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GA CDL Passenger study materials
GA CDL Passenger study resources

GA CDL Passenger: Loading and Unloading Passengers

GA CDL Passenger · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Loading and Unloading Passengers

Loading and Unloading Passengers

This domain tests how you stop, board, and discharge passengers without putting them in traffic or under the wheels. It includes wheelchair lift operation and securement. The exam wants a procedure, not just "be careful."

Stopping and securing the bus

  • Stop close to and parallel with the curb. Do not block crosswalks, fire hydrants, or travel lanes if a safe pull-out is available.
  • Signal early, use hazard lights where permitted, and set the parking brake. Place the transmission in Park or Neutral per the manufacturer; keep your foot on the brake until the bus is secured.
  • Open the door only after the bus is fully stopped. Close it before moving. Never move with a passenger in the stairwell or on the lift.

Boarding and alighting

  • Count passengers as they board and leave. Use mirrors and the door camera; watch for a passenger who has stepped back into the blind spot.
  • At night, turn on interior lighting so passengers can see steps and seats.
  • Do not wave passengers across a traffic lane. Direct them to a crosswalk or signal-controlled crossing; a driver's wave can be read as a guarantee that the road is clear.
  • Keep the aisle clear of bags and packages.

Wheelchair and mobility-device safety

  • Set the parking brake, deploy the lift, and operate it only as trained. Do not let anyone stand on the lift platform while it moves.
  • Secure the wheelchair with a four-point tie-down at the frame, and use the lap and shoulder belt. Check the securement by pulling on it before moving.
  • Ask before touching a passenger or their chair; explain what you are doing.

Worked example

You stop on a four-lane road. A passenger asks to cross to the far side. The driver should not wave the person across. The correct action is to point out the nearest crosswalk and wait until the passenger is clear, or direct the passenger to cross behind the bus only if local procedure and visibility make it safe. The driver's legal duty is a safe stop, not traffic control.

Traps

  • Counting only boarding passengers, not those who get off.
  • Leaving the door open while away from the wheel.
  • Failing to secure a wheelchair before pulling away.
  • Stopping in a travel lane when a bus stop is available.