Requirements for a CDL School Bus Endorsement.

An applicant for a school bus endorsement must satisfy the following three requirements:


  • Knowledge test. Must have knowledge covering at least the following three topics:

  • Loading and unloading children, including the safe operation of stop signal devices,
    external mirror systems, flashing lights and other warning and passenger safety devices
    required for school buses by State or Federal law or regulation.

  • Emergency exits and procedures for safely evacuating passengers in an emergency.

  • State and Federal laws and regulations related to safely traversing highway rail grade
    crossings.

  • Skills test. Must take a driving skills test in a school bus of the same vehicle group (see
    §383.91(a)) as the school bus applicant will drive.

  • Exception. Knowledge and skills tests administered before September 30, 2002 and
    approved by FMCSA as meeting the requirements of this section, meet the requirements of
    paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of 49 CFR 383.123.

  • Substitute for driving skills test. (1) At the discretion of a State, the driving skills test required
    in paragraph (a)(3) of this section may be waived for an applicant who is currently licensed,
    has experience driving a school bus, has a good driving record, and meets the conditions
    set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of 49 CFR 383.123.

  • An applicant must certify and the State must verify that, during the two-year period
    immediately prior to applying for the school bus endorsement, the applicant:


  • Has not had his or her driver's license or CDL suspended, revoked or canceled or been
    disqualified from operating a CMV;


  • Has not had more than one conviction of any of the serious traffic violations defined in §383.
    5, while operating any type motor vehicle;

  • Has not had any conviction for a violation of State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic
    control (other than a parking violation) arising in connection with any traffic accident;

  • Has not been convicted of any motor vehicle traffic violation that resulted in an accident; and

  • Has been regularly employed as a school bus driver, has operated a school bus
    representative of the group the applicant seeks to drive, and provides evidence of such
    employment.

For more complete details and information on obtaining a
CDL School Bus Endorsement please
refer to
49 CFR 383.123

[67 FR 49760, Jul. 31, 2002; 70 FR 56589, Sept. 28, 2005; 71 FR 2898, Jan. 18, 2006]
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