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Exam Review

Key Facts: DC CDL Passenger Exam

80%

Minimum passing score on each CDL knowledge test

49 CFR 383.135

60 minutes

DC time limit for CDL endorsement tests

DC DMV CDL Knowledge Tests page

30 days

Minimum learner permit hold before the DC road test

DC DMV CDL Road Skills Tests page

$10

Fee per CDL knowledge test

DC DMV Driver License Fees

15 to 50 ft

Bus stopping distance from a railroad crossing

DC CDL Manual Section 4.3; 49 CFR 392.10

The DC Passenger (P) knowledge test covers Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual and is given in English only, with a 60-minute limit and an 80% federal pass standard; DC DMV does not publish the question count. Key rules: no recapped or regrooved front tires on a bus, no more than 500 pounds of allowed hazmat (100 per class), stop 15 to 50 feet from railroad crossings and at least 50 feet before an unattended drawbridge, and hold the learner permit 30 calendar days before the road test.

Sample DC CDL Passenger Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DC CDL Passenger exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 224+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1You are taking over a bus and the previous driver's inspection report lists a defect. When does Section 4 of the DC CDL Manual say you should sign that report?
A.Before your walk-around, to show the carrier you received the bus
B.Only after you personally road-test the bus for at least one mile
C.Only after the defect is certified as repaired or as not needing repair
D.As soon as the dispatcher tells you the bus is cleared to leave
Explanation: Section 4.1 says to review the inspection report made by the previous driver and sign it only if defects reported earlier have been certified as repaired or not needed to be repaired. Your signature certifies that the reported defects were dealt with.
2What does the DC CDL Manual say about recapped or regrooved tires on the front wheels of a bus?
A.They are allowed only on buses that carry no standing riders
B.They are allowed if each groove has at least 4/32 inch of tread
C.They are not allowed on the front wheels of a bus
D.They are allowed if both front tires are the same brand and size
Explanation: Section 4.1 lists tires among the systems to check and says front wheels must not have recapped or regrooved tires. Section 2.1 repeats that re-grooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels of a bus are prohibited.
3What minimum tread depth does Section 2 of the DC CDL Manual give for tires?
A.2/32 inch on front tires and 4/32 inch on all other tires
B.4/32 inch on front tires and 2/32 inch on other tires
C.4/32 inch on every tire on the vehicle
D.6/32 inch on front tires and 4/32 inch on other tires
Explanation: Section 2.1 says you need at least 4/32-inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires and 2/32 inch on other tires. No fabric should show through the tread or sidewall.
4A bus uses circuit breakers instead of fuses. Which item from the Section 4 emergency equipment list does it NOT need to carry?
A.Spare electrical fuses
B.The emergency reflectors required by law
C.A working seat belt for the driver's seat
D.The fire extinguisher required by law
Explanation: Section 4.1 says the bus must have the fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors required by law, and must also have spare electrical fuses unless it is equipped with circuit breakers. Circuit breakers remove only the spare-fuse requirement.
5Which group lists only items that Section 4 says must be in safe working condition during the bus interior check?
A.Handholds and railings, individual reading lights, seat-back pockets, and the public address microphone
B.Handholds and railings, floor covering, signaling devices, and emergency exit handles
C.Floor covering, window curtains, overhead racks, and the fare box
D.Emergency exit handles, cup holders, reading lights, and floor covering
Explanation: Section 4.1 lists each handhold and railing, the floor covering, signaling devices (including the restroom emergency buzzer if there is a restroom), and emergency exit handles. It also says aisles and stairwells should always be clear and all seats must be securely fastened.
6Your bus has a restroom. Which signaling device does Section 4 specifically say you must check?
A.The restroom emergency buzzer
B.A smoke detector in the restroom wired to the dashboard
C.A driver-controlled lock on the restroom door
D.The restroom exhaust fan and its separate breaker
Explanation: Section 4.1 lists signaling devices among the interior parts that must work, including the restroom emergency buzzer if the bus has a restroom. That buzzer lets a rider in the restroom call for help.
7A coach you are taking out tonight has a red light over its emergency door. Under the DC manual, when should that light be on?
A.Only when someone opens the emergency door
B.Only while riders are boarding or leaving the bus
C.At night or any other time you use your outside lights
D.Only when the bus is parked with riders on board
Explanation: Section 4.1 says the Emergency Exit sign on an emergency door must be clearly visible, and if there is a red emergency door light it must work. Turn it on at night or any other time you use your outside lights.
8On a hot afternoon, riders ask you to open the emergency roof hatches. Which practice does the DC manual permit?
A.They must stay fully closed except during an evacuation drill
B.They may be left fully open whenever the air conditioning fails
C.Some may be locked partly open for fresh air, but not as a regular practice
D.They may be propped fully open with a cargo strap on short local trips in warm weather
Explanation: Section 4.1 says you may lock some emergency roof hatches in a partly open position for fresh air, but you should not leave them open as a regular practice. Keep the bus's higher clearance in mind while driving with them open.
9You are driving with an emergency roof hatch locked partly open. What extra risk does Section 4 tell you to keep in mind?
A.The interlock will hold the throttle at idle
B.The low air pressure warning may come on early
C.Riders may no longer use the side emergency windows
D.The bus now needs more overhead clearance than usual
Explanation: Section 4.1 tells you to keep in mind the bus's higher clearance while driving with roof hatches open. A raised hatch can strike low bridges, canopies, or branches.
10During your outside check you find an open baggage door and an open restroom service panel. What does Section 4 tell you to do?
A.Leave the baggage door unlatched so the next stop goes faster
B.Close only the panels on the curb side of the bus
C.Close any open emergency exits and access panels before driving
D.Leave the service panel open until the end of the shift
Explanation: Section 4.1 says that as you check the outside of the bus, close any open emergency exits and any open access panels (for baggage, restroom service, engine, and so on) before driving.

