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

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

A) To assist the principal with their report

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

C) To give the mechanic something to do

2 / 50

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

A) Back up to the missed stop

B) Discharge the child on the next stop

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

3 / 50

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

A) B) Check around the bus.

B) C) Check under the bus.

C) D) All the above.

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

4 / 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

5 / 50

What can you see out of the passenger rearview mirror?

A) D) All the above.

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

C) B) Limited traffic behind the bus.

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

6 / 50

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

A) D) All the above.

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

C) A) Get everyone off immediately.

D) C) Move toward oncoming train.

7 / 50

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

A) C) NP

B) B) PS

C) D) XP

D) A) PMS

8 / 50

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

A) D) There are no danger zones.

B) A) 23’ -25’

C) B) 50’ -75’

D) C) 10’ - 15’

9 / 50

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

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

B) D) All the above.

C) B) Back slowly and smoothly.

D) A) Constantly check all mirrors.

10 / 50

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

A) A) 30’ upwind.

B) C) 200’downwind.

C) B) 300’ upwind.

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

11 / 50

Passive railroad crossings are dangerous because:

A) D) All the above.

B) A) They have no active crossing devices.

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

D) B) Are very seldom used.

12 / 50

When should a student approach the bus to get on?

A) B) As they want to.

B) D) Before you stop.

C) A) When you signal them.

D) C) When you stop.

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

D) A) 100’

14 / 50

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

A) A) Lowest gear.

B) B) Highest gear.

C) D) Whatever gear I feel like

D) C) Drive

15 / 50

When are students in the greatest danger involving school buses?

A) A) Getting on and off the bus.

B) D) Never, they are immortal.

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

D) B) As passengers inside of the bus.

16 / 50

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

A) 7

B) 8

C) 4

D) 9

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

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

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

D) C) Wait for your signal to cross

19 / 50

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

A) C) Any damage done to the bus.

B) B) Articles left on the bus.

C) A) Sleeping students.

D) D) All of the above.

20 / 50

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

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

B) D) All the above.

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

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

21 / 50

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

A) A) On the bus.

B) C) Hanging out the windows.

C) B) Outside the bus.

D) D) None of the above.

22 / 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’

23 / 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) A) Only when visibility is poor.

D) B) All the time.

24 / 50

What sign tells you that a railroad crossing is passive?

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

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

C) D) None of the above.

D) B)A cross buck sign.

25 / 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 connection should show signs of excessive wear

B) 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

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

26 / 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

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

D) A) Set the park brake.

28 / 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.

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

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

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

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

30 / 50

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

A) C) At the rear of the bus.

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

C) A) Below the outside flat mirrors.

D) B) Inside the Bus

31 / 50

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

A) B) Monitor

B) C) Driver

C) D) The ugliest one

D) A) Youngest student

32 / 50

What are some reasons for evacuating the bus?

A) B) Do I have a fuel leak?

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

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

D) D) All the above

33 / 50

How should you handle serious student problems on the bus?

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

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

34 / 50

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

A) C) 300’

B) B) 200’ ( tap brake)

C) A) 100’

D) D) Zero

35 / 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) C) Only at school .

D) A) Never

36 / 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) 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

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

37 / 50

Where are the cross-over mirrors located?

A) A) Under the front bumper.

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

C) C) Under the west coast Mirrors.

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

38 / 50

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

A) C) Stay put.

B) B) Bust through the gate.

C) D) Flip a coin.

D) A) Back off the track.

39 / 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.

40 / 50

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

A) 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.

B) C) There are no such terms.

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

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

41 / 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.

42 / 50

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

A) C) Upon approach to the stop.

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

C) A) After the students are on board.

D) B) Before you load your students.

43 / 50

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

A) B) Running to the bus.

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

C) A) Facing the bus.

D) C) In the middle of the road.

44 / 50

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

A) B) 15’ to 20’

B) C) 20’ to 30’

C) A) 15’ to 50’

D) D) At the crossing gate

45 / 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) B) 200’ upwind

C) A) 100’ downwind.

D) D) ¼ mile.

46 / 50

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

A) B) 10’

B) D) 50’

C) A) 21’

D) C) 30’

47 / 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) D) 100’

D) C) 50’

48 / 50

A school bus has how many feet of tail swing?

A) A) 6’

B) C) 3’

C) B) 10’

D) D) 2’

49 / 50

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

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

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

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

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

50 / 50

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

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

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

C) D) All of the above.

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

Your score is

The average score is 77%

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