A SPAB is designed to carry 45 passengers and the driver. Which bus type is it under Title 13?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201
A SPAB takes pupils to or from a residential school. Where must they be received and discharged?California Vehicle Code section 546
In the SPAB definition, what must be the carrier's principal purpose of business?California Vehicle Code section 546
In Title 13, what does "PAB" stand for?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201
Is a school pupil activity bus a "schoolbus" under Vehicle Code 545?California Vehicle Code section 545
Up to what grade level are the pupils a SPAB carries?California Vehicle Code section 546
What arrangement makes a carrier's bus a SPAB on an activity trip?California Vehicle Code section 546
What is the passenger limit of a Type 2 bus built before April 1, 1977?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1201
What separates the charter vehicle of Vehicle Code 545(a)(11) from a SPAB?California Vehicle Code section 545
Which activity trip does the SPAB definition expressly leave out?California Vehicle Code section 546
Which department adopts the rules for the safe operation of school pupil activity buses?California Vehicle Code section 34501.5
Which operators' vehicles can be a school pupil activity bus (SPAB)?California Vehicle Code section 546
Which trip fits the SPAB definition?California Vehicle Code section 546
Show all 116 questions (103 more)
License, certificate and fees 20
A carrier's coach has a two-speed rear axle. What must the driver's certificate show?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4
A SPAB applicant has already had training equal to what the regulations require. What does Vehicle Code 546 say?California Vehicle Code section 546
According to the Highway Patrol's program page, what does the appointment for the certificate include besides the application and the background check?California Highway Patrol, School Bus Program page
Besides the Highway Patrol, who may fingerprint an original applicant on an electronic system run through the Department of Justice?California Vehicle Code section 12517.3
How recent must the medical examination report be that goes with a certificate application?California Vehicle Code section 12517.2
On the Highway Patrol's school bus program page, which form is the Special Driver Certificate application?California Highway Patrol, School Bus Program page
Vehicle Code 12517.45 covers a charter vehicle taking pupils to a school activity. Which paper must its driver carry for each pupil?California Vehicle Code section 12517.45
What fee does Vehicle Code 12517(c) set for an original SPAB certificate application?California Vehicle Code section 12517
What fee does Vehicle Code 12517(c) set to renew the certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517
What must be cleared before the Highway Patrol issues a temporary driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4
When does a SPAB certificate expire?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4
When pupils are aboard for a school activity, what must a SPAB driver have in immediate possession besides the license?California Vehicle Code section 12517
Which agency conducts the examinations for the SPAB driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4
Which certificate satisfies Vehicle Code 12517.45 for the driver of that charter vehicle?California Vehicle Code section 12517.45
Which endorsement must the driver's license of a SPAB driver carry?California Vehicle Code section 12517
Which of these is a restriction the law lists for a driver certificate?California Vehicle Code section 12517.4
Which statement about a valid SPAB certificate is true?California Vehicle Code section 546
Which training may the Highway Patrol's regulations NOT require of SPAB drivers?California Vehicle Code section 546
Who signs the State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01 that documents a driver's training?California Education Code section 40087
Whose operators does the first aid examination of Vehicle Code 12522 cover?California Vehicle Code section 12522
Training hours and instructors 17
A carrier hires a driver who already holds a SPAB certificate. Whom must the carrier notify, and how soon?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1236
A driver skips the required training during one 12-month period of the certificate. What may follow?California Education Code section 40085
A SPAB certificate holder wants a schoolbus certificate. How many hours behind the wheel does Education Code 40082(b) ask for?California Education Code section 40082
An instructor falsifies a Training Certificate T-01. What must the State Department of Education do?California Education Code section 40088
Besides a state-certified instructor, who may give behind-the-wheel training for a SPAB certificate?California Education Code section 40083
How does the minimum SPAB course compare with the minimum schoolbus course?California Education Code section 40083 and 40082
How many hours of behind-the-wheel training does the minimum SPAB course include?California Education Code section 40083
How many hours of classroom instruction does the minimum course for an original SPAB certificate include?California Education Code section 40083
How much recent driving experience must a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer have in the type and size of vehicle?California Education Code section 40084.5
