25 realistic Passenger Transport practice questions for Washington CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers of vehicles designed for 16+ passengers. Official test: 20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 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 3 of 25 · Operation
What is "brake-door interlock"?
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A.
A system that prevents the bus from moving when the door is open
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B.
A safety lock on the brakes
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C.
A type of door
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D.
A driver fatigue device
Correct answer: A.
Brake-door interlock keeps the brakes applied while the door is open.
Question 4 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 5 of 25 · CDL Rules
What's the maximum weight a bus driver can transport without special permits?
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A.
Limits depend on vehicle and state regulations
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B.
Always 10,000 lbs
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C.
No limit
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D.
Always 50,000 lbs
Correct answer: A.
Weight limits depend on vehicle type and state law.
Question 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 of 25 · Boarding
When passengers are exiting the bus:
-
A.
Wait until they are clear before moving
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B.
Move slowly while they exit
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C.
Close the door immediately
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D.
Drive away
Correct answer: A.
Wait until passengers are clear of the door before moving.
Question 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 of 25 · Inspection
What's the importance of the driver's pre-trip inspection?
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A.
To identify defects before driving
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B.
To ensure passenger safety
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C.
To comply with regulations
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Pre-trip inspection finds defects, ensures safety, and meets legal requirements.
Question 15 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 16 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
How should drivers handle blind spots on a bus?
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A.
Use mirrors carefully and check before changing lanes
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B.
Ignore blind spots
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C.
Drive in the middle lane
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D.
Use only the driver's side mirror
Correct answer: A.
Buses have large blind spots; check both mirrors and look over your shoulder.
Question 17 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What's the safest way to handle a bus on icy roads?
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A.
Slow down and increase following distance
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B.
Drive at posted speed
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C.
Use chains
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Reduced speed, more space, and chains where required minimize ice risk.
Question 18 of 25 · Hours of Service
What's the importance of the driver's log book?
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A.
To track hours of service
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B.
To prove compliance with regulations
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C.
To identify rest periods
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Logs document compliance with hours of service and rest requirements.
Question 19 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 20 of 25 · Operation
How should drivers handle disturbances on a bus?
-
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 21 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.
Question 22 of 25 · Communication
What's the proper way to communicate with passengers?
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A.
Clear announcements about stops, safety, and any issues
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B.
Don't communicate
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C.
Yell at passengers
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D.
Use only hand signals
Correct answer: A.
Clear announcements keep passengers informed and improve safety.
Question 23 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
How should drivers handle a bus in heavy wind?
-
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 24 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 25 of 25 · Inspection
Before driving a bus, you must inspect:
-
A.
Passenger seats and aisles
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B.
Emergency exits and signals
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C.
Wheelchair lifts if equipped
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Inspect seats, aisles, exits, signals, and any specialized equipment.
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 Washington Department of Licensing administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the Passenger Endorsement (P) on your Washington CDL, you need to score at least 16 out of 20 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Adverse Conditions: 5 questions
- Operation: 4 questions
- Inspection: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 3 questions
- Boarding: 2 questions
- Communication: 2 questions
- Emergencies: 2 questions
- Following Distance: 1 question
- Hazard Awareness: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 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 Washington 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.