Pennsylvania CDL Passenger flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Pre-trip inspection interval

Pennsylvania requires the inspection within the 24 hours before driving a passenger-carrying commercial vehicle, and the driver must sign a report listing any defects found.

Static air leak limit

With the engine off and full pressure, holding the service brake must show leakage no greater than 3 psi per minute on a single vehicle or 4 psi per minute on a combination.

Low-air warning threshold

The low-air warning must activate before air pressure falls below 60 psi, and the spring brakes must apply automatically between 20 and 45 psi.

Air build-up test

With pressure below 85 psi and the engine at fast idle, the system must raise pressure from 85 to 100 psi within 45 seconds.

Bus emergency exit check

During the pre-trip, each exit window and roof hatch must open freely from inside without tools, and the exit alarm must sound when opened.

Standee speed limit rule

Passengers may not stand when the bus operates on a highway with a posted speed limit above 35 mph; seated capacity rules apply to school children.

Passenger count before moving

The driver counts passengers as they board and exit and reconciles the totals before the bus moves, preventing a passenger or child from being left aboard.

Wheelchair securement requirement

A wheelchair must be secured with a four-point tie-down and the occupant restrained by a lap and shoulder belt before the bus may move.

Door interlock purpose

The interlock prevents the bus from moving while the rear door is open, protecting passengers who are still boarding or alighting.

Bus fire evacuation distance

Evacuate passengers upwind and at least 100 feet from the burning bus, then call 911; a bus can become fully involved in under five minutes.

School bus evacuation order

Students seated in the front rows exit first, followed by the rear rows, while the driver supervises from outside the door.

Charter safety briefing

Before departure on an interstate charter, the driver points out exits, seat belts if installed, and the fire extinguisher location to all passengers.

Unruly passenger response

Stop the bus in a safe location and request assistance; the driver does not physically restrain a passenger except to prevent imminent harm to someone.

Bus following distance

Use one second per 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph and add one second above 40 mph, so a 40-foot bus needs four or five seconds.

Right turn rear wheel off-tracking

A bus's rear wheels cut inside the front wheels, so the driver swings wide before the turn and watches the right mirror through the entire turn.

Brake fade on downgrades

Continuous service braking overheats brake drums and reduces stopping power, so the driver selects a lower gear before the descent and uses engine braking.

Headlight beam distances

Low beams illuminate about 100 feet ahead and high beams about 350 feet, so night speed must keep stopping distance inside that illuminated range.

Backing with a spotter

Whenever a spotter is available, the driver uses one for backing; if none is available, the driver gets out and checks behind the bus first.

11-hour driving limit

A driver may drive at most 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty.

30-minute break rule

After 8 cumulative hours of driving without a 30-minute interruption of driving, the driver must take a 30-minute break before driving again.

34-hour restart

Taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty resets the 60-hour/7-day and 70-hour/8-day cycles, allowing a fresh weekly driving period.

Passenger carrier RODS rule

Passenger-carrying carriers are not required to use electronic logging devices, but drivers must keep paper records of duty status for the current day and prior seven days.

Pennsylvania crossing stop rule

A bus carrying passengers must stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing in Pennsylvania, marked or unmarked, unless the crossing is officially exempted.

Crossing stop distance

Stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, set the parking brake, open the door and window, and look and listen both ways.

Stall on railroad tracks

Evacuate passengers immediately, move them at least 100 feet from the tracks and upwind, then call 911 and the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

Reflective triangle placement

On a two-lane road, place triangles 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle; on a divided highway, place them 10 and 100 feet behind and 100 feet ahead.

Post-crash testing windows

Federal rules require post-crash alcohol testing within 8 hours and drug testing within 32 hours after a crash involving a commercial vehicle.

Breakdown passenger placement

Move passengers off the bus to a safe area behind a guardrail or up a slope away from traffic; they must not stand on the roadway or beside the bus.

Passenger endorsement requirement

A CDL passenger endorsement requires passing the passenger transport knowledge test and the passenger vehicle inspection test; the school bus endorsement is separate.

CDL alcohol disqualification

A first offense of driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher disqualifies the CDL for one year; a second offense is lifetime.

Driver qualification file

The file holds the employment application, motor vehicle record, road test certificate or equivalent, medical examiner's certificate, and the annual driving record review.

Placard weight threshold

A vehicle must be placarded when carrying 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight of a hazard class requiring placards, or any amount of a Table 2 material.