CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   What tests are needed for the school bus (S) endorsement?

   • AA knowledge test and a skills test
   • BA skills test only
   • CA knowledge test only
   • DNo test, only a background check
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A knowledge test and a skills test

   Federal rules require both a knowledge test and a skills test for the school bus endorsement.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A CLP holder has an S endorsement on the permit. What is the limit?

   • ASchool bus driving in daylight hours only
   • BUp to 10 students, with a CDL holder aboard
   • CNo school bus driving with passengers on board
   • DNo limit once S is on the permit
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No school bus driving with passengers on board

   A CLP holder with an S endorsement is prohibited from operating a school bus with passengers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Is entry-level driver training required for a first school bus endorsement?

   • AYes
   • BOnly for drivers over 65
   • CNo, only for Class A
   • DOnly for hazmat
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yes

   ELDT is required for a first-time school bus (S) endorsement since February 7, 2022.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How far in front of the front bumper can the school bus danger zone extend?

   • AUp to 30 feet
   • BUp to 10 feet
   • CUp to 100 feet
   • DUp to 5 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Up to 30 feet

   The danger zone may extend as much as 30 feet from the front bumper, with the first 10 feet the most dangerous.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which part of the danger zone in front of the bus is most dangerous?

   • AThe first 10 feet
   • BThe area 50 feet ahead
   • CThe area beside the rear wheels
   • DThe area 20 to 30 feet out
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The first 10 feet

   The first 10 feet in front of the bumper are the most dangerous.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How far does the danger zone extend from the left and right sides of the bus?

   • A3 feet
   • B10 feet
   • C30 feet
   • D50 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 10 feet

   The danger zone extends 10 feet from the left and right sides of the bus.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How far does the danger zone extend behind the rear bumper?

   • A2 feet
   • B30 feet
   • C10 feet
   • D100 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 10 feet

   The danger zone extends 10 feet behind the rear bumper.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Why is the area to the left of the bus always considered dangerous?

   • AStudents always exit on the left
   • BThe driver cannot see it at all
   • CCars may pass the bus there
   • DThe service door is on the left
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Cars may pass the bus there

   Passing cars make the area on the left side of the bus dangerous at all times.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What is a school bus danger zone?

   • AThe stretch of road about 1 mile ahead of the bus
   • BAny area around the bus where children are most at risk
   • CThe inside of the bus, between the seats and aisle
   • DThe school parking lot where buses line up
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Any area around the bus where children are most at risk

   Danger zones are the areas on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How should the outside flat mirrors be adjusted?

    • ATo see 20 feet behind the bus and nothing else
    • BTo see the sky above the bus and the tree tops
    • CTo see 200 feet behind, the sides, and the rear tires
    • DTo see only the front bumper and the service door
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To see 200 feet behind, the sides, and the rear tires

    Adjust the flat mirrors so you can see 200 feet or 4 bus lengths behind, the sides of the bus, and the rear tires on the ground.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How large can the blind spot directly behind a school bus be?

    • AThere is no blind spot behind a bus
    • BIt is always under 5 feet
    • CExactly 20 feet
    • DIt can extend up to 400 feet
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It can extend up to 400 feet

    The blind spot behind the bus is usually 50 to 150 feet and can reach 400 feet, depending on bus size.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What are the outside convex mirrors used for?

    • AWatching the sides of the bus at a wide angle
    • BSeeing the front bumper danger zone only
    • CChecking the tires' tread
    • DSeeing students inside the bus
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Watching the sides of the bus at a wide angle

    Convex mirrors are below the flat mirrors and show the left and right sides at a wide angle.

13. Question 13 of 25

    How should the outside convex mirrors be adjusted?

    • ATo see only the rear bumper and the road behind it
    • BTo see the inside of the bus, from the front seats back
    • CTo see the whole side, the rear tires, and a lane on each side
    • DTo see only the sky above the bus, for overhead clearance
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To see the whole side, the rear tires, and a lane on each side

    Convex mirrors should show the whole side of the bus, the front of the rear tires touching the ground and at least one lane beside the bus.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How do convex and crossover mirrors change what you see?

