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Passenger endorsement practice test

The passenger vehicles test earns the P endorsement for buses and coaches. It covers the pre-trip inspection of a bus, loading and the standee line, dealing with riders, railroad crossings and drawbridges, and the after-trip checks. The sample questions below come from Section 4 of the FMCSA CDL manual.

Free passenger practice questions

Ten questions from the PassRig bank. Pick an answer in your head, then show the answer to read why. The full bank, timed mock exams and AI explanations live in the app.

  1. Besides the usual pre-trip items, a bus driver must check that the rider area has:

    • Working air conditioning
    • Safe handholds and railings, floor covering, signaling devices and emergency exits
    • A radio for the riders
    • Tinted windows
    Show answer
    Answer: B. Safe handholds and railings, floor covering, signaling devices and emergency exits

    Riders can be hurt by loose handholds, torn floor covering or a stuck emergency exit. Make sure exits are closed securely but easy to open, and that the stop signals and the fire extinguisher and reflectors are in place.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.1 (Vehicle Inspection: Rider Area)

  2. At a railroad crossing, a bus must stop:

    • Only if a train is coming
    • 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail
    • Within 5 feet of the rail
    • Only on the first trip of the day
    Show answer
    Answer: B. 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail

    Stop 15 to 50 feet before the crossing, listen and look both ways (open the door and window if needed), and cross only when clear. Do not shift gears while on the tracks.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.3 (After-Trip and Railroad Crossings)

  3. Which of these is a prohibited practice for a bus driver?

    • Checking mirrors often
    • Announcing stops
    • Refueling with riders on board when it is not needed
    • Counting riders
    Show answer
    Answer: C. Refueling with riders on board when it is not needed

    Do not fuel a bus with riders aboard unless absolutely necessary, never fuel it in a closed building with riders aboard, and do not talk with riders or do anything distracting while driving.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.5 (Prohibited Practices)

  4. A roof-mounted emergency hatch that is locked partly open for fresh air:

    • Has no effect on driving
    • Raises the height of the bus, so watch for low clearances
    • Must be closed only in rain
    • Counts as an open emergency exit violation
    Show answer
    Answer: B. Raises the height of the bus, so watch for low clearances

    Some hatches lock in a partly open position for ventilation. That adds to the vehicle's height, so remember it at bridges and overhangs. Do not leave a hatch open as a regular practice.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.1 (Vehicle Inspection: Emergency Exits)

  5. Recapped or regrooved tires on a bus:

    • May be used on any wheel
    • Must be used on all wheels
    • Must not be used on the front wheels
    • Are required on the drive axle
    Show answer
    Answer: C. Must not be used on the front wheels

    A front tire failure can take away steering. That is why recapped or regrooved tires are banned from the front wheels of a bus.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.1.1 (Vehicle Systems: Tires)

  6. On the pre-trip inspection, emergency exits should be checked to be sure they:

    • Are locked so riders cannot open them by mistake
    • Are blocked by baggage
    • Open properly and their warning lights and signs work
    • Are painted red
    Show answer
    Answer: C. Open properly and their warning lights and signs work

    Exits are useless if they are jammed, locked or hidden. Every emergency door, window and roof hatch must open, and the exit lights and signs must work.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.1.3 (Bus Interior: Emergency Exits)

  7. A bus may carry no more than how much of allowed hazardous materials in total?

    • 500 pounds total, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class
    • 1,000 pounds total
    • 100 pounds total
    • There is no limit
    Show answer
    Answer: A. 500 pounds total, and no more than 100 pounds of any one class

    Even permitted materials are limited: 500 pounds in all, with no single class over 100 pounds.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.2 (Loading and Trip Start: Hazardous Materials)

  8. On a charter or intercity trip, company rules about standing, smoking and drinking should be:

    • Posted only on the company website
    • Mentioned only if a problem starts
    • Left for riders to work out themselves
    • Explained to riders at the start of the trip
    Show answer
    Answer: D. Explained to riders at the start of the trip

    Riders follow rules better when they hear them up front. Explaining the rules at the start also makes it easier to deal with problems later.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.3.1 (Passenger Supervision)

  9. Bus crashes on curves are usually caused by:

    • Excessive speed, often when the road is wet or icy
    • Low tire pressure
    • Too many riders
    • Driving below the posted speed
    Show answer
    Answer: A. Excessive speed, often when the road is wet or icy

    A bus can roll or slide in a curve at a speed that feels fine in a car. Slow down before the curve, and even more when the road is slick.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.3.5 (Speed on Curves)

  10. You need not stop, but must slow down and check, at a drawbridge when:

    • The bridge is less than 100 feet long
    • It is daylight
    • The bus is empty
    • A traffic light shows green or an attendant or traffic officer is controlling traffic
    Show answer
    Answer: D. A traffic light shows green or an attendant or traffic officer is controlling traffic

    Without a signal or attendant, a bus must stop at least 50 feet before the draw and make sure it is fully closed. With one, you may continue carefully.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 4.3.7 (Drawbridges)

What the passenger test covers

  • Vehicle inspection for buses
  • Loading, trip start and the standee line
  • Passenger safety and prohibited cargo
  • Railroad crossings, drawbridges and stops
  • Driving a bus safely: speed, curves and brakes
  • After-trip inspection

Who needs it

Bus, coach and shuttle drivers carrying 16 or more people including the driver. School bus drivers need it too.

The test has 20 multiple-choice questions and the passing score is 80%, so you can miss 4. Your state DMV or DOT administers it; the federal rules are on the FMCSA CDL page. Study Section 4 of the CDL manual alongside these questions.

More CDL practice tests

Passenger test questions

How many questions are on the passenger endorsement test?

20 questions. 16 correct answers reach the 80% pass mark.

Does the passenger endorsement include a driving test?

Yes. The P endorsement needs the written knowledge test and a skills test in a representative bus. PassRig covers the written part.

What is the standee line?

A line on the floor two feet behind the driver. Riders must stand behind it while the bus moves, and the test usually asks about it.