CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test 2025

CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test 2025: Commercial Driver’s License Permit Test (CDL) in the USA: Try our free School Bus Endorsement question answers with explanation, you can also download a printable PDF for free.

You should be thoroughly familiar with your state and local school district laws and regulations. A CLP holder with a passenger (P) and/or a school bus (S) endorsement is prohibited from operating a CMV with passengers, other than federal/ state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the accompanying CDL holder (CFR, Title 49 §383.25).

CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test

What Does the Test Cover?

Danger Zones and Use of Mirrors
Loading and Unloading
Emergency Exit and Evacuation
Railroad-highway Grade Crossing
Student Management
Antilock Braking Systems
Special Safety Situations

School Bus Drivers must have a commercial driver’s license if they drive a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. They must have a school bus endorsement in addition to a passenger endorsement, therefore the endorsement on their license will be a PS endorsement.

Test Name	CDL Practice Test 2025
Language	English
License	Endorsements Permit
Total Questions	50 Knowledge Practice Test
Test For	Commercial Driver License
Test Preparation	School Bus Endorsement
Country	USA
Explanation	Yes

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CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test

1 / 50

In what position should the students be when the bus approaches for pick-up?

A) A) Facing the bus.

B) B) Running to the bus.

C) C) In the middle of the road.

D) D) Who cares, they are not mine.

2 / 50

When crossing railroad tracks, what gear must you be in before crossing in an automatic?

A) C) Drive

B) A) Lowest gear.

C) D) Whatever gear I feel like

D) B) Highest gear.

3 / 50

If your bus stalls while crossing the track at a railroad crossing you should:

A) A) Get everyone off immediately.

B) D) All the above.

C) B) Move away from tracks at an angle.

D) C) Move toward oncoming train.

4 / 50

If evacuating a bus is necessary, how far should you move the students away from the bus?

A) A) 100’ downwind.

B) D) ¼ mile.

C) B) 200’ upwind

D) C)100’ in direction of oncoming traffic.

5 / 50

What is the danger zone defined as according to the CDL section on School Buses?

A) C) There are no such terms.

B) B) It is a space that has been invaded by unhappy children

C) D) The result of having to take this test.

D) A) It is the area outside of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit by an automobile or their own bus.

6 / 50

How far does the danger zone cover to the sides of the bus?

A) B) 50’ -75’

B) D) There are no danger zones.

C) A) 23’ -25’

D) C) 10’ - 15’

7 / 50

When should a student approach the bus to get on?

A) C) When you stop.

B) D) Before you stop.

C) A) When you signal them.

D) B) As they want to.

8 / 50

Where are the convex mirrors located, according to the CDL manual?

A) C) At the rear of the bus.

B) B) Inside the Bus

C) A) Below the outside flat mirrors.

D) D) Don’t ask me, I’ve never seen them.

9 / 50

If you cannot account for any/all students outside the bus, you should:

A) C) Check under the bus.

B) A) Secure the bus by setting the parking brake.

C) B) Check around the bus.

D) D) All the above.

10 / 50

When approaching the stop , you should

A) B) Continuously check your mirrors.

B) A) Approach slowly and cautiously

C) D) All the above.

D) C) Bring your bus to a complete stop with the front bumper at least 10’ away from the students.

11 / 50

What should you do when you are driving in high winds?

A) C) Try to anticipate gust and adjust your driving accordingly.

B) B) Slow down to lessen the effect of the wind.

C) D) All the above.

D) A) Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel.

12 / 50

According to the CDL manual, how far away should the student be from the bus upon arrival?

A) D) 2’

B) C)100’

C) B)10’

D) A) 20’

13 / 50

As a general rule where are the students best protected during an emergency?

A) A) On the bus.

B) B) Outside the bus.

C) C) Hanging out the windows.

D) D) None of the above.

14 / 50

When are students in the greatest danger involving school buses?

A) D) Never, they are immortal.

B) C) When parents bring their children to school.

C) A) Getting on and off the bus.

