FL CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection for a passenger vehicle adds these to the standard walk-around: passenger entry doors open and close smoothly, emergency exits open from inside and outside, aisles are clear, seats are secure, and the restroom (if equipped) has no leaks or loose fixtures.

The seven-step inspection sequence is: vehicle overview, engine compartment, exterior walk-around, entry/exit and interior (passengers, lights, signals, emergency equipment), brake check (air brake test if applicable), startup and dash warning lights, then a final brake and steering check while moving slowly.

Bus capacity is set by the manufacturer's seated-load rating plus the standee rating posted on the vehicle; never exceed the posted seated and standing capacities, and count passengers at each stop when the bus is near capacity.

Baggage and cargo rules: keep aisles, stairwells, and exits unobstructed; stow items in racks or compartments; large items that cannot be secured must be refused; never stack baggage against emergency exit doors.

Standee limits: no passenger may stand forward of the standee line (the line near the driver), on stairwells, or in the vestibule; standees are prohibited on seats or in aisles when the bus is loaded beyond its standing capacity.

Emergency equipment to verify: fire extinguisher (charged, mounted, pin intact), emergency triangles/reflectors, first aid kit if required, spare fuses, and a working horn; check the date on the fire extinguisher.

Door interlock check: with the doors open, the bus should not move (or the interlock warning should sound); test that the door warning light and buzzer operate when a door is not fully closed.

Tire and brake checks: minimum tread depth for bus tires is 4/32 inch on front tires; check for cuts, bulges, and proper inflation; test air brake buildup and leakage if the bus is air-braked.

Luggage and parcel security: unsecured items become projectiles in a sudden stop; require passengers to stow carry-ons under seats or in overhead racks and verify the aisle is clear before pulling away.

Approach rule: signal early, reduce speed gradually, and stop with the front door aligned to the curb or designated boarding area; do not stop within an intersection or on a crosswalk.

Before opening the door, check mirrors and the blind spots on both sides for cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles passing on the right; open the door only when it is safe to board or alight.

Stop only at designated stops unless the carrier's policy or local law permits flag stops; a driver who stops in a travel lane or bike lane creates a hazard and may violate local ordinances.

At railroad crossings and drawbridges, passengers may not be boarded or discharged while the bus is stopped on the crossing or approach; move clear first.

School-bus style safety: when passengers must cross the road after alighting, the driver signals them to cross only after traffic is stopped in both directions and the driver can see them clearly.

Departure check: count passengers after boarding, confirm doors are fully closed and the door warning light is off, check mirrors, signal, and merge only when the way is clear.

Wheelchair and mobility-device boarding: deploy the lift or ramp on level ground, secure the device with a four-point tie-down plus lap and shoulder belt, and verify the brakes are set before raising the lift.

Never move the bus with the door open or with a passenger on the steps or lift; if a passenger is still boarding, keep the parking brake set and the transmission in neutral or park.

Emergency evacuation order: stop the bus in a safe place, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, activate hazard lights, and open the primary exit; use the rear door or windows only if the primary exit is blocked.

Evacuation decision rule: evacuate only when staying aboard is more dangerous than leaving (fire, smoke, hazardous spill, or a bus in a hazardous position such as on a crossing); otherwise keep passengers aboard and call for help.

Fire response: pull over, stop the engine, evacuate upwind and at least 100 feet away, account for all passengers, and call 911; do not attempt to fight a large fire.

Passenger accountability: after any evacuation or emergency stop, count passengers against the manifest or boarding count and report missing persons to responders.

Disruptive passenger rule: do not physically confront a violent passenger; stop the bus in a safe location, request police assistance, and follow the carrier's incident-reporting procedure.

Medical emergency: stop safely, call 911, give the location and the passenger's condition, and do not move an injured passenger unless there is immediate danger.

Emergency exit locations must be announced or posted at the start of a trip: rear door, roof hatches, and side windows; show passengers how to operate at least one exit.

Hazard lights and warning devices: place reflective triangles or flares behind the bus when stopped on a roadway, and keep passengers aboard if exiting into traffic would be more dangerous.

Following distance: use at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph, plus one additional second for speeds above 40 mph; a 40-foot bus therefore needs 4 seconds below 40 mph and 5 seconds above.

Speed on curves and ramps: posted ramp and curve speeds are advisory maximums for cars; a loaded bus must slow further and brake before the curve, not in it, to avoid rollover.

