Correct answer: D – Never; the aisle must remain clear
Carry-on baggage must not be left in a doorway or aisle, even if it is small or belongs to a passenger aboard the bus. Aisles must remain clear of objects that could trip riders. Baggage must also be secured without restricting the driver’s movement or blocking any emergency exit.
Source: Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 4.2, “Loading and Trip Start”.
Correct answer: B – 15 to 50 feet
A passenger bus must normally stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. The driver must look and listen in both directions before proceeding and verify that the bus can clear the tracks. Exceptions apply at certain crossings controlled by an officer, flagger, green signal, or an exempt or abandoned designation.
Source: Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 4.3.5, “Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops”., 49 CFR § 392.10 — Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required, RCW 46.61.350 — Approaching Railroad Grade Crossings—Specific Vehicles—Exceptions
Correct answer: B – 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail
When a railroad-crossing stop is required, the bus must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. From that position, the driver must look and listen for approaching trains. Before starting across, the driver must also determine that enough space is available to clear the tracks without stopping.
Source: Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 4.3.5, “Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops”., 49 CFR § 392.10 — Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required
Correct answer: A – The shipper
The shipper determines the proper shipping name, identification number, hazard class, packaging, markings, and labels required for the material. The shipper must then package, mark, and label the material as required before offering it for transportation. The carrier and driver remain responsible for checking the shipment and refusing packages that are improperly prepared or leaking.
Source: Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 9.2.1, “The Shipper”., Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 9.3.7, “Package Markings and Labels”.
Correct answer: C – While any part of the bus is crossing railroad tracks
A manual-transmission bus must cross railroad tracks in a gear that will not require shifting. Changing gears on the tracks can interrupt power and increase the risk of stalling. Washington rules for private carrier buses also expressly prohibit shifting gears while the bus is traversing a railroad crossing.
Source: Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 4.3.5, “Railroad-Highway Crossing/Stops”., 49 CFR § 392.10(a)(4) — Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required, WAC 204-32-090(2) — Stops at Railroad Crossings
Correct answer: A – More than 99 pounds gross weight of an otherwise permitted solid Division 6.1 poisonous material
Under 49 CFR 177.870(f), a bus carrying passengers may not transport more than 45 kilograms, or 99 pounds gross weight, of an otherwise permitted solid Division 6.1 poisonous material. Extremely dangerous Division 6.1 materials and Division 2.3 poisonous gases are prohibited in any quantity. Other allowed hazardous materials are also subject to individual-class and total-weight limits.
Source: 49 CFR § 177.870(b), (e)–(f) — Regulations for Passenger Carrying Vehicles, Washington State Commercial Driver Guide — § 4.2.2, “Forbidden Hazardous Materials”.
