A driver holds a valid school pupil activity bus (SPAB) certificate. May that driver drive a school bus on it?California Vehicle Code section 546
A driver is certified to drive a school bus. What does Vehicle Code 12804.6 say about driving a transit bus?California Vehicle Code section 12804.6(a)
A school bus driver reaches age 65. How often must the driver now have a medical examination?California Vehicle Code section 12517.2(b)
An applicant has cleared the criminal history background check and passed the examinations. Who issues the temporary driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(b)
How long can a school bus driver certificate stay valid?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(c)
How old must a person be to drive a school bus that is transporting pupils to or from school?California Vehicle Code section 12516
How recent must the medical examination be when you apply for an original or renewal certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.2(a)
What does a certificate holder need before driving a vehicle equipped with a two-speed rear axle?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(e)
When may the first aid examination be waived?California Vehicle Code section 12522(c)
Show all 186 questions (177 more)
Certificate and license, continued
Which agency conducts the examinations for a school bus driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(a)
Which agency issues the permanent school bus driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(c)
Which applicants does Vehicle Code 12517.3 require to be fingerprinted?California Vehicle Code section 12517.3(a)
Which drivers must also qualify by an examination on first aid practices?California Vehicle Code section 12522(a)
Which of these is one of the restrictions the law lists for a school bus driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4(d)
Which two documents must a school bus driver have in immediate possession while transporting pupils?California Vehicle Code section 12517(a)
Your first aid examination was waived because you hold a first aid certificate. What happens if you let that first aid certificate lapse?California Vehicle Code section 12522(c)
Training and renewal 10
A driver already holds a SPAB or transit bus certificate and now wants a school bus certificate. What minimum training does Education Code 40082(b) set?California Education Code section 40082(b)
During the last 12 months before the certificate expires, what form must the 10 hours of training take?California Education Code section 40085
How is the minimum 40-hour course for an original certificate divided?California Education Code section 40082(a)
How long is the minimum course for an original school pupil activity bus (SPAB) certificate?California Education Code section 40083
How long is the minimum course of instruction for an original school bus driver certificate?California Education Code section 40082(a)
On which form is a driver's required training documented?California Education Code section 40087(a)
To renew a school bus certificate, how much training must a driver complete during each 12 months that the certificate is valid?California Education Code section 40085
What can happen if a driver does not complete the required training during any 12-month period of the certificate?California Education Code section 40085
What kind of vehicles must an applicant's behind-the-wheel training include?California Education Code section 40082(a)
Who must give, or be present for, all of the classroom instruction?California Education Code section 40082(a)
Refusal, suspension and revocation 11
A carrier dismisses a driver for a cause relating to pupil transportation safety. How soon must the carrier report the dismissal to the DMV?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1236(a)
A certificate holder refuses a required controlled substance test and is not in a qualifying return to duty program. What happens to the certificate?California Vehicle Code section 13376(b)
A driver is disciplined for leaving the immediate vicinity of the bus with an unsupervised pupil aboard, and the conduct is found to be gross negligence. What must the school authority or employer do?California Education Code section 39843(a)
An applicant is refused a certificate after failing the prescribed testing three times. When may the applicant reapply?California Vehicle Code section 13370(c)
How often may a driver use a rehabilitation or return to duty program to avoid revocation after a positive controlled substance test?California Vehicle Code section 13376(b)
Under Education Code 39833, knowingly driving a school bus without the qualifications the Highway Patrol requires is what kind of offense?California Education Code section 39833
Under Education Code 39843, does escorting pupils across the road count as leaving the immediate vicinity of the bus?California Education Code section 39843(b)
Who sits on the Certificate Action Review Board?California Vehicle Code section 13371(d)
Within 12 months a driver is involved in three accidents that the driver caused or contributed to. What may the DMV do?California Vehicle Code section 13369(c)
Within three years, a driver is convicted of a violation that carries a violation point count of two or more. What must the DMV do about the school bus certificate?California Vehicle Code section 13369(b)
You receive a notice that your certificate is refused, suspended or revoked. How do you ask for a hearing?California Vehicle Code section 13371(a)
Bus types and definitions 9
A passenger vehicle designed for, and actually carrying, not more than 10 people including the driver is not a school bus. What is the exception?California Education Code section 39830(b)
Do the school bus laws apply to buses that serve private schools?California Vehicle Code section 2808(a)
