Passenger Vehicle Pre-Trip
The bus-specific items added to the standard CDL pre-trip.
Endorsement: Passenger (P) · Source: FMCSA CDL Manual (public domain)
Passenger vehicle pre-trip adds bus-specific items to the standard tractor-truck inspection. Inspect every passenger seat for secure mounting, seat backs that latch upright, and seat belts (where equipped) in good condition. Check the standee line at the front of the passenger compartment, where applicable; passengers must not stand forward of this line while the bus is moving, and the line must be clearly visible. Inspect the aisles for tripping hazards, the steps for cracked or worn nosing, and the entry-door mechanism for proper operation including the safety interlock that prevents the bus from being shifted out of park while the door is open on most modern buses.
Emergency equipment is heavily tested in pre-trip. Verify the emergency exits are clearly marked, unobstructed, and operate properly when tested. The bus must carry a portable fire extinguisher (typically a 5-pound dry-chemical unit), spare electrical fuses, and reflective warning devices (three reflective triangles or six fusees). Check the first-aid kit for completeness and the body-fluid spill kit if your operation carries one.
Mechanical inspection includes the bus-specific points: the ride-leveling system on air-suspension buses, the kneeling-system controls on accessible buses, the wheelchair-lift mechanism if equipped, the destination sign or roller-blind for proper operation, and the public-address system. Climate-control systems should be tested in both heating and cooling modes, especially on buses that will operate in extreme weather. Document any defect on the daily DVIR; passenger-carrying vehicles have especially strict out-of-service criteria, and a defect that grounds a bus is one that cannot be deferred until the next maintenance cycle.
Key terms to memorize
- standee line
- baggage compartment
- emergency exit
- railroad-crossing
- unruly passenger
Other Passenger (P) topics
- 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.
- 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 Passenger Vehicle Pre-Trip 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.