D) B) As passengers inside of the bus.

15 / 50

If while crossing the track, the gates and lights begin to operate:

A) A) Back off the track.

B) C) Stay put.

C) D) Flip a coin.

D) B) Bust through the gate.

16 / 50

According to the CDL manual, how far away do you activate your hazard lamps from a railroad crossing?

A) B) 200’ ( tap brake)

B) C) 300’

C) A) 100’

D) D) Zero

17 / 50

When should you back at a stop where you are preparing to load?

A) A) After the students are on board.

B) C) Upon approach to the stop.

C) B) Before you load your students.

D) D) It doesn’t matter, students should know to get out of your way.

18 / 50

What is the safest way to back up in an area where visibility is poor?

A) D) All the above.

B) C) Ask a student or aid to lookout if possible.

C) B) Back slowly and smoothly.

D) A) Constantly check all mirrors.

19 / 50

A battery box check is important. The battery must be secure, connection must be tight, and cell caps must be present. In addition these items should be checked:

A) Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, but the battery box and cover or door is unimportant

B) Battery connection should show signs of excessive wear

C) Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, and the battery box and cover or door should not be damaged and should be secure

20 / 50

According to the CDL manual, the flat mirrors on the bus should be able to see how many feet behind the sides of the bus?

A) B) 1000’

B) A) 200’

C) C) 50’

D) D) 100’

21 / 50

According to the CDL manual, what are the danger zone dimensions around the school bus?

A) C) There is no such thing as a danger zone.

B) A) 30’ front, 24’ on sides, 8’ to the rear.

C) B) 15’ front, 11’ at rear, 50’ on sides.

D) D) 30’ to the front, 10’ on each side, & 10’ to the rear.

22 / 50

The bus driver must accept responsibility for supervising and controlling students while on the bus route. Who is the person in charge?

A) Students on the bus

B) Bus driver

C) Parents of the students on the bus

23 / 50

Passive railroad crossings are dangerous because:

A) D) All the above.

B) A) They have no active crossing devices.

C) B) Are very seldom used.

D) C) It is hard to know if a train is coming.

24 / 50

What endorsements must a driver have to drive a school bus:

A) B) PS

B) C) NP

C) D) XP

D) A) PMS

25 / 50

With an ABS Braking system, how do you use your brakes?

A) D) All of the above.

B) C) Stomp the pedal as if you would stomp your foot to music.

C) B) Firm pressure on the brake pedal as usual.

D) A) Pumping the pedal for all it is worth.

26 / 50

At the end of the route or trip, what do you look for while doing a walk through?

A) B) Articles left on the bus.

B) A) Sleeping students.

C) C) Any damage done to the bus.

D) D) All of the above.

27 / 50

When should you put a student off the bus?

A) D) Only if an administrator tells you where to let them off.

B) B) If you have had all you can stand.

C) A) Never

D) C) Only at school .

28 / 50

By law, the warning lights must only be used when approaching a:

A) Busy intersection

B) Stop to load or unload students

C) Sharp turns

29 / 50

After making the initial stop to pick up a child, what two things are to be done before allowing a child to enter the bus?

A) B) Gear selector in R and foot on brake pedal.

B) D) Gear selector in 1 and parking brake set.

C) C) Gear selector in N and parking brake set.

D) A) Gear selector in D and foot on brake pedal.

30 / 50

Where is the passenger mirror located on the bus?

A) B) At the rear corner of the bus.

B) C) By the service door.

C) D) Buses don’t have one.

D) A) Inside the bus, above the drivers head and windshield.

31 / 50

What is the most important reason for doing a school bus inspection?

A) For safety required by Federal, Sate and Local laws

B) To assist the principal with their report

C) To give the mechanic something to do

32 / 50

Who is the last person off the bus during an evacuation?

A) D) The ugliest one

B) B) Monitor

C) C) Driver

D) A) Youngest student

33 / 50

The properly adjusted outside left and right side CONVEX mirrors allow visibility in what area?

