OR CDL Passenger flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Pre-trip bus inspection
- A walk-around and walk-through before service: check tires, lights, brakes, horn, wipers, mirrors, doors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, and reflective triangles. Any safety defect keeps the bus out of service.
- Railroad crossing stop distance
- A bus must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, open the window and door to look and listen, and cross only when it can clear the tracks completely without stopping.
- Stuck on railroad tracks
- If the bus stalls or stops on the tracks, get everyone out immediately, move away from the tracks and uphill of the crossing, then call for help. Do not try to restart the bus with passengers aboard.
- Passenger count responsibility
- The driver must know how many riders are aboard and confirm the bus is empty after the last stop. A flashlight walk-through finds sleeping passengers, children, and left items.
- Wheelchair securement
- A wheelchair must face forward, its brakes locked, secured with a four-point tiedown, and the rider protected with a lap and shoulder belt per the device and manufacturer instructions before the bus moves.
- Managing disruptive passengers
- Pull over safely before addressing a dispute or moving rider. Do not turn around or take your eyes off the road while the bus is moving; report serious problems rather than arguing.
- Bus stop positioning
- Stop so the rear door is just past the stop marker, set the parking brake, and open the door only after the bus is fully stopped. Load and unload only at safe, designated locations.
- Standee line rule
- No passenger may stand forward of the standee line beside the driver. Standing riders are allowed only where the bus is designed for standees and handholds are available.
- Aisle and exit clearance
- Keep the aisle, stairwell, and exit paths clear of luggage, strollers, and packages so riders can leave quickly in an emergency. Stowed items must not become projectiles during a stop.
- Hazardous materials on buses
- Gasoline cans, propane cylinders, fireworks, and other flammables are prohibited in the passenger compartment. Check for leaking or smoking packages and refuse them before departure.
- Unloading check
- After the last rider leaves, walk the bus for sleeping passengers, lost children, and left items. A child left aboard is a life-threatening emergency and must be found before the bus is secured.
- Open container and intoxication
- Do not allow open alcohol containers aboard, and refuse riders who are clearly intoxicated or disorderly. Report the situation instead of arguing on the street.
- Emergency exit types
- Passenger buses use side windows that open fully, roof hatches, and rear or side doors as emergency exits. Know how each type opens on your bus and how to explain it to riders.
- Emergency exit alarm check
- Each exit must open freely, its release must work, and its warning buzzer must sound when unlatched. A disabled alarm is a defect that must be repaired before the bus carries passengers.
- Fire extinguisher check
- The extinguisher must be mounted, charged, within the driver's reach, and correct for the vehicle. Check the gauge and pin during the pre-trip inspection and know how to use it.
- Reflective triangle use
- When the bus is disabled, place warning triangles behind it, farther back on high-speed roads. Never stand in a live traffic lane to place them; watch for approaching traffic.
- Defect out of service
- A defect in lights, brakes, horn, wipers, mirrors, tires, doors, or emergency exits means the bus does not leave the yard until the item is repaired and verified.
- Warning signs en route
- A burning smell, smoke, a flat tire, or a brake warning light means stop safely, secure the bus, and decide whether passengers must evacuate away from traffic and fire.
- Following distance for buses
- Use at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one second, and add more in rain, snow, or darkness. A loaded bus needs far more stopping distance than a car.
- Smooth braking with riders
- Scan ahead, ease off the accelerator early, and apply progressive brake pressure. Sudden stops are the most common cause of passenger injuries, so plan stops well in advance.
- Front-wheel skid recovery
- Take your foot off the brake or accelerator, look and steer where you want the bus to go, and avoid hard braking until the tires regain traction on the road surface.
- Rear-wheel skid recovery
- Steer into the skid, toward the direction the rear is sliding, while looking where you want to go. Correct back once traction returns and avoid slamming the brakes.
- Brake fade on downgrades
- Use a lower gear and engine braking on long descents. Riding the brakes overheats them and can cause fade or complete loss of braking on a mountain grade.
- Hazard perception scanning
- Scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead, check mirrors every few seconds, and watch for riders in the aisle, merging vehicles, and pedestrians near stops. Anticipate rather than react.
- Wet road first minutes
- Rain lifts oil from the pavement, making the first minutes the slickest. Reduce speed, increase following distance, and test brakes gently after driving through standing water.
- Hazards at bus stops
- A rider may step into the street, a car may pass a stopped bus, or a child may run from between parked cars. Approach and leave stops slowly with your foot ready to brake.
- Parking brake before door
- Set the parking brake and confirm the bus is fully stopped before opening the passenger door. This prevents the bus from rolling while riders board or step off.
- Prohibited stop locations
- Do not stop on railroad tracks, on a curve, on a hill crest, or where the bus would block a travel lane unnecessarily. Choose designated stops or safe, visible locations.
- Evacuation decision
- Evacuate when there is fire, smoke, a hazardous spill, or the bus is on or near tracks. Move riders away from traffic and fire, and keep them together at a safe distance.
- Loading and unloading count
- Count riders as they board and exit, and compare the count with the number aboard. A mismatch means search the bus before moving on or securing it for the day.
- Space cushion around bus
- Keep space ahead, behind, and beside the bus so you can stop or steer away from trouble. A loaded bus cannot stop or change lanes as quickly as a passenger car.
- Brake warning light response
- A brake warning light means stop safely as soon as possible, secure the bus, and do not continue the route until the brake system is checked and cleared for service.