IN CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection covers: service brakes and air pressure buildup, parking brake, steering play, tires and tread depth, lights and reflectors, horn, wipers, mirrors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit.

Air brake check: build to governor cut-out, hold one minute with engine off and brakes released - loss must not exceed 3 psi; then apply and hold one minute - loss must not exceed 4 psi.

Low air pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; the spring (emergency) parking brake must apply automatically between 20 and 45 psi.

Tire minimum tread depth is 4/32 inch on front steering tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; sidewall damage, bulges, or exposed cord are out-of-service conditions.

Bus stops require a brake check: with the parking brake set, the bus must not move when you lightly pull against the brake in drive and reverse (a "static" or "stopping" brake test).

Required emergency equipment: fire extinguisher (rated at least 5 BC, charged and mounted), spare fuses, and a warning device (triangles or flares) for vehicles other than passenger-carrying buses.

Steering wheel free play must not exceed 10 degrees (about 2 inches at the rim) on power-steering equipped buses; check mirrors and all lights after any bulb replacement.

Inspection report rule: a driver must review the last vehicle inspection report, sign it, and note any defects; a carrier must repair any defect that affects safety before the vehicle is dispatched.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, spill, or fall; aggregate tiedown working load limits must equal at least 1.5 times the cargo weight for cargo secured by tiedowns.

Riders are never allowed in a trailer, in the cargo area of a bus, or in any space not designed with seats and restraints for passengers.

Aisle and emergency exit rules: no baggage, boxes, or standing riders may block the aisle, stairwell, or any emergency exit door or window.

Standees are permitted only where the bus is designed and posted for standing; never exceed the manufacturer's rated seated plus standing capacity.

Baggage compartment load limit and axle weight limits are the controlling figures; overloading an axle degrades braking and steering and violates weight law.

Hazardous materials: a passenger carrier may not transport labeled hazardous materials except small limited quantities allowed for personal use; never load gasoline, propane, or fireworks in the baggage bay.

Carry-on baggage must be stowed under the seat or in an overhead rack so it cannot become a projectile in a sudden stop; heavy items go low and forward of the rear axle.

Before departure, confirm every door and baggage bay door is closed and latched, and that the lift or ramp is stowed and locked.

A loaded bus has a higher center of gravity and longer stopping distance; increase following distance to at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one second at speeds under 40 mph.

Above 40 mph, add one additional second of following distance to the base rule; a 40-foot bus at 55 mph needs roughly 6 seconds.

Swing-out rule: the rear wheels of a bus track inside the front wheels, so in a right turn the rear of the bus cuts the corner - check the right mirror and clear the turn before completing it.

Brake fade and heat: control speed on downgrades by selecting a lower gear before the descent, not by riding the brakes; use engine braking and intermittent brake applications.

Offtracking and tail swing: when pulling away from a curb, the rear end swings opposite the turn direction; check both mirrors before releasing the brake.

Speed must be reduced for curves, ramps, and wet or icy surfaces so the vehicle can stop within the distance you can see to be clear; posted limits are maximums, not targets.

Railroad crossing and stop-line approach: begin braking early and smoothly - a bus cannot stop as quickly as a car, and standing passengers are injured by abrupt stops.

Use of mirrors: scan mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds and before every lane change, turn, and stop; a bus has large blind spots directly behind and along both sides.

Approach a stop by signaling early, checking the right mirror, and stopping with the front door aligned to the curb; do not stop within an intersection or on a crosswalk.

Set the parking brake and place the transmission in neutral or park before opening the door; the door interlock should prevent movement with the door open.

At a railroad crossing stop, open the door and window to look and listen, and turn off noisy devices; do not rely on the crossing gate or signals alone.

When re-entering traffic, signal, check the left mirror and blind spot, and yield to traffic already in the lane; the bus does not have an automatic right of way.

For passengers with disabilities, deploy the lift or ramp only after stopping, setting the brake, and confirming the area is clear; secure wheelchairs with four-point tiedowns and use lap and shoulder belts.

Standee safety: do not start or stop abruptly while riders are standing or moving in the aisle; wait until seated or holding a stanchion before moving.

School-bus and transit stop rule: watch for riders crossing in front of the bus and for pedestrians approaching from the rear; count riders off at the stop.

