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CDL Study Guides · 2026
Carrying people raises the stakes on every decision. This section is required for the passenger (P) endorsement and covers the extra inspection, boarding, and emergency rules that come with a busload of riders.
Last reviewed 2026-06-20 · Based on FMCSA standards (see sources)
Driving a bus is fundamentally different from driving a truck because you are responsible for the safety of every person on board. Passenger comfort and safety must guide every decision you make while operating a passenger vehicle.
Before starting your route or trip, perform a complete pre-trip inspection. In addition to standard vehicle checks, bus inspections include: emergency exits (all must open freely from inside and outside), emergency equipment (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangles, spare fuses), passenger seats and handrails (secure and not damaged), wheelchair lift or ramp (operational and stowed properly), and the farebox or counting device.
When loading passengers, announce the destination and any stops. Allow passengers to board one at a time. Do not allow passengers to stand forward of the standee line if one is marked. The standee line is a 2-inch line or the first seat in the bus — passengers may not stand or carry items forward of this line.
People with disabilities have the right to board the bus. You must know how to operate the wheelchair lift and securement devices. Give passengers with mobility aids extra time to board and be seated. Service animals are always allowed on public transit buses.
While driving with passengers, your driving must be smoother than when driving a truck. Avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, and rapid acceleration. Passengers who are standing can be seriously injured by a sudden stop. Maintain a safe speed and increase your following distance.
Prohibited practices include fueling with passengers on board (unless absolutely necessary and you have no alternative), allowing passengers to stand on long-distance intercity buses, allowing hazardous materials on board (except small quantities of personal-use items like hair spray), and driving with the entrance door open. Baggage and carry-on items must be stored so they do not block the aisle or emergency exits.
Key points to remember
Bus emergencies require quick thinking and clear communication. You have a vehicle full of people who are counting on you to keep them safe. Your response must be immediate, organized, and calm.
If the bus is on fire, pull over as quickly as safely possible and shut off the engine. The engine supplies fuel and electrical power to the fire. Open the door and begin evacuating passengers immediately. Direct them to move away from the bus — at least 100 feet. Use the fire extinguisher only if the fire is small and you can fight it without delaying the evacuation. Account for all passengers after evacuation.
For a medical emergency on board, pull over safely and assess the situation. Call 911 if the emergency is serious. Administer first aid if you are trained to do so, but do not move a passenger with a potential spinal injury. Keep the passenger comfortable and reassure other passengers.
Emergency exits include the rear emergency door, roof hatches, and side windows that can be pushed out. All exits must be clearly marked and unobstructed. As the driver, you should know the location of every emergency exit and how to open them. During an evacuation, direct passengers to the nearest exit. Help elderly, disabled, and child passengers first.
If you must cross railroad tracks and your bus stalls on the tracks, evacuate immediately. Get all passengers off the bus and move them away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle in the direction of the approaching train. This protects them from debris if a train hits the bus.
In case of an accident, secure the bus first (parking brake, hazard lights), then check on passengers. Account for everyone. Provide first aid as needed. Set up warning devices. Get emergency information ready: number of passengers, types of injuries, and location.
At railroad crossings, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, look and listen in both directions, and do not shift gears while crossing the tracks. Only proceed when you can cross completely without stopping.
Key points to remember
Run real practice questions on this section until you're comfortably past 80%.
Practice Passenger Transport questionsOn top of a normal pre-trip you must confirm every passenger safety item works: the service and parking brakes, lights and signals, horn, windshield wipers, mirrors, the emergency exits, and that the aisles and stairwells are clear. A bus can't carry riders until those passenger-specific items pass.
A bus must stop between 15 and 50 feet before the nearest rail, open the door and window, look and listen, and only then proceed if it's clear — and never change gears while crossing. These stops apply even when no train is in sight.
Riders may not stand forward of the rear of the driver's seat (there's usually a standee line marking it), and common hazardous materials are prohibited on a bus carrying passengers, with only narrow exceptions like small quantities for personal use. Carry-on baggage must never block the aisle or an emergency exit.
Don't discharge a disruptive or intoxicated passenger somewhere that would put them in danger. Try to discharge them at a scheduled stop or another well-lit, safe location, and follow your carrier's procedures for handling problem riders.
See also CDL costs by state · Your state's rules · Sources
Based on the FMCSA CDL Manual, a U.S. federal government publication in the public domain. Independent study aid — not affiliated with or endorsed by FMCSA, AAMVA, or any state DMV. Always confirm current rules with your state DMV.