Practice questions written from the official CDL manual. Correct answers and explanations are shown below each question. (Turn on JavaScript for the interactive practice and timed practice modes.)
1. During the pre-trip inspection of a bus, what must be true about the passenger seats?
- AThey must be padded and reclining
- BThey must be securely fastened to the busCorrect
- CThey must all face forward
- DThey must have individual seat belts
Why: Before driving, make sure the passenger seats are safe. Seats must be securely fastened to the bus so they cannot come loose and injure riders in a sudden stop or crash.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.1 — Vehicle Inspection (Bus Interior)
2. When inspecting a bus before driving, why must you check the emergency exits?
- ASo passengers can open windows for fresh air
- BBecause inspectors always test them first
- CSo they work and any warning devices for open exits also workCorrect
- DOnly because they must be painted red
Why: Every emergency exit must work properly, and any warning device that signals when an exit is open must work too. Riders depend on these exits to escape in a fire or crash, so they can never be blocked or broken.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.1 — Vehicle Inspection (Emergency Exits)
3. Which of these signaling devices should you make sure works during a bus pre-trip inspection?
- AThe rider stop-request signal buzzer or bellCorrect
- BThe onboard entertainment system
- CThe fare box coin counter
- DThe destination sign lighting only
Why: Signaling devices such as the passenger stop-request signal (the buzzer or bell riders use to ask for a stop) must be working. Riders rely on it to tell the driver where they want to get off.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.1 — Vehicle Inspection (Signaling Devices)
4. What is the "standee line" on a bus?
- AA 2-inch line, or other marker, showing riders where they may not standCorrect
- BA line riders wait behind before boarding
- CThe lane a bus uses to pull into a station
- DA painted stripe marking the emergency exit path
Why: Buses that allow standing must have a 2-inch line on the floor, or some other marker, showing where riders may not stand. It is called the standee line, and no rider may stand in front of it.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.1 — Standee Line
5. Where must all standing passengers stay in relation to the standee line?
- AForward of the line, near the driver
- BAnywhere as long as they hold a handrail
- CBehind the line, to the rear of the driver's seatCorrect
- DOnly in the rear stairwell
Why: No rider may stand forward of the rear of the driver's seat. All standing riders must stay behind the standee line so they do not block the driver's view or get hurt.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.1 — Standee Line
6. Which hazardous material may a bus NEVER carry?
- ASmall-arms cartridges meeting the applicable transport exception
- BEmergency hospital supplies
- CDivision 2.3 poison gas or tear gasCorrect
- DSmall amounts of drugs that cannot be sent another way
Why: Buses must never carry Division 2.3 poison gas, liquid Class 6 poison, tear gas, or irritating material. These substances are too dangerous to be near passengers in an enclosed space.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Prohibited Practices / Hazardous Materials
7. A passenger brings a package with a hazardous-material label onto your bus. What should you do?
- AAccept it if it fits under a seat
- BIgnore the label when the trip is short
- CDetermine whether it is permitted under the passenger-bus rules before accepting itCorrect
- DRemove the label and store it away from passengers
Why: Passenger buses have specific restrictions and limited exceptions for hazardous materials. Recognize the label and confirm the material is permitted; size, packaging, or a passenger’s assurance alone does not establish permission.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Hazardous Materials Buses Can Carry
8. Explosives may not be carried in the space occupied by people on a bus, with what exception?
- AFireworks for public events
- BBlasting caps in small boxes
- CSmall-arms ammunitionCorrect
- DDynamite under 25 pounds
Why: Explosives are not allowed in the space where people ride, except for small-arms ammunition. Ordinary bullets are the one explosive item allowed among the passengers.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Hazardous Materials Restrictions
9. How much solid Class 6 poison may a bus carry?
- ANo more than 100 poundsCorrect
- BNo more than 500 pounds
- CAny amount if it is boxed
- DNone at all
Why: A bus may not carry more than 100 pounds of solid Class 6 poisons. Larger amounts are too great a hazard to riders and are forbidden.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Hazardous Materials Restrictions
10. A rider tries to board carrying a car battery or an open container of gasoline. What should you do?
- AAllow it if the rider sits in the back
- BStore it near the driver where you can watch it
- CAllow it if the trip is short
- DDo not allow the rider to bring the hazard aboardCorrect
Why: Riders sometimes try to board with unlabeled hazards like car batteries or gasoline. Do not allow these common hazardous materials on the bus, because they can leak, catch fire, or give off dangerous fumes.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Watch for Riders' Hazardous Materials
11. When loading a bus, what should you do about carry-on baggage?
- APile it on the rear seats
- BAllow it in the aisle if the bus is not full
- CStore all of it beside the driver's seat
- DMake sure it does not block the aisle or the doorwayCorrect
Why: Carry-on baggage must never block the aisle or the door. In an emergency, riders need a clear path to the exits, so loose bags cannot be left where people walk.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Loading and Trip Start
12. Before you begin a trip, what should you explain to the passengers?
- AYour driving record and years of experience
- BRules such as no smoking and where to find the emergency exitsCorrect
- CThe mechanical details of the engine
- DOnly the total fare amount
Why: At the start of a trip you should tell riders the rules, such as no smoking, and remind them where the emergency exits are. Informed riders behave more safely and know what to do in an emergency.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — At the Start of the Trip
