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GA CDL Passenger study materials
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GA CDL Passenger practice questions

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Question 1Driving Safely with Passengers

Under Georgia law, which passengers must a driver of a passenger vehicle ensure are properly restrained while the vehicle is in motion?

  1. All occupants, front and rear, must be restrained Correct answer.
  2. Only children under age 8
  3. Only passengers seated in the front seat
  4. Only the driver and front-seat passenger

Explanation

Georgia's occupant restraint law requires every occupant of a passenger vehicle to be secured by a seat belt or appropriate child restraint while the vehicle is operating on a public road. The obligation extends to rear-seat passengers as well as those in front. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 18 are properly restrained.

Question 2Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger in your vehicle becomes loud and physically agitated, distracting you while you drive. What is the safest first response?

  1. Ask another passenger to restrain the agitated person
  2. Turn up the radio to mask the noise
  3. Pull over in a safe location and address the situation Correct answer.
  4. Speed up to reach the destination sooner

Explanation

A driver's first duty is to control the vehicle; a distracted driver is a hazard to everyone aboard. Safely pulling over removes the immediate risk and lets you resolve the situation before continuing. Speeding or escalating the conflict increases danger rather than reducing it.

Question 3Driving Safely with Passengers

Why does carrying several passengers increase a driver's crash risk even when the driver is experienced?

  1. Passengers physically alter the vehicle's steering geometry
  2. Conversation and activity inside the vehicle create additional distractions Correct answer.
  3. Passengers are legally required to give driving directions
  4. The vehicle's brakes are less effective with more weight

Explanation

Multiple passengers generate conversation, movement, and demands on the driver's attention, which lengthens reaction time and increases the chance of missing hazards. Research consistently links young or multiple passengers with higher crash rates for the driver. The effect is behavioral, not mechanical.

Question 4Driving Safely with Passengers

Before starting a trip with passengers, what should you confirm about each passenger's seat belt?

  1. That it is buckled but tucked behind the back
  2. That only lap belts are used in the rear
  3. That it is fastened and routed correctly across the body Correct answer.
  4. That it is left loose enough to be comfortable

Explanation

A seat belt only protects an occupant when it is buckled and positioned correctly, with the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest. Routing the belt behind the back or leaving it slack defeats its purpose. The driver should verify this before moving.

Question 5Driving Safely with Passengers

A child under age 8 is riding in your vehicle and is shorter than the height requirement for a seat belt alone. What does Georgia law require?

  1. The child may use an adult seat belt if sitting in the rear
  2. The child must be in an approved child restraint appropriate for size Correct answer.
  3. The child may ride on an adult's lap
  4. The child may stand if the trip is short

Explanation

Georgia requires children under 8 to be secured in an approved child passenger restraint suitable for their height and weight when the vehicle is in motion. A standard seat belt alone is permitted only once the child meets the height threshold. Riding on a lap or standing is never acceptable.

Question 6Driving Safely with Passengers

When a passenger needs to exit your vehicle on a busy street, what is the safest practice?

  1. Let them exit into traffic so they can cross quickly
  2. Instruct them to exit while the vehicle is still rolling slowly
  3. Have them exit on the curb or sidewalk side when possible Correct answer.
  4. Ask them to open the door fully into the traffic lane

Explanation

Exiting on the curb side keeps passengers out of the path of moving traffic and passing cyclists. Opening a door into a live lane creates a serious hazard for the passenger and approaching vehicles. Passengers should exit only after the vehicle is fully stopped.

Question 7Driving Safely with Passengers

What is the primary reason to secure loose bags and objects before driving with passengers?

  1. To comply with Georgia registration requirements
  2. To prevent items from becoming projectiles in a sudden stop or crash Correct answer.
  3. To reduce tire wear on long trips
  4. To keep the vehicle's fuel economy high

Explanation

In a crash or hard braking, unrestrained objects continue moving at the vehicle's original speed and can strike occupants with great force. Stowing luggage in the trunk or securing it prevents this. Loose items also slide and distract the driver.

