Delaware CDL Passenger key terms

A systematic check of the bus and its equipment performed before driving, covering brakes, tires, lights, emergency exits, and passenger items, so defects are found while the vehicle is still parked.

The area where passengers board or leave the bus. The driver stops so riders do not step into traffic, and keeps the door area clear of obstacles and standing passengers.

A marked line near the driver's compartment that standing passengers may not cross. It keeps the aisle and the driver's view clear and is required in many passenger vehicles.

A rider who remains on their feet while the bus is moving. The driver must start and stop smoothly, avoid sudden lane changes, and ensure standees stay behind the standee line.

The open walking space between seats that must stay free of bags, legs, and luggage so passengers can move to exits and the driver can see and reach the door.

A door, window, roof hatch, or other opening designed for fast evacuation. Drivers must know how many exist, where they are, and how each one opens before carrying passengers.

A warning device that sounds when an emergency exit is opened or its handle is moved. Drivers must know how to silence it and must never disable it to stop nuisance noise.

The orderly removal of passengers from a bus during an emergency. The driver directs people to the safest exits, keeps calm, and gets riders far enough away from the vehicle and traffic.

A restraint worn across the lap or lap and shoulder. The driver must use it whenever the bus is moving and must tell passengers to buckle up where belts are provided.

A restraint that crosses only the hips. It must fit snugly across the pelvic bones, not the stomach, and must never be worn twisted or with slack.

The diagonal part of a lap-and-shoulder restraint that crosses the chest and collarbone. It should lie flat without rubbing the neck, and must never be tucked behind the back.

An action a passenger-carrying driver may not perform while driving, such as using a hand-held phone, texting, or allowing riders to stand in the stairwell or block the door.

Operating the bus while attention is pulled away by a phone, conversation, eating, or adjusting controls. Passengers depend on the driver, so distractions must be eliminated before the wheels roll.

A place where the road crosses train tracks. Buses must stop at crossings unless a posted sign or official exemption says otherwise, then check both directions before proceeding.

The white X-shaped sign at a railroad crossing. A crossbuck means yield to trains, and the driver must look and listen for an approaching train even when no lights are flashing.

A crossing signal that warns only when a train is near, such as flashing red lights, a bell, or a gate. Drivers must stop when they activate and never drive around a lowered gate.

A crossing warning that is always present, like a crossbuck, pavement markings, or a stop line. It gives no signal when a train is coming, so the driver must actively look and listen.

Making sure the bus can completely cross the tracks and clear the far side before entering the crossing, so it never stops with any part of the vehicle on the rails.

A braking system that uses compressed air to apply the brakes. It includes a compressor, reservoirs, foot valve, and brake chambers, and requires daily inspection for leaks and pressure loss.

The dash instrument showing how much pressure is in the brake reservoirs. The driver must watch it while driving and stop when pressure drops below the safe operating range.

A light or buzzer that activates when brake reservoir pressure falls too low. It warns that brakes may not apply fully, and the driver must stop safely and find the cause.

A parking and emergency brake held off by air pressure and applied by a strong spring when pressure is lost. It engages automatically during a major air loss, helping stop the bus.

A brake that holds the bus when it is parked. It must be set before passengers board or leave and before the driver leaves the seat, since an unsecured bus can roll.

The short delay between pressing the brake pedal and the brakes actually applying, caused by air traveling through the lines. Drivers must allow extra following distance to cover it.

The engine-driven pump that builds and maintains air pressure in the brake system. It must be checked during the pre-trip inspection and must recover pressure quickly while driving.

A tank that stores compressed air for the brakes. Reservoirs must be drained of moisture and oil regularly, and the pre-trip inspection checks them for leaks and damage.

The linkage that transfers brake chamber pushrod force to the brake shoes. Too much pushrod travel means poor braking, so it must be checked and adjusted within the legal limit.

The air cylinder that pushes the brake linkage when the pedal is pressed. A cracked, leaking, or loose chamber is a defect that must be repaired before the bus is driven.

The gap kept between the bus and the vehicle ahead. A loaded passenger bus needs a longer gap than a car, and the gap must grow at night or in rain, snow, or ice.

The total distance traveled from the moment a hazard is seen until the bus stops, including perception, reaction, and braking distance. It grows sharply with speed and load.

Applying power gently so riders, especially those standing, are not thrown off balance. It is a core skill for passenger drivers and protects against falls in the aisle.

Making sure riders and their belongings are settled before the bus moves. It includes belts where provided, stowed luggage, and wheelchairs locked down in the approved position.

The system of straps and locks that holds a wheelchair in place on the bus. It must be attached and tight before moving, and the rider must also use an available belt.

A portable extinguisher carried on the bus for small fires. The driver must know its location, check its charge during the pre-trip inspection, and know how to use it.

Flashing lights used to warn other traffic that the bus is stopped or moving slowly. They are used during loading and unloading and when the bus is disabled on the road.

Using the bus mirrors to watch the door area, blind spots, and traffic before pulling out or changing lanes. It is repeated constantly because riders may still be boarding.

Counting passengers after loading and unloading to confirm no one is left behind or unaccounted for. It matters most at night, at terminals, and after an evacuation.

A short talk given before departure that points out exits, explains belt use, and tells passengers what to do in an emergency. It prepares riders to act without panic.