CDL Passenger Endorsement cheat sheet

Begin the walk-around by checking for damage, missing parts, fresh puddles from leaks, and that every baggage and equipment compartment door is closed and latched.

Dual tires must not touch each other, and nothing may be wedged between them; check for bulges, cuts, and loose or missing lug nuts.

Minimum tread depth is 4/32 inch on front steering tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; reject any tire with exposed cords or a bulge.

Static leak test: engine off, full pressure, brakes released - air loss must not exceed 3 psi in one minute for a single vehicle.

Applied leak test: brakes fully applied and held - air loss must not exceed 4 psi in one minute.

Dual air systems must build from 85 psi to 100 psi within 45 seconds at operating engine rpm.

Low-air warning buzzer or light must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; spring brakes set between 20 and 45 psi.

Test every emergency exit during the pre-trip: each must open from the inside, be plainly marked, and be free of obstructions; check push-out windows and the roof hatch.

Confirm entry doors open and close smoothly and latch securely, seats are fastened down, aisles are clear, and the fire extinguisher and first aid kit are aboard and charged.

Bring the bus to a full stop with the right side as close as practicable to the curb, set the parking brake, and open the door only after the bus has stopped.

Load and unload only at designated stops or a location fully off the traveled roadway; never discharge passengers into a live traffic lane.

Before closing the doors, check both mirrors and the stepwell to confirm no passenger is in the doorway or caught by the closing panels.

Count passengers - especially children - at each stop and before moving, so that no one is left behind or carried past the intended stop.

Standees must remain behind the marked standee line; no passenger may stand forward of it or in the driver's compartment.

Never exceed the bus's rated seating plus standing capacity, because overloads block aisles and delay evacuation.

Turn on four-way flashers whenever the bus is stopped in or partly in a traffic lane for loading or unloading.

Aisles, stairwells, and the areas around emergency exits must stay clear of baggage, strollers, and standing passengers.

Passengers may stand only behind the standee line and should be seated or braced before the bus starts moving.

Under the ADA a transit bus must carry a passenger's service animal, and no extra fare or fee may be charged for it.

Disruptive passenger: bring the bus to a safe stop, secure it, and request assistance from dispatch or police rather than physically confronting the rider.

Never leave the bus unattended with passengers aboard; when leaving the driver's seat, shut down the engine and take the key.

A fight on board is handled by stopping in a safe location, securing the vehicle, calling for help, and keeping other passengers out of the area.

Keep passengers informed of stops, delays, and detours; this reduces confusion and reduces the chance of passengers standing or moving unexpectedly.

Passenger illness or injury: stop safely, give the aid your training allows, and notify dispatch with the location and condition.

Following distance for a bus is one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph, plus one additional second above 40 mph - about 4 seconds for a 40-foot bus at 40 mph and 5 seconds above that.

Right turns are made by swinging wide to the left first, then watching the right mirror, because the rear wheels off-track and cut closer to the inside of the curve.

Tail swing: when the front of the bus swings one way, the rear overhang swings the opposite way, so check mirrors for pedestrians and fixed objects before turning.

Know the bus's overall height and width, and check posted clearance signs before passing under bridges, overpasses, or through tunnels.

On a long downgrade, select a lower gear before starting down and use engine braking; continuous service braking causes brake fade.

Coasting with the transmission in neutral is illegal and removes the driver's ability to accelerate out of trouble.

Reduce speed before entering a curve and accelerate gently after the midpoint; a loaded bus leans and its center of gravity is high.

Crosswinds push a bus hard because of its large side area; reduce speed, keep both hands on the wheel, and watch for lane drift.

Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow, and increase following distance to match reduced traction and visibility.

A bus carrying passengers must stop at every railroad-highway crossing, stopping between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

At the stop, look both ways and listen; silence the radio and heater fan and open a window or the door so an approaching train can be heard.

Turn on four-way flashers while stopped at the crossing to warn following traffic.

Shift into a lower gear before reaching the crossing; never shift gears while crossing the tracks.

Do not start across until there is room on the far side for the whole bus; never stop on the tracks.

If a crossing gate lowers onto the bus, drive through the gate rather than stopping on the tracks.

If the bus stalls or is disabled on the tracks, evacuate passengers immediately and move them well away from the tracks, then call 911 and the railroad emergency number posted on the blue sign.

Never race a train: an approaching train is closer and moving faster than it appears.

Bus fire: stop, shut off the engine, evacuate everyone, and move passengers at least 100 feet away and upwind; then call 911.

Use the fire extinguisher only on a small fire and only from a position with a clear escape route; never reboard a burning bus.

Know and be able to operate every evacuation route: entry door, side and rear emergency doors, push-out windows, and roof hatches.

Warning devices after a stop or crash: one within 10 feet of the rear, one about 100 feet behind, one about 100 feet ahead; up to 500 feet on a hill or curve.

Report to 911 and then dispatch: exact location, number of passengers, injuries, and hazards such as fire, spilled fuel, or downed wires.

Do not move a seriously injured passenger unless there is immediate danger from fire, traffic, or hazardous materials.

After any evacuation, count passengers and confirm everyone is out and clear of the vehicle before turning to other tasks.