About the DC CDL Passenger Exam

The DC CDL Passenger Vehicles Endorsement Test is the DC DMV knowledge test for drivers of commercial vehicles designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the operator. It draws on Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual: bus inspection, baggage and hazardous materials limits, the standee line, passenger supervision, curves, railroad and drawbridge stops, after-trip reports, and prohibited practices. OpenExamPrep offers this free, independent practice bank for those topics and the DC DMV licensing rules that apply to bus drivers.

Exam sponsor: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

DC Passenger (P) applicants take the CDL General Knowledge test and a Passenger knowledge test on Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual (plus the Section 5 air brakes test if the bus has air brakes) in English at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Center. After holding the learner permit at least 30 calendar days and completing ELDT, they take the road skills test in the class of bus they will drive; a Class B test bus brings the M restriction and a Class C bus the N restriction. This bank is independent English-language multiple-choice practice by OpenExamPrep, not an official DC DMV test copy or simulation, and it does not replace the skills test.

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

80% (federal minimum, 49 CFR 383.135)

Exam / Certification Fees

$10 per knowledge test; $20 endorsement; $78 CLP; $117 CDL

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Manual Sections 4.1 and 2.1

Bus Inspection

Previous driver's report, front tires, emergency equipment, interior items, emergency exits, roof hatches, and the hydraulic brake check.

Manual Section 4.2

Loading and Hazardous Materials

Baggage securement, allowed and forbidden hazardous materials, quantity limits, the standee line, and stop announcements.

Manual Sections 4.3 and 2.15

On the Road and Crossings

Passenger supervision, disruptive riders, common crashes, curves, railroad crossing stops and exceptions, and drawbridges.

Manual Sections 4.4 to 4.6

After-Trip Inspection and Prohibited Practices

After-trip reports, fueling, distractions, towing a disabled bus, and brake-door interlocks.

Manual Section 2

Driving Safely

Warning devices, seeing, stopping and following distance, slippery roads, turns, clearance, night, fog, and downgrades.

DC DMV pages; 49 CFR Part 383

DC Licensing Rules

Test language and time limits, retests, fees, CLP restrictions, the 30-day CLP hold, M and N restrictions, ELDT, and the intrastate CDL.

Preparing for the DC CDL Passenger Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (federal minimum, 49 CFR 383.135)
  • Assessment: DC Passenger (P) applicants take the CDL General Knowledge test and a Passenger knowledge test on Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual (plus the Section 5 air brakes test if the bus has air brakes) in English at the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Center. After holding the learner permit at least 30 calendar days and completing ELDT, they take the road skills test in the class of bus they will drive; a Class B test bus brings the M restriction and a Class C bus the N restriction. This bank is independent English-language multiple-choice practice by OpenExamPrep, not an official DC DMV test copy or simulation, and it does not replace the skills test.
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $10 per knowledge test; $20 endorsement; $78 CLP; $117 CDL Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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  • Review every answer and explanation
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DC CDL Passenger: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual (2005 CDL Testing System, July 2014 version); if your bus has air brakes, add Section 5.
2Memorize the Section 4 numbers: 500 pounds total and 100 pounds per class of allowed hazmat, a two-inch standee line, 15 to 50 feet at railroad crossings, and 50 feet before an unattended drawbridge.
3Know the exceptions: you may slow down instead of stopping at streetcar crossings, where a flagman directs traffic, at a green signal, or at crossings marked exempt or abandoned.
4Learn the Section 2 numbers too: warning devices within 10 minutes, one second per 10 feet of following distance, and slowing by about one-third on wet roads.
5Plan for DC rules: English-only testing, a 60-minute limit, a three-day retest wait, and a 30-day learner permit hold before the road test.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the DC CDL Passenger test, and what score passes?

DC DMV does not publish the number of questions. Federal rule 49 CFR 383.135 requires at least 80% correct on every CDL knowledge test, so aim for that standard across Sections 2 and 4 of the DC CDL Manual.

How long do I have for the DC Passenger test, and in what language is it given?

DC DMV lists a 60-minute limit for CDL endorsement tests (90 minutes for General Knowledge), and exceeding the limit counts as a failure. All DC CDL knowledge tests are in English only.

Where do I take DC CDL knowledge tests?

DC DMV sends CDL applicants to the Deanwood Road Test/CDL Center at 1421 Kenilworth Avenue NE with their required documents. CDL road skills tests use the DC DMV Commercial Driver License Road Test Lot at 3000 Pennsy Drive in Landover, Maryland.

What does the DC Passenger endorsement cost?

DC DMV charges $10 per CDL knowledge test and $20 to add an endorsement. The commercial driver learner permit is $78 and the CDL is $117. Card payments carry a 2.5% service fee, and the Deanwood office does not take cash.

What happens if I fail?

You must wait three calendar days and may retest on the fourth day; DC DMV's example is fail on Tuesday, retest Saturday. If you fail six times within 12 months, you cannot take a seventh test until 12 months after the first failure.

How long must I hold my DC learner permit before the road test?

DC DMV requires you to hold the learner permit at least 30 calendar days before you can schedule a CDL road skills test, longer than the 14-day federal minimum. A P endorsement on a learner permit also bars carrying passengers other than examiners, inspectors, other trainees, and your accompanying CDL holder.

Is this an official DC DMV practice test?

No. This is independent practice by OpenExamPrep, written in English multiple-choice format from the DC CDL Manual, DC DMV pages, and 49 CFR Part 383. It is a study aid, not an official DC DMV test copy or simulation, and it does not replace the road skills test.