The two federal endorsements you actually need
School bus driving requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with two specific endorsements layered on top of the base license: the Passenger (P) endorsement, and the School Bus (S) endorsement. Under 49 CFR § 383.123, the S endorsement specifically requires that the driver already hold or simultaneously qualify for the P endorsement — you cannot get the S endorsement on its own without the P endorsement requirements also being met.
The S endorsement's knowledge test, per the same federal regulation, has to cover a specific set of school-bus-particular topics: loading and unloading children safely, correct use of mirrors and warning devices (stop-arm, flashing lights), emergency exit and evacuation procedures, and railroad-grade-crossing procedures specific to buses. The skills test has to be performed in an actual school bus of the applicable vehicle class, not a passenger vehicle standing in for one.
Entry-level driver training requirement
Since February 7, 2022, federal rules have required entry-level driver training (ELDT) for first-time CDL applicants and for anyone adding certain endorsements, including the S and P endorsements relevant to school bus driving. This training has to be completed through a provider registered on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry, and covers both theory instruction and, for the P endorsement specifically, behind-the-wheel training.
This is a relatively recent federal requirement, so if you're researching based on an older source or talking to someone who became a bus driver years ago, be aware the process may look somewhat different now than it did before 2022 — check FMCSA's current ELDT guidance for the specific training provider and curriculum requirements that apply today.
The medical and drug-testing requirements
CDL holders operating in safety-sensitive roles, including school bus drivers, must pass a Department of Transportation medical examination under federal standards (49 CFR Part 391.41), which evaluates vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, diabetes control, and other factors relevant to safely operating a commercial vehicle. This exam has to be performed by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and is typically required periodically, not just once at hiring.
School bus drivers are also subject to a federally mandated drug and alcohol testing program for CDL holders in safety-sensitive functions, which generally includes pre-employment testing, random testing throughout employment, and post-accident or reasonable-suspicion testing. This is a federal safety requirement layered on top of anything your specific district's own HR policy might separately require.
What to expect if you're considering the role
Getting fully credentialed as a school bus driver is a multi-step process that takes real time — the CDL itself, the P and S endorsements with their specific knowledge and skills tests, ELDT training through a registered provider, the DOT medical exam, and enrollment in the drug and alcohol testing program. Many districts and transportation contractors offer paid training programs to help new drivers work through these steps, since the requirements are involved enough that expecting a new hire to already have everything in place is often unrealistic.
Ask your district's transportation department directly what support they provide for each step — some cover CDL training costs, some partner with a specific ELDT-registered provider, and the exact support available varies by district and by state.
The federal requirement stack for school bus drivers
| Requirement | What it covers |
|---|---|
| CDL with P endorsement | Passenger endorsement — required before/alongside the S endorsement |
| CDL with S endorsement | School bus-specific knowledge and skills test (49 CFR § 383.123) |
| Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) | Required since Feb 2022 for first-time CDL applicants and new endorsements, via an FMCSA-registered provider |
| DOT medical exam | Periodic physical exam under 49 CFR Part 391.41, by a certified medical examiner |
| Drug and alcohol testing program | Pre-employment, random, and post-incident testing for CDL holders in safety-sensitive roles |
Sources used for this guide
- 49 CFR § 383.123 — School Bus Endorsement (Cornell LII)
- 49 CFR § 383.117 — Passenger Endorsement (Cornell LII)
Rules can change. Use these sources as a starting point and confirm any state, district, student-plan, employment, licensing, or retirement requirement with the agency or team that governs your situation.
Questions school staff ask about this situation
What license do you need to drive a school bus?
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with both a Passenger (P) endorsement and a School Bus (S) endorsement — the S endorsement specifically requires the P endorsement to also be held or obtained at the same time, under 49 CFR § 383.123.
Do school bus drivers need special training beyond the CDL test?
Yes — since February 2022, federal rules require Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider for first-time CDL applicants and for anyone adding the P or S endorsements.
Do school bus drivers get drug tested?
Yes. CDL holders in safety-sensitive roles, including school bus drivers, are subject to a federally mandated drug and alcohol testing program covering pre-employment, random, and post-incident testing.
Is a regular DOT physical enough, or do school bus drivers need something more?
School bus drivers need the standard DOT medical exam required for CDL holders (49 CFR Part 391.41), performed by a medical examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, typically renewed periodically.