In the Highway Patrol regulations, what is a Type 1 bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201(b)
May a school district add its own pupil transportation requirements on top of the state rules?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1202(b)
The school bus definition covers the transportation of pupils up to what level?California Education Code section 39830
What is a school pupil activity bus (SPAB)?California Vehicle Code section 546
What is the basic definition of a Type 2 bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201(b)
Which agency adopts the regulations on the safe operation of school buses?California Education Code section 39831
Which of these vehicles is NOT a school bus under Education Code 39830?California Education Code section 39830(a)
Flashing lights and stop arm 21
A stop falls under one of the subdivision (e) exceptions, but today some pupils have to cross the road the bus is stopped on. What now?California Vehicle Code section 22112(e)
A traffic officer is controlling traffic at your stop. What do you do with the amber lights, red lights and stop arm?California Vehicle Code section 22112(a)
For the school bus stopping law, what is a "multiple-lane highway"?California Vehicle Code section 22454(b)
How tall must the letters be on the front and rear signs that carry the word "schoolbus"?California Vehicle Code section 27906(a)
May a driver switch on the flashing red lights to warn traffic while parked for a break with no pupils loading or unloading?California Vehicle Code section 22112(a)
On a state highway posted at 55 miles per hour or higher, when are the warning lights and stop arm NOT activated at a stop?California Vehicle Code section 22112(e)
On the approach to a stop where pupils are loading or unloading, when does the driver turn on the amber warning lights, if the bus has them?California Vehicle Code section 22112(a)
The roadway at a stop is covered with snow or ice, and making traffic stop would be a safety hazard. Who makes that determination under section 22112?California Vehicle Code section 22112(e)
School buses manufactured on or after what date must be equipped with a stop signal arm?California Vehicle Code section 25257(b)
School buses manufactured on or after what date must have an amber warning light system as well as the flashing red lights?California Vehicle Code section 25257(b)
What is the fine for a first conviction of passing a school bus that is displaying its flashing red lights?California Vehicle Code section 22454.5
What may a school bus driver flash to warn others during a backing maneuver?California Vehicle Code section 25257.5
What must the sign on the rear of the bus, below the rear windows, say?California Vehicle Code section 27906(c)
When does the driver turn the amber warning lights off?California Vehicle Code section 22112(a)
When may the white strobe light on a school bus be lighted?California Vehicle Code section 25257.7(a)
When must the flashing red lights and the stop signal arm be operating?California Vehicle Code section 22112(a)
Who may require the warning lights and stop arm to be activated at a particular location for the safety of pupils, regardless of subdivisions (a) to (d)?California Vehicle Code section 22112(f)
You are loading pupils in the school bus loading zone on school grounds, lawfully parked, and no pupil has to cross a road. What about the warning lights and stop arm?California Vehicle Code section 22112(e)
You watch a vehicle overtake your bus illegally while the red lights are flashing. What does the law let you do?California Vehicle Code section 22454(c)
Your bus has broken down and a relief bus arrives to take the pupils on. What does the relief driver do with the warning lights and stop arm?California Vehicle Code section 22112(e)
Your bus is stopped with red lights flashing on a divided highway. Must a driver on the other roadway stop?California Vehicle Code section 22454(b)
Escorting and loading 9
After unloading at a stop where some pupils cross the road, what must the driver confirm before setting the bus in motion?California Vehicle Code section 22112(d)
At a stop with no traffic officer and no traffic signal, which pupils must the driver escort across the road?California Vehicle Code section 22112(d)
At a stop with no traffic officer, what must the driver make sure of before opening the door?California Vehicle Code section 22112(c)
Does the transportation safety plan law require a school to put a monitor on the bus, in addition to the driver, for boarding and exiting?California Education Code section 39831.3(a)
The escort duties in section 22112(d) apply at which stops?California Vehicle Code section 22112(d)
What must the driver use while escorting pupils across the road?California Vehicle Code section 22112(d)
Where must a current copy of the transportation safety plan be kept?California Education Code section 39831.3(b)
Where must pupils walk when they cross the road the bus is stopped on?California Vehicle Code section 22112(d)
Which of these must the transportation safety plan address?California Education Code section 39831.3(a)
School bus stops 8
A stop is on the main traveled portion of a highway where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. What clear view is needed, unless the Highway Patrol approves otherwise?California Vehicle Code section 22504(c)
How close to a railroad crossing may a school bus stop be designated?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1238(b)
May a driver load or unload pupils at a convenient spot that has not been designated as a stop?California Vehicle Code section 22112(b)
On a divided or multiple-lane highway, when may a stop be designated where pupils have to cross the highway?California Vehicle Code section 22504(c)
