OK CDL Passenger cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover engine compartment, walk-around exterior, and in-cab items; the CDL skills test requires you to name each part and state what damage or defect you are looking for.

Air brake check sequence: build pressure to governor cut-out, shut engine off, verify no more than 3 psi loss in one minute (single vehicle), then check warning buzzer by fanning pressure down below 60 psi.

Static leak test: with engine off and pressure applied, a loss rate above 3 psi per minute (single unit) or 4 psi per minute (combination) indicates a leak requiring repair.

Tug test on the coupling: after locking the fifth wheel, pull gently against the trailer with the trailer brakes set; movement means the jaws are not locked.

Manual transmission rule: do not shift while crossing railroad tracks or while turning; select the gear before the hazard and hold it through.

Upshift pattern follows road speed and engine rpm, not sound alone; on a passenger coach, stay in the highest gear that holds speed without lugging.

Automatic retarders and engine brakes must be controlled in rain, snow, or ice; a retarder can lock drive wheels on a slippery surface and cause a jackknife.

Progressive shifting raises rpm before each upshift to stay in the power band on grades; skip-shifting is acceptable only when the transmission and load allow it.

Stop the bus so the right rear wheels are within 12 inches of the curb at a curb loading zone; a wider gap forces passengers to step into the roadway.

Set the parking brake and place the transmission in Neutral or Park before opening the door; the bus must not move while passengers are standing or boarding.

Count passengers by actual head count, not by seat estimate; the standing limit and seating capacity are separate numbers on the vehicle's capacity plate.

Standees are prohibited where the vehicle is not rated for them; a school bus carrying students may never exceed the rated seating capacity.

At a bus stop, do not release passengers until you confirm traffic in the adjacent lane has stopped or is clear, especially where no curb exists.

A passenger who needs assistance boarding should be given time and, where equipped, the lift or ramp used; never lift a passenger manually.

Before leaving any stop, verify all passengers are seated or holding a handhold, the door is closed, and the aisle is clear.

Loading and unloading at a railroad crossing is prohibited; if a stop is required, move the vehicle completely off the tracks first.

A bus carrying passengers must stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing unless the crossing is exempt and posted; stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail.

At the stop, open the door or window, turn off noisy devices, and listen; look both directions twice before proceeding.

Never start across until you can clear the entire crossing without stopping; the vehicle must fit on the far side, not just the near side.

If the vehicle stalls on the tracks, get everyone off and away from the tracks immediately, moving at least 100 feet away and toward the approaching train's direction.

After evacuation, call 911 or the railroad's emergency number posted at the crossing; give the crossing identifier (DOT number) shown on the sign.

Crossing signals and gates are warnings, not permission; a gate that rises does not guarantee the track is clear.

A bus with a stuck accelerator or brake failure near a crossing must be steered away from the tracks; never stop on the crossing to troubleshoot.

Emergency door operation must be known before departure: how the exit opens, where the release is, and how to evacuate passengers who cannot use the main door.

Pre-trip items on a passenger coach include tires and tread depth, wheel lug nuts, brake adjustment, lights and reflectors, mirrors, wipers, horn, fire extinguisher, and emergency exits.

Tire rule: reject any tire with tread depth below 4/32 inch on a front axle or 2/32 inch on other axles, or with cuts, bulges, or exposed cord.

Check the fire extinguisher for a charged gauge, secure mounting, and current inspection tag; it must be rated for the hazards present.

Verify emergency exits open freely from inside, that exit signs are lit, and that the emergency door buzzer or alarm works.

Inspect the passenger compartment: seats secure, handholds intact, aisle clear, and no loose objects that could become projectiles in a stop.

Brake adjustment check: with the system at full pressure, mark the pushrod and apply the brake; a pushrod travel beyond the manufacturer's limit means out-of-adjustment brakes.

Check that required emergency equipment is aboard: warning triangles or reflectors, spare fuses, and a first aid kit where required.

A defect found on the pre-trip inspection must be corrected or the vehicle placed out of service; do not sign the inspection report as satisfactory if a safety defect remains.

Keep the aisle clear from front to rear at all times; a bag or foot in the aisle is a trip hazard and a blocked evacuation path.