Question 8Driving Safely with Passengers

Georgia's law on wireless device use while driving applies to which drivers?

  1. Only commercial vehicle drivers
  2. All drivers, though hands-free use has limited exceptions Correct answer.
  3. Only drivers with a learner's permit
  4. Only drivers under 18

Explanation

Georgia prohibits holding or supporting a phone with any part of the body while driving, and the rule applies to all drivers, not just young or commercial ones. Georgia's hands-free law still restricts even hands-free use in some situations, such as reading or writing messages. The safest practice is to set devices before driving.

Question 9Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a passenger van with a full load and need to merge onto a highway. How should the added weight affect your planning?

  1. It shortens your stopping distance, so you can merge later
  2. It has no effect on acceleration or braking
  3. It improves cornering so you can take the ramp faster
  4. It lengthens acceleration and stopping distances, so allow more room Correct answer.

Explanation

A fully loaded passenger vehicle accelerates more slowly and needs more distance to stop because of increased mass and momentum. You should allow a larger gap in traffic and begin accelerating earlier. Braking earlier and more gently also protects passengers.

Question 10Driving Safely with Passengers

While driving with passengers, you approach a railroad crossing with no gates and no lights. What should you do?

  1. Slow down, look and listen, and be prepared to stop Correct answer.
  2. Maintain speed and rely on the train's horn
  3. Stop only if a passenger asks you to
  4. Honk and proceed without slowing

Explanation

At passive crossings the driver must actively check for approaching trains by looking and listening, and must be able to stop. Passengers add noise and distraction, so lowering the radio and asking for quiet helps. Never rely on the train to warn you in time.

Question 11Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger seated behind you is not wearing a seat belt in a crash. What happens to that passenger?

  1. They are held in place by the seat cushion
  2. They are unaffected because rear seats are safer
  3. They can be thrown forward into the front occupants Correct answer.
  4. They are protected by the front airbags

Explanation

An unbelted rear passenger continues moving forward in a crash and can strike front-seat occupants, injuring them and themselves. This is why rear-seat belt use protects everyone in the vehicle. The driver should refuse to move until all belts are fastened.

Question 12Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving with passengers and a wasp flies into the cabin. What is the safest action?

  1. Ask a passenger to climb into the front seat to help
  2. Roll down a window and calmly pull over to deal with it Correct answer.
  3. Swat at it while continuing at highway speed
  4. Brake hard immediately in the travel lane

Explanation

Sudden panic movements cause more crashes than the insect itself. Opening a window may let it out, and pulling over safely lets you deal with the distraction without losing control. Hard braking in a live lane risks a rear-end collision.

Question 13Driving Safely with Passengers

When driving at night with passengers, why should you reduce your speed below the posted limit on unfamiliar roads?

  1. Night driving is prohibited for passenger vehicles
  2. The speed limit is automatically lower after sunset
  3. Passengers are required to be home before dark
  4. Your headlights do not let you see far enough to stop for hazards Correct answer.

Explanation

At night your visibility is limited to the reach of your headlights, and stopping distance can exceed that reach at higher speeds. Slowing down keeps your stopping distance within what you can see. This is especially important on unfamiliar roads with curves and unmarked hazards.

Question 14Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger asks you to drop them off in a no-parking zone in front of a store. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Stop briefly in the zone since it is only a moment
  2. Find a legal, safe place to stop and let them out there Correct answer.
  3. Let them jump out while you slow to a crawl
  4. Stop in the zone but keep the engine running

Explanation

Stopping in a no-parking zone can block traffic, endanger other road users, and violate local ordinances. Choosing a legal spot protects your passengers and other drivers. A brief stop is still a stop and may be a violation.

Question 15Driving Safely with Passengers

What should you do if a passenger refuses to wear a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion?

  1. Drive faster so the trip ends sooner
  2. Continue driving but ask them to hold on tightly
  3. Allow them to ride unbelted if they are an adult
  4. Do not move the vehicle until the passenger is belted or exits Correct answer.

