A Texas passenger vehicle is not Class A or B and is designed for 20 people including the driver. Which CDL class applies?
Correct answer: Class C
Texas places passenger vehicles designed for 16–23 people, including the driver, in commercial Class C when they do not meet Class A or B criteria. Passenger authorization is also needed.
Source: Texas DPS CDL application: Class C, 16–23 persons including driver ↗
Which Texas CDL class includes a bus designed for 24 or more people, including its driver?
Correct answer: Class B
Texas Class B includes vehicles designed for at least 24 people including the driver. Testing in a bus under 26,001 pounds GVWR results in a corresponding bus weight restriction.
Source: Texas DPS CDL application: Class B passenger capacity and test-vehicle restriction ↗
Which handbook sections must a passenger-endorsement applicant study and test on?
Correct answer: Sections 2 and 4, plus Section 5 if the bus has air brakes
Passenger applicants need general knowledge and passenger material, plus air brakes when applicable.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Knowledge tests ↗
Who may ride in a passenger CMV operated by a CLP holder with a P endorsement?
Correct answer: Only authorized auditors, inspectors, examiners, trainees, and the accompanying CDL holder
A passenger-endorsed CLP holder cannot transport ordinary passengers.
Source: 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(i): permitted occupants with passenger-endorsed CLP ↗
When should a driver sign the previous bus driver’s inspection report?
Correct answer: After reported defects are certified repaired or repair is certified unnecessary
The signature certifies that previously reported defects were addressed.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Prior inspection report ↗
Which pair of tire types does the Texas passenger chapter prohibit on bus front wheels?
Correct answer: Recapped or regrooved tires
Section 4.1.1 specifically lists recapped and regrooved tires as prohibited on the front wheels. Use compliant tires and check their condition before driving.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Tires ↗
A blown fuse disables required bus lighting. Under federal CMV rules, does removal of the spare-fuse carriage requirement allow the driver to ignore the defect?
Correct answer: No; required lighting must still be in good working order
The federal spare-fuse carriage requirement ended April 20, 2026, but the duty to keep required electrical equipment working remains. This does not remove separate state or employer requirements.
Source: 49 CFR 392.7(a): required lighting in good working order; spare-fuse amendment 91 FR 7877 effective April 20, 2026 ↗
What should be done with exterior baggage, restroom-service, engine, and emergency-exit panels before driving?
Correct answer: Close and secure them
Open access doors and panels must be closed before the bus moves.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Access panels ↗
Which interior condition is required before carrying passengers?
Correct answer: Aisles and stairwells are clear and seats are securely fastened
Clear paths and secure, functioning interior equipment protect riders.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Bus interior ↗
What must a driver verify about emergency exits?
Correct answer: They operate easily, are correctly marked, and required alarms work
Emergency exits need clear markings, proper operation, and functioning warning devices.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Emergency exits ↗
What extra hazard exists when an emergency roof hatch is partly open for ventilation?
Correct answer: The bus has greater clearance height
An open hatch increases the vehicle height and should not be left open routinely.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Roof hatches ↗
How must carry-on baggage be stored?
Correct answer: So aisles and exits remain clear and items cannot fall or shift onto riders
Baggage must not obstruct movement or emergency escape and must be secured.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 78: Baggage ↗
What marking should alert a bus driver that baggage may contain hazardous material?
Correct answer: A four-inch diamond-shaped hazard label
Hazard classes use diamond-shaped labels; do not carry the material unless the rules allow it.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 78: Hazard labels ↗
Which material may never be carried by a bus in the passenger compartment?
Correct answer: Labeled radioactive material
Labeled radioactive material and explosives other than allowed small-arms ammunition are forbidden in occupied space.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 78: Forbidden HazMat ↗
Under 49 CFR 177.870(e), what weight limits apply to otherwise permitted non-explosive HazMat on a for-hire passenger vehicle, excluding the refrigerant exception?