A) The entire side of the bus up to the front tires at ground level, front of the rear tires touching the ground, and at least one traffic lane on either side of the bus

B) The area directly in front of the bus

C) Front of the rear tires touching the ground, the entire side of the bus up to the mirror mounts, and at least one traffic lane on either side of the bus

34 / 50

What can you see out of the passenger rearview mirror?

A) A) What is going on inside of the bus.

B) C) The top of the rear window in the top of the mirror.

C) D) All the above.

D) B) Limited traffic behind the bus.

35 / 50

How many different exits does a school bus have for evacuations?

A) 7

B) 4

C) 8

D) 9

36 / 50

A school bus has how many feet of tail swing?

A) A) 6’

B) C) 3’

C) B) 10’

D) D) 2’

37 / 50

Where are the cross-over mirrors located?

A) B) On both left and right front corners of the bus.

B) A) Under the front bumper.

C) D) Buses don’t have cross over mirrors.

D) C) Under the west coast Mirrors.

38 / 50

The CDL manual recommend evacuating students in the event of a hazardous spill?

A) A) 30’ upwind.

B) D) It doesn’t , keep them on the bus.

C) C) 200’downwind.

D) B) 300’ upwind.

39 / 50

What sign tells you that a railroad crossing is passive?

A) B)A cross buck sign.

B) A) A round yellow on black sign with R&R on both sides

C) D) None of the above.

D) C) A peace sign painted on the roadway.

40 / 50

When you are unloading students on your route, where should they walk to before crossing the road?

A) C) Behind the bus.

B) D) It doesn’t matter, they have eyes of there own

C) B) At the very front of the bus close to the bumper.

D) A) At the right front corner of the bumper where you can see them, 10’ away.

41 / 50

According to the CDL manual, How far can the blind spot exist from the passenger rearview mirror?

A) D) It is only an imaginary thought.

B) B) Directly behind the drivers seat and as much as 400’ or more behind the bus.

C) C) There is no such thing as a blind spot.

D) A) 100’

42 / 50

When students reach the edge of the roadway, they should:

A) B) Check to make sure the red lamps are still flashing

B) D) All the above

C) C) Wait for your signal to cross

D) A) Stop and look in all directions making sure it is safe to cross.

43 / 50

What clues tell you are at an active railroad crossing?

A) D) Active crossings require no markings.

B) B) All railroad crossings are active.

C) C) An empty set of railroad tracks.

D) A) Flashing red lights with bells and gates.

44 / 50

How should you handle serious student problems on the bus?

A) C) Stop the bus where you are at and handle the situation.

B) A) Stop the bus. Park in a safe location off the road, perhaps a parking lot or driveway.

C) B) Scream at the student and tell them to sit down and shut up.

D) D) Tell the parent when you reach the stop that the student can not ride anymore.

45 / 50

What are some reasons for evacuating the bus?

A) A) Is there a danger of a fire?

B) C) Is there a chance that I may be hit by another vehicle?

C) B) Do I have a fuel leak?

D) D) All the above

46 / 50

Before leaving the bus, what is the first thing that you should do

A) C) Take key out of the ignition.

B) D) Nothing

C) A) Set the park brake.

D) B) Leave the bus in gear and turn it off.

47 / 50

If your bus is equipped with a strobe light, when should it be used?

A) A) Only when visibility is poor.

B) D) Never

C) C) When you feel like it.

D) B) All the time.

48 / 50

How far does the danger zone extend to the front of the bus according to the CDL manual?

A) D) 50’

B) B) 10’

C) A) 21’

D) C) 30’

49 / 50

The driver who misses the child to unload at a bus stop should

A) Radio the dispatcher for direction and follow the local procedure

B) Discharge the child on the next stop

C) Back up to the missed stop

50 / 50

What is the stopping distance at a railroad crossing for a school bus?

A) B) 15’ to 20’

B) A) 15’ to 50’

C) D) At the crossing gate

D) C) 20’ to 30’

Your score is

The average score is 76%

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