Explanation

Georgia law makes the driver responsible for ensuring passengers under 18 are restrained, and allowing an unbelted adult also creates risk for everyone aboard. The safe choice is to refuse to move until the belt is fastened or the person leaves. Holding on cannot substitute for a belt.

Question 16Driving Safely with Passengers

You are carrying passengers on a road with a sharp curve ahead. What is the safest approach?

  1. Maintain speed and let passengers brace themselves
  2. Slow down before the curve and accelerate gently after Correct answer.
  3. Brake firmly while turning through the curve
  4. Accelerate through the curve to stabilize the vehicle

Explanation

Braking should be completed before entering a curve so the tires are free to provide cornering grip. Accelerating gently on exit keeps the vehicle stable and passengers comfortable. Braking mid-curve can cause loss of traction, especially with a full load.

Question 17Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger in your vehicle is not a licensed driver but offers to take the wheel when you feel tired. What is the correct decision?

  1. Let them drive only on quiet roads
  2. Let them drive if they stay under the speed limit
  3. Do not allow an unlicensed person to drive; stop and rest instead Correct answer.
  4. Let them drive so you can rest

Explanation

Allowing an unlicensed person to operate the vehicle is illegal and unsafe, regardless of road conditions. If you are too tired to drive, the correct action is to stop in a safe place and rest. Fatigue impairs judgment and reaction time much like alcohol.

Question 18Driving Safely with Passengers

How does a full load of passengers typically affect your vehicle's stopping distance on a downhill grade?

  1. It lengthens stopping distance because of greater momentum Correct answer.
  2. It shortens stopping distance only if the road is wet
  3. It shortens stopping distance because of added traction
  4. It has no effect if you use the brakes lightly

Explanation

More mass means more momentum, and on a downgrade gravity adds to that, so the brakes must dissipate more energy to stop the vehicle. Drivers should reduce speed before long descents and avoid riding the brakes. Engine braking helps control speed on grades.

Question 19Driving Safely with Passengers

What does Georgia's hands-free law specifically prohibit a driver from doing while operating a vehicle?

  1. Physically holding or supporting a phone with any part of the body Correct answer.
  2. Using a voice-activated calling feature
  3. Listening to audio through the vehicle's speakers
  4. Using a GPS app mounted to the dashboard

Explanation

Georgia's hands-free statute bars drivers from holding or supporting a wireless device with their body while driving. Mounted or voice-activated use is generally permitted, but typing or reading messages remains restricted. Setting up navigation before driving is the safe practice.

Question 20Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a group of passengers and one begins to feel ill. What is the safest course of action?

  1. Continue at highway speed and ask them to wait
  2. Ask the passenger to lie down in the rear seat while you continue
  3. Signal, pull over safely, and attend to the passenger Correct answer.
  4. Open a window and accelerate to reach help faster

Explanation

A sick passenger needs attention, and the driver cannot safely provide it while operating the vehicle. Signaling and pulling over to a safe location protects everyone. Continuing at speed risks a medical emergency and additional distraction.

Question 21Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger repeatedly grabs the steering wheel while you are driving. How should you respond?

  1. Let go of the wheel so the passenger can steer
  2. Firmly regain control and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe Correct answer.
  3. Accelerate to make the grab harder
  4. Turn sharply to shake the passenger's hand loose

Explanation

Interference with the steering is an immediate threat to everyone in the vehicle. The driver must keep both hands on the wheel, maintain control, and stop at the first safe opportunity. Sharp maneuvers or acceleration increase the chance of a crash.

Question 22Driving Safely with Passengers

Why should a driver avoid using a phone even in hands-free mode while carrying passengers in heavy traffic?

  1. Hands-free devices drain the vehicle's battery
  2. Passengers are required to be silent during calls
  3. Cognitive distraction from the conversation impairs hazard detection Correct answer.
  4. Hands-free calls are illegal in all circumstances in Georgia

Explanation

Even hands-free conversation diverts attention from the road, reducing the driver's ability to scan for hazards and react quickly. In heavy traffic, that mental load raises crash risk. The safest approach is to avoid calls in demanding driving conditions.

