CDL Passenger Endorsement flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Dual tire inspection

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

Front tire tread depth

At least 4/32 inch of tread depth is required on front steering tires; 2/32 inch is the minimum for all other tires on the bus.

Static air leak test

With the engine off, full pressure, and brakes released, a single vehicle must not lose more than 3 psi of air pressure in one minute.

Applied air leak test

With the brakes fully applied and held, air pressure must not drop more than 4 psi in one minute.

Low air pressure warning

A buzzer or light must warn before air pressure falls below 60 psi, and the spring brakes apply when pressure drops to between 20 and 45 psi.

Emergency exit pre-trip check

Each emergency exit must open from inside, be plainly marked, and be unobstructed; push-out windows and roof hatches must also operate freely.

Standee line

A marked line behind the driver's compartment; no passenger may stand forward of it while the bus is in motion.

Bus stop positioning

Stop with the right side of the bus as close as practicable to the curb, and open the door only after the vehicle is fully stopped.

Passenger count at stops

Count passengers when loading and unloading, especially children, so that no one is left behind or carried past the intended stop.

Rated bus capacity

Never load more passengers than the bus's rated seating plus standing capacity, because overloads block aisles and slow evacuation.

Checking before closing doors

Before closing the doors, check both mirrors and the stepwell to confirm that no passenger is standing in the doorway.

Aisle and exit clearance

Aisles, stairwells, and emergency exit areas must be kept clear of baggage, strollers, and standing passengers at all times.

Service animal requirement

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

Disruptive passenger procedure

Bring the bus to a safe stop, secure the vehicle, and request help from dispatch or police rather than physically confronting the rider.

Unattended bus rule

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

Standing passenger rule

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

Bus following distance

One second per 10 feet of bus length below 40 mph, plus one extra second above 40 mph, giving about 5 seconds for a 40-foot bus.

Right turn in a bus

Swing wide to the left before a right turn, then watch the right mirror, because the rear wheels track inside the front wheels.

Tail swing

As the front of the bus swings one direction, the rear overhang swings the opposite way, so check mirrors before turning away from a curb.

Bridge and overpass clearance

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

Downgrade braking

Shift to a lower gear before starting down a long grade and use engine braking; riding the service brakes can cause them to fade.

Railroad crossing stop distance

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

Stop, look, and listen

At a crossing, stop, look both ways, and listen; turn off fans and radios and open a window or door to hear trains.

Never stop on tracks

Before crossing, be sure there is room on the far side for the whole bus; never allow the bus to stop on the tracks.

Shifting at railroad crossings

Shift into a lower gear before reaching the crossing, and never change gears while the bus is crossing the tracks.

Stalled on the tracks

If the bus stalls on the tracks, evacuate passengers immediately and move them away from the tracks, then call 911 and the railroad.

Gate lowered on bus

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

Bus fire evacuation

Stop, shut off the engine, evacuate everyone, and move passengers at least 100 feet away and upwind, then call 911.

Fire extinguisher use

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

Warning device placement

Place reflectors or fuses within 10 feet of the rear, about 100 feet behind, and about 100 feet ahead, or up to 500 feet on a hill or curve.

Emergency exit locations

Emergency exits include the entry door, side and rear emergency doors, push-out windows, and roof hatches; know how each one opens.

Moving injured passengers

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