GA CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed from 20 to 40 mph roughly quadruples stopping distance, so scan farther ahead when carrying passengers.

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + brake lag distance + effective braking distance; at 55 mph a typical loaded passenger vehicle needs well over 300 feet on dry pavement.

Following distance rule: keep at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one second; a 40-foot bus at speeds under 40 mph needs 5 seconds, and add one second above 40 mph.

Passengers standing or moving in the aisle shift the center of gravity; slow before curves and lane changes rather than braking mid-turn.

Off-tracking: the rear wheels of a long passenger vehicle cut inside the front wheels' path, so swing wider on right turns and watch the rear in mirrors.

In a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid hard braking; release the accelerator to let the rear tires regain grip.

Use engine braking and light steady pedal pressure on downgrades; continuous hard braking can fade brakes on a loaded coach.

Mirror and shoulder checks before every lane change: bus mirrors have blind spots large enough to hide a car, so verify with a head check.

Railroad crossings require stopping (when carrying passengers) unless the crossing is exempt, gates are up, and you can clear the tracks completely before proceeding.

Pre-trip inspection components: engine compartment, walk-around exterior, lighting and reflectors, tires and wheels, brake system, suspension, and in-cab controls and emergency equipment.

Tire rule: minimum tread depth is 4/32 inch on front steer tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; check for cuts, bulges, and proper inflation with a gauge, not by kicking.

Brake check: with the engine running and air pressure built up, apply and hold the brake and listen for leaks; air loss must stay within the vehicle's specified limit (commonly no more than 3 psi per minute with brakes applied).

Low-air warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi, and the spring brakes must apply by the time pressure falls to roughly 20-45 psi.

Check the slack adjusters: with brakes released, pull each by hand; movement of about 1 inch or more at the push rod indicates adjustment is needed.

Emergency equipment for a passenger vehicle typically includes a fire extinguisher, spare fuses, reflective triangles, and a first aid kit; confirm each is present and charged.

Walk-around includes checking that all emergency exits, windows, and roof hatches open freely and that exit markings and instructions are legible.

Post-trip inspection is required at the end of each shift; defects affecting safety must be reported and the vehicle placed out of service until repaired.

Document the inspection: note defects found, sign the report, and confirm the next driver can see the prior report before operating.

Stop the vehicle completely, set the parking brake, and place the transmission in neutral or park before opening the door for boarding or alighting.

Load and unload only at designated stops or safe locations; never stop on a curve, hill crest, railroad track, or where the vehicle blocks a crosswalk.

Count passengers during boarding and after each stop; a head count at every stop prevents leaving a passenger behind.

Standing passengers are permitted only where the vehicle is designed for standees and only up to the posted seated-plus-standing capacity.

Keep aisles, stairwells, and emergency exits clear; baggage and mobility devices must be secured so they cannot slide into the aisle.

For wheelchair securement, use a four-point tie-down plus a lap and shoulder belt; the wheelchair itself must be secured to the vehicle, not just the occupant.

Before moving, verify all doors are closed and the door warning light or buzzer is off; moving with an open door is a serious violation.

At a stop, check mirrors and blind spots on both sides before closing the door and re-entering traffic; watch for passengers crossing in front of the vehicle.

Announce stops and allow passengers time to be seated or grasp a handhold before accelerating away from the stop.

Emergency evacuation priority order: engine off, parking brake set, keys left in the ignition if evacuation is needed, then direct passengers to the safest exit away from traffic or fire.

Fire response: stop, shut off the engine, evacuate upwind and away from the vehicle, and only attempt to fight a small fire with the extinguisher if the escape route stays clear.

Place reflective triangles behind and in front of a stopped vehicle: on a two-lane road, roughly 10 feet behind and 100 feet ahead; on a divided highway, about 10 feet behind and 200 feet ahead.

Report a crash immediately; a commercial driver must notify the employer and, where required, remain at the scene and provide information until released by authorities.

First aid: do not move an injured passenger unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; control bleeding with direct pressure and call for emergency help.

Emergency exits include side windows, roof hatches, and rear doors; know how each opens and brief passengers at the start of a trip on a charter or school run.

If a passenger becomes disruptive, stop the vehicle in a safe place before addressing the situation; never try to manage a confrontation while driving.

After any evacuation, account for all passengers by head count and report missing persons to responders with a description and last known location.

A bloodborne pathogen kit and gloves should be available for handling bodily fluids; treat all blood as potentially infectious.

Property-carrying drivers generally follow an 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window; passenger-carrying drivers under the federal rule have a 10-hour driving limit after 8 consecutive off-duty hours and a 15-hour on-duty window.

The 15-hour on-duty window for passenger carriers begins when duty starts and includes all driving and on-duty time; it cannot be extended by breaks.

A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption of driving.

The 60/70-hour limit: no driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days; a 34-hour restart resets the cycle.

Sleeper berth splits for passenger carriers allow two periods, one of at least 8 hours and one of at least 2 hours, that together total at least 10 hours off duty.

Fatigue countermeasures: get 7-9 hours of sleep per 24 hours, take planned breaks, avoid driving during the early morning low-alertness window, and do not rely on caffeine as a substitute for rest.

Record of duty status must be current and accurate; falsifying logs or driving while ill or fatigued is a serious violation.

Time spent waiting at a terminal or on-call can count as on-duty time depending on whether the driver is free to leave; know which category applies to your operation.

Report fatigue or illness to dispatch before driving; a driver who cannot safely operate the vehicle should not start the trip.