Never leave the driver's seat with riders aboard unless the parking brake is set, the transmission is in park or neutral, and the engine is off or the key removed per company policy.

Bus fire: stop, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, evacuate riders through the nearest safe exit away from traffic and fire, and call 911; do not open the engine compartment if fire is suspected there.

Emergency exit types on a bus include the rear door, side windows marked as exits, and roof hatches; know how many exits your bus has and how each opens before you drive it.

Evacuation order: riders who can walk exit first to help others; injured and non-ambulatory riders are assisted last by trained helpers using the lift or carried per training.

Place warning devices (reflective triangles) at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle on a two-lane road, and up to 500 feet on a divided highway or curve.

At a passive railroad crossing (crossbuck only), stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail, look both ways, open the door or window to listen, and proceed only when clear in both directions.

Never stop on railroad tracks; if the vehicle stalls on the crossing, evacuate everyone immediately and move at least 100 feet away from the tracks, then call the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

A school bus must stop at all railroad crossings, whether or not signals are present, except where a police officer or flagger directs traffic or the crossing is permanently closed.

Emergency door operation: know the release handle, and check that the buzzer or warning device sounds when the emergency exit is opened - a silent exit is a defect.

11-hour driving limit: after 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver may drive no more than 11 hours before taking another 10 hours off.

14-hour on-duty window: a driver may not drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty, and off-duty breaks do not extend the window.

30-minute break: after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break (non-driving).

60/70-hour rule: 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: the 10-hour off-duty period may be split into two periods, one at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and the other at least 2 hours off duty, totaling 10 hours.

A driver must keep a record of duty status (log) for each 24-hour period, showing duty status changes to the nearest 15 minutes, and retain records for 6 months.

Passenger carriers may not require or permit a driver to drive after the driver has been on duty 15 hours, or after 8 consecutive hours without a 30-minute break, following 8 hours off duty.

Post-trip and pre-trip: a driver must complete a written or electronic inspection report at the end of each day and review the prior report before driving; a carrier must retain reports for at least 90 days.

Pre-trip inspection covers: service brakes and air pressure buildup, parking brake, steering play, tires and tread depth, lights and reflectors, horn, wipers, mirrors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit.

Air brake check: build to governor cut-out, hold one minute with engine off and brakes released - loss must not exceed 3 psi; then apply and hold one minute - loss must not exceed 4 psi.

Low air pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; the spring (emergency) parking brake must apply automatically between 20 and 45 psi.

Tire minimum tread depth is 4/32 inch on front steering tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; sidewall damage, bulges, or exposed cord are out-of-service conditions.

Bus stops require a brake check: with the parking brake set, the bus must not move when you lightly pull against the brake in drive and reverse (a "static" or "stopping" brake test).

Required emergency equipment: fire extinguisher (rated at least 5 BC, charged and mounted), spare fuses, and a warning device (triangles or flares) for vehicles other than passenger-carrying buses.

Steering wheel free play must not exceed 10 degrees (about 2 inches at the rim) on power-steering equipped buses; check mirrors and all lights after any bulb replacement.

Inspection report rule: a driver must review the last vehicle inspection report, sign it, and note any defects; a carrier must repair any defect that affects safety before the vehicle is dispatched.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, spill, or fall; aggregate tiedown working load limits must equal at least 1.5 times the cargo weight for cargo secured by tiedowns.

Riders are never allowed in a trailer, in the cargo area of a bus, or in any space not designed with seats and restraints for passengers.

Aisle and emergency exit rules: no baggage, boxes, or standing riders may block the aisle, stairwell, or any emergency exit door or window.

Standees are permitted only where the bus is designed and posted for standing; never exceed the manufacturer's rated seated plus standing capacity.

Baggage compartment load limit and axle weight limits are the controlling figures; overloading an axle degrades braking and steering and violates weight law.

Hazardous materials: a passenger carrier may not transport labeled hazardous materials except small limited quantities allowed for personal use; never load gasoline, propane, or fireworks in the baggage bay.

Carry-on baggage must be stowed under the seat or in an overhead rack so it cannot become a projectile in a sudden stop; heavy items go low and forward of the rear axle.

