FL CDL Passenger flashcards

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

Pre-trip inspection sequence

Seven steps: vehicle overview, engine compartment, exterior walk-around, entry and interior, brake check, startup and dash lights, then a moving brake and steering test.

Standee line rule

Passengers may not stand forward of the standee line near the driver, on stairwells, or in the vestibule; standing limits are set by the posted capacity.

Bus tire tread minimum

Front tires on a bus need at least 4/32 inch of tread depth; other tires need at least 2/32 inch, and cuts or bulges require replacement.

Door interlock check

With a door open, the bus should not move or a warning should sound; the door warning light and buzzer must work before the trip starts.

Aisle obstruction rule

Aisles, stairwells, and emergency exits must stay clear; baggage goes in racks or compartments, and items that cannot be secured must be refused.

Boarding approach procedure

Signal early, slow gradually, and stop with the door aligned to the curb; check mirrors and blind spots before opening the door.

Wheelchair tie-down requirement

Secure the mobility device with a four-point tie-down plus lap and shoulder belts, set the brakes, and deploy the lift only on level ground.

Departure check

Count passengers, confirm doors are fully closed and the warning light is off, check mirrors, signal, and merge only when clear.

Passenger crossing after alighting

Signal passengers to cross only after traffic is stopped in both directions and the driver can see them clearly.

Evacuation decision rule

Evacuate only when staying aboard is more dangerous than leaving, such as fire, smoke, a hazmat spill, or a bus stopped on a crossing.

Bus fire response

Stop the engine, evacuate upwind and at least 100 feet away, count passengers, and call 911; do not fight a large fire.

Disruptive passenger procedure

Do not physically confront a violent passenger; stop in a safe place, request police help, and follow the carrier's incident-reporting procedure.

Passenger accountability count

After any evacuation or emergency stop, count passengers against the manifest or boarding count and report missing persons to responders.

Following distance formula

Use one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph, plus one second above 40 mph; a 40-foot bus needs 4 or 5 seconds.

Off-tracking in turns

Rear wheels of a long bus track inside the front wheels; swing wide before turning and watch the right mirror to keep rear tires off the curb.

Backing a bus

Back only when necessary, use a spotter when available, back slowly with hazard lights on, and stop immediately if the spotter is lost.

Downhill braking technique

Select a lower gear before the descent and use engine braking; never ride the brakes, which can overheat and fade.

Space cushion response

When a tailgater follows, increase your own following distance ahead so you can slow gradually and reduce the chance of a rear-end crash.

Prohibited hazardous items

Gasoline cans, propane cylinders, fireworks, ammunition, and flammable or corrosive materials are generally prohibited in the passenger compartment; refuse or stow per policy.

Unknown substance aboard

Stop away from people and structures, keep passengers clear, and notify dispatch and responders; do not handle an unknown substance.

Suspicious package response

Do not touch or move the item; isolate the area, evacuate if warranted, call law enforcement, and note its location and appearance.

Placarded hazmat on buses

A passenger-carrying bus may not transport hazardous materials that require placards; drivers must know placard meanings if hazmat is carried.

Grade crossing procedure

Slow down, look and listen, open a window or turn off the radio, and check both directions; never rely on gates or lights alone.

Stall on railroad tracks

Evacuate passengers immediately, move them at least 100 feet from the tracks, then call 911 and the railroad emergency number.

Lowered gate rule

A flashing red light, lowered gate, or flagger means stop; never drive around a lowered gate even if no train is visible.

Sight-obstructed crossing

At a crossing without gates or lights, stop, look, and listen; if the view is blocked, open the door or window to listen before crossing.

Skid recovery

Release the brakes, steer in the direction you want to go, and avoid hard braking; with anti-lock brakes, brake firmly and steer.

Eleven-hour driving limit

After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver may drive up to 11 hours; driving is not permitted after the 14th on-duty hour.

Thirty-minute break rule

After 8 cumulative hours of driving without a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break, which may be off-duty or sleeper berth.

Sixty-seventy hour limit

No driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 days; 34 or more consecutive hours off duty resets the cycle.

Fatigue low points

The body's alertness typically dips between 2 and 6 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m.; schedule breaks and avoid relying on caffeine to replace sleep.

Fit-for-duty rule

A driver too tired or impaired by medication to drive safely must stop and rest and report to the carrier; fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment.