safe to open the door (check for traffic, hazards…

45. Why must a bus driver check the emergency exits during the pre-trip inspection?

    • Emergency exits don't need checking
    • Emergency exits must open properly and not be obstructed — in an evacuation, passengers depend on these exits working; the driver verifies they open, latch, have working warning devices/signs, and are unobstructed ✓
    • Only the main door matters
    • Only the color

    EMERGENCY EXIT INSPECTION: The driver must verify all emergency exits during the pre-trip. CHECK: Each emergency exit (doors, windows, roof hatches) opens properly; emergency exit warning devices/buzzers work (alert the driver if an exit is opened); exit signs are present and illuminated; exits are …

46. Why should a bus driver maintain a greater following distance than the minimum?

    • It is not necessary
    • A loaded bus is heavy and takes longer to stop, and smooth stops protect passengers; extra following distance allows the driver to anticipate and brake gently rather than hard, keeping passengers safe and avoiding rear-end collisions ✓
    • Buses stop instantly
    • Following distance wastes time

    BUS FOLLOWING DISTANCE: A bus driver should maintain ample following distance. REASONS: A loaded bus is HEAVY (longer stopping distance); SMOOTH stops protect passengers (extra distance lets the driver brake gently, not hard — hard braking throws passengers); anticipation of stops reduces the need f…

47. What is the driver's responsibility regarding passenger conduct and safety announcements?

    • No responsibility
    • To inform passengers of safety rules when appropriate (e.g., remaining seated, keeping aisles clear, emergency exit locations), and to enforce conduct that keeps everyone safe — the driver is in charge of passenger safety ✓
    • Only to drive
    • To entertain passengers

    PASSENGER CONDUCT AND SAFETY: The driver is responsible for passenger safety, which includes: SAFETY INFORMATION: Informing passengers of relevant safety rules and information when appropriate — remaining seated while the bus is moving (where applicable), keeping aisles and exits clear, emergency ex…

48. When driving a bus, why is it important to be especially cautious of the vehicle's height and to know clearances?

    • Height doesn't matter
    • Buses are tall, and striking overpasses, bridges, drive-through canopies, tree branches, or low structures can damage the bus and injure passengers — the driver must know the vehicle height and watch for low-clearance warnings ✓
    • Buses can fit anywhere
    • Only width matters

    BUS HEIGHT AND CLEARANCE: Buses are tall vehicles, and the driver must be aware of clearances. RISKS: Striking overpasses, bridges, tunnels, drive-through canopies, parking structure entrances, fuel station canopies, tree branches, awnings, or other low structures; such strikes damage the bus (roof,…

49. If a bus must stop on the road due to an emergency or breakdown, what should the driver do to warn other traffic?

    • Nothing
    • Activate hazard lights and, when stopped, place emergency warning devices (reflective triangles) at the required distances behind and in front of the bus to warn approaching traffic, while keeping passengers safe ✓
    • Just leave the bus
    • Honk continuously

    BUS BREAKDOWN/EMERGENCY STOP WARNING: When stopped on or near the roadway, the driver must warn other traffic. PROCEDURE: Activate HAZARD (4-way) flashers immediately; move the bus off the road if possible (to a safe location); place EMERGENCY WARNING DEVICES (reflective triangles) at the required p…

50. What is the safest practice regarding using mirrors when driving a bus?

    • Mirrors aren't needed
    • Check mirrors regularly to monitor traffic, the sides and rear of the bus, and passenger activity at doors — but never stare; quick, frequent glances keep the driver aware while attention stays primarily on the road ahead ✓
    • Stare at mirrors constantly
    • Only use mirrors when parking

    MIRROR USE ON BUSES: Effective mirror use is essential for bus drivers. PRACTICE: Check mirrors REGULARLY and FREQUENTLY (quick glances every few seconds) to monitor: traffic alongside and behind; the sides and rear of the bus (large vehicle, many blind spots); passenger activity at the doors during…

51. During the pre-trip inspection of a bus, which items must be checked that are specific to passenger vehicles?

    • Only the engine oil level
    • Passenger-specific items such as the emergency exits, all access doors and panels, the signaling devices for passengers, and that every seat is securely fastened ✓
    • Only the fuel gauge
    • The radio and clock only

    A bus pre-trip includes everything required of any commercial vehicle plus items unique to carrying people: every emergency exit must be working and not blocked, access doors and panels secured, the emergency exit handles and any required signs in place, all handrails and stepwells clear, and every …

52. What must a driver do if a required emergency exit, signaling device, or piece of emergency equipment on the bus is missing or not working?

    • Drive anyway if passengers are waiting
    • Not drive the bus until the defect is repaired, because these items are required for passenger safety ✓
    • Cover the broken item with tape and continue
    • Only fix it at the end of the route

    Emergency exits, interior lighting, passenger signaling devices, and required emergency equipment (such as fire extinguishers, spare fuses where applicable, and warning devices) are essential to passenger safety. If any of these are missing, broken, or not functioning, the bus must not be driven unt…

53. What hazardous materials may a bus carry, and what is prohibited?

    • Any hazardous material in any quantity
    • Limited amounts of certain hazardous materials are allowed, but a bus may never carry items such as Division 2.3 poison gas, liquid Class 6 poison, explosives in the space occupied by people, or more than the small allowable quantities set by the rules ✓
    • Buses can carry unlimited explosives if labeled
    • There are no restrictions on a chartered bus

    Buses may carry only small, specified amounts of certain hazardous materials, and several categories are forbidden entirely. A bus must never transport Division 2.3 poison gas or liquid Class 6 poison, explosives (other than very small permitted amounts), tear gas, irritating material, or most radio…

