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CDL school bus practice test

For the S endorsement, together with the passenger endorsement. 133 practice questions written from the Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual), each with the manual section it comes from.

25 questions

  1. Question 1Along with the school bus (S) endorsement, which other endorsement must a school bus driver qualify for?

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    A: Passenger (P). School bus drivers must also hold the passenger endorsement. Federal rules make passing the passenger knowledge and skills tests the first requirement for the S endorsement (49 CFR 383.123(a)(1)). Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): Test information: Endorsements (school bus drivers), page 3.

  2. Question 2What is the school bus 'danger zone'?

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    D: The area on all sides of the bus where children are most in danger of being hit. The danger zone surrounds the bus on every side. It is where a child is most likely to be struck, whether by passing traffic or by the school bus itself. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  3. Question 3When should you check each mirror on a school bus?

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    D: Before operating the bus. Always check each mirror before operating the school bus to get the most viewing area, and have them adjusted if needed. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.2 Correct Mirror Adjustment, page 10-1.

  4. Question 4If your bus has them, when should you turn on the alternating flashing amber warning lights before a stop?

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    A: At least 200 feet, or about 5-10 seconds, before the stop (or as state law requires). Activate the alternating flashing amber lights at least 200 feet, or about 5-10 seconds, before the stop, or as your state law requires. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  5. Question 5Where should you position the bus as you pull up to a stop on the route?

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    B: As far to the right as possible on the traveled part of the roadway. Pull over as far to the right as you can while staying on the traveled part of the road. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  6. Question 6What should you do with the transmission and brakes at each school bus stop?

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    D: Put it in Park (or Neutral if there is no Park) and set the parking brake. At each stop, place the transmission in Park, or in Neutral if there is no Park position, and set the parking brake. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  7. Question 7You are loading students before sunrise. Which light should be on inside the bus?

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    C: The dome light. The dome light should be on while loading in the dark. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  8. Question 8You cannot account for a student who was outside the bus. What should you do?

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    C: Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus. If a student outside the bus is unaccounted for, secure the bus, take the key with you, and look around and under the bus. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.2 Loading Procedures, page 10-4.

  9. Question 9What shape and color is the advance warning sign placed ahead of a public railroad crossing?

    yellow and black circle road sign
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    D: Round, black on yellow. The round yellow advance warning sign with black markings comes before a public crossing. It tells you to slow down, look and listen for a train, and be ready to stop. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-7.

  10. Question 10How much tail swing can a school bus have when turning?

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    B: Up to 3 feet. The rear of a school bus can swing out as much as 3 feet in a turn, so watch your mirrors before and during every turn. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.7.4 Tail Swing, page 10-11.

  11. Question 11To add a school bus endorsement, what kind of vehicle must you take the skills test in?

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    A: A school bus of the same class you will drive. You must pass the skills test in a school bus of the same class (vehicle group) as the bus you will drive (49 CFR 383.123(a)(3)); the manual adds that all three parts of the test are required. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): Test information: Endorsements (school bus drivers), page 3.

  12. Question 12How far in front of the bus can the danger zone extend?

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    B: As much as 30 feet. In front of the bus the danger zone can reach 30 feet out from the bumper, and the closest 10 feet carry the most risk. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  13. Question 13What are the outside left and right flat mirrors on a school bus used for?

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    D: Monitoring traffic and checking clearances and students on the sides and to the rear. The flat mirrors, mounted at the left and right front corners, are used to monitor traffic and check clearances and students on the sides and to the rear. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors, page 10-1.

  14. Question 14When approaching a stop, when should you turn on the right turn signal?

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    B: About 100-300 feet, or about 3-5 seconds, before pulling over. Turn on the right turn signal about 100-300 feet, or about 3-5 seconds, before pulling over. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  15. Question 15What is a 'passive' railroad crossing?

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    B: A crossing with no traffic control device. A passive crossing has no traffic control device. You must stop, and the decision to proceed is entirely yours. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.1 Types of Crossings, page 10-7.

  16. Question 16In an emergency, what is the first and most important thing for the school bus driver to do?

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    B: Recognize the hazard. The first and most important consideration is to recognize the hazard. If time permits, contact the dispatcher before deciding to evacuate. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  17. Question 17At a crossbuck with no white stop line painted on the pavement, where must the school bus stop?

    white and black crossbuck road sign
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    D: Before the crossbuck sign. The crossbuck requires you to yield to trains. If there is no white line, stop the bus before the crossbuck sign. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-8.

  18. Question 18Which license classes can the school bus endorsement apply to?

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    B: Any class: A, B or C. The school bus endorsement applies to drivers of a school bus in any class (A, B or C). Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 1.1 Commercial Driver License Tests (Endorsements), page 1-2.

  19. Question 19Which part of the danger zone in front of the bus is the most dangerous?

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    B: The first 10 feet. In front of the bus, the first 10 feet are the most dangerous part of the danger zone. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.1 Danger Zones, page 10-1.

  20. Question 20Where are the blind spots of the outside flat mirrors?

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    B: Immediately below and in front of each mirror, and directly behind the rear bumper. Each flat mirror leaves a blind area just below and ahead of the mirror itself, and another right behind the rear bumper. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.1.3 Outside Left and Right Side Flat Mirrors, page 10-1.

  21. Question 21When should you turn on the alternating red lights at a stop?

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    B: When traffic is a safe distance from the bus, making sure the stop arm is extended. Activate the alternating red lights when traffic is a safe distance from the bus, and make sure the stop arm is extended. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.2.1 Approaching the Stop, page 10-3.

  22. Question 22Which devices are found at an 'active' railroad crossing?

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    D: Flashing red lights, with or without bells, and sometimes gates. Active crossings have a traffic control device such as flashing red lights (with or without bells) or flashing red lights with bells and gates. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.1 Types of Crossings, page 10-7.

  23. Question 23If time permits, what should you do before deciding to evacuate the school bus?

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    D: Contact your dispatcher to explain the situation. If time permits, contact the dispatcher to explain the situation before deciding whether to evacuate. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.3.1 Planning for Emergencies, page 10-6.

  24. Question 24What does a sign below a crossbuck tell you?

    white and black horizontal rectangle road sign
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    A: The number of tracks. When the road crosses more than one set of tracks, a sign below the crossbuck shows the number of tracks. Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 10.4.2 Warning Signs and Devices, page 10-8.

  25. Question 25A driver has a Commercial Learner's Permit with a school bus endorsement. What may they do?

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    D: Drive a school bus without students; only examiners, trainees, auditors/inspectors and the accompanying CDL holder may ride. A CLP with an S endorsement carries a no-passengers restriction. The only riders allowed are federal or state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees and the supervising CDL holder (49 CFR 383.25(a)(1)). Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual): 1.1 Commercial Driver License Tests (Restrictions), page 1-3.

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Our own questions, written from the Commercial Driver's License Manual (2025 CDL Manual), official manual, and checked against it.