- 20
- 5
- 32
- 16 or more
From The CDL Manual
A bus driver must have a CDL if he/she drives a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Doubles/Triples
- Passenger
- Hazmat
- Tanker
From The CDL Manual
A bus driver must have a CDL if he/she drives a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons, including the driver. A bus driver must have a Passenger Endorsement on his/her CDL. To obtain the endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test on Sections 2 and 4 of this manual. (If the bus has air brakes, you also must pass a knowledge test on Section 5.) You also must pass the skills tests required for the class of vehicle you drive.
- Rear-vision mirrors
- Parking brake
- Lights and reflectors
- All of these should be part of a pre-trip inspection
From The CDL Manual
Vehicle Systems —
Make sure the following are in good working order before driving:
- Service brakes, including air hose couplings (if your bus has a trailer or semitrailer).
- Parking brake.
- Steering mechanism.
- Lights and reflectors.
- Tires (front wheels must not have recapped or regrooved tires).
- Horn.
- Windshield wiper or wipers.
- Rear-vision mirror or mirrors.
- Coupling devices (if present).
- Wheels and rims.
- Emergency equipment.
- Only on weekends
- Only at night
- Before 6am
- You should always make sure they are closed before driving
From The CDL Manual
Access Doors and Panels —
As you check the outside of the bus, close any open emergency exits. Also, close any open access panels (for baggage, restroom service, engine, etc.) before driving.
- Early in the morning
- Every time you stop the bus
- In an emergency
- Any other time you use your outside lights
From The CDL Manual
The Emergency Exit sign on an emergency door must be clearly visible. If there is a red emergency door light, it must work. Turn it on at night or any other time you use your outside lights.
- Wrap it in yellow tape
- Warn each rider as they get on
- Take it all the way out
- Make sure it is securely fastened before driving
From The CDL Manual
The seats must be safe for riders. All seats must be securely fastened to the bus.
- To get fresh air
- Only when you won't be driving under bridges
- When it's above 32 degrees
- Never
From The CDL Manual
Roof Hatches —
You may lock some emergency roof hatches in a partly open position for fresh air. Do not leave them open as a regular practice. Keep in mind the bus’s higher clearance while driving with them open.
- When the bus is full
- If they are returning from shopping
- Riders should never be allowed to leave baggage in the aisle
- When the bus is almost empty
From The CDL Manual
Do not allow riders to leave carry-on baggage in a doorway or aisle. There should be nothing in the aisle that might trip other riders.
- Generally should not be allowed to board
- Must leave the hazardous materials up front
- Have to sit in the back
- Are fine as long as it isn't car batteries or gasoline
From The CDL Manual
Hazardous Materials —
Watch for cargo or baggage containing hazardous materials. Most hazardous materials cannot be carried on a bus. Riders sometimes board a bus with an unlabeled hazardous material. They may not know it is unsafe. Do not allow riders to carry on common hazards such as car batteries or gasoline.
- Paranitroaniline
- More than 100 pounds of a solid Division 6.1 Poison
- None of these things should ever be carried on a bus
- Division 2.3 POISONOUS (Toxic) GAS
From The CDL Manual
Forbidden Hazardous Materials —
Buses may carry small-arms ammunition, emergency shipments of drugs, chemicals and hospital supplies. You can carry small amounts of some other hazardous materials if the shipper cannot send them any other way. Buses must never carry:
- Division 2.3 POISONOUS (Toxic) GAS.
- Division 6.1 EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POISONOUS (Toxic) LIQUID.
- Paranitroaniline.
- More than 45 kg (100 pounds) of a solid Division 6.1 Poison.
- More than 225 kg (500 pounds) total of allowable hazardous materials and no more than 45 kg (100 pounds) of any one class.