NE CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection: check tires (tread depth ≥ 4/32 in front, ≥ 2/32 in other), fluid levels, lights, mirrors, and brake components before every trip.

Basic control: use the 9 and 3 o'clock hand position; for a manual transmission, start in 1st gear, upshift when RPM reaches governed range, and downshift before climbing or descending grades.

Backing: use GOAL (Get Out And Look) when unsure; back at walking pace; use a spotter and keep them in view via mirrors; if spotter disappears, stop immediately.

Visual search: look 12–15 seconds ahead in city, 20–25 seconds on highway; scan mirrors every 5–8 seconds; check blind spots before lane changes.

Communication: signal at least 100 ft before turns in city, 300 ft on highway; tap brakes to warn following drivers; use 4-way flashers when moving slowly.

Speed and space: maintain a 4-second following distance (increase to 6+ in bad weather); adjust speed for curves (slow before curve, accelerate gently through); use engine braking on downgrades.

Night driving: reduce speed to match visibility; dim high beams within 500 ft of oncoming vehicles and 200 ft when following; do not look directly into oncoming headlights.

Emergency maneuvers: if a tire blows, hold steering wheel firmly, avoid hard braking, and slow gradually; if brakes fail, downshift, use parking brake gradually, and look for escape ramp.

Skid control: for rear-wheel skid, steer in the direction of the skid (turn the wheel where you want the front of the vehicle to go); do not brake hard; for front-wheel skid, ease off accelerator and steer straight.

Pre-trip inspection for passenger vehicles: check passenger doors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and passenger seating securement.

Loading and unloading: count passengers when loading and unloading; ensure all passengers are seated and secure before moving; never allow passengers to stand in aisles while vehicle is moving.

Passenger safety: enforce seat belt use if equipped; ensure aisles and exits are clear; do not allow passengers to ride on steps or outside the vehicle.

Prohibited practices: no fueling with passengers aboard (unless emergency); no smoking; no carrying hazardous materials in passenger compartment; no exceeding seating capacity.

Railroad-highway crossings: stop at least 15 ft from nearest rail (passenger vehicles carrying passengers must stop at all crossings unless exempt); turn off noisy devices; open door to listen; cross in lowest gear without shifting; check tracks clear before proceeding.

Night and bad weather: use headlights; reduce speed; increase following distance; ensure interior lighting does not glare; use defroster and wipers; be cautious of ice on bridges and overpasses.

Handling emergencies: evacuate passengers to a safe location upwind and away from traffic; use emergency exits; account for all passengers; call for help; administer first aid if trained; do not move injured unless immediate danger.

Air brake system components: compressor, governor, air tanks (wet, primary, secondary), safety valve, check valve, brake chambers, slack adjusters, and drain valves.

Governor cut-in/cut-out: compressor cuts out at ~120–125 psi and cuts in at ~100 psi; if pressure does not build, check compressor or governor.

Leak test: with engine off and brakes released, pressure should not drop more than 2 psi in 1 minute (single vehicle) or 3 psi (combination); with brakes applied, not more than 3 psi in 1 minute.

Low air pressure warning: must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; if warning activates, stop and check system; do not drive until fixed.

Spring brakes: apply automatically when air pressure drops to 20–45 psi; they are held off by air pressure; if system fails, spring brakes engage.

Slack adjusters: check for excessive travel (more than 1 inch for pushrod); if travel is too much, brakes may be out of adjustment; must be adjusted by qualified mechanic.

Brake fade: caused by overheating; use engine braking and lower gears on downgrades; do not ride brakes; if fade occurs, pull over and let brakes cool.

Drain air tanks daily: moisture can freeze in lines and cause brake failure; drain all tanks (wet, primary, secondary) at end of each day.

Inspection sequence: start at driver's door, check lights and engine compartment, then walk around vehicle clockwise, checking tires, wheels, brakes, suspension, and body; finish with brake test.

Engine compartment checks: oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, belts (no cracks or glazing), hoses (no leaks or bulges), and battery securement.

Tire checks: tread depth (front ≥ 4/32 in, others ≥ 2/32 in), sidewall condition, tread separation, proper inflation, and lug nut tightness (no rust trails or shiny threads).

Light checks: headlights (high and low), turn signals, 4-way flashers, clearance lights, brake lights, tail lights, and reflectors; ensure lenses are clean and not cracked.

Brake checks: air pressure build-up, leak test, low pressure warning, spring brake test, and parking brake test; for hydraulic brakes, check fluid level and pedal feel.

Steering and suspension: check steering wheel play (more than 10 degrees is excessive); inspect tie rods, drag link, kingpins, and springs for cracks or missing parts.

Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher (charged and secured), first aid kit, warning triangles (at least 3), and spare fuses; ensure all are present and in working order.

The skills test includes: straight-line backing, offset backing (left or right), parallel parking (conventional or sight-side), and alley dock; you must complete maneuvers without hitting cones or crossing boundaries.

Straight-line backing: back the vehicle in a straight line for a specified distance (usually 100 ft) using mirrors; you may stop and check progress, but must not cross boundary lines.

Offset backing: back into a lane offset to the left or right; use reference points (e.g., cone or mark) to judge when to turn; use GOAL if needed, but do not hit anything.

Parallel parking: park parallel to a curb or barrier with the vehicle within a certain distance (e.g., 18 inches) and without hitting anything; use pull-up if necessary.

Alley dock: back into a dock or parking space from an alley; similar to offset backing but may require a 90-degree turn; use mirrors and reference points.

Scoring: you are allowed a certain number of points (e.g., 30) for errors; critical errors (hitting cone, crossing boundary, needing examiner to stop you) result in automatic failure.

Use of mirrors: you must use both mirrors and check blind spots; do not rely solely on mirrors; turn your head to check when necessary.

The on-road test evaluates: left and right turns, lane changes, straight driving, curves, intersections, railroad crossings, and expressway driving (if applicable).

Left turns: signal early, position vehicle in left lane, yield to oncoming traffic, complete turn into the correct lane without cutting corner; do not swing wide.

Right turns: signal early, position vehicle in right lane, check for pedestrians and cyclists, turn into the rightmost lane; do not turn too wide or hit curb.

Lane changes: check mirrors, signal, check blind spot, and change lanes smoothly; maintain speed and do not cut off other drivers.

Intersections: scan left-right-left, yield to pedestrians, and proceed when clear; do not block intersection; stop behind crosswalk or stop line.

Railroad crossings: stop at least 15 ft from tracks (if required), look and listen, cross in lowest gear without shifting; do not stop on tracks.

Expressway driving: merge at or near speed limit, maintain safe following distance, use mirrors and signals, and exit smoothly; do not drive too slowly in left lane.