Question 23Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a passenger vehicle with a roof rack loaded with luggage. Which handling change should you anticipate?

  1. No change because roof racks are aerodynamically neutral
  2. A higher center of gravity and greater sensitivity to crosswinds Correct answer.
  3. A lower center of gravity and tighter cornering
  4. Improved braking due to added downforce

Explanation

Roof-mounted cargo raises the vehicle's center of gravity and adds wind-catching surface area, which can make the vehicle less stable in crosswinds and in curves. Drivers should reduce speed and avoid abrupt steering inputs. The load must also be secured to prevent it from shifting.

Question 24Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger opens a rear door into the path of an approaching cyclist. What is the best preventive habit for the driver?

  1. Lock all rear doors from the driver's seat
  2. Tell passengers to open doors quickly without looking
  3. Ask passengers to exit while the vehicle is still moving
  4. Instruct passengers to check for traffic before opening and to exit curb-side Correct answer.

Explanation

Dooring injuries occur when a door swings into the path of a cyclist or vehicle. Having passengers check mirrors and blind spots and exit on the curb side greatly reduces the risk. Drivers can also warn passengers when a bike lane is present.

Question 25Driving Safely with Passengers

During a long trip, which combination of factors most increases crash risk with a full passenger load?

  1. Taking a break every two hours
  2. Listening to the radio at low volume
  3. Driver fatigue combined with in-vehicle conversation and a heavy load Correct answer.
  4. Driving during daylight hours

Explanation

Fatigue slows reaction time and judgment, while conversation and a heavy load add distraction and lengthen stopping distance. These factors compound one another, so the risk grows faster than any single factor alone. Scheduled breaks and limiting conversation during demanding stretches help.

Question 26Driving Safely with Passengers

Under Georgia law, who is responsible for making sure every passenger under age 18 is properly restrained in a passenger vehicle?

  1. The front-seat passenger only
  2. The parent of the child regardless of who is driving
  3. The registered owner of the vehicle
  4. The driver of the vehicle Correct answer.

Explanation

Georgia's occupant restraint law places the duty of securing young passengers on the person operating the vehicle. A driver may not shift that obligation to the child's parent or to another adult who happens to be riding along. Failing to restrain a child can result in a citation for the driver plus points on the driving record.

Question 27Driving Safely with Passengers

You are carrying passengers and must stop along the shoulder of a rural highway. Where should you have them wait if they get out?

  1. Sitting on the hood of the car
  2. Standing on the traffic side of the vehicle
  3. Well off the roadway, away from traffic Correct answer.
  4. Directly behind the rear bumper

Explanation

Passengers who leave a vehicle stopped on a shoulder should move far from the travel lanes and stay clear of passing traffic. Standing on the traffic side, behind the bumper, or on the hood puts them in the path of vehicles that drift onto the shoulder. Keep the group together and visible until it is safe to reboard.

Question 28Driving Safely with Passengers

What is the recommended way to adjust your following distance when the vehicle is full of passengers?

  1. Keep the same gap you use when driving alone
  2. Match the gap used by the car ahead
  3. Follow closer so other cars cannot cut in
  4. Add extra space to allow for the heavier load Correct answer.

Explanation

A loaded vehicle needs more room to stop because the added weight lengthens braking distance. The standard guidance is to leave at least one second of following distance for each ten feet of vehicle length, and to add more when the load is heavy or conditions are poor. Tailgating to block other drivers removes the margin you need for an emergency stop.

Question 29Driving Safely with Passengers

Before pulling away with a group of passengers, what is the most important final check for the driver?

  1. Asking passengers about the route
  2. Checking that the radio is tuned
  3. Setting the climate controls
  4. Confirming everyone is seated and belted Correct answer.

