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School Bus Endorsements

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School Bus Endorsements

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How do I get a School Bus Endorsement? ​

If you’re an employee or a potential employee of a school transportation provider (i.e. public, charter, private or parochial school, Head Start program, or other provider), ​​they will need to sponsor you and refer you to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles to complete training for a School Bus Endorsement.

NCDMV is responsible for training school bus drivers and does not hire school bus drivers for any school systems.​

What are the requirements for getting a School Bus Endorsement? 

To become a school bus driver in North Carolina, all individuals must meet the following requirements:  

  • At least 18 years old  
  • At least six months driving experience with a full license. Time spent with graduated or provisional credentials does not meet this requirement.​   
  • Sponsorship from a North Carolina school transportation provider (public, charter, private or parochial school, Head Start program, or other provider)
  • ​Hold a commercial driver license based on state of residence with “S" (school bus), “P" (passenger) endorsement symbols 
  • ​​There are other requirements you must meet before becoming a school bus driver.

​​What are the eligibility requirements?​

You must certify at the time of application that you do not hold more than one driver license and that your license is not suspended, disqualified or revoked.  

Some convictions will make you ineligible to operate a school bus. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver should contact their local school system's transportation department for further qualifications, requirements, restrictions and/or school-bus driver training classes. 

Under state law, NCDMV does not issue or renew a commercial driver license with "P" or "S" endorsement symbols to anyone required to register under sex offender and public protection registration programs. 

What rules do I need to follow? 

In addition to the rules that apply to the driving public, commercial driver license holders are required to follow rules specific to commercial motor vehicle drivers and comply with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act to maintain their commercial driver license and keep their school-bus driver certification. 

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  • I received a letter from NCDMV saying my school bus certification was cancelled. What do I do now?
    • ​​As of June 2025, medical certificates must be submitted by the provider directly to the FMCSA National Registry​. They can no longer be submitted directly to NCDMV by the customer.
    • If you have been convicted of a moving violation or had your license suspended, contact your local school bus trainer through your school transportation department. 
    • If you have recently been drug tested, your employer will receive the results directly from the drug test provider.
    • If you renewed your driver license, but did not renew your school bus certification, contact your local school bus trainer through your school’s transportation department. Please note it is critical that you renew your school bus certification BEFORE renewing your commercial driver license.
    • If you are no longer driving for a school or school system, your certification will be cancelled (your license should still be in good standing if this is the only reason) until you certify it with a new school/school system with a school bus trainer.

  • Routing & Complaints/Compliments regarding school bus driver

    ​If you have concerns or compliments about school bus drivers or routing of school buses, contact the school or school system identified on the side of the bus. This is a local school transportation issue and must be addressed there first.  Include the time, date, location, and bus number when you contact the school system.

  • I have a concern about a school bus driver. Who do I contact?

    ​If you are a school bus driver and you receive a letter from NCDMV regarding your school bus certification, contact the driver education program specialist in your area with your questions.

​​What training and tests do I need for a School Bus Endorsement?

The training and tests you’ll need will depend on what CDL/endorsements you’ve had in the past, or if you’re completely new to driving a school bus. Which of the following apply to you?​

I’m new to getting a CDL and School Bus Endorsement​

​I’m transferring my license with endorsements from another state

​I’ve held a CDL and certain endorsements before​

​I'm new to gettin​g a CDL or School Bus Endorsement

1. Get a sponsorship from your employer or potential employer 

Before entering any training for a school bus endorsement with NCDMV, you'll need a sponsorship from a school system, charter school or private school. Your employer will refer you to NCDMV for training and tests. 

2. Get a commercial​​ learner permit 

First, you'll need to take the federal Entry-Level Driver Training, or ELDT, classroom theory which sets the standards for entry-level drivers. You’ll need to pass up to four different CDL knowledge tests (general knowledge, air brakes​, passenger endorsement and school bus endorsement) with a score of 80 percent or better on each test.

 Written test scores are good for 90 days. You must get your commercial learner permit​​​ issued before the scores expire. There are no extensions. 

You'll need to pass the required pass the following as well:  

From there, you can go to a driver license office and get a learner permit. Commercial learner permits are good for 180 days and may be renewed once within 30 days of expiration for another 180 days. If you do not complete training before the permit expires, you will have to start the process again.

3. Get your CDL and School Bus Endorsement 

Once you have your learner permit, you'll need road and range training where you'll learn how to check your vehicle before a trip, drive on the road and learn how to maneuver the bus (i.e. backing up, turning, etc.). 

In addition to the training, you need to pass three behind-the-wheel tests.  

Once you have successfully trained and passed the tests, NCDMV will then issue you a School Bus Driver's Certificate. This certification will then be added to your driving record, allowing you to legally operate a school bus in North Carolina.

Your certificate will need to be renewed every three years.
​

I’m​ transferring my license with​​ endorsements from another state

1. Get a sponsorship from your employer or potential employer

Before entering any training for a school bus with NCDMV, you’ll need a sponsorship from a school system, charter school or private school. Your employer or potential employer will refer you to NCDMV for training and tests.

2. Pass training and get your endorsement

Although you already have a CDL from another state, North Carolina has strict requirements and tests for acquiring a school bus endorsement. To get a School Bus Driver’s Certificate, you’ll need to undergo training with an NCDMV representative from School Bus and Traffic Safety and pass pre-trip, backing and driving skills evaluations.

Once you have successfully passed the tests, NCDMV will then issue you a School Bus Driver’s Certificate. This certification will then be added to your driving record, allowing you to legally operate a school bus in North Carolina.​​​

Your certificate will need to be renewed every three years.   ​

I’ve held a CDL and certain endorsements before​

If you’ve held a CDL and certain endorsements, you may be exempt from certain tests. Please contact NCDMV for more information.

​What are the requirements for driving a school activity bus? 

The requirements to drive a school activity bus are the same according to the N.C. State Board of Education Policy​, which also requires both “P" (passenger) and an “S" (school bus) endorsement symbols. 

​Driving a school or activity bus without a certification is a Class III misdemeanor and is a punishable offense.

How many times can I train and test to be a school bus driver?

NCDMV policy limits school bus applicants to two training attempts and six testing attempts every calendar year. ​

What are the fees?​ 

​Training videos​​​​

​​These videos are part of the training to become a licensed school bus driver in North Carolina.

​​​Watch training videos​
​​

Contact

Virtual Training & Development section

N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles

3101 Mail Service Center
1515 N.Church St.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804​

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3/4/2026 12:38 PM

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