CDL School Bus cheat sheet

A CDL is required to operate a CMV with a GVWR of 26,001 lb or more, a towed unit over 10,000 lb, or a vehicle designed for 16 or more passengers including the driver.

Passenger (P) endorsement is required for any CMV designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver; a school bus also requires the S endorsement.

School bus (S) endorsement requires a P endorsement or concurrent issuance, a knowledge test on school bus operation, and a skills test in a school bus.

Hazardous materials (H) endorsement requires a TSA security threat assessment, a knowledge test, and the endorsement is not issued until the threat assessment clears.

Tank (N) endorsement applies to tank vehicles rated at 1,000 gallons or more; it requires a separate knowledge test beyond the general CDL tests.

Double/triple trailer (T) endorsement is required to pull double or triple trailers; it requires a knowledge test and is not required for a single trailer.

Air brake restriction (L) is removed only by passing the air brake knowledge test and performing the air brake inspection during the skills test in an air-brake-equipped vehicle.

Interstate CMV drivers must be at least 21 years old; intrastate drivers may be 18 or older if the state allows, and 18-20 year olds may not drive interstate CMVs.

Endorsements must be added to a valid CDL; a CLP holder may not obtain an H, N, or T endorsement, and S endorsement holders must meet school bus-specific requirements.

School bus: stop at least 10 feet from the nearest rail at a railroad crossing, open the service door and driver's window, and check both directions before crossing.

School bus: the danger zone is the area within 10 feet around the bus; students must be loaded and unloaded so they never cross the danger zone unchecked.

School bus: use the eight-light system - amber warning lights before the stop, red lights and stop arm when stopped; red lights are not used at railroad crossings.

Doubles/triples: the shut-off valve (emergency air supply) on each trailer must be closed except on the rear trailer, and the rear trailer's valve stays open.

Doubles/triples: check the converter dolly and coupling, and remember that the rear trailer tends to swing out and off-track more than a single trailer.

Tank vehicles: liquid surge causes forward and backward movement; the higher the center of gravity and the less liquid in the tank, the greater the surge effect.

Tank vehicles: baffles slow surge but do not stop it; smooth bore tanks have no baffles and produce the strongest surge, so brake and turn gently.

Hazmat: placards are required for 1,001 lb or more aggregate gross weight of a hazard class, and for any amount of certain materials (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 6.1 PG I).

Hazmat: the shipping paper must accompany the shipment, and emergency response information must be carried with it; never smoke or use a phone near a hazmat loading area.

The CDL skills test has three parts: vehicle inspection (pre-trip), basic vehicle control, and on-road driving; all three must be passed.

The pre-trip inspection must cover the engine compartment, the exterior of the vehicle, and the in-cab items; the candidate must identify and explain each item checked.

Basic vehicle control includes straight-line backing, offset backing, and alley docking; the candidate must stay within the marked boundaries.

The on-road portion evaluates lane control, turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, and speed control; an automatic failure occurs on a critical error.

Automatic failures include: running a red light, striking a curb or object, failing to yield, failing to check mirrors, and causing an accident.

The school bus skills test must be taken in a school bus and includes loading and unloading students and the railroad crossing procedure.

The knowledge test requires a passing score on the general knowledge test plus the endorsement-specific tests; a CLP must be held for at least 14 days before the skills test.

The CLP knowledge test covers general knowledge, air brakes (if applicable), and combination vehicles; the CLP is valid for 180 days and may be renewed.

Serious traffic violations include: excessive speeding (15 mph or more over the limit), reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, and any violation causing a fatality.

A CDL holder convicted of two serious traffic violations in three years is disqualified for 60 days; three or more in three years is a 120-day disqualification.

A first conviction for DUI, refusal to submit to a BAC test, or leaving the scene of an accident results in a one-year CDL disqualification; a second conviction is a lifetime disqualification.

Driving a CMV with a BAC of 0.04% or higher is a violation; a CDL holder is subject to this lower limit, not the 0.08% non-CMV limit.

A CDL holder convicted of a traffic violation in any vehicle, including a personal vehicle, must notify the employer within 30 days.

A CDL is disqualified for one year for a first violation and permanently for a second violation of using a CMV in the commission of a felony.

The employer must be notified of any conviction and must obtain a motor vehicle record annually for each driver; drivers must report convictions to the state within 30 days.

A driver disqualified for 60 days or more must be removed from safety-sensitive functions; a driver with a lifetime disqualification is permanently barred from CMV operation.