Explanation

A driver should not move until all occupants are seated and restrained, because unrestrained passengers are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash. This check also prevents someone from being caught by a closing door or left standing in the aisle. Entertainment and comfort settings are secondary and can wait until the vehicle is safely under way.

Question 30Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a 15-passenger van with a full load and a passenger asks you to speed up to make a green light. How should you respond?

  1. Brake sharply to teach the passenger a lesson
  2. Accelerate hard since the light is still green
  3. Coast through the intersection without checking traffic
  4. Explain that the loaded van needs more braking room and maintain a safe speed Correct answer.

Explanation

A fully loaded large van has a higher center of gravity and longer stopping distance, so hard acceleration toward a changing light is risky. The driver, not the passenger, is responsible for speed and signal decisions. Calmly explaining the vehicle's limits keeps the trip safe and defuses pressure from riders.

Question 31Driving Safely with Passengers

While driving a passenger van, you notice a rider standing in the aisle to talk to a friend. What should you do?

  1. Speed up to shorten the trip
  2. Slow down and tell them to take a seat immediately Correct answer.
  3. Continue driving and ask them to sit at the next stop
  4. Ignore it since the aisle is wide

Explanation

A standing passenger has no restraint and can be thrown into other occupants or through the windshield in a sudden stop or crash. The driver should reduce speed and direct the person to sit down and buckle up before continuing. Waiting until the next stop leaves the passenger exposed during the most dangerous part of the trip.

Question 32Driving Safely with Passengers

When should you activate your headlights while carrying passengers in Georgia?

  1. Only when other drivers flash their lights
  2. Whenever weather or visibility requires them, and during the required nighttime period Correct answer.
  3. Only on rural roads
  4. Only after full darkness

Explanation

Georgia requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced by rain, fog, or other conditions. Using them earlier than the legal minimum helps other drivers see a passenger vehicle sooner. Headlights are a visibility tool, not something to switch on only when prompted by other motorists.

Question 33Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving passengers in heavy rain and the steering suddenly feels light and the tires seem to float. What is the correct response?

  1. Accelerate to push through the water
  2. Turn the wheel quickly from side to side
  3. Ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking Correct answer.
  4. Brake firmly and turn sharply to the shoulder

Explanation

Light steering and floating tires indicate hydroplaning, where the tires ride on a film of water instead of the road. The safe response is to ease off the accelerator and let the vehicle slow gradually without sudden braking or steering. Sharp inputs during hydroplaning can send a loaded vehicle into a skid.

Question 34Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger in your vehicle is loudly arguing with another rider and the tension is rising. What is the safest action for the driver?

  1. Pull over safely and address the conflict before continuing Correct answer.
  2. Turn up the music to drown them out
  3. Drive faster to reach the destination sooner
  4. Join the argument to settle it

Explanation

A heated argument distracts the driver and can escalate into physical contact that endangers everyone aboard. Stopping in a safe place lets the driver separate the passengers or calm the situation before resuming. Continuing at speed while the conflict grows multiplies the risk of a crash.

Question 35Driving Safely with Passengers

What is the effect of a full passenger load on your vehicle's tires and suspension during a trip?

  1. Tire wear is unaffected by passenger weight
  2. Suspension performance improves with more weight
  3. Tires need no attention until the trip ends
  4. Tire pressure and load limits become more important to check Correct answer.

Explanation

Extra passengers push the vehicle closer to its gross weight rating, so tires must be inflated to the pressure specified for a loaded vehicle. Overloaded or underinflated tires build heat and are more prone to blowouts at highway speed. Checking pressure and load limits before departure is a basic pre-trip duty for anyone carrying a group.

Question 36Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving passengers on a two-lane road and a car behind you is tailgating closely. What is the best response?

  1. Increase your own following distance ahead and let the driver pass when safe Correct answer.
  2. Speed up well beyond the limit to create a gap
  3. Brake suddenly to warn the driver
  4. Wave the driver around on a blind curve

Explanation

When someone tailgates, the safest move is to open more space in front of you so you can brake gradually instead of abruptly. Speeding up or brake-checking escalates the risk, especially with passengers aboard. Allow the impatient driver to pass only where sight distance and markings make it legal and safe.

