Minnesota Passenger CDL Practice Test

This is a free 20-question practice test for the Passenger portion of the Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services 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 Minnesota.

Question 1 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 2 of 20

A bus driver who is convicted of using the bus to commit a felony or driving under the influence with passengers aboard faces:

No penalty
Permanent disqualification or extended disqualification
A fine only
A warning

Correct. Federal rule: certain offenses (using the CMV in a felony, DUI with passengers) bring extended or permanent disqualification.

Question 3 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 4 of 20

Looking out for passengers boarding through the front door:

Watch for elderly, mobility-limited passengers and those with strollers; offer the kneeling feature if equipped
Rush them
Only watch for adults
Ignore them

Correct. Use the kneeling mechanism, lift, or ramp as needed. Allow time for safe boarding.

Question 5 of 20

A bus that has been in an accident:

Should be inspected before continuing in service
Can continue immediately
Is fine if no passengers complain
Does not require inspection

Correct. Post-accident inspection is required by carrier policy and federal rules. Damage to brakes, suspension, or structure may not be visible without inspection.

Question 6 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 7 of 20

On a bus with a wheelchair lift, you should:

Verify the lift is operating and stowed correctly during pre-trip
Ignore it
Operate it only after passengers complain
Skip the lift

Correct. Test lift operation during pre-trip; verify it stows correctly so it does not interfere with door operation or hit cars during the route.

Question 8 of 20

A bus driver must never:

Refuse to allow standees forward of the standee line
Use turn signals
Honk the horn
Wear a uniform

Correct. You should always enforce the standee line and prohibit standing or sitting in stairwells where they could be ejected in an emergency stop.

Question 9 of 20

Brake retarders or "Jake" brakes on a bus:

Help control speed on long downgrades; some are noisy and locally regulated
Are illegal everywhere
Replace the foot valve
Are decorative

Correct. Engine brakes / retarders help slow the rig on downgrades. Some areas regulate noise from compression brakes.

Question 10 of 20

Bus brake systems require:

The same federal pre-trip air-system check as other commercial vehicles, with attention to bus-specific items (door interlocks, retarders if equipped)
No special check
Hydraulic checks only
Only the parking brake

Correct. Standard air-system check applies. Bus-specific: door safety interlock (door open = vehicle can't move), retarder/exhaust brake operation if equipped.

Question 11 of 20

Driving a bus on slick roads requires:

Lower speed, longer following distance, and gentler steering and braking
Higher speed
Same speed as a car
Only the trailer brake

Correct. Reduce speed, increase following distance, and treat all inputs as if a passenger is standing — they may be.

Question 12 of 20

If a bus is involved in a crash and remains driveable:

Move it to a safe location only if necessary, secure the scene, render aid, notify authorities
Drive home
Continue route
Skip notification

Correct. Move only if needed for safety. Render aid, secure scene with warning devices, notify authorities and dispatch.

Question 13 of 20

After a trip, you should leave the bus:

Clean and ready for the next driver
Untouched
With trash everywhere
With doors open

Correct. Sweep, check for lost items, secure the bus, and complete the post-trip inspection report.

Question 14 of 20

Passenger areas on the bus must:

Be free of obstructions, with clear access to emergency exits
Be packed full
Have blocked exits
Have loose cargo

Correct. Aisles and exits must remain clear during travel. Cargo or carry-on must not block these paths.

Question 15 of 20

Crowd control during boarding:

Manage the line, watch for fare evaders if applicable, ensure passengers are inside before closing the door
Push them aboard
Skip fare collection
Allow boarding while moving

Correct. Boarding is a controlled process. Manage the line, watch for safe fare collection, ensure all passengers are aboard before closing the door.

Question 16 of 20

When approaching a stop where passengers will board, you should:

Slow gradually, signal, stop at the curb, set the parking brake, open the door
Stop suddenly
Drive past
Honk the horn

Correct. Plan the stop, signal, decelerate smoothly, stop at the curb, set the parking brake before opening the door — interlock should prevent door opening unless brake is set.

Question 17 of 20

After accepting passengers, the driver should:

Verify all are seated or behind the standee line, doors closed, parking brake released, then proceed
Move immediately
Wait until all are standing
Use only the trailer brake

Correct. Verify safety: all seated or behind line, doors closed, brake released, then proceed.

Question 18 of 20

When carrying medical or fragile cargo with passengers (e.g., lab specimens):

Only allowed when small quantity, packaged correctly, and stored in baggage area
Allowed in any quantity
Allowed in the cab
Always prohibited

Correct. Some emergency medical and lab shipments are allowed under tight conditions: small quantity, proper packaging, baggage-area storage, with carrier approval.

Question 19 of 20

You should report any safety concerns about the bus:

Immediately to the carrier — never delay
Only at the end of the day
Only weekly
Never

Correct. Report safety issues immediately. Document with the daily driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR).

Question 20 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.

About the Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services 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 Minnesota CDL practice tests.