Before departure, confirm every door and baggage bay door is closed and latched, and that the lift or ramp is stowed and locked.

A loaded bus has a higher center of gravity and longer stopping distance; increase following distance to at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one second at speeds under 40 mph.

Above 40 mph, add one additional second of following distance to the base rule; a 40-foot bus at 55 mph needs roughly 6 seconds.

Swing-out rule: the rear wheels of a bus track inside the front wheels, so in a right turn the rear of the bus cuts the corner - check the right mirror and clear the turn before completing it.

Brake fade and heat: control speed on downgrades by selecting a lower gear before the descent, not by riding the brakes; use engine braking and intermittent brake applications.

Offtracking and tail swing: when pulling away from a curb, the rear end swings opposite the turn direction; check both mirrors before releasing the brake.

Speed must be reduced for curves, ramps, and wet or icy surfaces so the vehicle can stop within the distance you can see to be clear; posted limits are maximums, not targets.

Railroad crossing and stop-line approach: begin braking early and smoothly - a bus cannot stop as quickly as a car, and standing passengers are injured by abrupt stops.

Use of mirrors: scan mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds and before every lane change, turn, and stop; a bus has large blind spots directly behind and along both sides.

Approach a stop by signaling early, checking the right mirror, and stopping with the front door aligned to the curb; do not stop within an intersection or on a crosswalk.

Set the parking brake and place the transmission in neutral or park before opening the door; the door interlock should prevent movement with the door open.

At a railroad crossing stop, open the door and window to look and listen, and turn off noisy devices; do not rely on the crossing gate or signals alone.

When re-entering traffic, signal, check the left mirror and blind spot, and yield to traffic already in the lane; the bus does not have an automatic right of way.

For passengers with disabilities, deploy the lift or ramp only after stopping, setting the brake, and confirming the area is clear; secure wheelchairs with four-point tiedowns and use lap and shoulder belts.

Standee safety: do not start or stop abruptly while riders are standing or moving in the aisle; wait until seated or holding a stanchion before moving.

School-bus and transit stop rule: watch for riders crossing in front of the bus and for pedestrians approaching from the rear; count riders off at the stop.

Never leave the driver's seat with riders aboard unless the parking brake is set, the transmission is in park or neutral, and the engine is off or the key removed per company policy.

Bus fire: stop, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, evacuate riders through the nearest safe exit away from traffic and fire, and call 911; do not open the engine compartment if fire is suspected there.

Emergency exit types on a bus include the rear door, side windows marked as exits, and roof hatches; know how many exits your bus has and how each opens before you drive it.

Evacuation order: riders who can walk exit first to help others; injured and non-ambulatory riders are assisted last by trained helpers using the lift or carried per training.

Place warning devices (reflective triangles) at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle on a two-lane road, and up to 500 feet on a divided highway or curve.

At a passive railroad crossing (crossbuck only), stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail, look both ways, open the door or window to listen, and proceed only when clear in both directions.

Never stop on railroad tracks; if the vehicle stalls on the crossing, evacuate everyone immediately and move at least 100 feet away from the tracks, then call the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

A school bus must stop at all railroad crossings, whether or not signals are present, except where a police officer or flagger directs traffic or the crossing is permanently closed.

Emergency door operation: know the release handle, and check that the buzzer or warning device sounds when the emergency exit is opened - a silent exit is a defect.

11-hour driving limit: after 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver may drive no more than 11 hours before taking another 10 hours off.

14-hour on-duty window: a driver may not drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty, and off-duty breaks do not extend the window.

30-minute break: after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break (non-driving).

60/70-hour rule: 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: the 10-hour off-duty period may be split into two periods, one at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and the other at least 2 hours off duty, totaling 10 hours.

A driver must keep a record of duty status (log) for each 24-hour period, showing duty status changes to the nearest 15 minutes, and retain records for 6 months.

Passenger carriers may not require or permit a driver to drive after the driver has been on duty 15 hours, or after 8 consecutive hours without a 30-minute break, following 8 hours off duty.

Post-trip and pre-trip: a driver must complete a written or electronic inspection report at the end of each day and review the prior report before driving; a carrier must retain reports for at least 90 days.