TX · P Endorsement

Texas Passenger CDL Practice Test

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

A driver should never start moving until:

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

Correct answer: D

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

Question 2 of 25

On a transit bus, standees must be:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 3 of 25

A bus driver should always:

A Carry an updated list of passengers, when required by carrier or law
B Verify all emergency equipment functions before each trip
C Have working emergency exit signs
D All of the above

Correct answer: D

All three are part of pre-trip and ongoing duties.

Question 4 of 25

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

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

Correct answer: C

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

Question 5 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 Driven to a fire station
C Closed up to contain the fire
D Refueled to overcome the fire

Correct answer: A

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

Question 6 of 25

When evacuating a bus in an emergency, you should:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 7 of 25

A bus may carry small-arms ammunition only:

A On freight trips only
B In quantities and conditions allowed by federal regulations
C In bulk only
D In any quantity

Correct answer: B

Limited quantities and proper packaging may be allowed; check regulations and company policy.

Question 8 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 9 of 25

A "transit bus" is generally:

A Designed for short trips with frequent stops, allowing standees on certain routes
B A bus with no doors
C A bus over 80 feet long
D Used only for cross-country travel

Correct answer: A

Transit buses serve urban routes with frequent stops and may allow standees behind the standee line.

Question 10 of 25

When you must back the bus:

A Back without help to save time
B Have a passenger guide you
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 11 of 25

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

A Press the accelerator slightly
B Start moving as the last passenger boards
C Wait for all passengers to be safely aboard before beginning to move
D Close the door immediately

Correct answer: C

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

Question 12 of 25

A passenger who interferes with the driver should be:

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

Correct answer: A

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

Question 13 of 25

A bus must be inspected at the end of the trip for:

A Tire pressure
B Sleeping passengers, items left behind, damage to seats and emergency exits
C Fuel only
D Headlights only

Correct answer: B

Post-trip walk-through includes a search for forgotten items and any damage to be reported.

Question 14 of 25

When refueling a bus with passengers:

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

Correct answer: C

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

Question 15 of 25

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

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

Correct answer: C

Bus is fully stopped and braked while doors are open.

Question 16 of 25

When approaching a curve in a loaded bus:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 17 of 25

In a long downhill, a bus driver should:

A Use a low gear and steady moderate brake application to control speed
B Increase speed
C Coast in neutral
D Apply brakes heavily

Correct answer: A

Same long-downgrade rule as other heavy vehicles, with extra concern for passenger comfort and safety.

Question 18 of 25

A bus may not be operated with:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 19 of 25

When a passenger asks to be let off between scheduled stops:

A Speed to the destination
B Refuse no matter what
C Always agree immediately
D Discharge them only at a safe location and as company policy allows

Correct answer: D

Discharge should be at a safe location consistent with company policy.

Question 20 of 25

Passengers may NOT ride:

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

Correct answer: D

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

Question 21 of 25

A bus driver involved in a crash must:

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

Correct answer: B

Standard emergency procedures and reporting apply.

Question 22 of 25

When a passenger appears intoxicated or threatening:

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

Correct answer: D

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 driver may NOT carry on the bus:

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

Correct answer: D

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

Question 24 of 25

An "intercity bus" usually:

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

Correct answer: B

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

Question 25 of 25

A tour bus driver carrying passengers across state lines must:

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

Correct answer: D

All three apply to interstate passenger drivers.

Study tips for the Texas Passenger exam

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

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

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