TN · P Endorsement

Tennessee Passenger CDL Practice Test

Below are 25 exam-style questions for the Tennessee Passenger CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 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

Passengers may NOT ride:

A In the front seats
B In the rear seats
C In areas not designed for passengers (e.g., baggage area)
D In the aisle

Correct answer: C

Riders must be in passenger seats; aisles, baggage areas, and other non-passenger spots are restricted.

Question 2 of 25

A bus with disabled passengers should:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 3 of 25

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

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

Correct answer: A

Tunnel restrictions apply; rerouting is required.

Question 4 of 25

A bus driver who suspects a passenger is on the verge of a medical emergency should:

A Speed to the destination
B Wait until the end of the trip
C Pull over safely, assess the situation, and call for help if needed
D Continue to the next scheduled stop

Correct answer: C

Driver judgement is required; safety of the passenger comes before schedule.

Question 5 of 25

A bus driver must:

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

Correct answer: B

All three areas must be clear for safety.

Question 6 of 25

During night driving, a bus driver should:

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

Correct answer: C

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

Question 7 of 25

When carrying mobility devices, the driver should:

A Allow the passenger to ride unsecured
B Move while securement is in progress
C Skip securement on short trips
D Secure the device per training and manufacturer's instructions before moving

Correct answer: D

Secure mobility devices fully before moving the bus.

Question 8 of 25

A bus carrying passengers must stop at railroad crossings:

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

Correct answer: C

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

Question 9 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 10 of 25

A bus making frequent stops in a city should:

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

Correct answer: A

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

Question 11 of 25

When refueling a bus with passengers:

A Generally, fuel only when no passengers are aboard, per company policy and applicable regulations
B Refuel only at night
C Allow passengers to refuel
D Refuel with passengers freely

Correct answer: A

Most carriers prohibit fueling with passengers aboard; follow company policy.

Question 12 of 25

When passengers are loading or unloading at a stop, the bus must:

A Be parked at any angle
B Be moving slowly
C Be at a complete stop with the parking brake set or service brakes firmly applied
D Be in neutral with brakes off

Correct answer: C

Bus is fully stopped and braked while doors are open.

Question 13 of 25

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

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

Correct answer: A

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

Question 14 of 25

In an emergency, the driver should:

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

Correct answer: A

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

Question 15 of 25

A passenger who interferes with the driver should be:

A Ignored
B Warned, and if interference continues, the driver may put them off in a safe location
C Given a discount
D Pushed off the bus immediately

Correct answer: B

Driver authority includes putting off passengers who threaten safety, in a safe location.

Question 16 of 25

Pre-trip inspection of a bus includes checking:

A Brakes, steering, exhaust, signaling devices
B Emergency exits
C All of the above
D Tires and wheels

Correct answer: C

Pre-trip is comprehensive: safety systems, emergency equipment, and structural items.

Question 17 of 25

On a transit bus, standees must be:

A Only in the aisle near the door
B Not allowed
C Anywhere on the bus
D Behind the standee line

Correct answer: D

Standees stand behind the standee line on the floor, typically about 2 feet behind the driver.

Question 18 of 25

A bus driver who must handle a noisy or threatening situation should:

A Try to drive faster to end the trip
B Turn up the music to drown it out
C Ignore it
D Pull over to a safe place and address it

Correct answer: D

Pulling over allows the driver to manage the situation safely.

Question 19 of 25

When approaching a curve in a loaded bus:

A Maintain speed
B Slow down before entering the curve
C Brake within the curve
D Increase speed

Correct answer: B

Reduce speed before the curve; loaded buses have a high center of gravity.

Question 20 of 25

When you must announce a delay or change to passengers:

A Use the public-address system or speak clearly so all passengers can hear
B Tell only the front passengers
C Skip the announcement
D Post a note

Correct answer: A

Clear announcements keep passengers informed and reduce anxiety.

Question 21 of 25

A bus driver may NOT operate a bus with:

A An out-of-service brake or other safety defect
B A pre-trip inspection completed
C A current medical card
D Working emergency exits

Correct answer: A

Out-of-service safety defects make any CMV — including a bus — illegal to operate.

Question 22 of 25

When a passenger appears intoxicated or threatening:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 23 of 25

A bus may not be operated with:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 24 of 25

A bus that catches fire should be:

A Parked in the open and away from buildings, with passengers evacuated to a safe distance upwind
B Refueled to overcome the fire
C Driven to a fire station
D Closed up to contain the fire

Correct answer: A

Open-air parking and upwind evacuation are the standard procedure.

Question 25 of 25

When taking on passengers at a stop, the driver should:

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

Correct answer: B

Wait until everyone is on, paid (if needed), and seated or behind the standee line.

Study tips for the Tennessee Passenger exam

The Passenger portion of the Tennessee CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the Passenger chapter of the Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security office.

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

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