Maryland Passenger CDL Practice Test
Below are 25 exam-style questions for the Maryland Passenger CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Try to answer each question on your own before reading the answer key directly under it. The questions and answer choices are shuffled deterministically per state and endorsement, so the order will stay the same on repeat visits — that lets you genuinely measure your improvement.
- A Keep the front aisle clear of items
- B All of the above
- C Keep the doorway clear when in motion
- D Keep the emergency exit areas clear
- A Skip the four-way flashers
- B Honk the horn at every stop
- C Maintain speed in traffic
- D Use mirrors to clear the area before pulling out
- A Verify all emergency equipment functions before each trip
- B Have working emergency exit signs
- C Carry an updated list of passengers, when required by carrier or law
- D All of the above
- A All of the above
- B Missing safety equipment
- C Cracked windshield within the wiper area
- D Brakes that do not pass the brake test
- A Run from the bus first
- B Honk continuously
- C Remain calm, give clear instructions, and supervise the evacuation
- D Open all doors and windows
- A Using a hand-held mobile phone
- B Talking with passengers
- C Wearing prescription glasses
- D Having coffee
- A Speed up
- B Cover the brake and slow down
- C Maintain speed
- D Honk loudly
- A Start moving as the last passenger boards
- B Wait for all passengers to be safely aboard before beginning to move
- C Press the accelerator slightly
- D Close the door immediately
- A Passenger seat numbers only
- B Emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and reflective triangles
- C Fuel gauge only
- D Bus depot phone
- A Increase speed
- B Brake within the curve
- C Maintain speed
- D Slow down before entering the curve
- A Given a discount
- B Pushed off the bus immediately
- C Warned, and if interference continues, the driver may put them off in a safe location
- D Ignored
- A The bus is full
- B All passengers have a seat or are properly braced behind the standee line
- C The bus is empty
- D The dispatcher says so
- A GOAL — Get Out And Look — and use a helper if available
- B Back without help to save time
- C Honk and back rapidly
- D Have a passenger guide you
- A Tires and wheels
- B Brakes, steering, exhaust, signaling devices
- C All of the above
- D Emergency exits
- A Allow space for passengers to board safely
- B Block the crosswalk
- C Park in the bicycle lane
- D Stop at the rear of the stop area
- A Tell only the front passengers
- B Post a note
- C Use the public-address system or speak clearly so all passengers can hear
- D Skip the announcement
- A Secure the device per training and manufacturer's instructions before moving
- B Allow the passenger to ride unsecured
- C Move while securement is in progress
- D Skip securement on short trips
- A Apply brakes heavily
- B Increase speed
- C Coast in neutral
- D Use a low gear and steady moderate brake application to control speed
- A Must not carry placarded hazmat
- B Can carry hazmat at off-peak times
- C Can carry placarded hazmat anyway
- D Can carry only Class 9 hazmat
- A Items that block emergency exits
- B All of the above
- C Improperly packaged hazmat
- D Tear-gas canisters and other irritating materials
- A Drive only forward
- B Use the side mirrors and add extra caution before backing or moving
- C Tape over the mirrors
- D Don't worry about it
- A A current medical card
- B A pre-trip inspection completed
- C An out-of-service brake or other safety defect
- D Working emergency exits
- A Lowers the entry to make boarding easier for passengers
- B Tilts the bus for cornering
- C Reduces fuel use
- D Engages the parking brake
- A Speed to the destination
- B Continue to the next scheduled stop
- C Pull over safely, assess the situation, and call for help if needed
- D Wait until the end of the trip
- A Walking the bus to check for sleeping or remaining passengers and items left behind
- B Refueling
- C Removing the seats
- D Cleaning the windshield
Study tips for the Maryland Passenger exam
The Passenger portion of the Maryland CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the Passenger chapter of the Maryland CDL handbook, which itself is derived from the FMCSA Model Commercial Driver's License Manual. That means studying our practice tests, reading the corresponding handbook chapter, and re-reading the parts you got wrong is genuinely the most efficient route to a first-time pass.
Most successful applicants follow a simple cycle: take the practice test cold, write down every question you missed, open the matching chapter of the official Maryland handbook, re-read the section that contains the right answer, then re-take the practice test 24 to 48 hours later. The 24-hour delay matters — sleep is when your brain commits new information to long-term memory, and CDL knowledge questions reward that kind of consolidated learning rather than cramming.
Pay particular attention to questions that include qualifier words like always, never, only, primary, or most. CDL test writers love to flip the right answer with a single qualifier. When two answer choices look almost identical, pay attention to the verb (is it must, should, or may?) and to any numbers (14 days, 100 air miles, 8 hours, 70/8 split). On endorsement tests in particular, watch for trick framing where a true statement about a different endorsement is offered as the "correct" answer to a question that is actually about Passenger.
Test-day logistics matter too. Bring photo ID, your Social Security card or birth certificate, your medical examiner's certificate (DOT card), and proof of state residency if you haven't already submitted those documents. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will not let you sit for the knowledge exam without your documentation, and most offices charge an additional fee for re-attempts. Arrive early — the wait at most CDL testing offices runs 30 to 60 minutes — and silence your phone before the exam begins.
Finally, keep your General Knowledge fundamentals sharp even when you're focused on the Passenger exam. Many states administer multiple knowledge tests in a single sitting, and questions on weight definitions (GVWR, GCWR, GAWR), stopping distance, and the pre-trip inspection routine show up across endorsements. If you're unsure on the basics, sit a fresh Maryland General Knowledge practice test before scheduling the real exam.
Next steps
Missed more than four questions? Re-read the Passenger study guide and the matching chapter in the official Maryland CDL handbook. Then come back and re-take the test. Once you can score 22 of 25 or higher on three runs in a row, you're in good shape to schedule the real exam at your local Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration office.
Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: MD General Knowledge · MD Air Brakes · MD Combination Vehicles · MD Hazardous Materials · MD School Bus · MD Tank Vehicle · MD Doubles / Triples
New to the CDL process in Maryland? Read How to apply for a CDL in Maryland for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.