    • AThey make things look closer than they are
    • BThey show everything at its true size
    • CThey remove all the blind spots around you
    • DThey distort the size and distance of things
    Show answer

    Answer: D. They distort the size and distance of things

    These curved mirrors show more area but distort the size and distance of what you see.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What are crossover mirrors used for?

    • ASeeing traffic far behind the bus
    • BChecking the roof hatches and roof
    • CWatching students at the back of the bus
    • DSeeing the danger zone in front of the bus
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Seeing the danger zone in front of the bus

    Crossover mirrors show the front bumper danger zone, which you cannot see directly, and the area around the service door and front wheels.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should the crossover mirrors be adjusted?

    • ATo see only the lane to the left of the bus and nothing else
    • BTo see the inside of the bus, from the driver back to the rear
    • CTo see 200 feet behind the bus along both sides of the road
    • DTo see the area in front, from the bumper to where direct view begins
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To see the area in front, from the bumper to where direct view begins

    Crossover mirrors should cover the area from the front bumper at ground level to where you can see directly. The views should overlap.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What should you be able to see in the overhead inside mirror?

    • AThe right front tire and the curb beside the bus
    • BThe top of the rear window and all students, even those behind you
    • CTraffic about 200 feet behind the bus in both lanes
    • DThe front bumper and the area just in front of the bus
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The top of the rear window and all students, even those behind you

    Adjust the inside mirror to see the top of the rear window and all students, including the heads of students right behind you.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Where are the blind spots of the overhead inside mirror?

    • AIn front of the bus, near the front bumper
    • BOn the roof, above the emergency hatches
    • CRight behind your seat, and far behind the rear bumper
    • DThere are none if the mirror is adjusted
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Right behind your seat, and far behind the rear bumper

    Use the outside mirrors to watch traffic in the area behind the bus that the inside mirror cannot show.

19. Question 19 of 25

    When should you turn on the flashing amber warning lights before a stop?

    • AAt least 200 feet or 5 to 10 seconds before the stop
    • BAbout 1 mile or 2 minutes before the stop
    • COnly after the bus has come to a full stop
    • DOnly if traffic behind the bus is heavy
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 200 feet or 5 to 10 seconds before the stop

    Turn on the alternating amber lights at least 200 feet or about 5 to 10 seconds before the stop, or as your state requires.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When approaching a bus stop, about when should you turn on the right turn signal?

    • ANever; signals are not used at stops
    • BOnly after you have stopped the bus
    • CAbout 100 to 300 feet before pulling over
    • DAbout 1,000 feet before the stop
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 100 to 300 feet before pulling over

    Turn on the right signal about 100 to 300 feet, or 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How far from students waiting at a stop should the front bumper be when you stop?

    • AAt least 10 feet away
    • BAs close as possible
    • CAt least 100 feet away
    • DAbout 2 feet away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 10 feet away

    Stop with the front bumper at least 10 feet away from students, so they must walk to the bus.

22. Question 22 of 25

    At each stop, what should you do with the transmission and parking brake?

    • AShift to reverse and release the parking brake
    • BShift to Park (or Neutral) and set the parking brake
    • CShift to Neutral and release the parking brake
    • DKeep it in gear and hold the brake pedal down
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Shift to Park (or Neutral) and set the parking brake

    Place the transmission in Park, or Neutral if there is no Park, and set the parking brake at each stop.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When should you turn on the alternating red lights and extend the stop arm?

    • AOnly after the students have boarded
    • BWhen traffic is a safe distance away
    • CAs soon as you see the stop ahead
    • DAfter you start to pull away
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When traffic is a safe distance away

    Activate the red lights when traffic is at a safe distance, then make a final check that traffic has stopped before opening the door.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How should students board the bus?

    • ATwo or three at a time, side by side
    • BSlowly, single file, using the handrail
    • CQuickly, running to save time
    • DThrough the rear emergency door
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slowly, single file, using the handrail

    Students board slowly in single file and use the handrail. Keep the dome light on when loading in the dark.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When can you move the bus after students board?

    • AWhen all students are seated and facing forward
    • BWhen the last student reaches the steps
    • CAs soon as the door closes
    • DWhile students are walking to seats
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When all students are seated and facing forward

    Wait until students are seated and facing forward before moving.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Varies by state; usually 20 questions, with 16 correct needed (80%)