Correct answer: 225 kg (496 lb) combined and 45 kg (99 lb) per hazard class
These are the federal gross-weight limits for permitted materials other than Class 1 explosives. They are not blanket permission to carry HazMat. The regulation has a separate motor-carrier refrigerant exception; use its exact limits, not rounded handbook figures.
Source: 49 CFR 177.870(e): Passenger-vehicle non-explosive HazMat weight limits ↗
Which item should a rider not be allowed to bring onto a bus?
Correct answer: A car battery or container of gasoline
Common unlabeled hazards such as car batteries and gasoline are not allowed.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 78: Passenger hazards ↗
Where must standing passengers remain on a bus designed for standees?
Correct answer: Behind the standee line at the rear of the driver’s seat
No rider may stand forward of the rear of the driver seat.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 78: Standee line ↗
When may a bus driver pull away after passengers board?
Correct answer: After they are safely aboard and have time to sit or brace themselves
Smooth departure after riders are stable helps prevent falls and injuries.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Loading safety ↗
Where should an intoxicated or disruptive rider be discharged?
Correct answer: At a safe place such as a scheduled stop or well-lit populated area
The driver remains responsible for that rider’s safety and the safety of others.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Disruptive riders ↗
What should a bus driver assume when signaling to leave a stop?
Correct answer: Other drivers may not yield, so wait for a sufficient gap
Know the gap needed to accelerate and merge; never rely on others to create it.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Leaving a stop ↗
What does a bus leaning toward the outside of a banked curve indicate?
Correct answer: The bus is traveling too fast
A posted curve speed suitable for cars may still roll or slide a bus.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4.3.4, PDF page 79: banked curves ↗
What should a bus driver do with the driver-seat safety belt?
Correct answer: Wear it while driving
The passenger chapter instructs drivers to use the driver-seat belt. Passenger seating arrangements do not remove the driver’s need for restraint.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 77: Convex mirrors ↗
When a bus must stop at a railroad crossing, how far from the nearest rail should it stop?
Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, then look and listen before proceeding. Some crossings have legal stopping exceptions; do not treat the distance rule as permission to ignore signals or an approaching train.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Railroad crossings ↗
Where must a bus stop at a drawbridge without a signal light or traffic-control attendant?
Correct answer: At least 50 feet before the draw
Stop at least 50 feet away and confirm the draw is fully closed before crossing.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Drawbridges ↗
What is the correct use of a transit bus brake-door interlock?
Correct answer: Treat it as a safety feature, not a substitute for the parking brake
The interlock applies brakes and holds idle with the rear door open, but does not replace the parking brake.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 80: Brake-door interlock ↗
Why inspect the passenger compartment again at the end of a bus shift?
Correct answer: Riders may have damaged safety equipment during service
Check and report problems so they can be addressed before the bus returns to service.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: After-trip inspection ↗
Under current federal 49 CFR 396.11, must a bus driver prepare a written inspection report when no defect was discovered or reported?
Correct answer: No, this federal rule does not require a no-defect report
The current federal rule exempts no-defect reports. Report safety or breakdown-related defects when required; separate state or employer requirements may still apply. The older handbook wording is superseded for this federal question.
Source: 49 CFR 396.11(a)(2)(i), current September 10, 2026 ↗
May a bus be refueled inside a closed building with riders aboard?
Correct answer: No
Do not refuel in a closed building with passengers aboard. Avoid passenger-onboard refueling generally unless necessary.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Refueling ↗
Passengers cannot safely get off a disabled bus where it stopped. If towing with riders is necessary, how far should the bus be moved?
Correct answer: Only to the nearest safe place to discharge them
The exception is to reach a safe unloading place, not continue ordinary service with riders aboard.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 80: Disabled bus ↗
A rider wants to discuss a complicated complaint while you are driving. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep attention on driving and handle it when safely stopped
Passenger discussions must not distract the driver from controlling the bus.
Source: Texas DL-7C, March 2026, section 4, PDF page 79: Driver distraction ↗