54. How must carry-on baggage be handled so it does not endanger passengers?

    • Stacked in the aisle for easy access
    • Secured so it does not block the aisle or doorways, cannot fall on anyone, and does not prevent passengers from reaching the exits ✓
    • Placed on empty seats only
    • Held by the driver during the trip

    Carry-on baggage must be stowed so it never blocks the aisle, the entrance, or any emergency exit, and so it cannot fall and injure a passenger during braking or a crash. Aisles and exits must remain clear at all times in case the bus must be evacuated quickly. The driver should make sure items are …

55. What is the standee line on a bus, and what does it mean for passengers?

    • A line showing where to stand to board
    • A line (or marker) behind which passengers must stay so that no rider stands forward of the rear of the driver's seat while the bus is moving ✓
    • A painted lane on the road
    • The maximum speed line on the speedometer

    Buses designed to allow standing riders have a standee line — a line or marker on the floor, typically about two feet behind the rear of the driver's seat. No passenger may stand ahead of this line while the bus is in motion. The rule keeps standees out of the area where they could interfere with th…

56. What must a bus driver do at a railroad crossing, even when no train is in sight?

    • Maintain highway speed across the tracks
    • Slow down, check the tracks carefully in both directions, and be prepared to stop, following the rules for buses at crossings rather than assuming the way is clear ✓
    • Sound the horn and speed up
    • Stop only if the gates are down

    Bus drivers must approach every railroad crossing prepared to stop, slowing and looking and listening in both directions before crossing, even when there are no gates, lights, or train in sight. Many crossings require buses to stop; the driver must know and follow state and company rules. The bus sh…

57. When approaching a stop where passengers will get on or off, what is the safe practice for the bus driver?

    • Stop in the travel lane wherever convenient
    • Pull completely off the road or to the designated stop where possible, signal in advance, and discharge or pick up passengers only at safe locations, not in the middle of moving traffic ✓
    • Let passengers off at red lights to save time
    • Stop on a curve to stay close to the destination

    Passengers should be loaded and unloaded only at safe places — designated stops or fully off the roadway where possible — never in a spot that forces riders into moving traffic or leaves the bus blocking a lane unexpectedly. The driver signals well ahead, slows smoothly, and chooses a location with …

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

    • Stop in any traffic lane immediately and order them off
    • 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 ✓
    • Speed up to end the trip faster
    • Leave the driver's seat to confront them while moving

    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 shoul…

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

    • Buses have no brakes of their own
    • 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 ✓
    • Following distance is the same for all vehicles
    • Only the speed limit determines following distance

    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 …

60. Which of the following is a prohibited practice while operating a bus?

    • Checking mirrors regularly
    • Fueling the bus with passengers on board in an enclosed space, or talking with passengers in a way that distracts from driving — both are prohibited practices ✓
    • Stopping at designated stops
    • Wearing a seat belt

    The manual lists practices a bus driver must avoid. Among them: fueling the bus with passengers aboard, especially in a closed building, unless absolutely necessary; engaging in conversation or activity that distracts from safe driving; and refueling or doing other tasks that put passengers at risk.…

61. What does the rule about standing passengers and the driver's area require?

    • Passengers may crowd the driver if the bus is full
    • No passenger may stand forward of the standee line, and the area around the driver must stay clear so passengers do not interfere with the driver's view, movement, or controls ✓
    • Passengers may sit on the steps when seats run out
    • Standing is allowed anywhere if the driver agrees

    Passengers must not stand ahead of the standee line, and they must not crowd or obstruct the driver. The space around the driver's seat, the controls, and the entrance must remain clear so the driver can see, steer, and operate the bus without interference, and so passengers are not in danger of bei…

62. What should a bus driver do during the after-trip inspection at the end of a route?

    • Park and leave immediately
    • Walk through the bus to check for sleeping passengers, lost items, damage, and any mechanical or safety problems, and report any defects found ✓
    • Only check the fuel level
    • Lock the bus without inspecting it

    At the end of a route the driver performs an after-trip inspection and a walk-through of the interior. This includes checking every seat and the whole bus for any passenger who may have fallen asleep or been left behind, collecting articles left by riders, looking for damage such as broken seats or …

63. What should the driver do with items passengers leave behind on the bus?

    • Keep them personally
    • Collect lost articles found during the after-trip walk-through and turn them in according to the carrier's procedures ✓
    • Throw them away to keep the bus clean
    • Leave them on the bus for the next route

    During the end-of-route walk-through the driver looks for and collects items left behind by passengers. These lost articles should be handled according to the carrier's lost-and-found procedures — typically turned in at the terminal or to a supervisor — rather than kept or discarded. The walk-throug…

64. At a drawbridge without a signal or attendant, what must a bus driver do?

    • Cross at normal speed
    • Stop at least 50 feet before the draw of the bridge, then proceed only after checking that it is safe and the draw is completely closed ✓
    • Speed up to cross before it opens
    • Honk and continue

    When approaching a drawbridge that has no traffic signal or attendant to control crossing, a bus driver must stop at least 50 feet before the draw of the bridge. The driver may proceed only after confirming the draw is completely closed and it is safe to cross. A stop is not required if the bridge h…

65. Why must a bus driver brake smoothly and slow gradually for curves with passengers aboard?

    • To save fuel only
    • Because abrupt braking or taking a curve too fast can throw passengers from their seats or off balance, so smooth, early speed reduction protects riders and keeps the bus stable ✓
    • Passengers are always belted, so it does not matter
    • Curves have no effect on a bus

    Many bus passengers are not belted, and some may be standing, so the driver's braking and cornering directly affect their safety. Hard braking can pitch riders forward, and entering a curve too fast can throw them sideways or cause the bus to lose stability. The driver should slow to a safe speed be…