Cargo that blocks emergency exits

ND · P Endorsement

North Dakota Passenger CDL Practice Test

Below are 25 exam-style questions for the North Dakota Passenger CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. 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.

Heads up: this is a study tool, not a graded exam. Cover the answer with your hand or a sheet of paper for an honest practice run, then re-read the explanations for any questions you missed. Aim for 22 out of 25 or better, three times in a row, before scheduling the real exam.

Question 1 of 25

When approaching a bus stop, you should:

A Approach at full speed
B Honk to warn passengers
C Brake smoothly and stop at the curb without abrupt stops
D Stop in the middle of the lane

Correct answer: C

Smooth stops protect standing passengers from falls; stop with the door at the curb.

Question 2 of 25

A "kneeling" feature on a bus:

A Lowers the entry to make boarding easier for passengers
B Engages the parking brake
C Reduces fuel use
D Tilts the bus for cornering

Correct answer: A

Kneeling lowers the front of the bus to ease boarding; check that it raises again before driving.

Question 3 of 25

An "intercity bus" usually:

A Does not allow standees and is configured for longer trips
B Allows standees
C Has a baggage section open to passengers
D Has no driver

Correct answer: A

Intercity (over-the-road) buses are seated only and configured for long trips.

Question 4 of 25

When a passenger appears intoxicated or threatening:

A Drive faster to the destination
B Refuse boarding or, if onboard, put them off in a safe place
C Allow them to board to avoid conflict
D Turn the bus around

Correct answer: B

A driver can refuse boarding to disruptive or impaired passengers and must do so when safety is at risk.

Question 5 of 25

A driver should never start moving until:

A The dispatcher says so
B The bus is empty
C All passengers have a seat or are properly braced behind the standee line
D The bus is full

Correct answer: C

Move only when passengers are seated or properly positioned for safety.

Question 6 of 25

A bus driver must do a post-trip inspection that includes:

A Walking the bus to check for sleeping or remaining passengers and items left behind
B Removing the seats
C Refueling
D Cleaning the windshield

Correct answer: A

Post-trip walk-through prevents passengers from being left aboard, especially children.

Question 7 of 25

A bus may NOT carry:

A Wheelchair passengers
B Luggage in the overhead racks
C Bicycles in approved racks
D Cargo that blocks emergency exits

Correct answer: D

Cargo blocking emergency exits is prohibited; passenger safety in evacuation is paramount.

Question 8 of 25

When you must back the bus:

A Have a passenger guide you
B Back without help to save time
C GOAL — Get Out And Look — and use a helper if available
D Honk and back rapidly

Correct answer: C

Backing in a bus is high-risk; check first and use a helper.

Question 9 of 25

A bus passing through a tunnel marked "No hazardous materials":

A Can carry placarded hazmat anyway
B Can carry only Class 9 hazmat
C Must not carry placarded hazmat
D Can carry hazmat at off-peak times

Correct answer: C

Tunnel restrictions apply; rerouting is required.

Question 10 of 25

A bus may not be operated with:

A All of the above
B Cracked windshield within the wiper area
C Brakes that do not pass the brake test
D Missing safety equipment

Correct answer: A

All three create out-of-service conditions and bus cannot legally operate.

Question 11 of 25

A tour bus driver carrying passengers across state lines must:

A All of the above
B Comply with FMCSA hours-of-service rules for passenger-carrying vehicles
C Have a current medical card
D Be in safety compliance

Correct answer: A

All three apply to interstate passenger drivers.

Question 12 of 25

During night driving, a bus driver should:

A Reduce speed enough to stop within range of low-beam headlights
B Disable the dome lights
C Drive with high beams in oncoming traffic
D Speed up because traffic is lighter

Correct answer: A

Distance you can see at night is shorter; speed must match.

Question 13 of 25

A bus with disabled passengers should:

A Have working lifts/ramps and securements
B Use only the rear door
C Refuse to carry them
D Charge extra fees

Correct answer: A

Federal accessibility rules require working lifts and securement for wheelchair users.

Question 14 of 25

When you stop at a railroad crossing in a bus, you should:

A Open the door, listen, and look both directions
B Cross immediately
C Pump the horn
D Honk and proceed

Correct answer: A

Open the door, turn off radio and noisy fans, and look and listen before proceeding.

Question 15 of 25

A bus carrying passengers must stop at railroad crossings:

A Only when a train is visible
B Never; just slow down
C Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
D Within 5 feet of the rail

Correct answer: C

Federal rule requires buses to stop in the 15-50-foot zone, open the door, and listen.

Question 16 of 25

A bus driver involved in a crash must:

A Tell only the dispatcher
B Continue the trip
C Wait for passengers to call
D Notify the carrier and applicable authorities, render aid, and follow company emergency procedures

Correct answer: D

Standard emergency procedures and reporting apply.

Question 17 of 25

In an emergency, the driver should:

A Remain calm, give clear instructions, and supervise the evacuation
B Open all doors and windows
C Honk continuously
D Run from the bus first

Correct answer: A

The driver leads the response and ensures every passenger evacuates safely.

Question 18 of 25

A bus driver may NOT carry on the bus:

A Carry-on luggage in approved overhead racks
B Class 6 (poison) liquids in passenger areas
C Walking aids for passengers
D Service animals

Correct answer: B

Poison and other prohibited materials cannot ride in the passenger area.

Question 19 of 25

When you can't see clearly out the rear window:

A Tape over the mirrors
B Don't worry about it
C Use the side mirrors and add extra caution before backing or moving
D Drive only forward

Correct answer: C

Bus mirror systems are designed for limited rear vision; use them carefully.

Question 20 of 25

When at a school zone or crosswalk, the bus driver must:

A Slow down and yield to pedestrians
B Move into the next lane
C Honk to warn them
D Maintain speed

Correct answer: A

Pedestrian safety is paramount; slow and yield as required by law.

Question 21 of 25

A bus making frequent stops in a city should:

A Honk the horn at every stop
B Maintain speed in traffic
C Skip the four-way flashers
D Use mirrors to clear the area before pulling out

Correct answer: D

Stop-and-go traffic requires careful mirror checks before re-entering traffic.

Question 22 of 25

On a bus, all passengers must:

A Wear hard hats
B Be seated or in standee positions, with no one in the doorway when bus is in motion
C Be standing
D Be seated only at night

Correct answer: B

Doorway must be clear when bus is moving so emergency exit is unobstructed.

Question 23 of 25

During an emergency stop on the highway, a bus driver should:

A Stop in the lane and wait
B Pull off as far as possible, set brakes, place triangles, evacuate if needed
C Drive on the shoulder slowly
D Open all doors at speed

Correct answer: B

Pull off, secure the bus, deploy warning triangles, and protect the passengers.

Question 24 of 25

When evacuating a bus in an emergency, you should:

A Wait for help to arrive
B Use the rear door for everyone
C Use the door away from the danger
D Open all windows first

Correct answer: C

Evacuate from the door safest from the danger and account for every passenger.

Question 25 of 25

A bus driver must:

A All of the above
B Keep the doorway clear when in motion
C Keep the emergency exit areas clear
D Keep the front aisle clear of items

Correct answer: A

All three areas must be clear for safety.

Study tips for the North Dakota Passenger exam

The Passenger portion of the North Dakota CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the North Dakota Department of Transportation draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the Passenger chapter of the North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation office.

Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: ND General Knowledge · ND Air Brakes · ND Combination Vehicles · ND Hazardous Materials · ND School Bus · ND Tank Vehicle · ND Doubles / Triples

New to the CDL process in North Dakota? Read How to apply for a CDL in North Dakota for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.