Under federal hazardous materials rules, what is generally true about carrying hazardous materials on a bus that also carries passengers?
- Any hazardous material is allowed as long as it is properly placarded
- Hazardous materials are allowed only in a cargo hold beneath the passenger compartment
- Most hazardous materials are prohibited, with only narrow exceptions such as small quantities of a passenger's own medication or the bus's own fuel supply (correct)
- There are no federal restrictions on this, only state ones
Because passengers cannot be evacuated from a moving hazardous materials incident the way freight can simply be set aside, federal rules bar most hazardous materials from vehicles carrying passengers for hire. The narrow exceptions cover items riders reasonably need with them or that the vehicle itself requires to run.
Source: 49 CFR Part 177.
Which topic is federal law specific about testing on the passenger endorsement knowledge exam?
- State specific fee schedules for bus operators
- Techniques for scheduling routes to minimize delay
- Procedures for calculating fuel efficiency
- Proper procedures for emergency evacuation, including use of exits (correct)
The federal passenger endorsement knowledge test centers on what keeps riders safe in an emergency, such as how to evacuate a bus quickly and safely. Fees, scheduling, and fuel efficiency are business concerns, not the safety knowledge federal law requires testing for.
Source: 49 CFR 383.117.
Besides the exits, what interior bus equipment should a driver check for secure mounting during the pre-trip inspection?
- Overhead reading lights only
- The driver's personal belongings
- Passenger seats, handholds, and stanchions (correct)
- Advertising placards inside the bus
Seats, handholds, and stanchions have to stay firmly attached because passengers grab and lean on them constantly, including during sudden stops. A loose seat or grab bar can throw a passenger off balance or come free entirely in a hard brake or a crash.
Source: 49 CFR 396.3.