In the last 12 months before a SPAB certificate expires, what form must the 10 hours take?California Education Code section 40085
To renew a SPAB certificate, how much training is needed during each 12 months the certificate is valid?California Education Code section 40085
What can earn in-service training credit from a state-certified instructor?California Education Code section 40085
What kind of vehicles must the applicant's behind-the-wheel training include?California Education Code section 40083
What must a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer's driving record show?California Education Code section 40084.5
Which department develops or approves the courses that train SPAB drivers?California Education Code section 40081
Which topic is on the classroom list for a SPAB driver moving up to a schoolbus certificate?California Education Code section 40082
Whom may a state-certified SPAB driver instructor NOT instruct?California Education Code section 40088
Refusal, suspension and revocation 14
A certificate carries the restriction "Type 2 bus only" and its holder drives a Type 1 coach. What may the department do?California Vehicle Code section 13369
A certificate holder no longer has a valid driver's license of the appropriate class. What may the department do with the certificate?California Vehicle Code section 13369
A certificate holder tests positive on a required controlled substance test. How soon must the carrier that requested the test report it to the department?California Vehicle Code section 13376
A certificate was canceled under Vehicle Code 13369(d) at the driver's own request. When may the driver reapply?California Vehicle Code section 13369
A driver is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles for leaving a pupil unattended on a SPAB. What may the department do?California Vehicle Code section 13370
A driver was dismissed for a cause relating to pupil transportation safety. What does Vehicle Code 13370(b) allow?California Vehicle Code section 13370
A notice of refusal is mailed and 15 days pass with no written request for a hearing. What is the result?California Vehicle Code section 13371
A SPAB driver is convicted of a violation that carries two violation points. Within what period does that conviction require refusal or revocation of the certificate?California Vehicle Code section 13369
After a certificate is refused or revoked under Vehicle Code 13369(b) or (c), how long before the driver may reapply?California Vehicle Code section 13369
After a hearing on a certificate action, whose decision is final?California Vehicle Code section 13371
An employer upholds discipline against a SPAB driver who left the bus with an unsupervised pupil aboard, and finds gross negligence. How soon must the Department of Motor Vehicles be notified?California Education Code section 39843
For how long does the department keep a record of a positive controlled substance test in the driving record of a certificate holder?California Vehicle Code section 13376
How many testing failures does Vehicle Code 13370(c)(2) count before its 45-day wait to reapply begins?California Vehicle Code section 13370
Within 24 months a driver caused an accident with serious property damage. Above what amount may the certificate be refused or revoked?California Vehicle Code section 13369
Driving hours, fitness and crossings 14
A chaperone wants to stand beside the driver where they block the right-hand mirror. What does the vision rule say?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1223
A SPAB carrying pupils comes to a railroad grade crossing. How far from the nearest rail must it stop?California Vehicle Code section 22452
A SPAB driver comes on duty at 5:00 a.m. after eight consecutive hours off. What is the latest time the driver may still be driving that day?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5
After a team banquet a coach asks to stow sealed bottles of wine in the luggage bay for the ride home. Is that allowed on a SPAB?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1221
After how many hours on duty in any eight consecutive days must a driver stop driving?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5
After stopping at a railroad crossing, what must the driver not do while crossing the tracks?California Vehicle Code section 22452
An official railroad crossing "exempt" sign is posted at a crossing. Does it excuse a SPAB carrying pupils from stopping?California Vehicle Code section 22452
At which crossing does Vehicle Code 22452 excuse the stop, even for a SPAB with pupils?California Vehicle Code section 22452
In a grave emergency where stopping at once would add to the hazard, how far may an impaired driver go under the fatigue rule?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1214
Midway through a long trip the driver becomes too ill to stay alert. What does the fatigue rule say?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1214
On a tournament trip in clear weather and normal traffic, a SPAB driver has already driven ten hours in the work period. May the driver keep driving?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212.5
The SPAB is parked and empty while a game is on. May the driver smoke inside it?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1222
Urban transit drivers may run up to one hour over their hours to reach a regular relief point. Does that allowance cover SPAB drivers?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1212
