Free practice test
CDL School Bus practice test
The free test below follows the real School Bus test: 20 questions, 16 right to pass, about 25 minutes. (25 questions in some states.) It adds school bus rules to everything in the Passenger test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
How the School Bus test is scored
You need 16 of 20 right, which is 80%. That means you can miss 4. School bus drivers who want the S endorsement. You also pass the Passenger knowledge test and take a skills test in a school bus.
Some states differ: 25 questions in some states. Check your state's manual for its count.
What is on the School Bus test
- Danger zones around the bus and loading and unloading students
- Using the warning lights and stop signals
- Railroad crossings: every school bus stops
- Emergencies: evacuation and emergency exits
- Student management, including riders with special needs
- Pre-trip checks for school buses
What trips drivers up
Danger zones
The danger zone is the area around the bus where a child is most likely to be hit. It reaches about 10 feet in front of the bus and on each side.
Loading and unloading
Know the order for the warning lights and when students may cross.
Railroad crossings
A school bus stops at every railroad crossing, between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
Evacuation
Know the emergency exits and the order for moving students out.
Numbers come from the CDL manual and federal rules. A few differ by state or manual edition, so check your own state's manual. See our sources.
More practice tests
Common questions
How many questions are on the CDL School Bus test?
The national default is 20 questions, and you need 16 right (80%) to pass. Some states use 25 questions.
What do I need before I take the School Bus test?
You need to pass the Passenger knowledge test too. Many drivers take both on the same day.
Is there a skills test for the School Bus endorsement?
Yes. You take a skills test in a school bus. Check your state for the details.
What is a danger zone?
It is the area around a school bus where a student is most likely to be hit. Loading and unloading rules exist to keep students out of it.