North Dakota Passenger CDL Practice Test

This is a free 20-question practice test for the Passenger portion of the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation Drivers 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 North Dakota.

Question 1 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 2 of 20

A "passenger vehicle" requiring a P endorsement is generally:

Any commercial vehicle
A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver
A vehicle that carries cargo
A school bus only

Correct. The P endorsement is required for any commercial motor vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver.

Question 3 of 20

Where must hazardous materials that are allowed on a bus be carried?

Inside the passenger area
Only in the baggage compartment, never in the passenger area
On the dashboard
In the cab with the driver

Correct. When allowed at all, the small quantities of hazmat permitted on buses must be in the baggage compartment, separated from passengers.

Question 4 of 20

The "standee line" on a bus marks:

Where standees may not pass while the bus is in motion (typically 2 feet behind the driver)
The middle aisle
The rear emergency exit
The fuel-fill location

Correct. On buses with a standee line, passengers may not stand forward of the line while the bus is moving. The line keeps standees clear of the driver and exit doors.

Question 5 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 6 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 7 of 20

You may NOT carry which of the following on a passenger bus?

Small-arms ammunition, hospital supplies in emergency
Class 2.3 (poison gas) or Class 7 (radioactive) above small quantities, tear gas, explosives other than small arms ammunition
Driver's personal luggage
Mail

Correct. Buses cannot carry Class 2.3 poison gases, most Class 7 radioactive materials, tear gas, or most Class 1 explosives. Small-arms ammunition and certain emergency shipments may be allowed.

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 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 10 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 11 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 12 of 20

When approaching a school bus that has its red flashing lights on:

Stop and wait until the lights are turned off and the school bus moves
Pass on the left
Pass on the right
Continue at speed

Correct. When a school bus is loading or unloading children with red flashers on, all approaching vehicles (with limited exceptions for divided highways) must stop.

Question 13 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 14 of 20

Maximum passenger capacity is determined by:

Vehicle manufacturer's rating and seating configuration
The driver's preference
The weather
The route

Correct. Manufacturer rating + seating config = maximum allowed passengers. Standees (where allowed) are capped by the standee-line capacity.

Question 15 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 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

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 18 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 19 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 20 of 20

When you are about to leave a stop with passengers aboard, you should:

Confirm doors are closed, mirror-check for late-boarding passengers and pedestrians, then proceed slowly
Move quickly
Use only the trailer brake
Skip the mirror check

Correct. Doors closed, mirrors check, slow gentle start. Late-boarders and pedestrians are common at busy stops.

About the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation Drivers 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 North Dakota CDL practice tests.