School Bus Endorsement: P and S Tests, Training and the Job

Plenty of people find their way to the driver's seat of a yellow bus in their 40s or 50s: retirees who want split-shift hours, parents who want the same summers off as their kids, and truckers tired of being away overnight. If that sounds like you, the credential you need is a school bus endorsement, the "S" on a commercial driver's license. Getting it is a defined path with a few federal checkpoints and some state extras, and many districts will walk you through it.

Here's the whole route, in the order you'll actually experience it.

What the S endorsement actually lets you do

A CDL by itself covers the vehicle's size. Endorsements cover what you carry. To drive a school bus you need three things stacked together:

Federal rules require anyone seeking the S to also qualify for the P, so you'll test for both. Most full-size buses fall under Class B; smaller buses can land in Class C. Your district or training provider will tell you which class matches its fleet. If you're fuzzy on how endorsements fit together, our overview of CDL endorsements lays out all six letters.

Requirements and background checks

Before anyone puts you behind the wheel, expect to clear a stack of screening:

• Age and license: You'll need a valid regular license and, for school transportation, most states set an age floor above the minimum for intrastate commercial driving. Check your state's school transportation rules for the exact age.
• DOT medical exam: A certified medical examiner checks vision, hearing, blood pressure and more, and issues a medical certificate you'll keep current.
• Drug and alcohol testing: Commercial drivers are covered by federal testing rules, so a pre-employment drug test and a query of the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse are standard.
• Criminal background and driving record: States typically require fingerprint-based checks for anyone working with children, plus a review of your driving history.

Some states add their own certification on top of the CDL, which can include first aid or CPR, extra classroom hours, or additional time behind the wheel of a bus. That's set by the state, not the federal government, so ask your state's pupil transportation office what applies.

ELDT: the federal training step for S and P

Since February 7, 2022, first-time applicants for a Class A or B CDL, the P endorsement or the S endorsement must complete Entry-Level Driver Training from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. That means both theory (classroom or online) and behind-the-wheel instruction. The state can't give you the skills test until the provider has reported your completion.

The S theory curriculum focuses on topics a truck driver never thinks about: danger zones around the bus, mirror use, loading and unloading, railroad crossings, student management and emergency evacuation. P covers passenger-specific inspection and safety. Our full guide to ELDT requirements explains how the registry works and what to ask a provider. The official details live on FMCSA's ELDT page.

If you already held a CDL with P or S before that date, you're grandfathered for that credential.

The knowledge tests: general, P and S

You'll sit for several written tests, usually on the same visit:

1. General Knowledge (required for any CDL permit)
2. Air Brakes (if the bus has air brakes, which most full-size ones do)
3. Passenger Transport (P)
4. School Bus (S)

Question counts and passing scores are set by each state, so look them up in your state's CDL manual. The S test leans heavily on procedure. Expect questions on:

• How to use the flat and convex mirrors to spot children in the danger zones
• The exact sequence for stopping, opening the door and signaling students to cross
• When to evacuate the bus and which exits to use
• Railroad crossing procedures, including where to stop and when to open the door
• Handling students who misbehave without taking your eyes off the road

People who fail usually fail on sequence questions: they know what to do but not in what order. Reading the school bus section of the manual twice and then drilling questions is the fastest fix. Our free practice tests include a CDL tab with a school bus track, so you can find your weak spots before test day.

Once you pass, you receive a commercial learner's permit (CLP) with P and S, and you start supervised training in a bus.

The skills test in a school bus

The P and S endorsements both carry a skills test, and you must take it in a vehicle of the right type: a school bus for the S. The test has three parts:

• Pre-trip inspection: You'll walk the bus and explain what you're checking, including passenger-specific items like the emergency exits, stop arm, crossing arm, mirrors and student lights.
• Basic control skills: Backing and maneuvering exercises in a marked area.
• Road test: A drive on public roads, which for school bus applicants usually includes a simulated student loading stop and a railroad crossing.

The railroad crossing is where many applicants lose points. Practice it the way your instructor teaches it, every single time, until the steps are automatic.

Also learn the motorist's side of the rules, since you'll be enforcing them from the driver's seat. Our explainer on when to stop for a school bus covers what drivers around you are supposed to do.

Pay, hours and district-sponsored training

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for school bus drivers was $47,040 in May 2024, though pay varies widely by district and region. See the BLS bus drivers profile for current figures.

The typical schedule is a split shift: a morning run, a midday break, and an afternoon run, with extra pay for field trips and athletic events. Summers are often off, which is a perk or a pay gap depending on your situation.

The best news for career changers: many districts and bus contractors train you for free. They cover ELDT, test fees and training time, sometimes with pay, in exchange for a commitment to drive for them. Call your local district's transportation department and ask whether they sponsor new drivers before you spend your own money on a CDL school.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a school bus endorsement?

It depends on your state and the training provider's schedule. District programs often run a few weeks from permit to skills test, though background checks and medical paperwork can add time.

Do school districts pay for CDL training?

Many do, especially during driver shortages. Districts and private bus contractors commonly cover training and testing costs for new hires who agree to drive for them.

Is the school bus test hard?

The knowledge test is manageable if you study the school bus section closely, because it's mostly procedures. The skills test is more demanding, with the pre-trip inspection and railroad crossing being the parts that trip people up most.