The New S Endorsement for School Bus Drivers

New federal regulations require that, on or after October 1, 2005, a school bus driver with a NYS commercial driver license (CDL) must have a new "S" (school bus) endorsement. The S endorsement will be required to drive specific types of school buses. Read the definition of the types of school buses that will require an "S".

You must apply for the S endorsement at a DMV office and pay the required fees.

You must pass a written (knowledge) test to receive a CDL permit with the S endorsement.  You must then pass a road (skills) test to receive the S endorsement.  You must take the road test on a school bus.

The written test has 20 multiple-choice questions about the knowledge and skills required to drive school buses.  You must correctly answer 16 of the 20 questions to pass the written test.

The written test is based on the information in Section 10 of the CDL Manual.

If you have other questions about the S endorsement, read the FAQS.

Note:  You are not required to have the S endorsement if you drive a coach bus and you do not transport students between the home and the school or the school and the home. To determine if you are exempt from the requirement for the S endorsement, contact your employer.