On which side of a highway may a school bus stop never be designated?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1238(b)
What basic clear view does Vehicle Code 22504(c) require for every school bus stop, unless the Highway Patrol approves otherwise?California Vehicle Code section 22504(c)
Who can approve a stop that does not meet the clear-view distances, and at whose request?California Vehicle Code section 22504(c)
Who designates the stops where a public school district's buses receive and discharge pupils?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1238(a)
Railroad crossings 10
A crossing has an official railroad crossing "stop exempt" sign placed by the Department of Transportation or a local authority. You are transporting pupils. Must you stop?California Vehicle Code section 22452(d)
After stopping, listening and looking, when may the driver proceed over the tracks?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1228
At a railroad crossing, what does the driver of a Type 1 school bus do with the entrance door?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1228
At a railroad crossing, what does the driver of a Type 2 school bus open?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1228
How far from the nearest rail must a school bus carrying pupils stop before a railroad grade crossing?California Vehicle Code section 22452(b)
In which of these cases does section 22452 say the stop need not be made?California Vehicle Code section 22452(d)
Railroad tracks run along and upon the roadway inside a business district. Does section 22452 require a stop before crossing them?California Vehicle Code section 22452(d)
What is the rule about changing gears while crossing the tracks?California Vehicle Code section 22452(b)
Where does the driver position the bus for the railroad crossing stop?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1228
While stopped at the crossing, what must the driver do?California Vehicle Code section 22452(b)
Inspection and reports 16
A bus has been damaged in an accident. When may it be driven away from the scene?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1230(b)
A school bus may not be driven unless it displays an inspection certificate. How recent must the certificate be?California Vehicle Code section 2807(b)
Besides the driver's daily check, how often must the carrier have each school bus inspected?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1232
During the daily check of the emergency stopping systems on a bus with dual air systems, must the driver drain the reservoirs?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(d)
How long must the carrier keep the drivers' daily vehicle inspection reports?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1234(e)
How often does the Highway Patrol inspect every school bus?California Vehicle Code section 2807(a)
May a school bus driver carry out repairs on the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(g)
On a school bus with vacuum brakes, what is the lowest vacuum gauge reading the daily inspection accepts?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(d)
On an air-braked school bus, which of these is part of the driver's daily brake inspection?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(d)
On the road, the bus develops a condition that makes it unsafe to go on. What does the regulation tell the driver to do?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1220
When does the driver prepare the written vehicle inspection report?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(c)
When must the driver inspect the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(b)
Where is the vehicle inspection approval certificate kept?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1231
Which of these is on the list of items a school bus driver inspects daily?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(d)
You drive two different buses in one day. How many inspection reports do you prepare?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(e)
You find nothing wrong with the bus today. What goes on the report?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215(e)
Driving hours and fitness 9
A driver may not drive after being on duty for how many hours in any consecutive eight days?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5
After coming on duty following eight consecutive hours off, a school bus driver may not drive past the end of which hour?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5(a)
Does the time you spend inspecting, servicing or conditioning the bus count as on-duty time?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201
Heavy fog was already forecast and known to the dispatcher before your run began. Does it count as an "adverse driving condition" for extra driving time?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201(a)
In the Highway Patrol regulations, what ends a bus driver's "work period"?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201
What can the Highway Patrol do on the spot with a driver who has gone past the driving-hour limits?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1213.1
What is the most driving time a school bus driver may log within one work period?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5(a)
You are so ill that your alertness is impaired. What does the regulation say about driving?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1214
You run into adverse driving conditions that nobody could have known about when the run was dispatched. How much extra driving time does the regulation allow to complete the run or reach safety?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212(b)
Passengers, seating and restraints 15
