Alabama Passenger CDL Practice Test

This is a free 20-question practice test for the Passenger portion of the Alabama Commercial Driver's License knowledge exam. Questions are pulled from a pool of 58 drawn from the AAMVA CDL Manual, which is the source document the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Division uses to write its actual exam.

How it works: Click an answer. The correct choice highlights in green, and you'll see a short explanation. Aim for 85% or better before you sit for the real test in Alabama.

Question 1 of 20

Which of the following is part of the bus pre-trip inspection?

Passenger seat condition, emergency exits, signaling devices, kneeling mechanism, wheelchair lift if equipped
Only the engine
Only the brakes
Only the lights

Correct. Bus inspection includes all standard items plus passenger-area items: seats, emergency exits, signaling devices, kneeling/lift equipment, fire extinguisher.

Question 2 of 20

Stops requiring extra caution:

School zones, construction zones, intersections, slick roads
None of the above
Empty highways
Long straightaways

Correct. Anywhere with pedestrians, reduced visibility, or reduced control demands extra attention.

Question 3 of 20

When discharging passengers in a heavy traffic area:

Choose a safe stop where passengers can step to a sidewalk or safe area; never discharge into traffic
Stop in any lane
Stop suddenly
Have passengers jump

Correct. Always discharge to a safe pedestrian area. Never to a travel lane or unsafe shoulder.

Question 4 of 20

When approaching a drawbridge, a bus must:

Stop at least 50 feet before the draw — unless there is a traffic light or attendant — and proceed only when you can do so safely
Cross at full speed
Honk the horn
Reverse

Correct. Stop at least 50 feet before any drawbridge. The exception is if there is a traffic-signal light or an attendant directing traffic, or the bridge has been closed and locked.

Question 5 of 20

Most bus injuries during a trip happen because of:

Driver hitting another vehicle
Sudden stops, sharp turns, and quick lane changes throwing passengers
Engine failure
Fuel issues

Correct. Standing or unbelted passengers are vulnerable to abrupt motion. Smooth driving prevents most in-bus injuries.

Question 6 of 20

Buses must stop at every railroad crossing:

Yes, with limited exceptions (industrial switching tracks in city traffic, abandoned tracks, streetcar tracks)
No, never
Only at night
Only if a train is in sight

Correct. Buses, school buses, and placarded hazmat vehicles must stop at every railroad crossing 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, with narrow exceptions.

Question 7 of 20

Buses transporting children on field trips:

Follow standard bus rules unless they are school buses, which have additional rules
Are unregulated
Have no inspection
Have no driver requirements

Correct. School buses have stricter rules including the S endorsement. A motorcoach used for a field trip follows the standard P rules.

Question 8 of 20

When stopping at a railroad crossing, the bus must stop:

On the rails
Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
Anywhere within 100 feet
Only if a train is heard

Correct. Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail. Look both ways and listen before proceeding.

Question 9 of 20

A bus driver may carry, in the baggage compartment, certain hazardous materials in small quantities except:

Class 1 explosives (other than small arms), Division 6.1 PIH, Class 7 radioactives above limited quantities, and tear gas
Letters and parcels
Personal luggage
Driver's tools

Correct. Strict prohibitions for buses include Class 1 explosives (other than small-arms ammunition), Division 6.1 PIH, most Class 7 radioactives, and tear gas.

Question 10 of 20

When a bus has standees, the driver should:

Drive smoothly, accelerate and brake gently, take corners with care
Drive aggressively
Brake hard at every stop
Ignore standees

Correct. Standees can fall in any sudden movement. Drive smoothly to keep them safe.

Question 11 of 20

Carry-on baggage on a bus may be:

Stored anywhere
Stored in overhead racks or under seats — never blocking aisles or emergency exits
Stored in the aisle
Held in your lap

Correct. Carry-on must not block the aisle, the emergency exit, or the doorway. Use overhead racks or under-seat space.

Question 12 of 20

A passenger vehicle drove with people standing forward of the standee line. This is:

Acceptable
Prohibited — standees may not be forward of the line while the vehicle is in motion
Required
Encouraged

Correct. Standees forward of the line are at risk in emergency stops or sudden braking. Enforce the line.

Question 13 of 20

A bus driver who picks up a passenger between scheduled stops:

Is permitted in all cases
Must follow the carrier's policy and applicable regulations — many companies prohibit unscheduled pickups
Should always accept
Should always refuse

Correct. Carrier policy and regulations govern unscheduled stops. Most companies prohibit them for safety and liability reasons.

Question 14 of 20

When fueling a bus:

Generally without passengers aboard; follow carrier policy if passengers must remain
Always with passengers
Always with smokers
Only at high speed

Correct. Most carriers require passengers to deboard during fueling for safety. Follow company policy.

Question 15 of 20

When you stop a bus, you should:

Stop smoothly to avoid throwing standing passengers off-balance
Stop suddenly
Use only the parking brake
Stop on a hill always

Correct. Smooth stops protect standing passengers and reduce surge for seated ones. Plan stops in advance.

Question 16 of 20

Discharging passengers should be done:

Only at safe locations — paved curb, off the road, away from traffic
Anywhere
In the middle of an intersection
Only on highways

Correct. Stop at designated stops or safe pull-offs. Never discharge into a travel lane.

Question 17 of 20

A bus driver should:

Refuse boarding to obviously intoxicated passengers if they pose a danger
Carry any passenger
Carry only adults
Only carry seated passengers

Correct. Carriers may refuse boarding for safety reasons (intoxication, weapons, threatening behavior). Document and report such refusals.

Question 18 of 20

When a passenger is disorderly:

Pull over at a safe location, follow the carrier's procedure, request assistance from law enforcement if needed
Argue with them
Speed up
Drive faster

Correct. Driver safety first: pull off safely, follow company policy, request help from authorities if the situation warrants.

Question 19 of 20

When carrying live animals (where allowed):

Comply with carrier rules; many carriers permit only service animals in the passenger area
Always allowed in any class
Always prohibited
Only at night

Correct. Service animals are required by ADA. Other animals depend on carrier policy and applicable regulations.

Question 20 of 20

You discover an emergency exit that does not function. You should:

Carry passengers anyway
Place the bus out of service until the exit is repaired
Tape it shut
Ignore it

Correct. A non-functional emergency exit puts passengers at risk. The bus is out of service until repaired.

About the Alabama Passenger exam

Most states administer 20 Passenger questions and require 80% to pass. The exam covers passenger safety, vehicle inspection, loading and unloading, prohibited cargo, emergency exits, and conduct expected of a passenger-vehicle operator. A separate skills test in a representative passenger vehicle is also required.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Division follows the federal CDL standards established by FMCSA. To earn the Passenger credential, you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly. Many candidates score lower the first time because the test pulls from a large pool — refreshing this page will give you a different mix of questions, drawn from the same authoritative source.

Want more practice? Try the full Passenger question bank or browse all Alabama CDL practice tests.