School bus endorsement practice test
The school bus test earns the S endorsement. It is about the loading zone: the danger zones around the bus, mirror adjustment, the stop arm and flashing lights, student loading and unloading, and emergency evacuation. The sample questions below come from Section 10 of the FMCSA CDL manual.
- 20questions on the real test
- 80%pass mark, 16 correct answers
- 40questions in the PassRig bank
- S10of the FMCSA CDL manual
Free school bus practice quiz
Ten questions from the PassRig bank. Tap an answer to lock it in and read why it is right, with the manual section it comes from. The score keeps count; 80% is the pass mark. The full bank, timed mock exams and mistake review live in the app.
0 of 10 right0 of 10 answered
The "danger zone" around a school bus extends about how far from the sides and rear?
Answer: B. 10 feetThe danger zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit, either by another vehicle or by their own bus. The FMCSA manual puts it at 10 feet from the left and right sides, 10 feet behind the rear bumper, and as much as 30 feet from the front bumper. The left side is always considered dangerous because of passing cars. Some states, such as California, teach 12 feet, so check your state manual.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.1.1 (Danger Zones)
Before pulling away from a stop after loading students, you should:
Answer: B. Count the students, check all mirrors to be sure no one is around the bus, and then move offCount the students at the stop and be sure all of them board. Wait until they are seated and facing forward, then check all mirrors to make certain no one is running to catch the bus. If you cannot account for a student, secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath the bus before you move.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.2.2 (Loading Procedures)
If student behavior on the bus becomes a safety problem, you should:
Answer: A. Pull over in a safe place, stop, stand up and speak to the students respectfully and firmlyFollow your school's discipline procedures. Stop and park in a safe place off the road, secure the bus and take the key if you leave your seat, then stand up and speak to the offender in a courteous manner with a firm voice. Never put a student off the bus except at school or their designated stop; if you cannot drive safely, call a school administrator or the police.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.5.2 (Handling Serious Problems)
After the last student leaves at the end of a route, you must:
Answer: B. Walk through the bus to check for sleeping or hiding students and left items before securing itWhen your route or activity trip is finished, walk through and around the bus. Look for articles left on the bus, sleeping students, open windows and doors, mechanical problems (especially mirrors, flashing warning lamps and stop arms), and damage or vandalism. Report any problems to your supervisor or school authorities right away.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.2.6 (Post-trip Inspection)
When should school bus mirrors be adjusted and checked?
Answer: C. While the bus is parked and before leaving, not while drivingEach mirror is designed to show a specific area around the bus. Adjust and check them before every trip so the whole danger zone is covered.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.1.2 (Correct Mirror Adjustment)
When approaching a student stop, you should turn on the right turn signal:
Answer: D. About 100 to 300 feet, or 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling overTurn on the right turn signal about 100 to 300 feet, or approximately 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over. The amber warning lights go on earlier, at least 200 feet or about 5 to 10 seconds before the stop. Together they tell drivers behind you what is about to happen, and you should move as far right as possible on the traveled part of the road.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.2.1 (Approaching the Stop)
A student drops a paper under the bus while getting off. The student should:
Answer: C. Leave it and get the driver's attention; never go near or under the bus to pick it upStopping or going back to pick up a dropped object can make a student disappear from the driver's sight at a very dangerous moment. Students should be told to leave any dropped object, move to a point of safety out of the danger zones, and try to get the driver's attention to retrieve it.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.2.5 (Special Dangers of Loading and Unloading)
Students are evacuated to a spot 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic in order to:
Answer: A. Keep them from being hit by debris if another vehicle strikes the busA safe place is at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic. This keeps the students from being hit by debris if another vehicle collides with the bus, because debris is thrown in the direction traffic is moving.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.3.2 (Evacuation Procedures)
The railroad advance warning sign is:
Answer: D. A round, black-on-yellow warning sign placed ahead of the crossingThe round, black-on-yellow advance warning sign is placed ahead of a public railroad-highway crossing. It tells you to slow down, look and listen for the train, and be prepared to stop at the tracks if a train is coming. Pavement markings (an X with the letters RR and a no-passing marking on 2-lane roads) mean the same thing.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.4.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
A student keeps misbehaving after you have spoken to them. You should:
Answer: C. Follow your school's procedures, and never put the student off the bus except at school or the student's designated stopPutting a child off at a strange place creates a far bigger danger than the misbehavior. Handle it through the school's process.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 10.5.2 (Handling Serious Problems)
What the school bus test covers
- Danger zones and mirror adjustment
- Loading and unloading students
- Emergency exits and evacuation
- Railroad crossings with a school bus
- Student management and strobe light use
- Antilock brakes and special safety considerations
Who needs it
School bus drivers. The S endorsement sits on top of the P endorsement, so you take both tests.
The test has 20 multiple-choice questions and the passing score is 80%, so you can miss 4. Your state DMV or DOT administers it; the federal rules are on the FMCSA CDL page. Study Section 10 of the CDL manual alongside these questions.
More CDL practice tests
Guides for this test
School Bus test questions
How many questions are on the school bus endorsement test?
20 questions. 16 correct answers reach the 80% pass mark.
Do I need the passenger endorsement for a school bus?
Yes. The S endorsement requires the P endorsement, so you pass the passenger vehicles knowledge test as well as the school bus test, plus a skills test in a school bus.
What are the danger zones around a school bus?
The areas within about 10 feet of the bus on every side where a student is hard to see. The test asks where they are and how to use the mirrors to cover them.