25 realistic Passenger Transport practice questions for North Dakota CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers of vehicles designed for 16+ passengers. Official test: 20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Inspection
What is "after-trip inspection"?
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A.
An inspection done after the trip ends to identify defects and prepare for next trip
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B.
A passenger survey
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C.
A fuel check
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D.
A maintenance schedule
Correct answer: A.
After-trip inspections find defects so the bus is ready for the next driver.
Question 2 of 25 · Emergencies
What's the role of the emergency exits?
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A.
To provide alternate evacuation routes in emergencies
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B.
For luggage
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C.
For ventilation
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D.
For maintenance
Correct answer: A.
Emergency exits provide additional ways out in case of fire or crash.
Question 3 of 25 · Inspection
What's the proper way to check tires on a bus?
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A.
Visual inspection and proper inflation pressure
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B.
Skip tires if in a hurry
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C.
Only check at end of trip
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D.
Check only at maintenance
Correct answer: A.
Inspect tires every pre-trip for damage, wear, and proper inflation.
Question 4 of 25 · Following Distance
What's the safest way to handle a bus in heavy traffic?
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A.
Maintain extra following distance and signal early
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B.
Speed up to keep with traffic
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C.
Drive aggressively
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D.
Use the shoulder
Correct answer: A.
Buses need extra space and clear signaling in heavy traffic.
Question 5 of 25 · Operation
How should drivers handle disturbances on a bus?
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A.
Stop in a safe area and address the disturbance, contacting authorities if needed
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B.
Ignore them
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C.
Confront passengers
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D.
Drive faster
Correct answer: A.
Address disturbances safely; involve police if needed.
Question 6 of 25 · Driver Wellness
What's the safest way to handle a bus on a long trip?
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A.
Take regular breaks and stay alert
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B.
Drive without breaks
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C.
Use stimulants
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D.
Sleep while driving
Correct answer: A.
Take regular breaks to combat fatigue.
Question 7 of 25 · CDL Rules
Passenger transport drivers must:
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A.
Have a current Medical Examiner's Certificate
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B.
Have a CDL with Passenger endorsement
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C.
Pass a knowledge and skills test
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Passenger drivers need a CDL with P endorsement, valid medical certificate, and skills test.
Question 8 of 25 · Operation
How often should a bus driver check passenger safety?
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A.
Continuously throughout the trip
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B.
Only at the start
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C.
Only at stops
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D.
Once per hour
Correct answer: A.
Stay aware of passenger conduct, baggage, and safety throughout the trip.
Question 9 of 25 · Operation
When is it acceptable to refuel a bus with passengers aboard?
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A.
Never — passengers must be off the bus during refueling
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B.
Always
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C.
Only when bus is in motion
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D.
Only at night
Correct answer: A.
Never refuel with passengers on board; require everyone to disembark.
Question 10 of 25 · Emergencies
What's the role of the bus driver in emergencies?
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A.
Lead passengers to safety and call for help
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B.
Drive away
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C.
Tell passengers to handle it
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D.
Stay in the bus
Correct answer: A.
Lead passengers to safety and contact emergency services.
Question 11 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What's the safest way to handle a bus in fog?
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A.
Use low beams and slow down
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B.
Use high beams
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C.
Speed up to escape fog
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D.
Stop on the highway
Correct answer: A.
Slow down and use low beams; high beams reflect off fog.
Question 12 of 25 · Boarding
When passengers are boarding, the bus must be:
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A.
Stopped with parking brake set and engine off if extended boarding
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B.
Idling in neutral
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C.
Moving slowly
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D.
In gear
Correct answer: A.
Set parking brake; turn off engine for extended stops to ensure safety.
Question 13 of 25 · Emergencies
What's the safest way to handle a bus in a crash?
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A.
Evacuate passengers safely and call emergency services
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B.
Continue driving
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C.
Tell passengers to stay seated
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D.
Drive away from the scene
Correct answer: A.
Evacuate to a safe area and call for help; never leave the scene.
Question 14 of 25 · Inspection
What's the importance of regular maintenance for a bus?
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A.
Prevents breakdowns
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B.
Ensures safety for passengers
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C.
Reduces costs in the long run
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Maintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps passengers safe.
Question 15 of 25 · Emergencies
What's the safest way to handle a bus emergency?
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A.
Stop in a safe area, evacuate if needed, call for help
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B.
Continue driving
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C.
Tell passengers to stay seated
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D.
Drive faster
Correct answer: A.
