School Bus Endorsement

School Bus Endorsement Study Guide

If you want to become a school bus driver, it’s important that you understand what the responsibilities are before applying. You will have to pass a knowledge test and skills test, as well as pay the required fees. The knowledge test covers a variety of topics, including load and unloading students, using emergency exits in an emergency, federal and state laws on safely crossing highway rails, and more. Try our CDL practice test.

The School Bus Endorsement allows you to operate a bus that transports school pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, school to school, or to and from school-sponsored events. It is added to a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by passing the School Bus “S” endorsement written test and a three-part skills test in a school bus.

This free school bus practice test 2026 study guide is a great way to prepare for the CDL permit test. It contains a variety of real-world questions and is designed to give you the confidence you need before taking the actual permit test.

Drivers preparing for the School Bus Endorsement who also need to brush up on general reading and math fundamentals can strengthen their skills with our Academic and School Tests practice test before tackling the written knowledge exam.

DMV School Bus Endorsement Test

To qualify for a school bus endorsement on your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must pass the required skills and written tests. This includes passing a special test in the type of vehicle you will be operating. The specific requirements will vary from state to state, but you should ask your local licensing department for details. For example, some states require you to have first aid certification before you can operate a school bus.

The school bus endorsement is a necessary part of any CDL with a passenger vehicle (P) or farm labor vehicle (FV) endorsement. It is also a requirement to drive any commercial passenger vehicle that can hold 16 passengers or more, including the driver. This includes vans, buses, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26 000 lbs or more. If you are interested in becoming a school bus driver, we have the free CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test 2026 to help you prepare. You must also pass a criminal background check and pass regular medical examinations.

If you are based in California and want additional reading comprehension practice that mirrors the style of questions found on endorsement exams, try our CAHSEE practice test for extra preparation.

How to Get School Bus Endorsement

If you want to be a school bus driver in New York, you must pass several knowledge tests and driving skills tests. You must also have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with the “S” school bus endorsement. The school bus endorsement is required for drivers who operate a vehicle that can accommodate 16 or more passengers and has a gross vehicle weight rating, known as the GVWR, of 26,000 lbs or more. In addition to the school bus endorsement, you may need a passenger endorsement as well.

You can get the endorsement by passing a written exam and passing a driving test. In some states, you must take a training program or certification course as well. The knowledge tests include safety requirements for evacuating passengers during emergencies and how to operate emergency exits and push-out windows. Depending on the state, you may also need to know how to handle hostile or unruly passengers. A class B CDL is sufficient for operating a school bus in most states. It will allow you to drive vehicles with a GVWR of up to 26,000 lbs, such as box trucks, straight trucks, city buses, and dump trucks.