NM CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection covers the same items as a general CDL inspection plus passenger-specific items: aisles clear, floors clean, handrails secure, seats fastened, emergency exits operable, and passenger signal cord working.

Brake check sequence: test service brake at low speed, then parking brake, then emergency/parking brake hold. A bus that pulls to one side or has a soft pedal is out of service.

Check that every emergency exit opens from both inside and outside, that exit warning buzzer sounds when opened with ignition on, and that exit signs are lit.

Standee line: passengers may not stand forward of the line marked near the driver; a bus with standees requires the line to be visible and unobstructed.

Tire rules: minimum tread depth 4/32 inch on front steer tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; no cuts, bulges, or exposed cord.

Lighting check includes clearance lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, stop lamps, and interior lighting; defective required lamps make the vehicle out of service.

Verify fire extinguisher is charged and mounted, emergency triangles/fuses present, and first aid kit stocked where required.

Mirror adjustment and seat position are set before moving; crossover mirrors must show the area immediately in front of the bus.

Stop the bus parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb where practical; set parking brake, place transmission in neutral (or park), and activate four-way flashers before opening the door.

Count passengers by actual head count when loading and unloading; never assume the number from a manifest or a passenger's statement.

Stand at the door or in a position to observe the door opening and the boarding/alighting area; do not leave the driver's seat area unattended with the door open.

Before closing the door, verify no one is caught in the door, no one is approaching, and the doorway is clear; check mirrors and doorway visually.

When unloading, signal students/passengers who must cross the street to wait for your hand signal, then cross only after traffic is stopped in both directions.

Loading zone rules: no loading/unloading in a traffic lane where a safe pull-out is available; use designated stops and keep the bus clear of intersections and crosswalks.

Baggage and cargo must be secured so aisles and emergency exits remain clear; nothing may block the aisle, doorway, or exit path.

After unloading, walk through the bus to check for sleeping or left-behind passengers before securing the vehicle.

Following distance: use at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph; add one second when over 40 mph. A 40-foot bus therefore needs 4 seconds below 40 mph and 5 seconds above.

Use the pivot point method for right turns: swing wide enough that the rear wheels clear the curb, and check the right side mirror through the turn.

Lane changes require mirror checks, turn signal, and a head check of the blind spot; buses have large blind spots on both sides and directly behind.

Speed on curves and ramps must account for high center of gravity and passenger comfort; posted advisory speeds are upper limits, not targets.

Backing is the highest-risk maneuver: use a spotter whenever possible, back only when necessary, and stop immediately if you lose sight of the spotter.

Railroad crossing and drawbridge stops are required for passenger vehicles carrying passengers; stop, look, and listen before proceeding.

Secure all doors before moving; keep the door closed while the bus is in motion and never allow passengers to ride on steps or in the stairwell.

Smooth braking and acceleration prevent passenger falls; brake early and progressively rather than late and hard.

Evacuation decision rule: evacuate when there is fire, a hazardous material release, the bus is in a dangerous position (railroad crossing, traffic lane), or when staying inside is more dangerous than leaving.

Fire evacuation: stop, set parking brake, shut off engine, evacuate upwind and uphill of the vehicle, and keep passengers at least 100 feet away.

Roof hatch and rear door exits are secondary evacuation routes; know the location and operation of every exit before an emergency.

Order of evacuation: evacuate ambulatory passengers first, then assist injured or disabled passengers; assign helpers if needed.

After evacuation, account for every passenger by head count and position them away from traffic, at least 100 feet from the vehicle and clear of the roadway.

Break glass only with the designated emergency tool; do not break windows as a first option when doors are operable.

A tire blowout requires holding the steering wheel firmly, releasing the accelerator, and braking gently after the vehicle is under control; do not brake hard.

If the bus stalls on a railroad crossing, evacuate immediately and move passengers away from the tracks at an angle toward the approaching train.

Stop immediately, set parking brake, turn on four-way flashers, and place warning devices (triangles/fuses) to warn traffic; do not move injured passengers unless there is fire or other immediate danger.

Protect the scene: place reflective triangles at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle on a highway; use fewer on a divided highway where traffic comes from one direction.

Call for emergency medical services and law enforcement; report location, number of injured, and whether hazardous materials are involved.

Exchange required information with the other driver: name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance carrier.

Do not discuss fault or admit liability at the scene; report facts only to law enforcement and your employer.

Notify your employer immediately; federal rules require certain crashes to be reported and drug/alcohol testing to be conducted within specified time windows.

A CDL holder involved in a fatal crash or a crash requiring a citation must be tested for alcohol and controlled substances; refusal is treated as a violation.

Complete the written crash report with time, location, weather, road conditions, vehicle damage, injuries, and witness information.

Headlights must be used from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less; also use them in rain, fog, and snow.

At night, reduce speed so you can stop within the distance illuminated by headlights; high beams reach farther but must be dimmed within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 200 feet of a vehicle ahead.

Do not look directly into oncoming headlights; look toward the right edge of the lane to maintain position.

In fog, use low beams or fog lamps; high beams reflect off the moisture and reduce visibility.

On wet roads, reduce speed and increase following distance; hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water and steering/braking are lost - ease off the accelerator without braking hard.

In high winds, reduce speed and grip the wheel firmly; be alert for crosswinds on bridges and open stretches, and for blown-over vehicles or debris.

In snow and ice, brake gently and steer smoothly; bridges and overpasses freeze before the roadway surface.

When visibility is too poor to continue safely, pull off the road, stop, set the parking brake, and turn on four-way flashers; do not stop on the traveled portion of the road.

A passenger vehicle carrying passengers must stop at all railroad-highway grade crossings, except where a state or local law exempts specific crossings or where an officer or flagger directs traffic.

Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, but not closer than 15 feet; use the stop line if present.

Before crossing, turn off any high beams and radio, open the window if needed, and look and listen in both directions; look twice before proceeding.

Never shift gears while crossing the tracks; select the gear before starting across and proceed without stopping.

If the gates are down or lights are flashing, stop and wait; never drive around a lowered gate.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, evacuate immediately and move passengers away from the tracks at an angle toward the approaching train, not along the track.

Do not cross until you are certain the vehicle can clear the tracks completely; allow room for the entire vehicle plus a safety margin.

Report any crossing signal malfunction to the railroad or law enforcement after crossing safely.

The passenger (P) endorsement is required to drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver; it is added to a Class A, B, or C CDL.

The P endorsement requires passing a knowledge test covering vehicle inspection, loading/unloading, safe driving, emergencies, and railroad crossings, plus a skills test in a passenger vehicle.

A school bus (S) endorsement is separate and additional; it requires its own knowledge and skills tests and is required to drive a school bus.

The skills test for the passenger endorsement includes pre-trip inspection, basic control, and on-road driving in a passenger vehicle.

Applicants must meet medical certification and self-certification requirements and hold a valid CDL or learner permit before adding the endorsement.

Knowledge test topics include emergency exits, standee lines, passenger management, and the required stop at railroad crossings.

Endorsements are listed on the CDL and must be renewed with the license; driving a passenger vehicle without the endorsement is a violation.

The P endorsement does not authorize driving a school bus; the S endorsement and any required state background checks apply separately.