Question 37Driving Safely with Passengers

When picking up or dropping off passengers at a curb on a busy street, which practice best protects them?

  1. Pull fully into a legal loading area and have them exit on the curb side Correct answer.
  2. Stop in a crosswalk so they have a marked path
  3. Have them exit on the traffic side to save time
  4. Stop in the travel lane and let them hurry out

Explanation

Loading and unloading should happen from a legal spot where passengers can step directly onto the curb away from moving traffic. Stopping in a travel lane, crosswalk, or forcing an exit into the traffic side exposes riders to passing vehicles. The driver should also scan for cyclists before anyone opens a door.

Question 38Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a passenger van at highway speed when a front tire suddenly blows out. What should you do first?

  1. Shift to neutral and turn off the engine
  2. Brake as hard as possible immediately
  3. Grip the wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator to slow gradually Correct answer.
  4. Yank the wheel toward the shoulder at once

Explanation

A blowout at speed pulls the vehicle toward the failed tire, so the driver must hold the wheel firmly and let speed bleed off before braking gently. Hard braking or sudden steering can cause a rollover, especially in a loaded van with a high center of gravity. Once control is stable and speed is low, steer to a safe spot off the roadway.

Question 39Driving Safely with Passengers

You are driving a group at night in fog and a passenger suggests using high-beam headlights to see better. What is the correct response?

  1. Use only parking lights
  2. Turn off all lights to reduce glare
  3. Use low beams, since high beams reflect off fog and worsen visibility Correct answer.
  4. Use high beams because they always improve visibility

Explanation

High beams bounce light off fog, rain, or snow back into the driver's eyes and create a wall of glare. Low beams aim down and to the side, keeping more light on the road surface. In dense fog, slowing down and increasing following distance matters as much as the beam setting.

Question 40Driving Safely with Passengers

A passenger in your vehicle removes their seat belt and reclines the seat fully while you are on the highway. Why is this dangerous beyond the missing belt?

  1. The seat will overheat
  2. Reclining improves belt performance
  3. Reclining has no effect on crash protection
  4. The reclined seat makes the belt fit less effectively and can let the body slide under it Correct answer.

Explanation

A deeply reclined seat changes the geometry of the lap and shoulder belt, so the lap belt can ride up over the abdomen or the occupant can slide under it in a crash. That pattern, sometimes called submarining, concentrates crash forces on soft tissue instead of the skeleton. Passengers should sit upright with the belt low across the hips.

Question 41Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

During a pre-trip inspection of a Georgia passenger-carrying CMV, you check the steering wheel for excessive free play. What is the maximum allowable free play for a vehicle with a steering wheel diameter of 20 inches or more?

  1. 10 degrees
  2. 20 degrees Correct answer.
  3. 45 degrees
  4. 30 degrees

Explanation

Federal inspection standards allow no more than 10 degrees of free play for steering wheels under 20 inches in diameter, and no more than 20 degrees for wheels 20 inches or larger. Passenger buses typically use large-diameter wheels, so 20 degrees is the limit that applies.

Question 42Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

You are inspecting the brakes on a passenger bus before departure. Which condition requires the vehicle to be placed out of service?

  1. A cracked brake drum or rotor Correct answer.
  2. A slight hiss when the brake pedal is released
  3. Brake shoes with lining thickness above the minimum
  4. Light surface rust on the drum exterior

Explanation

A cracked brake drum or rotor is a defect that compromises braking ability and places the vehicle out of service until repaired. Light surface rust and normal air-release sounds are not disqualifying conditions.

Question 43Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

While checking the emergency exits on your passenger bus, you find that an emergency exit door will not open from the inside. What is the correct action?