A pupil is misbehaving badly on the way home. May the driver put the pupil off the bus at the side of the road?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(i)
A pupil on a restraint-equipped bus fails to buckle up. Under Vehicle Code 27316, can the driver be charged with a violation for that?California Vehicle Code section 27316(c)
The aisle still has pupils standing in it. When may you put the school bus in motion?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(e)
An adult aide stands to help a pupil while the bus is moving, at the driver's request. Do the "everyone seated" and step well rules apply to that adult?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(k)
How many pupils may a school bus carry?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(a)
It is dark outside and pupils are getting on. What does the regulation require inside the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(h)
On a Type 2 school bus, how many pupils may sit on the seat beside the driver?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(d)
Type 1 school buses manufactured on or after what date must have a combination pelvic and upper torso passenger restraint at every seating position?California Vehicle Code section 27316
What does the state instruction say about the shoulder belt?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14105
What is the rule about locking an emergency exit?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(g)
When may the driver open the door as the bus comes up to a stop?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(f)
Where may no passenger be while the bus is in motion?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(c)
Where should the lap portion of a passenger restraint sit?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14105
You are driving an empty school bus back to the yard. May you drive with the door open?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217(f)
Your bus is equipped with passenger restraints. Who has to use them?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14105
Driver authority and pupil conduct 7
A person boards a school bus without authorization, intending to commit a crime, and refuses to get off when the driver orders it. What is the most the law provides?California Education Code section 39842
A pupil is aboard and you have to leave the driver's compartment. Which steps come first?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1226
A pupil keeps on behaving in a disorderly way, or persistently refuses to submit to the driver's authority. What does the regulation say that can lead to?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14103
Does the driver's responsibility for orderly conduct stop at the bus door?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14103
While pupils are being transported, under whose authority are they?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14103
Who adopts the rules that enforce the section on pupil conduct, including how riding privileges are suspended?California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14103
Your bus has an automatic transmission with no park position. What do you select before leaving the driver's compartment with a pupil aboard?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1226
Safety instruction and drills 6
After safety instruction is given, which of these is recorded?California Education Code section 39831.5(b)
Before departing on a school activity trip, what must all pupils on the bus receive?California Education Code section 39831.5(a)
During the yearly safety instruction, how do pupils leave the bus?California Education Code section 39831.5(a)
How long is the record of safety instruction kept?California Education Code section 39831.5(b)
Which pupils must receive school bus safety instruction at least once in each school year, including a practice evacuation?California Education Code section 39831.5(a)
Written safety information goes to the parents of new riders in prekindergarten to grade 6 at registration. Which of these must it include?California Education Code section 39831.5(a)
Operating rules 16
A service dog is riding on your bus. Who decides whether it should be muzzled?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
The band is loading instruments for an activity trip. What is the rule on where baggage and equipment may go?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
The governing board must adopt procedures that limit school bus operation when atmospheric conditions reduce visibility to what distance during regular home-to-school service?California Vehicle Code section 34501.6
May a school bus tow a trailer or another vehicle?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1235
On a school activity trip, visibility drops to 200 feet or less. Who has the authority to stop the bus trip?California Vehicle Code section 34501.6
The school bus is empty and heading to a staff event. May alcoholic beverages be carried in it?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1221
What is the headlamp rule for a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1225
What is the highest speed at which a school bus transporting any school pupil may be driven on a highway?California Vehicle Code section 22406
When is smoking allowed in a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1222
When may you use a wireless telephone while driving a school bus?California Vehicle Code section 23125
When must the driver of a school bus wear the driver's seat belt?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1224
Where may fuel be carried on a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Which animals may ride in a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Which hazardous material may be carried in the passenger area of a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Which of these is a condition under which the bus shall not be fueled?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1218
