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Alaska Passenger Test

You will need to know how to stop safely on the Seward Highway's icy grades before you pick up those Denali-bound tourists.

Questions

80%

To Pass

Minutes

60 questions · 25 min time limit · 80% to pass

Opens in a practice window — choose your mode inside.

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026

All questions sourced from the official Alaska CDL handbook and FMCSA regulations.

About the Alaska Passenger Test

Alaska's passenger test covers more than just bus handling. You have to deal with extreme cold, wildlife crossings, and remote fuel stops. This practice test uses questions straight from the Alaska CDL manual, so you will know exactly what the DMV expects.

Think about the Dalton Highway in winter. Your bus might carry workers to the oil fields. That means you need to understand how tire chains affect your stopping distance on packed snow. Or imagine driving a school bus near Fairbanks when a moose appears at a railroad crossing. Our questions cover these real Alaska situations.

Many Alaskan passenger routes involve long stretches without cell service. You need to know your pre-trip inspection cold. Check your heating system, defrosters, and emergency exits before you leave the lot. This test quizzes you on those critical checks.

We do not waste your time with fluff. Each question links to a specific rule from the Alaska DMV handbook. Pass this test and you will be ready to handle tourists in summer or workers in winter — safely and legally.

Topics Covered

✓Loading and unloading passengers – You must secure wheelchairs on icy ramps and watch for passengers slipping on wet steps.

✓Safe driving speeds on gravel roads – Many Alaska bus routes use unpaved sections, so you need to know how to reduce speed without locking your brakes.

✓Railroad crossing procedures – Alaska has remote crossings with no lights; you have to stop, open the door, and listen for trains in blowing snow.

✓Emergency evacuation in subzero temps – If your bus breaks down, you need to keep passengers warm while awaiting help. We cover heater and exit protocols.

✓Wildlife avoidance – Hitting a moose can be deadly. You will learn proper scanning techniques and braking distances for Alaska's big animals.

✓Pre-trip inspection for cold weather – Check battery cables, coolant levels, and tire pressure. A frozen bus leaves passengers stranded.

Study Tips

Read the Alaska CDL Manual’s passenger section at least twice. Focus on the “passenger vehicle inspection” checklist — it is different from a regular CDL inspection. Pay extra attention to brake checks on downhill grades. You will see those questions on the test.

Practice with flashcards for the “kinds of buses” and their weight limits. School buses, tour buses, and transit buses each have different passenger capacity rules. Alaska also requires a separate “Air Brake” endorsement if your bus has them. If you do not have that yet, study it too. Many Alaskan buses use air brakes because they handle cold better than hydraulic systems.

Take this practice test until you score 85% or higher three times in a row. The real Alaska DMV test will have 20 questions, and you need 16 correct (80%). Do not rush — some questions have tricky wording. If you fail, you have to wait one week before retesting. That wastes time and money.

Alaska Specific Information

You can take the CDL Passenger test at any Alaska DMV office that offers written tests. Anchorage (the Northern Lights office) and Fairbanks (the 9th Avenue office) have the most availability. Juneau’s DMV also offers it, but they are often booked a week out. You should schedule an appointment online at alaska.gov/dmv. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but you might wait hours.

The test fee is $15 for the passenger endorsement. You need to bring your current CDL permit (or license), a valid medical card (if required), and your Social Security number. If you do not have a permit yet, you must pass the general knowledge test first. The passenger endorsement does not replace a separate school bus endorsement — that is a different test.

Alaska does not let you use any paper or phone during the test. It is all computer-based. You get instant results. If you pass, they print a temporary license right there. Your new card with the “P” endorsement will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a medical card for the passenger endorsement in Alaska?

It depends. If you drive a bus that carries 16 or more people (including the driver), you need a federal DOT medical card. For smaller passenger vehicles like 15-passenger vans, Alaska does not require one — but your employer might. Check with your company.

Can I take the passenger test in any language?

Alaska offers the CDL written test in English and Spanish. Some offices have an audio version for English. If you need another language, you can use an interpreter — but you have to pay for them yourself, and they cannot be your driving instructor.

How long is the passenger endorsement valid?

Your passenger endorsement expires at the same time as your CDL license — usually five years. But if you got a new medical card after your last renewal, you might need to update the DMV before the endorsement expires. Do not let it lapse; Alaska does not offer a grace period for CDL endorsements.

What happens if I fail the passenger test?

You can retake it after one week. Each attempt costs another $15. Use that time to study the Alaska CDL manual and take our practice test again. Many people pass on the second try when they focus on the pre-trip inspection and emergency exit questions.

Are there any special requirements for driving a school bus in Alaska?

Yes. School buses need a separate S endorsement. To get it, you must pass the school bus written test AND a driving skills test in a school bus. You also need a background check and a DOT physical. The passenger endorsement alone does not let you drive a school bus, even if it is small.

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026 · FMCSA-compliant content