TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVER LICENSE DIVISION Road/Skills Test Offered Only in English for Commercial Driver License Applicants Federal Code of Regulations, Title 49, Subpart B, 383.133 Texas Transportation Code 522 require Commercial Driver License (CDL) applicants be able to communicate in English prior to the issuance of a CDL. This notification applies to all applicants preparing for the CDL skills/drive tests. CDL applicants are required to demonstrate the ability to converse in English, without the use of an interpreter, prior to the issuance of the CDL. DPS Examiners will administer all pre-trip, skills, and road tests in English only without the use of an interpreter. During the pre-trip, the DPS Examiner may ask an applicant to provide additional detail on an item if the applicant cannot provide a clear explanation in English. During the skills and road tests, the DPS Examiner will not provide instruction(s) to an applicant in any language other than English. The applicant will fail any portion of the test that they cannot complete without the assistance of an interpreter. Note: An applicant is not required to use specific terms, but must respond in such a manner that demonstrates their clear understanding in English. Fragmented or incomplete English is acceptable so long as it is understandable and the applicant is able to convey the required information and follow directions in English. El examen de manejo solo se ofrece en inglés para los solicitantes de una licencia de conducir comercial El Código de Reglamentos Federales, Título 49, Subsección B, 383.133 Código de Transporte de Texas 522 requiere que los solicitantes de una licencia de conducir comercial (CDL) puedan comunicarse en inglés antes de que se les emita la CDL. Este aviso se aplica a todos los solicitantes que se preparan para el examen de manejo para obtener una CDL. Los solicitantes de una CDL deben demostrar que pueden conversar en inglés, sin usar un intérprete, antes de que se les emita la CDL. Los examinadores del DPS administrarán todas las pruebas previas al viaje y los exámenes de manejo, solamente en inglés, sin usar intérprete. Durante la prueba previa al viaje, el examinador del DPS puede pedir al solicitante que proporcione detalles adicionales sobre un punto si el solicitante no puede proporcionar una explicación clara en inglés. Durante el examen de manejo, el examinador del DPS no dará instrucciones al solicitante en ningún otro idioma que no sea inglés. El solicitante reprobará la porción de la prueba que no pueda completar sin ayuda de un intérprete. Nota: No es necesario que el solicitante utilice términos específicos, pero debe responder de modo que demuestre que entiende claramente el inglés. Se puede aceptar el uso de inglés fragmentado o incompleto, siempre y cuando sea comprensible y que el solicitante pueda transmitir la información que se requiere y que siga las instrucciones en inglés.
Information for a successful CDL road test: The bus motor will not be running during the brake test. Know the make and model of the bus you are driving and the location of the insurance information. You will need to complete the Brake demonstration portion of your test and pass that section before you will be allowed to begin the driving portion of the road test. Your examiner will block the wheels of the bus to avoid the vehicle from rolling forward or backwards during the brake inspection. Next you will begin showing the examiner the entire necessary pre trip. Sitting in the seat, wearing the seat belt, turn on the key to power only, then show the headlights, high beams, left & right turn signals, and first yellow and then red student loading lights. Sound the horn and possibly wind shield wipers if asked. Show all lights including brake lights at the rear of the bus when the examiner gets to the back of the bus. Now turn the Master Switch OFF & Open the Door. Have the door open for the examiner when she returns from the rear of the bus. You will need to complete the Brake demonstration portion of your test and pass, before you will be allowed to begin the driving portion of the road test. The examiner will then require you to verbally perform the physical demonstration of a brake inspection. You will need to successfully complete the brake exam before you will be allowed to do the driving portion of your road test. The examiner should not need to assist you with the material. You must study to be prepared. Build the brake pressure back up before leaving. The examiner will have you sign documents at that time. Then you will listen carefully for instructions to leave onto the roadway. Use turn signals leaving and returning. The bus may have rolled forward or backward while you were doing the brake inspection, trapping the block under the wheel. In that case, the examiner will ask you to move the bus a few inches so that the block can be removed from under the wheel. Later during the road test, while away from the DPS station, you will be expected to demonstrate your skills of straight line backing and then parallel parking. Next you will verbally describe while physically demonstrating how to load/unload students and
