On the Road
Domain focus
On the Road tests driving a passenger-carrying CMV: speed selection, following distance, railroad crossings, clearance, brake management, and handling passenger distractions.
Railroad crossings
Passenger-carrying CMVs must stop at railroad crossings unless the crossing is exempt. Stop 15–50 feet before the nearest rail, open a door or window, look and listen, then cross without stopping or shifting gears. Never drive around a lowered gate.
Following and speed
Use at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph; add one second above 40 mph. A 40-foot bus needs 4 seconds below 40 and 5 seconds above. Reduce speed before curves and downgrades; buses roll over.
Clearance and brakes
Know your height; check low bridges, trees, and wires. On long downgrades, select a lower gear and use intermittent braking; stop and let brakes cool if you smell them.
Worked example
A 40-foot bus travels at 55 mph and the driver leaves 4 seconds. Reasoning: above 40 mph the rule adds a second, so 5 seconds is needed. The driver increases the gap.
Traps
Rolling through crossings; following too close; braking continuously downhill; ignoring clearance signs; letting passengers distract you-stop to deal with them.