Colorado CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover the engine compartment, walk-around exterior, and in-cab items; the CDL test requires naming each part and stating what damage or defect you are looking for.

Brake check order: test parking brake, service brake, and (for air brakes) static leak, applied leak, and low-pressure warning buzzer/light before moving the bus.

Air brake buses: with engine off and full pressure, a leak rate above 3 psi per minute (single vehicle) fails the static test; applied leak limit is 3 psi/min for a single unit.

Tire defects that out-of-service a passenger vehicle include tread depth under 4/32 inch on a front tire, any cord exposed, or a sidewall bulge or cut.

Bus stopping distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples the distance needed, and a loaded bus adds more.

Hydraulic brake buses: pump the pedal with engine off; a pedal that sinks under steady pressure indicates a leak and the vehicle must be placed out of service.

Mirror setup: adjust flat and convex mirrors so a portion of the bus side and the rear tires are visible; convex mirrors distort distance, so objects appear farther away.

At highway speed, a 40- to 60-foot bus needs roughly one second per 10 feet of length plus reaction time; maintain at least a 4-second following distance, more when loaded or wet.

Standees are prohibited where the bus is not designed for them, and no passenger may stand forward of the standee line or in the step well while the bus is moving.

Aisle and emergency exit areas must stay clear: no baggage, coolers, or strollers blocking the aisle, exit doors, or roof hatch.

Before departing a stop, the driver confirms all passengers are seated or braced, doors are closed, and the standee line is respected.

Carry-on baggage must be stowed so it cannot fall or slide; heavy or sharp items are never placed in overhead racks above passengers.

When loading, count passengers and note any who need assistance, then secure mobility devices with the bus's four-point tie-down and use the lap/shoulder belt.

Charter and school-related trips: verify the passenger count before and after each stop and never leave a passenger on a parked bus.

Hazardous materials, gasoline cans, and fireworks are not permitted in the passenger cabin; refuse boarding and report the situation.

When unloading at a stop, stop with the right wheels close to the curb, set the parking brake, and watch for passengers crossing in front of the bus.

Following distance rule for passenger vehicles: at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph, and one additional second above 40 mph.

Use the pivot-point method for right turns: swing wide enough that the rear wheels clear the curb, and check the right convex mirror through the turn.

Railroad crossings: stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail, open the window and door to listen, and do not change gears while crossing.

Speed on curves: slow to the posted advisory speed before entering; braking hard in a curve can cause a rollover because the center of gravity of a bus is high.

Distracted driving rules: no texting, and hand-held phone use is prohibited for commercial drivers; a hands-free device is allowed but should be kept brief.

Night driving: reduce speed so you can stop within the distance lit by headlights, and use low beams when following or meeting traffic.

Skid recovery: remove your foot from the brake, steer in the direction you want the front of the bus to go, and avoid hard braking.

Space cushion: keep at least one lane or a car length of space to the sides, and never drive beside a large vehicle in its blind spot.

Fire: stop, shut off the engine, evacuate passengers upwind and at least 100 feet away, then call 911; do not re-board a burning bus.

Evacuation time target: a bus should be evacuable in about 2 minutes; practice roof hatch, rear door, and window exits, and know how to operate each.

Accident sequence: protect the scene, check for injuries, call for help, then exchange information; never move an injured person unless there is immediate danger.

Place warning triangles or reflectors: on a two-lane road, 10 feet behind and ahead; on a divided highway, 10 feet behind and 200 feet to the rear.

Reportable accidents involving a CMV require notification to the employer and, for certain crashes, to the state; a fatality or injury requiring transport triggers the report.

If a passenger becomes ill or injured, stop safely, call dispatch and 911, and document the event; do not leave the bus unattended with passengers aboard.

After any accident, the driver must be tested for alcohol and drugs under DOT rules if the crash meets the criteria (fatality, injury requiring medical treatment away from the scene, or a towed vehicle).

Fire extinguisher use: aim at the base of the fire, use the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep), and keep an exit path behind you.

CDL passenger endorsement (P) is required to drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver; a school bus endorsement (S) is separate.

Passenger-carrying CMV drivers are generally subject to the 11-hour driving and 14-hour on-duty limits, with a 10-hour off-duty period between shifts.

CDL holders must report convictions for traffic violations to their employer within 30 days, and must notify the state of a name or address change within 30 days.

A CDL is disqualified for one year for a first DUI or refusal to test while operating a CMV; a second offense results in a lifetime disqualification.

Annual inspection: every CMV must pass a periodic inspection at least once every 12 months, and the driver must keep the inspection report available.

Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR): required daily for passenger-carrying vehicles; the driver must review and sign the report and certify any defects are corrected.

Medical certification: interstate CMV drivers need a valid DOT medical examiner's certificate, and self-certify their driving category with the state.

Hours of service records: retain supporting documents and logs for 6 months, and keep the previous 7 days of logs in the vehicle.

Out-of-service brake defects: any brake with a missing part, an audible air leak at the chamber, or a pushrod stroke beyond the adjustment limit.

Lighting: a bus with an inoperative headlight, taillight, brake light, or turn signal on the power unit is out of service until repaired.

Steering defects that place a vehicle out of service include steering wheel lash over 10 degrees (20-inch wheel) or any looseness in the steering column.

Emergency exits: a bus with a blocked or inoperative emergency door, roof hatch, or window exit cannot be dispatched.

Tires: any front tire with less than 4/32 inch tread, any other tire under 2/32 inch, or any tire with an exposed cord or bulge is out of service.

Suspension and frame: cracked or broken spring leaves, missing U-bolts, or a cracked frame member require the vehicle be removed from service.

Exhaust and fuel systems: an exhaust leak into the passenger compartment or a fuel leak is an immediate out-of-service condition.

Pre-trip defect reporting: defects found on the walk-around must be written on the DVIR and corrected before the vehicle carries passengers.

When a bus stops to load or unload, activate hazard lights, set the parking brake, and monitor the right mirror for passengers approaching the door.

Right-turn squeeze: watch the right rear wheels and the convex mirror; a cyclist or pedestrian in the blind spot must be allowed to clear before the turn.

Backing: use a spotter whenever possible; if alone, back only a short distance after checking all mirrors and sounding the horn.

Downgrade control: select a lower gear before descending, use engine braking, and do not ride the brakes; brake fade reduces stopping power.

Bridge and overpass clearance: know the bus height including roof hatches and AC units, and obey posted clearance signs with a safety margin.

Crosswind and passing trucks: grip the wheel firmly, expect a push-pull effect, and reduce speed when a large vehicle passes.

Pedestrian awareness at stops: scan the area around the bus before pulling away; children and adults may cross in front or behind.

Fatigue management: take a break at least every 2 hours or 100 miles, and stop driving when drowsy rather than relying on caffeine.

Roadside inspections use the North American Standard Inspection; drivers are required to produce their CDL, medical certificate, and hours-of-service records.

A driver may be placed out of service for 10 hours after a 15-hour on-duty violation or after accumulating the 60/70-hour limit.

Drivers must use the ELD or paper logs accurately; falsifying a log is a serious violation that can disqualify the CDL.

Passenger carriers must comply with controlled-substance and alcohol testing rules, including pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion tests.

The CDL holder must notify the employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction, and the employer must check the driving record annually.

Safety-sensitive functions: a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher is prohibited from driving a CMV.

Vehicle registration and insurance: passenger carriers must maintain the required liability insurance and keep proof in the vehicle.

Emergency equipment required on a bus includes a fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and warning devices (triangles or reflectors).