Standing passengers must be behind the standee line, which is marked on the floor; no one stands forward of it or in the stairwell.

The driver's compartment is off-limits to passengers; do not allow anyone to ride in the step well or on the stairway.

Emergency exits must be unobstructed, labeled, and operable from inside; a blocked rear door defeats the primary evacuation route.

Passenger conduct that interferes with driving, such as grabbing the wheel or standing in the driver's view, requires stopping the vehicle in a safe place.

Do not allow passengers to ride on the outside of the vehicle, in the baggage compartment, or in a towed unit not designed for passengers.

Secure mobility devices and their occupants per the tiedown and occupant restraint system; an unsecured wheelchair becomes a hazard in a sudden stop.

Carry only the number of passengers the vehicle is rated for; overloading changes stopping distance and violates the vehicle's capacity rating.

Texting and handheld phone use are prohibited for commercial drivers; a hands-free device is permitted only where state law allows it and never for texting.

Following distance rule: at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph, plus one additional second; a 40-foot bus at 40 mph needs at least 5 seconds.

At speeds above 40 mph, add one second to the following distance; the gap grows with speed because stopping distance grows with the square of speed.

Aim high in steering and look 12 to 15 seconds ahead; at highway speed that is roughly a quarter mile or more.

Speed must be reduced before entering a curve, a work zone, or a downgrade; braking in the curve risks a skid and loss of control.

Use the 4-second following rule as a minimum in good conditions and double it in rain, at night, or when the road surface is uncertain.

Distraction sources include passengers, dispatch devices, mirrors, and eating; any task that takes your eyes off the road for 2 seconds at 55 mph covers about 160 feet.

At intersections, cover the brake and scan left-right-left; a stale green light means prepare to stop, not accelerate.

Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced; low beams are required in fog, rain, and snow because high beams reflect back.

Reduce speed at night so you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights; overdriving headlights is a leading cause of night crashes.

Hydroplaning begins at highway speeds on wet pavement; ease off the accelerator and do not brake hard, because braking can trigger a spin.

On ice or snow, brake gently and steer smoothly; a bus with air brakes needs longer stopping distance and may not have ABS on all axles.

In fog, use low beams and slow down; do not stop on the roadway, and if you must stop, move fully off the road and turn on hazard flashers.

Crosswind and passing trucks can push a high-profile bus; grip the wheel firmly and reduce speed before the gust, not after.

A flooded roadway must be treated as impassable until depth is verified; moving water can float or sweep a bus off the road.

When visibility drops below a safe level, pull off at an exit or safe area and stop; continuing at reduced speed is not a substitute for stopping.

Scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead and check mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds; a hazard is any condition that could force a change in speed or path.

Identify the hazard, decide the response, and act early; a hazard recognized at 12 seconds allows a smooth response instead of a panic stop.

Watch for pedestrians near a stopped bus or parked cars; a person hidden by a vehicle can step out with no warning.

At a bus stop, expect passengers to cross in front of the bus; scan for them before pulling away and check both mirrors.

A stale green light, a vehicle drifting in its lane, or brake lights ahead are cues to cover the brake and prepare to stop.

In work zones, expect narrowed lanes, workers, and equipment; reduce speed before the taper and follow the flagger's signals.

Railroad crossings, bridges, and tunnels are fixed hazards; identify the clearance and the exit path before entering.

Recognize a distracted or impaired driver by lane drift, inconsistent speed, and delayed reactions; increase following distance and pass only when clear.

Evacuation order: stop the vehicle in a safe place, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and only then open the exits.

Evacuate passengers away from traffic and upwind of fire; move them at least 100 feet from the vehicle and further from a burning bus.

Use the exit farthest from the hazard; if the main door is blocked, use the rear door, roof hatch, or windows as designed.

After a crash, protect the scene: turn on hazard flashers, place warning triangles behind the vehicle, and call 911 with location and injury count.

Do not move injured passengers unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; moving them can worsen spinal injuries.

Account for every passenger after evacuation by head count; report the count to emergency responders and note anyone unaccounted for.

Do not leave the scene of a crash involving injury or death until you have given required information; remain until released by authorities.

Report the crash to your employer and complete the required written report; post-crash testing for alcohol and drugs may be required by federal rules.