13. When should you announce stops to your riders while en route?
- AWell before the stop, so riders have time to get readyCorrect
- BOnly at the final destination
- CAfter the bus has already passed the stop
- DNever, to avoid distracting yourself
Why: Announce stops early enough that riders can get ready to get off safely. Announce transfer points, rest stops, and major destinations clearly and far enough ahead so no one rushes or falls.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Announce Stops
14. On a long, slippery downgrade, what should you know about using the bus retarder?
- AIt should be used at full power at all times
- BIt only works when passengers are standing
- CIt replaces the need for the service brakes
- DIt can cause the drive wheels to skid on slippery roadsCorrect
Why: Speed retarders can help slow the bus, but on a slippery road they may cause the drive wheels to skid or lock up. Be careful using the retarder when the road is wet, icy, or snow-covered.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Use of Brakes and Retarders
15. At a railroad-highway crossing without a signal, how far from the nearest rail must a passenger-carrying bus stop?
- ABetween 5 and 10 feet
- BBetween 15 and 50 feetCorrect
- CAt least 100 feet
- DBuses do not have to stop
Why: Buses carrying passengers must stop between 15 and 50 feet before a railroad crossing. Stopping in this range lets the driver look and listen for a train while still being able to see the tracks clearly.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Railroad-Highway Crossings
16. What should a bus driver with a manual transmission avoid doing while crossing railroad tracks?
- ALooking both ways
- BKeeping the doors closed
- CChanging gears while on the tracksCorrect
- DSlowing down after the crossing
Why: Never change gears while crossing the tracks. If you shift on the crossing, the engine could stall and leave the bus stuck on the tracks in the path of a train.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Railroad-Highway Crossings
17. At most railroad crossings, a bus carrying passengers is required to:
- AStop, look, and listen before crossingCorrect
- BSpeed up to clear the tracks quickly
- CCross only if another vehicle goes first
- DSound the horn but keep rolling
Why: A passenger-carrying bus must stop before railroad crossings, then look and listen for a train before crossing. Do not rely on signals alone; make sure no train is coming before you move onto the tracks.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Railroad-Highway Crossings
18. If a disruptive passenger must be put off the bus, where should you do it?
- AAt the next dark, empty stretch of road
- BAnywhere, as soon as possible
- COnly at the original starting point
- DAt the next scheduled stop or a safe, well-lit placeCorrect
Why: For your safety and the safety of your riders, only discharge a disruptive rider at the next scheduled stop or another safe, well-lit place. Never put someone off in an unsafe or isolated spot.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Handling Disruptive Passengers
19. Many bus accidents happen at what location?
- AOn long open highways
- BIn parking lots
- CAt intersectionsCorrect
- DOn bridges
Why: The most common bus accidents happen at intersections. Buses may also scrape off mirrors or clip passing vehicles when pulling out from a bus stop, so watch these areas closely.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Common Accidents
20. How can you tell you are taking a banked curve too fast in a bus?
- AThe bus leans toward the inside of the curve
- BThe bus leans toward the outside of the curveCorrect
- CThe engine slows down on its own
- DThe steering wheel becomes very easy to turn
Why: If your bus leans toward the outside on a banked curve, you are going too fast. The posted speed may be safe for cars but too high for a heavy bus, so slow down before the curve.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Speed on Curves
21. What is the rule about refueling a bus while riders are aboard?
- ANever refuel in a closed building with riders on boardCorrect
- BIt is fine anytime as long as the engine is off
- COnly refuel with riders aboard at night
- DRefueling with riders aboard is always required
Why: Avoid fueling the bus with riders aboard unless it is absolutely necessary, and never refuel in a closed, enclosed building with riders on board. Fuel vapors in an enclosed space are a serious fire and health danger.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Prohibited Practices
22. Which practice is prohibited while you are driving a bus?
- AWatching your mirrors
- BAnnouncing the next stop
- CChecking your gauges
- DTalking with riders or doing other distracting activitiesCorrect
Why: Do not talk with riders or take part in any distracting activity while driving. Distractions take your attention off the road and put everyone on the bus at risk.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Prohibited Practices
23. What is the rule about towing or pushing a disabled bus that has riders aboard?
- AIt is allowed for any short distance
- BDo not tow or push it with riders aboard unless getting off would be unsafeCorrect
- CIt is allowed if a police escort is present
- DIt is required whenever the bus breaks down
Why: Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard either vehicle, unless getting off would be more dangerous. Even then, only move it to the nearest safe spot to let the riders off.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.2 — Prohibited Practices
24. At the end of a shift, an interstate bus driver must:
- AOnly report problems if the bus will not start
- BSkip the inspection if the trip was short
- CReport defects verbally only
- DComplete a written inspection report for each bus drivenCorrect
Why: Inspect the bus at the end of each shift. If you drive for an interstate carrier, you must complete a written inspection report for each bus, listing any defect that would affect safety or cause a breakdown.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.4 — After-Trip Vehicle Inspection
25. How should a driver treat a bus brake-door interlock system?
- AUse it in place of the parking brake
- BNever use it, since it is unsafe
- CDo not rely on it in place of the parking brakeCorrect
- DUse it only on downgrades
Why: Some transit buses have a brake-and-accelerator interlock that applies the brakes and holds the throttle at idle when the rear door is open. Do not use this feature in place of the parking brake; always set the parking brake when needed.
Based on: CDL Manual §4.3 — Use of Brake-Door Interlocks