GA CDL Passenger flashcards

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

Following distance for passenger vehicles

Allow one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one extra second; a 40-foot vehicle below 40 mph needs 5 seconds, and one more second above 40 mph.

Total stopping distance formula

Perception distance plus reaction distance plus brake lag distance plus effective braking distance; speed increases all components, and braking distance rises with the square of speed.

Off-tracking in long vehicles

Rear wheels follow a path inside the front wheels, so a long passenger vehicle must swing wider on turns and the driver must check mirrors for the rear clearing curbs.

Skid recovery steering rule

Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking so the rear tires can regain traction.

Brake fade on downgrades

Continuous heavy braking overheats brakes and reduces stopping power; use engine braking and light steady pressure, selecting a lower gear before the grade.

Railroad crossing stop rule

A passenger vehicle must stop at crossings unless the crossing is exempt, gates are fully raised, and there is room to clear the tracks completely before proceeding.

Pre-trip inspection components

Check the engine compartment, exterior walk-around, lights and reflectors, tires and wheels, brakes, suspension, and in-cab controls and emergency equipment before driving.

Minimum tire tread depth

Front steer tires need at least 4/32 inch of tread; all other tires need at least 2/32 inch. Check for cuts, bulges, and inflation with a gauge.

Low-air warning threshold

The low-air warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi, and spring brakes should apply by roughly 20-45 psi.

Slack adjuster check

With brakes released, pull each slack adjuster by hand; movement of about 1 inch or more at the push rod means the brake needs adjustment.

Required emergency equipment

A passenger vehicle typically carries a charged fire extinguisher, spare fuses, reflective triangles, and a first aid kit; confirm each is present and serviceable.

Post-trip inspection duty

At the end of each shift, inspect the vehicle, note any defects on the report, sign it, and place the vehicle out of service if a safety defect is found.

Boarding safety sequence

Stop completely, set the parking brake, place the transmission in park or neutral, then open the door for boarding or alighting.

Passenger head count rule

Count passengers as they board and again after each stop so no one is left behind; a head count also confirms capacity limits are respected.

Standing passenger limits

Standing passengers are allowed only in vehicles designed for standees and only up to the posted seated-plus-standing capacity; aisles must stay clear.

Wheelchair securement requirement

Use a four-point tie-down to secure the wheelchair to the vehicle plus a lap and shoulder belt for the occupant; securing the person alone is insufficient.

Door warning light check

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

Safe stop location rule

Load and unload only at designated or safe stops, never on curves, hill crests, railroad tracks, or where the vehicle blocks a crosswalk.

Emergency evacuation order

Shut off the engine, set the parking brake, leave keys in the ignition if evacuation is needed, then direct passengers to the safest exit away from traffic or fire.

Reflective triangle placement

On a two-lane road, place triangles about 10 feet behind and 100 feet ahead of the vehicle; on a divided highway, about 10 feet behind and 200 feet ahead.

Vehicle fire response

Stop, shut off the engine, evacuate passengers upwind and away from the vehicle, and fight only a small fire if the escape route stays clear.

Injured passenger first aid rule

Do not move an injured passenger unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; control bleeding with direct pressure and call emergency services.

Disruptive passenger handling

Stop the vehicle in a safe location before addressing a confrontation; never attempt to manage a disruptive passenger while the vehicle is in motion.

Emergency exit familiarization

Know how side windows, roof hatches, and rear doors open, and brief passengers on exit locations at the start of a charter or school trip.

Passenger-carrying driving limit

Under the federal passenger-carrier rule, drivers may drive up to 10 hours after 8 consecutive off-duty hours, within a 15-hour on-duty window.

Fifteen-hour on-duty window

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

Thirty-minute break rule

A driver must take at least a 30-minute interruption of driving after 8 cumulative hours of driving without such a break.

Sixty-seventy 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 split rule

Passenger carriers may split off-duty time into two periods, one of at least 8 hours and one of at least 2 hours, totaling at least 10 hours.

Fatigue countermeasures

Target 7-9 hours of sleep per 24 hours, take planned breaks, avoid the early-morning low-alertness window, and do not substitute caffeine for rest.

Record of duty status accuracy

The log must be current and truthful; falsifying duty status or driving while ill or fatigued is a serious violation with license consequences.

Reporting fatigue before driving

A driver who cannot safely operate due to fatigue or illness must report it to dispatch before starting the trip rather than driving.