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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112

CDL School Bus Endorsement Practice Test

1 / 50

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

A) A) 100’

B) B) 200’ ( tap brake)

C) C) 300’

D) D) Zero

2 / 50

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

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

B) C) There are no such terms.

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

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.

3 / 50

Passive railroad crossings are dangerous because:

A) B) Are very seldom used.

B) A) They have no active crossing devices.

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

D) D) All the above.

4 / 50

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

A) The area directly in front of the bus

B) 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

C) 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

5 / 50

How should you handle serious student problems on the bus?

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

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

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

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

6 / 50

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

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

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

C) D) All of the above.

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

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

C) A) 100’

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

8 / 50

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

A) D) All the above

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

C) C) Wait for your signal to cross

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

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

Where is the passenger mirror located on the bus?

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

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

C) C) By the service door.

D) D) Buses don’t have one.

11 / 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) A) 200’

B) C) 50’

C) B) 1000’

D) D) 100’

12 / 50

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

A) D) All of the above.

B) C) Any damage done to the bus.

C) B) Articles left on the bus.

D) A) Sleeping students.

13 / 50

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

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

B) A) 30’ upwind.

C) B) 300’ upwind.

D) C) 200’downwind.

14 / 50

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

A) B) Bust through the gate.

B) D) Flip a coin.

C) C) Stay put.

D) A) Back off the track.

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

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

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

16 / 50

What sign tells you that a railroad crossing is passive?

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

B) D) None of the above.

C) B)A cross buck sign.

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

17 / 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

18 / 50

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

A) 4

B) 7

C) 9

D) 8

19 / 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) Back up to the missed stop

C) Discharge the child on the next stop

20 / 50

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

A) B)10’

B) C)100’

C) A) 20’

D) D) 2’

21 / 50

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

A) D) Never

B) C) When you feel like it.

C) B) All the time.

D) A) Only when visibility is poor.

22 / 50

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

A) D) Nothing

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

C) A) Set the park brake.

D) C) Take key out of the ignition.

23 / 50

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

A) A) Youngest student

B) B) Monitor

C) C) Driver

D) D) The ugliest one

24 / 50

When should a student approach the bus to get on?

A) D) Before you stop.

B) C) When you stop.

C) B) As they want to.

D) A) When you signal them.

25 / 50

What are some reasons for evacuating the bus?

A) B) Do I have a fuel leak?

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

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

D) D) All the above

26 / 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) A) Constantly check all mirrors.

D) B) Back slowly and smoothly.

27 / 50

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

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

B) A) 100’ downwind.

C) D) ¼ mile.

D) B) 200’ upwind

28 / 50

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

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

B) C) Upon approach to the stop.

C) B) Before you load your students.

D) A) After the students are on board.

29 / 50

What can you see out of the passenger rearview mirror?

A) D) All the above.

B) B) Limited traffic behind the bus.

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

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

30 / 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) Parents of the students on the bus

C) Bus driver

31 / 50

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

A) To give the mechanic something to do

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

C) To assist the principal with their report

32 / 50

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

A) C) 20’ to 30’

B) A) 15’ to 50’

C) D) At the crossing gate

D) B) 15’ to 20’

33 / 50

When approaching the stop , you should

A) D) All the above.

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

C) A) Approach slowly and cautiously

D) B) Continuously check your mirrors.

34 / 50

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

A) C) Hanging out the windows.

B) B) Outside the bus.

C) A) On the bus.

D) D) None of the above.

35 / 50

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

A) A) Below the outside flat mirrors.

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

C) B) Inside the Bus

D) C) At the rear of the bus.

36 / 50

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

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

B) B) Running to the bus.

C) C) In the middle of the road.

D) A) Facing the bus.

37 / 50

Where are the cross-over mirrors located?

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

B) C) Under the west coast Mirrors.

C) A) Under the front bumper.

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

38 / 50

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

A) C) Move toward oncoming train.

B) A) Get everyone off immediately.

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

D) D) All the above.

39 / 50

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

A) B) Highest gear.

B) A) Lowest gear.

C) C) Drive

D) D) Whatever gear I feel like

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

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

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

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

41 / 50

When should you put a student off the bus?

A) C) Only at school .

B) A) Never

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

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

42 / 50

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

A) D) 50’

B) C) 30’

C) A) 21’

D) B) 10’

43 / 50

When are students in the greatest danger involving school buses?

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

B) B) As passengers inside of the bus.

C) D) Never, they are immortal.

D) A) Getting on and off the bus.

44 / 50

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

A) B) 50’ -75’

B) A) 23’ -25’

C) D) There are no danger zones.

D) C) 10’ - 15’

45 / 50

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

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

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

C) D) All the above.

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

46 / 50

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

A) A) PMS

B) C) NP

C) D) XP

D) B) PS

47 / 50

A school bus has how many feet of tail swing?

A) B) 10’

B) C) 3’

C) A) 6’

D) D) 2’

48 / 50

What clues tell you are at an active railroad crossing?

A) B) All railroad crossings are active.

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

C) C) An empty set of railroad tracks.

D) D) Active crossings require no markings.

49 / 50

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

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

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

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

D) C) Behind the bus.

50 / 50

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

A) Stop to load or unload students

B) Sharp turns

C) Busy intersection

Your score is

The average score is 77%

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