how to properly stop at the rail road tracks. Listen for the examiners directive for each action. You must study to be prepared You will need to successfully complete these three portions of the exam and then continue the return trip without committing anything that would be considered a dangerous act. Secure the bus when you have completed the road test. Over the Road Before leaving the DPS parking lot, the examiner will explain how you will be graded and what he/she will watch for most. The following apply: 1. You will be graded hardest on observation. Let the examiner see that you are aware of everything and everyone around you at all times during the trip. That includes vehicles coming onto or off the freeway, from side streets, and vehicles that should yield to you but may fail to. (Watching out for the other guy) Accent turning your head while checking mirrors. 2. Proper positioning of hands on steering wheel at all times. Use both hands. 3. The wheels of the bus must not touch or go up onto a curb or grass along the edge of the street. 4. You must not perform anything considered a dangerous act. The examiner will have no choice but to disqualify you. 5. Never go over any double white lines painted on the street. Stay off the round raised lane markers unless you are changing lanes. Points will be lost for veering in your lane. 6. If you are uncertain or could not hear an instruction, ask for it to be repeated. Never turn your face away from the roadway while moving forward to look at the examiner. That would be considered a dangerous act. Use the mirror above your head to make eye contact with the examiner. 7. Avoid changing lanes without being instructed to, but be prepared to change when it is what needs to be done. Listen to the manor that instructions are directed to you. If it is a vague instruction, you may need to the make decision to change lanes to do the maneuver correctly or if there is an obstruction in your path. Not using turn signals or forgetting to cancel the signal will cost points on your grade score.
8. If a traffic light has been green for a long while as you approach it, slow down slightly to be able to stop quickly if necessary. Do not cause the examiner to be thrown about the bus and do not stop for a green light. But be prepared if the light should change. Your trainer will refer to the light as a stale green light. 9. Every turn must be done correctly. When turning right, you may need to swing out, even using more than one lane if absolutely necessary, but must come back into the right lane nearest you at the completion of the turn. When turning left you should end up in the left lane at the completion of the turn. This is described as turning into the lane nearest you. 10. *Left Commercial Turns are to be maneuvered differently. Determine how many lanes there are that turn left. If there is only one lane, go directly into it. If there are two lanes turning left, you must turn from the right of the two lanes that turn left, making the widest turn and making certain that you do not change lanes in the intersection. 11. When backing, use hazard lights, take key with you and exit the bus, walk to the rear, look behind the bus and quickly return, remembering to shut door & put seat belt back on while recycling glow plug. Start vehicle, Blow horn just before backing. 12. DO NOT allow tires to touch the grass while parallel parking. If you find yourself in a position where you are unable to complete the parallel because you are about to touch the grass or concrete curb, STOP, then pull forward with the wheel turned sharply toward the area that you are parking in and then straighten the wheel when the bus is parked. If you park more that 18 inches from the edge, you may appeal to the examiner to do the maneuver over again. 13. If you suddenly realize that you have made a mistake during the road test, DO NOT GIVE UP. Continue to do everything as you have been trained because the examiner may possibly decide to pass you because you did so well in all other categories. Park and secure the bus upon returning, then listen to constructive criticism and advice that the examiner may direct your way. Readily agree to improve your skills.
And The speed limit for a school bus on a CDL road test is 50 mph on the freeway and whatever is posted elsewhere. Driving too fast or too slow can be equally detrimental and may cause you to be disqualified. Try to control your speed as closely to the posted speeds without veering in your lane and continuously displaying observation. When exiting the freeway, seek out the posted speed limit first, keeping the freeway speed no lower than 40 mph until the bus is actually on the exit ramp, and then gently bring the speed down without stab braking or going slower than the posted speed which may result in an accident or impede traffic. Accent the display of observation.
