KY CDL Passenger key terms

A systematic walk-around and in-cab check of a passenger vehicle performed before driving, covering brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, and passenger safety equipment to confirm the vehicle is safe to operate.

A sequence of static checks for air-loss rate, compressor build-up, warning buzzer and light activation, and parking brake holding power, done before driving a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

A buzzer and light that must activate before air pressure drops below the manufacturer's minimum, warning the driver that braking power is fading and the vehicle must be stopped safely.

The measured groove depth on a tire; steer axle tires on commercial vehicles must have at least 4/32 inch and all other tires at least 2/32 inch of tread to pass inspection.

Cuts, bulges, or exposed cords on a tire's side surface; any of these means the tire is unsafe and the vehicle must not be placed in service until it is repaired or replaced.

Any door, window, roof hatch, or rear exit marked for rapid evacuation of passengers; it must open freely from inside, be clearly labeled, and its access must stay unobstructed.

A marking on the floor of a bus showing where standing passengers may not pass; nothing may be placed in front of it, and standees must stay behind it while the bus is moving.

A passenger who rides while standing rather than seated; standees are permitted only where the bus is designed and marked for them and must remain behind the standee line.

The requirement that riders be seated or standing safely, with carry-on items stowed so they cannot block the aisle, fall, or become projectiles during a sudden stop or turn.

The open path through the bus that must stay free of baggage, carts, and limbs so passengers can move to exits and the driver can see and reach the door controls.

The exterior or underfloor storage area for passenger luggage; it must be closed and secured before departure, and hazardous or prohibited items must not be carried there.

Any article a passenger may not bring aboard, such as flammable liquids, compressed gas, or other hazardous materials, which the driver must refuse or remove before the trip continues.

The organized removal of passengers from a bus during a fire, crash, or other danger, using marked exits, assisting those with disabilities first, and moving everyone to a safe distance.

A safe location away from traffic and the damaged vehicle where evacuated passengers are gathered and counted after an emergency so no one is left behind.

The practice of counting passengers before departure and after an evacuation or stop to confirm everyone is aboard or safely out of the vehicle.

A portable extinguisher carried on the bus, inspected for charge and mounting before each trip, used only on small fires while keeping an escape route open behind you.

Stopping the vehicle, shutting off the engine, evacuating passengers well away from the bus, and calling emergency services rather than opening the engine cover and feeding the fire with air.

The extendable stop sign on a school bus that signals traffic to halt; Kentucky drivers must stop for it in both directions on undivided roads unless separated by a median or barrier.

The designated area where a bus stops to board or discharge passengers; the driver must stop clear of traffic lanes, set the brake, and watch mirrors before opening the door.

Letting riders leave the bus at a safe spot, checking mirrors and traffic first, and making sure passengers crossing in front of the bus are seen and acknowledged by the driver.

The area immediately around a stopped bus where children or passengers may be hidden from the driver's view, including directly in front, behind, and along both sides.

The required stop before tracks for certain passenger vehicles, made with the door open and window down when carrying passengers, to look and listen for an approaching train.

Flashing lights, bells, or gates at a railroad crossing; a driver must never drive around lowered gates or proceed while signals are active, even if no train is visible.

Confirming there is enough room on the far side of the tracks to fully clear the crossing before entering it, so the vehicle never stops on the rails.

The following distance and side room kept around the bus so the driver has time and space to react, stop, or steer around a hazard without a sudden maneuver.

The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead, measured in seconds by counting as a fixed object passes; larger gaps are needed at night, in rain, or with a full load of passengers.

The total distance a bus travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it stops, combining perception, reaction, and braking distance, all of which grow with speed and weight.

The loss of braking power caused by overheated brakes, common on long downgrades; the driver should downshift and use engine braking rather than riding the service brakes.

A device that slows the vehicle by restricting engine or exhaust flow, helping control speed on grades without overheating the service brakes; it does not replace the brakes for a full stop.

An area beside or behind the bus that mirrors do not fully show; the driver must turn the head and check carefully before changing lanes or pulling away from a stop.

Setting all mirrors before departure so the sides, rear, and passenger door area are visible, then rechecking them often while driving and after any stop.

The reduced ability to see and be seen after dark; drivers should lower speed, increase following distance, dim interior lights, and use high beams when no oncoming traffic is present.

Loss of tire contact with the road when water builds up under the tires, causing the bus to slide; the driver should ease off the accelerator, avoid braking hard, and steer gently to recover.

Regaining control when tires lose traction by easing off the accelerator, steering in the direction the vehicle should go, and avoiding hard braking that can worsen the slide.

A signed pull-off where snow chains may be installed or removed; drivers should use it rather than stopping in a travel lane, and must follow posted signs and speed limits.

The driver's duty after a collision to stop, protect the scene, aid the injured, notify police, and exchange required information, in addition to any Kentucky report required by law.

The endorsement required to drive a commercial vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, added to a Kentucky CDL after passing the passenger knowledge and skills tests.

A diamond-shaped warning sign required on vehicles carrying certain regulated quantities of hazardous materials; passenger vehicles generally may not carry such loads without proper authority.