Off-tracking: the rear wheels of a long bus track inside the front wheels, so swing wide before turns and check the right mirror through the turn to keep the rear tires off the curb.

Braking: buses with air brakes need longer stopping distances; use engine braking on downgrades, select a lower gear before the descent, and never ride the brakes.

Mirror and blind-spot checks: use the crossover mirrors and convex mirrors before lane changes, at stops, and when backing; if you cannot see the rear of the bus, get out and check.

Backing rule: back only when necessary, use a spotter when available, and stop immediately if you lose sight of the spotter; back slowly with hazard lights on.

Space management: maintain a space cushion ahead, to the sides, and behind; when a tailgater follows, increase your own following distance to allow a gradual slowdown.

Railroad crossing and drawbridge approach: never start across unless there is room on the far side to clear the tracks completely.

Passengers may not carry hazardous materials aboard a bus except small quantities permitted for personal use, such as limited amounts of medicines, toiletries, and small fuel containers for equipment as allowed by carrier policy and law.

Prohibited items typically include gasoline cans, propane cylinders, fireworks, ammunition, flammable liquids, compressed gas, and corrosive or poisonous materials; the driver may refuse boarding or require the item to be stowed outside the passenger compartment.

If a hazardous material is discovered aboard, stop the bus in a safe place away from people and structures, keep passengers clear, and notify dispatch and emergency responders; do not handle an unknown substance.

Placarded vehicles and hazmat cargo: a passenger-carrying bus may not transport hazardous materials that require placards; a driver must know the placard meanings if operating a vehicle that carries hazmat.

Shipping papers and emergency response information are required for hazmat shipments; if a passenger presents paperwork for a shipment, verify it before loading and refuse if the material is not permitted aboard.

Smoking, vaping, and open flames are prohibited aboard passenger vehicles; flammable materials and aerosol cans must not be stored near heat sources or in luggage compartments with the engine.

Suspicious packages: do not touch or move the item; isolate the area, evacuate if warranted, and call law enforcement; note the location, appearance, and time of discovery.

Carrier policy controls: many carriers prohibit weapons, alcohol, and illegal drugs aboard; the driver enforces the policy and may request police assistance for refusal to comply.

Crossing procedure: slow down, look and listen, open the window or turn off the radio, and check both directions before crossing; do not rely on gates or lights alone.

Never stop on the tracks: before entering a crossing, confirm there is room on the far side to clear the tracks completely, including the rear of the bus.

If the bus stalls on the tracks: evacuate passengers immediately, move them at least 100 feet from the tracks and upwind, then call 911 and the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

Crossing signals: a flashing red light, a lowered gate, or a flagger means stop; never drive around a lowered gate or through a flashing signal, even if no train is visible.

At a crossing without gates or lights, stop, look, and listen; if the view is obstructed, open the door or window to listen, and cross only when certain no train is approaching.

Special situations: in fog, heavy rain, or snow, reduce speed and increase following distance; at night, use low beams when meeting traffic and watch for pedestrians in dark clothing.

Skid control: if the bus skids, release the brakes, steer in the direction you want to go, and avoid hard braking; buses with anti-lock brakes should be braked firmly and steered.

Work zones and detours: reduce speed, obey flaggers, and check clearance height before entering an underpass or tunnel; a bus is taller and wider than a car.

For interstate property-carrying CMV drivers, the 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window apply after 10 consecutive hours off duty; a passenger-carrying CMV driver follows the same core limits under the federal hours-of-service rules.

The 30-minute break rule: after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break; the break may be off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving.

The 60/70-hour limits: no driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days; a driver may reset by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.

Record of duty status: drivers must keep accurate logs, retain them for the required period, and be able to produce them for inspection; falsifying a log is a serious violation.

Fatigue countermeasures: get 7-9 hours of sleep, take scheduled breaks, avoid driving during the body's low points (typically 2-6 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.), and do not rely on caffeine to replace sleep.

Wellness: stay hydrated, eat light meals before driving, exercise regularly, and report medical conditions or medications that could impair driving to the employer.

Illness and medication rule: do not drive while taking a medication that causes drowsiness or while impaired by illness; report to the carrier and follow its medical-certification requirements.

Fit-for-duty: a driver who feels too tired to drive safely must stop and rest; fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment much like alcohol, and the carrier's policy may require a report before the shift.