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If you are driving a bus, a school bus, or a vehicle
displaying placards, you should be prepared to
observe the following procedures at every railroad
crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing,
activate the four-way flashers.
Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15
feet from the nearest rail.
Listen and look in both directions along the track
for an approaching train and for signals indicating
the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may
also be required to open the window and door prior
to crossing tracks.
Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle
crosses the tracks.
Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while
any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the
tracks.
Four-way flashers should be deactivated after the
vehicle crosses the tracks.
Continue to check mirrors and traffic.
Not all driving road test routes will have a railroad
crossing. You may be asked to explain and
demonstrate the proper railroad crossing
procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.
13.1.9 – Bridge/Overpass/Sign
After driving under an overpass, you may be asked
to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or
height was. After going over a bridge, you may be
asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight
limit was. If your test route does not have a bridge
or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic
sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and
explain to the examiner any traffic sign which may
appear on the route.
13.1.10 – Student Discharge (School Bus)
If you are applying for a School Bus endorsement,
you will be required to demonstrate a student
discharge. Please refer to section 10 of this manual.
As you approach the student pick up, you must:
Decelerate and approach at a slow rate of speed
while continuing to check traffic.
Activate amber warning lights and right turn signals.
Move as far as possible to the right on the traveled
portion of the roadway.
Recheck traffic.
As you stop for the student discharge, you must:
Bring school bus to a complete stop at least 10’
away from students at the stop.
Place the transmission in neutral/park and set the
parking brake.
Activate the stop arm and red warning lights.
When discharging students, you must:
Communicate to students.
Check traffic.
Open the student door.
Check for students.
When students are crossing, you must:
Check traffic.
Communicate to students.
Check for students.
When resuming from the student discharge, you
must:
Check all mirrors.
Turn off warning lights and stop arm.
Close the door
Check traffic.
Accelerate away from the stop area.
13.1.11 – General Driving Behaviors
You will be scored on your overall performance in
the following general driving behavior categories:
13.1.11(a) – Clutch Usage (for Manual
Transmission)
Always use clutch to shift.
If equipped with an unsynchronized manual
transmission, you must double-clutch when
shifting. Do not rev or lug the engine.
Do not ride clutch to control speed, coast with the
clutch depressed, or "pop" the clutch.
13.1.12(b) – Gear Usage (for Manual
Transmission)
Do not grind or clash gears.
Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.
Do not shift in turns and intersections.
Section 13 – On-road Driving Page 13-3
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
13.1.13(c) – Brake Usage
Do not ride or pump brake.
Do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using steady
pressure.
13.1.14(d) – Lane Usage
Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or lane
markings.
Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop signs.
Complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple
lane road (vehicle should finish a left turn in the
lane directly to the right of the center line).
Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.
Move to or remain in right-most lane unless lane is
blocked.
13.1.15 – Steering
Do not over or under steer the vehicle.
Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times
unless shifting. Once you have completed shift,
return both hands to the steering wheel.
13.1.16 – Regular Traffic Checks
Check traffic regularly.
Check mirrors regularly.
Check mirrors and traffic before, while in and after
an intersection.
Scan and check traffic in high volume areas and
areas where pedestrians are expected to be
present.
13.1.17 – Use of Turn Signals
Use turn signals properly.
Activate turn signals when required.
Activate turn signals at appropriate times.
Cancel turn signals upon completion of a turn or
lane change.
Section 13 – On-road Driving Page 13-4
Version: July 2017
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