School Bus Endorsement Eligibility and General Knowledge Prerequisites
The exam tests the prerequisites for the S endorsement and the general knowledge you need before you can be licensed to drive a school bus in North Carolina.
Eligibility chain
- Hold a CDL (Class B or C for a school bus) with a passenger (P) endorsement. The S endorsement is added to it.
- Pass the General Knowledge, Passenger Transport, and School Bus knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes if the bus has air brakes.
- Pass a skills test in a school bus.
- Meet age requirements: 18 for intrastate driving, 21 for interstate.
- Hold a valid DOT medical examiner's certificate and self-certify.
- Pass state and FBI fingerprint background checks and a 10-year driving record check.
- Have no disqualifying conviction: DUI, leaving the scene, a felony involving a CMV, or a sex offense requiring registration.
- Pass pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing and Clearinghouse queries.
Worked example
An applicant has a Class B CDL with P, passes the S knowledge test, and has a valid medical card, but was convicted of DUI five years ago. The S endorsement cannot be issued. Reasoning: the driving-record and background check covers the past 10 years, and DUI is disqualifying.
Traps
- Thinking the S endorsement stands alone.
- Skipping the air-brakes test when the bus has air brakes.
- Assuming 21 is required for all school bus driving.
- Forgetting the fingerprint background check or the medical card.