C.D.L. Brake Test Explain verbally to the examiner I need 120 p.s.i. on the brake gauge to do the test. Start engine and rev at 1500 RPM s. If it does not immediately start to build, force the air compressor on by stepping on the brake a couple of times, then rev again. When the gauge reaches 120 p.s.i, release the accelerator and show the examiner. 1. Turn off engine (engine is not running again until test is completed) 2. Push in spring brake to release it 3. Turn the key on to power only (If all three items above are not performed, you will not pass) Count to yourself as you do the three steps. Do not continue to the next step until you have remembered all three of the above items. You can not gage air leakage with the motor running, the low pressure warning light will not come on without power from the key and the spring brake can not pop out if it is already out. Explain verbally to the examiner I will watch the brake gauge for one minute, and the system must not lose more than 2 p.s.i. per minute. After a minute has passed, explain there was no leakage. Continue verbally I will HOLD 90 pounds of pressure on the foot brake for one minute and the system must not leak more than 3 psi per minute. Watch your gauge more than your watch. After one minute has passed, release the foot brake and explain that there was no leakage. Continue verbally Now I will pump the foot brake, bringing the system down to 60 p.s.i., the warning light should come on. Start pumping, watching for the light. Stop to show the examiner as soon as the light comes on. Explain verbally I will continue to pump until the spring brake engages somewhere between 45 and 20 p.s.i. Pump the foot brake, releasing air with each pump until the spring brake engages. Start the engine immediately after the spring brake pops out. You should build the brake pressure to at least 100 p.s.i. before attempting to drive away. Build back to 120 p.s.i. if examiner insist.
COMPREHENSIVE: C.D.L. Student loading procedures Verbalize & Demonstrate for the examiner Activate amber warning lights three to five hundred feet before the pick up location, depending on traffic speed and visibility. Approach slowly with caution Watch for pedestrians and traffic Constantly checking all mirrors Keep to the right lane of the roadway Stop at least 10 feet away from the student Secure the bus (place in neutral and set the parking brake) Open service door to activate red lamps Check that traffic has stopped before signaling students Count the students as they load in orderly fashion Do not drive away until students are seated. Check the danger zone before proceeding Close the passenger door Check danger zone once more Proceed on route Be prepared to answer questions that the examiner may ask: The danger zone is the area outside of the bus where students are in danger. Stopping 10 feet away from the student forces them to walk toward the bus so that you have a better view of them. Counting the students is the best way to know who is not accounted for. When you can not account for a student: Secure the bus, take the key and check around and underneath the bus. Never drive with students standing. Dome light should be on while loading in the dark. Do not allow students to cross until you signal them to. Unloading at the school: Secure the bus, remove the key, assist students exiting, and check for sleeping or hiding students before departing the area. The take home process is the same as the morning pick up except you must account for every child that has exited the bus before proceeding. Make certain they have moved a safe distance away from the bus.
COMPREHENSIVE: C.D.L. Rail Grade Crossings Verbally address the examiner & demonstrate During your C.D.L. road test you will be required to reenact the proper procedures for stopping at the rail road tracks. You must be prepared to speak loud and clear while demonstrating the actions that you describe. APPROACHING THE CROSSING Slow down and test your brakes Activate hazard lamps approximately 200 feet before track Scan your surroundings including behind your vehicle Stay to the right of the roadway if possible. AT THE CROSSING: Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet Secure the bus (place in neutral and press foot brake) Silence passengers or radios Open the service door and driver s window to look. CROSSING THE TRACK Check the crossing signals again before crossing Proceed across all of the tracks until you have cleared If the gate comes down as you cross, do not stop. Be prepared to answer questions that the examiner may ask: OBSTRUCTED VIEW OF TRACKS Never assume anything Know for certain that no train is coming Look and listen. Be safe. Always pay attention to the amount of room there is across the track in the event that you have to stop after crossing. Never stop until you are certain there is no part of your vehicle on the track or near enough to the track to be hit by a train. BUS STALLS/TRAPPED ON TRACKS: Get everyone off the bus Move everyone far from the bus at an angle away from tracks in the direction of the train. STOP AT ALL RAIL ROAD CROSSINGS WITH OR WITHOUT STUDENTS ON BOARD
Using the CDL Turn Lane What to do when two lanes turn left & Finding the proper turn lane Preparing for the turn. Often a driver will need to read what is written on the street. Signs may not be readily visible. Going into the turn. Turning with other vehicles, staying in the commercial turn lane & not changing lanes during the turn. Completing the turn. Finishing at far right curb side. After completing proper turn, driver can make lane changes to put the bus into the lane necessary for next maneuver.