Baggage and Cargo on Buses
What can ride where, and how to keep the cabin and underbus secure.
Endorsement: Passenger (P) · Source: FMCSA CDL Manual (public domain)
Bus baggage handling is governed by both federal regulations and individual carrier rules. In the passenger cabin, carry-on baggage must fit in overhead racks or under the seats and must not block the aisle, the standee line, or any emergency exit. Items that block emergency exits are a federal violation, and the driver must address them before departing. The driver\'s view of the door, mirrors, and standee line must remain unobstructed at all times.
In the underbus baggage compartment, items are loaded so that weight is distributed for proper axle loading and so that fragile items are protected. Heavier bags go on the bottom, lighter bags on top. Hazardous materials are restricted in baggage compartments much as they are in the passenger cabin: passengers may carry small quantities of materials such as medical-use oxygen, sealed batteries in personal electronic devices, and certain consumer commodities, but bulk hazmat is prohibited. Drivers should ask passengers loading large or oddly shaped items what is inside; the driver bears the responsibility for what goes underbus.
Certain items are absolutely prohibited regardless of where they would ride: tear gas, irritants, and most explosives. A passenger attempting to bring such items must be refused boarding. Some items are restricted in quantity: small-arms ammunition is allowed up to specified weight limits in some operations. The exam tests the general principle that the driver is responsible for what goes on and under the bus, and that the driver must refuse prohibited items even if the passenger insists. Specific quantity rules vary by carrier and by federal/state regulation; drivers should know their operation\'s policy and the federal floor.
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.
- Emergency Evacuation — When and how to get passengers off the bus safely.
- Prohibited Practices for Bus Drivers — Things you cannot do behind the wheel of a passenger-carrying CMV.
Test what you learned
Now that you have the Baggage and Cargo on Buses 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.