NC CDL Passenger flashcards

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

Pre-trip inspection steps

Seven steps: vehicle overview, engine compartment, cab check and engine start, walk-around light check, brake check, in-cab inspection, and final air brake check.

Low air pressure warning

In an air-brake bus, the low-pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi, and spring brakes must apply between 20 and 45 psi.

Front tire tread minimum

Front tires on a passenger-carrying vehicle need at least 4/32 inch of tread; all other tires need at least 2/32 inch. Recaps are not allowed on front wheels.

Emergency exit inspection

Each exit must open from inside and outside as designed, the alarm must sound when opened, and exit signs and operating instructions must be legible.

Standee line

A line on the floor marking the forward limit for standing passengers. The driver must keep the aisle forward of it clear of bags and people.

Aisle and exit clearance

Nothing may block the aisle, stairwell, or emergency exits. Baggage must be stowed in compartments or secured overhead, never stacked above seat backs in the aisle.

Prohibited passenger practices

No hazardous materials in the passenger compartment, no fueling with passengers aboard, no smoking, and no riding on steps, fenders, or outside the bus.

Moving with standing passengers

Do not move the bus until all passengers are seated or braced and the aisle is clear; a passenger still standing is a reason to delay departure.

Evacuation decision rule

Evacuate only when staying aboard is more dangerous than leaving, such as fire, smoke, a hazardous spill, or the bus stopped in a hazardous position.

Evacuation procedure order

Engine off, parking brake set, hazards on, then direct passengers out the exit farthest from the hazard and move them at least 100 feet away and upwind.

Break-glass exit operation

Strike the marked corner of the window with the emergency hammer to break the glass, then clear the frame of glass before helping passengers through.

Roof hatch use

Roof hatches open by turning the release and pushing up. They serve as an exit and as a ventilation route if the bus is on its side.

Class B passenger vehicle

A single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lb, or any such vehicle towing a trailer not over 10,000 lb, designed to carry passengers.

Class C passenger vehicle

A single vehicle under 26,000 lb GVWR designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, often a cutaway van or small bus.

Required bus interior equipment

A charged and mounted fire extinguisher, warning triangles or fuses, a first aid kit, seat belts, and passenger seats securely fastened to the floor.

Door interlock

A safety feature that prevents the bus from moving, or limits speed, while the passenger door is open. Verify it works during the pre-trip inspection.

Following distance for buses

Use one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph, plus one second. A 40-foot bus needs 4 seconds below 40 mph and 5 seconds above.

Railroad crossing procedure

Stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail, open the door and window to look and listen, and cross only when the entire bus can clear the tracks.

Rear-wheel off-tracking

The rear wheels of a long bus track inside the front wheels during a turn, so the driver must swing wide enough to keep the rear wheels off the curb.

Total stopping distance

Perception distance plus reaction distance plus brake lag plus effective braking distance. At 55 mph a loaded bus may need more than a football field to stop.

Brake fade on downgrades

Repeated braking overheats the brakes and reduces stopping power. Select a lower gear before the grade and use engine braking; if fade occurs, stop and let brakes cool.

Tire blowout response

Hold the wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, ease off the accelerator, and brake gently once control is regained. Do not brake hard or jerk the wheel.

Skid recovery

Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, release the brakes if they caused the skid, and avoid hard acceleration until the tires regain grip.

Stall on railroad tracks

Evacuate passengers immediately and move them far from the tracks, then call for help. Do not attempt to restart the bus with passengers aboard on the tracks.

Disruptive passenger handling

Do not argue or physically confront the person. Stop the bus in a safe place, secure it, and call dispatch or law enforcement to remove the passenger.

Driver distraction rules

No texting, no handheld phone use, no eating, no smoking, and no distracting conversation while driving. Pull over safely before using any device.

Leaving the driver's seat

Never leave the seat with passengers aboard unless the bus is secured with the parking brake set, engine off, and keys controlled, and company policy allows it.

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 off-duty reset restarts the cycle.

30-minute break rule

After 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break before driving again.

CDL alcohol limit

A CDL holder is prohibited from driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher, which is lower than the limit for non-commercial drivers.

Crash reporting threshold

Report a crash involving a fatality, bodily injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene, or disabling damage to any vehicle, within the state's required time.

Passenger endorsement requirement

A P endorsement is required to drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver. A school bus also needs an S endorsement.