  1. Note the defect on the trip log and fix it at the next terminal
  2. Instruct passengers to use only the front door and depart
  3. Report the defect and do not operate the bus until it is repaired Correct answer.
  4. Tag the door and continue the trip if the rear exit works

Explanation

Every required emergency exit must be operable from the inside before the vehicle may be used to carry passengers. A door that will not open is an out-of-service defect that must be repaired before departure.

Question 44Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

During the pre-trip inspection, how should you check the slack adjusters on a bus equipped with air brakes?

  1. Spray the adjusters with lubricant and observe the return spring
  2. Pull each slack adjuster by hand with the brakes released and note excessive movement Correct answer.
  3. Measure the push rod travel while the brakes are released
  4. Have an assistant hold the brake pedal down while you listen for leaks

Explanation

With the brakes released, pulling each slack adjuster by hand should reveal little movement; excessive travel indicates the brakes are out of adjustment. Push rod travel measurement is a separate check performed with the brakes applied.

Question 45Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

You are performing the air brake check on a passenger bus. With the engine off and the system fully charged, you fully apply the brakes and hold them. What should you observe?

  1. Air pressure should remain exactly constant with no drop
  2. Air pressure should drop no more than 10 psi in one minute
  3. Air pressure should drop no more than 20 psi in one minute
  4. Air pressure should drop no more than 3 psi in one minute for a single vehicle Correct answer.

Explanation

The static leak test allows a loss of no more than 3 psi in one minute for a single vehicle with the brakes fully applied. A larger drop indicates an air leak that must be corrected before operating the bus.

Question 46Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

Before driving a bus with air brakes, you perform the low air pressure warning check. At what pressure must the warning device activate?

  1. Before pressure drops below 45 psi
  2. Before pressure drops below 80 psi
  3. Before pressure drops below 30 psi
  4. Before pressure drops below 60 psi Correct answer.

Explanation

The low air pressure warning must activate before the pressure falls below 60 psi, giving the driver time to stop safely. The emergency spring brakes typically begin to apply around 20 to 45 psi.

Question 47Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

While inspecting the tires on your passenger bus, you find one tire with a tread depth of 3/32 inch on a rear axle. What is the correct assessment?

  1. The tire must be replaced because all bus tires require at least 6/32 inch
  2. The tire must be replaced because front and rear tires require at least 4/32 inch Correct answer.
  3. The tire is acceptable on a rear axle but not on a front axle
  4. The tire is acceptable because it is above 2/32 inch

Explanation

Tires on passenger-carrying vehicles must have at least 4/32 inch of tread depth on every wheel position, not just the front. A tire at 3/32 inch is below that minimum and must be replaced.

Question 48Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

During your pre-trip inspection, you check the bus's lighting. Which condition makes the vehicle out of service?

  1. A dome light that flickers when the door opens
  2. A license plate lamp that is slightly dim
  3. An inoperative required stop lamp Correct answer.
  4. A clearance lamp that works only when the headlights are on

Explanation

Required lamps, including stop lamps, must be operational before the vehicle is driven. An inoperative stop lamp is an out-of-service defect because it affects the ability to signal braking to other drivers.

Question 49Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

You inspect the coupling system on a bus towing a trailer. Which condition requires the vehicle to be placed out of service?

  1. A safety latch that is closed and seated
  2. A cracked or bent fifth wheel locking jaw Correct answer.
  3. A fifth wheel with a slight film of grease
  4. A trailer air line with a flexible loop

Explanation

A cracked or bent locking jaw means the fifth wheel may not hold the trailer securely, so the vehicle is out of service. Properly greased fifth wheels and closed safety latches are normal conditions.

Question 50Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Procedures

How should you test the service brakes during a pre-trip inspection of a passenger bus?

  1. Release the parking brake on a slope and see if the bus rolls
  2. Pump the pedal several times while parked and listen for a hiss
  3. Set the parking brake and try to drive forward
  4. Apply the brakes while moving slowly forward and check for pulling or delay Correct answer.

Explanation

A service brake test requires the vehicle to be moving so you can feel for pulling, delayed response, or unusual noise. The other procedures test the parking brake or air system rather than service brake performance.