Prohibited Practices for Bus Drivers
Things you cannot do behind the wheel of a passenger-carrying CMV.
Endorsement: Passenger (P) · Source: FMCSA CDL Manual (public domain)
Federal regulations specifically prohibit several practices for passenger-carrying commercial drivers, and the Passenger endorsement exam tests them. The driver may not fuel the bus while passengers are on board, except where state law specifically permits it (a small handful of states make exceptions for transit operations with strict procedures). The general rule is to deboard passengers before fueling, and the exam expects you to know the general rule even if your state has an exception.
The driver may not allow passengers to remain on a bus parked in an enclosed space where the engine has been running, because of carbon-monoxide risk. The driver may not leave the bus running and unattended with passengers aboard except in limited heating or cooling situations with the parking brake set, the transmission in neutral or park, and another qualified person watching the bus.
Railroad crossings have special rules for passenger-carrying CMVs. The bus must stop at every public railroad crossing within 15 to 50 feet of the nearest rail, regardless of whether the crossing has gates, lights, or warning devices, and regardless of whether a train is present. Open the front door and the driver-side window if equipped, listen and look in both directions, and proceed only when certain no train is approaching. Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks. The exam tests this procedure in detail; the answer to nearly every railroad-crossing question on the Passenger exam is that the driver must always stop within the prescribed distance and verify visually and audibly before crossing.
Key terms to memorize
- standee line
- baggage compartment
- emergency exit
- railroad-crossing
- unruly passenger
Other Passenger (P) topics
- Passenger Vehicle Pre-Trip — The bus-specific items added to the standard CDL pre-trip.
- Passenger Management — Boarding, on-route conduct, and dealing with disruptive riders.
- Baggage and Cargo on Buses — What can ride where, and how to keep the cabin and underbus secure.
- Emergency Evacuation — When and how to get passengers off the bus safely.
Test what you learned
Now that you have the Prohibited Practices for Bus Drivers material in your head, drill the Passenger (P) practice test. The questions are drawn from the same FMCSA source material this article paraphrases. For state-specific framing, jump to your state page and pick the Passenger (P) test for your jurisdiction.