Safety first: stop, assess, evacuate if needed, and contact emergency services.
Question 16 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
How should drivers handle a bus in heavy wind?
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A.
Slow down and grip the wheel firmly
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B.
Speed up to clear
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C.
Lock the brakes
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D.
Use engine retarder
Correct answer: A.
Buses have large surface area; slow down and steer firmly in wind.
Question 17 of 25 · Rail Crossings
When approaching an unmarked railroad crossing with a bus, you should:
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A.
Stop within 15-50 feet of nearest rail and look and listen
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B.
Drive across without stopping
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C.
Speed up
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D.
Sound the horn
Correct answer: A.
Stop and check before crossing — required for buses by federal rule.
Question 18 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
How should drivers handle weather emergencies?
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A.
Stop in a safe area until conditions improve
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B.
Continue at normal speed
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C.
Drive faster to escape
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D.
Tell passengers to drive
Correct answer: A.
Pull off to safe parking and wait until conditions are safe.
Question 19 of 25 · Boarding
How should drivers handle wheelchair-bound passengers?
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A.
Use the wheelchair lift safely and secure the wheelchair properly
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B.
Refuse to transport them
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C.
Use the lift quickly
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D.
Don't secure the wheelchair
Correct answer: A.
Use the lift correctly and secure the wheelchair before driving.
Question 20 of 25 · Operation
How should drivers handle disruptive passengers?
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A.
Stop in a safe area and ask them to leave
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B.
Engage in argument
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C.
Speed up to scare them
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D.
Ignore them
Correct answer: A.
Stop safely; remove disruptive passengers if necessary, with help from authorities.
Question 21 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What's the safest way to handle a bus on a wet road?
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A.
Reduce speed and increase following distance
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B.
Drive at posted speed
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C.
Use engine retarder constantly
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D.
Lock the brakes
Correct answer: A.
Wet roads need slower speeds and longer following distances.
Question 22 of 25 · CDL Rules
What's the maximum number of standees allowed on a bus?
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A.
Same as seated passengers
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B.
No standees allowed in some buses; check the rules for your vehicle
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C.
Always 10
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D.
Unlimited
Correct answer: B.
Rules vary; some buses allow standees, others don't. Follow your vehicle's rules.
Question 23 of 25 · Rail Crossings
What does the driver do at a railroad crossing?
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A.
Stop within 15-50 feet of the nearest rail and look and listen
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B.
Speed up to clear quickly
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C.
Stop on the tracks
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D.
Drive across without stopping
Correct answer: A.
Stop 15 to 50 feet from nearest rail. Open the door and listen.
Question 24 of 25 · Communication
What's the role of bus signals?
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A.
To communicate with other drivers and passengers
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B.
For decoration
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C.
To attract attention
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D.
To save fuel
Correct answer: A.
Signals communicate intentions to other drivers and passengers.
Question 25 of 25 · Emergencies
How should a driver handle a fire on a bus?
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A.
Pull over, evacuate passengers, attempt to extinguish
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B.
Continue to destination
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C.
Tell passengers to put it out
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D.
Drive faster
Correct answer: A.
Stop safely, evacuate, and try to put out the fire if it is safe.
About the Passenger Transport Test
The Passenger Transport test covers the safe operation of buses and other vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver. Topics include vehicle inspection, loading and trip start, on the road, after-trip vehicle inspection, prohibited practices, and use of brake-door interlocks.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation — Drivers License administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the Passenger Endorsement (P) on your North Dakota CDL, you need to score at least 16 out of 20 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Emergencies: 5 questions
- Operation: 4 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 4 questions
- Inspection: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- Boarding: 2 questions
- Rail Crossings: 2 questions
- Following Distance: 1 question
- Driver Wellness: 1 question
- Communication: 1 question
How to use this practice test
- Read each question carefully. CDL questions are written precisely — small wording differences matter.
- Click "Show Answers & Explanations" only after answering every question. Don't peek mid-test.
- Read the explanation for every question, even ones you got right. The reasoning is more important than the answer.
- Repeat the test until you score 100%. The questions are deterministic per state, so you can track your improvement over multiple sessions.
- Move on to the other endorsement tests for North Dakota until you're ready for the official exam.
Tips specific to the Passenger Transport test
Passenger Transport questions cover bus inspection, loading and trip start, on-road driving, after-trip inspection, and the brake-door interlock. The official test is 20 questions; pay close attention to railroad crossing procedures and the prohibited practices list.