NY CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + brake lag distance + braking distance; at 55 mph this totals roughly 419 feet for a loaded vehicle with good brakes.

Perception distance is the distance traveled from seeing a hazard until the brain registers it - about 32 feet at 55 mph assuming 3/4 second.

Reaction distance is travel during the time from recognizing a hazard to pressing the brake - about 61 feet at 55 mph assuming 3/4 second.

Brake lag distance for air brakes is about 32 feet at 55 mph (roughly 0.4 second) because air must travel through lines before brakes apply.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed quadruples braking distance on the same surface.

Speed must be reduced by at least 10 mph below the posted limit when visibility is reduced (rain, fog, dusk) and by at least half on packed snow; on ice reduce to a crawl.

Hydroplaning begins when tire pressure is low or speed is high; release the accelerator and steer straight - do not brake hard.

Following distance rule: at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph, and at least one second per 10 feet plus one extra second above 40 mph.

When a hazard blocks your lane, stop if you cannot change lanes; never drive around a lowered gate or into a flooded roadway.

Before loading, check that the bus has working emergency exits, fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit; a missing item means the bus must be reported and not operated until fixed.

Standees are allowed only if the bus is designed for them and the posted capacity is not exceeded; never allow riders to stand forward of the standee line.

The standee line is a marking on the floor at least 2 inches wide that riders must stay behind while standing.

Passengers must be seated and aisle clear before the bus moves; do not start until all riders are seated or behind the standee line.

When crossing railroad tracks, stop the bus at least 15 feet but not more than 50 feet from the nearest rail, open the door if it is a passenger-carrying vehicle, and listen.

Do not allow riders to leave the bus on the highway side unless it is unsafe to do so on the shoulder side; use the shoulder-side exit whenever possible.

At a bus stop, pull far enough off the road that riders do not have to cross traffic to board, and approach the stop slowly enough to stop smoothly.

If a rider becomes ill or injured, stop at the next safe place, render assistance, and report the incident to dispatch; do not continue the route until the situation is handled.

Never leave the bus unattended with riders aboard; if you must leave, set the parking brake, put the transmission in gear or park, and shut off the engine.

Air brake system parts: compressor, governor, air storage tanks, drain valves, safety valve, application valve (foot valve), slack adjusters, brake chambers, and push rods.

The governor cuts the compressor in at about 100 psi and out at about 125 psi on a typical system; the low-air warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi.

The safety valve releases at about 150 psi to protect the tanks from overpressure; if it releases, the system has a fault and must be checked.

The low-air warning (buzzer and light) must come on before pressure falls below 60 psi; the spring brakes will begin to apply around 45 psi and fully apply near 20-30 psi.

Perform the static leak test: with the engine off and full pressure, apply and hold the brake for one minute; loss should not exceed 3 psi for a single vehicle or 4 psi for a combination.

Perform the applied leak test: with pressure at 90-100 psi and the brake fully applied, loss should not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single vehicle.

Check the compressor build-up rate: with the engine at fast idle, pressure should rise from 85 to 100 psi in about 45 seconds on a typical system.

Slack adjusters should be checked: with the brakes released and the push rod fully retracted, the rod should move no more than about 1 inch when pulled by hand; excessive travel signals adjustment needed.

The alcohol evaporator or air dryer removes moisture from the system; drain the tanks daily to prevent water from freezing in lines.

Pre-trip inspection order: engine compartment, walk-around (lights, tires, body), then in-cab checks; the examiner scores you on naming each part and its condition.

Engine compartment checks: oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, belt tension and condition, hoses (no cracks or leaks), and battery secure with no corrosion.

Tire checks: tread depth at least 4/32 inch on front tires and 2/32 inch on other tires; look for cuts, bulges, and tread separation.

Wheel and rim checks: no cracks, no missing lug nuts, no rust streaks around lug nuts (a sign of looseness), and no oil leaks from the hub.

Light checks: headlights (high and low), turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, tail lights, clearance lights, and reflectors - have someone confirm each from outside.

Brake checks: slack adjuster travel, brake chamber condition, air line condition, and drum or rotor condition; look for oil or grease on the linings.

Suspension and steering: springs intact and secure, shock absorbers not leaking, tie rod and drag link not bent, and no loose or missing parts.

Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher charged and mounted, spare fuses, and warning triangles or reflectors present and in good condition.

In-cab checks: seat belt, horn, wipers, mirrors adjusted, gauges working, and the parking brake holds the vehicle when applied.

Start the engine, build air pressure to the governor cut-out, release the parking brake, and shift into the lowest gear before moving; never roll backward on a hill.

Use the clutch only to start from a stop and to shift; do not hold the clutch pedal down while waiting - shift to neutral and release.

Steering: keep both hands on the wheel, look ahead 12-15 seconds, and turn the wheel smoothly; do not grip the wheel with the palms only.

Backing: get out and check behind the vehicle before backing, use a spotter if available, back slowly, and stop if you lose sight of the spotter.

On a hill, hold the vehicle with the brake, not the clutch; release the parking brake only after you feel the clutch engage.

When turning, swing wide enough to keep the rear wheels from hitting the curb; the rear wheels track inside the front wheels.

Stop smoothly by easing off the accelerator and applying the brake progressively; do not brake hard unless avoiding a hazard.

Park on a hill: set the parking brake, turn the wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away from the curb when facing uphill, and chock if needed.

Lane changes: signal, check mirrors, check the blind spot over your shoulder, and move only when the lane is clear.

At intersections, look left, right, then left again before entering; do not enter until you can clear the intersection without stopping in it.

Railroad crossings: slow down, look both ways, and do not shift gears while crossing the tracks; stop if a train is approaching.

Following distance on the road test: maintain at least the one-second-per-10-feet rule; the examiner watches for tailgating.

Speed: obey the posted limit, reduce in work zones and school zones, and adjust for weather; the examiner scores smooth, legal speed control.

Curves: slow down before the curve, not in it, and accelerate gently after the curve begins to straighten.

Merging: use the on-ramp to build speed, signal, check mirrors and blind spot, and merge into a gap without forcing other drivers to brake.

Emergency stops: if the examiner asks for a stop, apply the brake firmly and progressively and keep the vehicle straight; do not lock the wheels.

At the end of the test, park legally, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and secure the vehicle before exiting.