With passengers aboard, when may a school bus be fueled?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1218
Accidents 5
A collision with no injuries counts as a "schoolbus accident" when the property damage exceeds what amount?California Vehicle Code section 12517.1(a)
A pupil is hurt inside the bus when the driver brakes hard. No other vehicle is involved. Is that a "schoolbus accident"?California Vehicle Code section 12517.1(a)
After an accident with pupils aboard, when may the driver leave the immediate vicinity of the bus to get help?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1219
Which agency investigates school bus accidents?California Vehicle Code section 12517.1(b)
Your school bus is involved in an accident. Whom must you notify, or have notified, immediately?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1219
Emergency equipment 9
A school bus that is not a wheelchair bus carries one or two fire extinguishers. What aggregate rating must they add up to?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1242
How many fire extinguishers does a wheelchair school bus carry?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1242
How many first aid units does a bus rated for 43 or more passengers need in its kit?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1243
How often must the fire extinguishers on a school bus be inspected or serviced?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1242
How tall must the letters of the "Emergency Exit" marking be?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1284
May the emergency exits of a school bus be controlled from the driver's seat?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1284
What is a "child safety alert system"?California Vehicle Code section 28160
Which of these describes how the first aid kit on a school bus must be kept?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1243
Which type of fire extinguisher may not be used on a school bus?California Education Code section 39838
Pupils with disabilities 9
A school bus has been modified to carry wheelchairs. When may it start transporting pupils?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
The fasteners that hold a wheelchair in the bus must contact the chair at how many points, at least?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
How many floor-level doors must a wheelchair school bus have?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
May a wheelchair fastener be attached to a door of the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
What does the regulation require of the batteries on an electric wheelchair carried in a school bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
What is the rule about a pupil on the wheelchair lift or other loading device outside the passenger compartment?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
What must every wheelchair carried on a school bus be equipped with?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
When must a pupil be secured to the wheelchair by a restraining belt?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1293
You have never worked the wheelchair lift and tie downs on a bus type that is new to you. What must happen before you drive it unsupervised?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1229
How this list was compiled: Every question rests on one section of California law, read on 2026-09-19 and named in the question's own source line. Read on the Legislature's site, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml : EDC 39831.5, VEH 546, VEH 2807, VEH 12516, VEH 12517, VEH 12517.3, VEH 22112. That site stopped answering part way through the day, so the remaining statutes were read on the mirror https://california.public.law , whose pages give the leginfo address as their source and carry the line "PUBLICLAW VERIFIED: Sep. 14, 2026": EDC 39830, EDC 39831, EDC 39831.3, EDC 39833, EDC 39838, EDC 39842, EDC 39843, EDC 40082, EDC 40083, EDC 40085, EDC 40087, VEH 2808, VEH 12517.1, VEH 12517.2, VEH 12517.4, VEH 12522, VEH 12804.6, VEH 13369, VEH 13370, VEH 13371, VEH 13376, VEH 22406, VEH 22452, VEH 22454, VEH 22454.5, VEH 22504, VEH 23125, VEH 25257, VEH 25257.5, VEH 25257.7, VEH 27316, VEH 27906, VEH 28160, VEH 34501.6. Regulations were read at Cornell Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california , which says state regulations are updated quarterly: 13 CCR 1201, 13 CCR 1202, 13 CCR 1212, 13 CCR 1212.5, 13 CCR 1213.1, 13 CCR 1214, 13 CCR 1215, 13 CCR 1216, 13 CCR 1217, 13 CCR 1218, 13 CCR 1219, 13 CCR 1220, 13 CCR 1221, 13 CCR 1222, 13 CCR 1224, 13 CCR 1225, 13 CCR 1226, 13 CCR 1228, 13 CCR 1229, 13 CCR 1230, 13 CCR 1231, 13 CCR 1232, 13 CCR 1234, 13 CCR 1235, 13 CCR 1236, 13 CCR 1238, 13 CCR 1242, 13 CCR 1243, 13 CCR 1284, 13 CCR 1293, 5 CCR 14103, 5 CCR 14105. The meaning of "department" was read in Vehicle Code 290 (mirror) and in 13 CCR 1201. That the appointment for this certificate includes a rules and regulations written test and, for school bus and youth bus drivers, a first aid examination is from the Highway Patrol's school bus program page, https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/school-bus-program , as recorded by the site planner on 2026-09-19. Checked 2026-09-19. Licence: Own work. Every question, every wrong choice and every explanation was written for this site from the text of the statute or regulation it cites. Short quoted phrases are from California statutes and regulations, which are public law. Nothing is taken from a prep company, a driver handbook, an instructor manual or another practice test.
