ELDT365 › School Bus Endorsement Theory › How to get a School Bus endorsement
How to get a School Bus endorsement
A School Bus (S) endorsement requires a CDL with a Passenger (P) endorsement, FMCSA ELDT school bus theory from a registered provider, behind-the-wheel training in a school bus, the state school bus knowledge test, a skills test in a school bus, and a criminal background check. Most districts train drivers for free; the ELDT theory is done online.
Updated October 2026 · ELDT365, listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
The steps in order
- Get the P endorsement, or do P and S together, since S requires P.
- Complete ELDT school bus theory (49 CFR part 380, appendix E, school bus curriculum) with a registered provider.
- Behind-the-wheel training in a school bus with a registered provider, usually the school district or contractor.
- Pass the school bus knowledge test at your DMV.
- Pass a skills test in a school bus.
- Clear the state background check and fingerprinting required for school bus drivers.
What the theory covers
Danger zones and mirror use, loading and unloading students, railroad crossings, emergency exits and evacuation procedures, student management, and the pre-trip inspection items specific to school buses like the stop arm, crossing gate, and lights.
School Bus Endorsement Theory
Online, English and Spanish, filed to the FMCSA registry the moment you finish.
$20
Start nowSee the course
Who trains you
Nearly every school district and school bus contractor trains drivers on their own buses and pays for the license because they are short on drivers. Ask the district transportation office before paying anyone for bus training.
Questions drivers ask
Can I do the S without the P?
No. School bus requires the passenger endorsement. Many drivers test for both in the same visit.
Is school bus ELDT separate from passenger ELDT?
Yes. They are two curricula and two registry records.
How long does the background check take?
Varies by state, commonly 2 to 6 weeks. Start it early.
Practice free before the DMV: practice test · all courses