How it works
This unofficial practice test holds 186 questions on the California laws and regulations that govern school bus drivers, the subject of the rules and regulations written test for the school bus driver certificate. Each question names the code section it rests on. Choose a subject under Start from, or press Exam mode for a mixed set of 50. The first aid examination is not covered here.
Read the full guide
Who gives the certificate test, and what this bank covers
Under Vehicle Code 12517.4 the California Highway Patrol conducts the examinations and issues the temporary certificate, and the Department of Motor Vehicles issues the permanent one. The Highway Patrol's school bus program page lists a rules and regulations written test and, for school bus and youth bus drivers, a first aid examination. This page shows no question count or pass mark for the real test, because no state page read on September 19, 2026 publishes them. Ask your state-certified instructor for both.
Where the 186 questions come from
Every question was written for this site from one section of law: the Vehicle Code (certificates, red lights and stop arm, railroad crossings, bus stops), the Education Code (training hours, safety instruction, evacuation drills), Title 13 of the Code of Regulations (inspection, driving hours, passengers, equipment, wheelchairs) and Title 5 (the driver's authority over pupils). After you answer, the source line links to that section. The Legislature's site went down during our check, so 34 statute sections were read on a mirror that cites it.
A study order that starts at the bus stop
Begin with Flashing lights and stop arm, the largest topic at 21 questions, then Escorting and loading and Railroad crossings. All three turn on Vehicle Code 22112 and 22452, and their exceptions sit in the same sections as the rules. Next take Inspection and reports and Driving hours and fitness, which come from Title 13. Leave Refusal, suspension and revocation for last: it is mostly time limits. Then press Exam mode and clear the Missed pile.
Learn each number with its unit and its section: amber lights 200 feet before the stop, a railroad stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail, 55 miles per hour with pupils aboard.
Settle Type 1 and Type 2 first. A Type 1 bus is designed for more than 16 passengers and the driver. At a railroad crossing its driver opens the door fully, and a Type 2 driver opens the window.
Keep three driving limits apart: ten hours of driving in a work period, the end of the 16th hour on duty, and 80 hours on duty in eight consecutive days.
Open the source link after a miss and read the whole subdivision. The statutes spell "schoolbus" as one word.
Questions and answers
Is this a CHP school bus practice test?
It is unofficial practice for the rules and regulations written test that the California Highway Patrol gives to school bus driver certificate applicants. The Highway Patrol did not write or review it. The questions are written from the statutes and regulations, not from the agency's test, so none of them is a real test question.
Is this the same as the CDL school bus endorsement test?
No. Vehicle Code 12517(a) asks a school bus driver for two things: a valid license of the right class, endorsed for school bus and passenger transportation, and a school bus driver certificate. The endorsement test is the federal one every state shares, and our CDL school bus endorsement page practices it. This page covers California's own certificate.
Does this page prepare me for the first aid examination?
No. Vehicle Code 12522 requires school bus and youth bus drivers to pass an examination on first aid practices, and allows a waiver for holders of a current American Red Cross first aid certificate, among others. This site writes no first aid instruction. Three questions here cover what section 12522 says, and nothing more.
How long does the certificate last, and what training keeps it valid?
Under Vehicle Code 12517.4(c) a certificate is valid for at most five years and expires on the fifth birthday after it was issued. Education Code 40082 sets the original course at a minimum of 40 hours: at least 20 in the classroom and 20 behind the wheel. Section 40085 requires at least 10 hours of training in each 12 months, and the last 12 months must be classroom hours.
How current are the questions?
Every section was read on September 19, 2026, and each question links to its source. California amends these codes from year to year. If an answer here disagrees with the section as it reads today, the section is right. This page is study practice, not legal advice or safety training.