When must the driver be secured to the driver's seat with the seat belt?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1224
Pupils, baggage and the trip 16
A pupil is causing trouble on the way back from a field trip. When may the SPAB driver put the pupil off the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
A school's transportation safety plan must set procedures and standards for designating whom to ride on a SPAB?California Education Code section 39831.3
A transit operator's bus carries standing passengers in regular city service. On a SPAB trip, may pupils stand while it moves?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
An animal allowed under Civil Code 54.2 is aboard. Who decides whether it should be muzzled?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Before a SPAB leaves on a school activity trip, what must every pupil aboard receive?California Education Code section 39831.5
The driver asks an adult chaperone to stand and help a pupil while the SPAB is moving. Do the seated and step well rules apply to that adult?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
Pupils are aboard and the bus needs fuel. When does the fueling rule allow it?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1218
The team loads equipment bags into the passenger area. What must stay clear in every case?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
What else must the transportation safety plan make sure never happens on a SPAB?California Education Code section 39831.3
What sets the number of passengers a SPAB may carry?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
Where may fuel be carried on the bus?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Where may no passenger be while the bus is in motion?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
Which animals may ride in a SPAB?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Which hazardous material may a passenger bring aboard?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1216
Which of these must not be the case while the bus is being fueled?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1218
With pupils aboard, what is the rule on a bus's emergency exits?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1217
Inspection, equipment and accidents 22
A bus is damaged in a collision. When may it be driven from the place where the damage occurred?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1230
A collision with no injuries involves a SPAB carrying a pupil. Above what amount of property damage is it a "schoolbus accident"?California Vehicle Code section 12517.1
A mechanical failure makes the bus unsafe partway through a trip. What must the driver do?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1220
A SPAB breaks down on the road. Which repairs may a driver who is not the bus's mechanic make?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215
A SPAB carrier keeps records of the miles each bus travels. Over what year are they kept?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1234
A SPAB with pupils aboard is in an accident. Whom must the driver notify, or have notified, immediately?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1219
After an accident that the driver had to report at once, how soon must the carrier make sure it has been reported?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1237
After an accident, when may the driver leave the immediate vicinity of the bus to seek aid?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1219
Before a driver takes a different type of bus on the highway unsupervised, what must the carrier require?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1229
Before driving, which step does the daily inspection rule ask of a charter carrier's SPAB driver but not of a school bus driver?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215
How often does the Highway Patrol inspect and certify every school pupil activity bus?California Vehicle Code section 2807.1
How often must a SPAB carrier have every bus given its periodic preventive maintenance inspection?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1232
How often must push-out windows, roof exits and emergency doors be inspected?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1232
How recent must the inspection date on the certificate displayed in a SPAB be?California Vehicle Code section 2807.1
To what is a vehicle inspection approval certificate issued?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1231
What is the least fire extinguisher rating Title 13 accepts on a SPAB?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1242
What must appear on a SPAB's inspection and maintenance records that other vehicles' records need not show?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1234
When does the driver prepare the written report on each vehicle operated?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215
Where is the vehicle inspection approval certificate posted?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1231
Which of these is on the list a SPAB driver's written daily report must cover?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1215
Which of these vehicles is NOT on the list that Title 13 requires to carry a first aid kit?California Code of Regulations, Title 13, section 1243
Which Type 2 SPABs must have a lap and shoulder restraint at every designated seating position?California Vehicle Code section 27316.5
How this list was compiled: Written for this site from California law, read on 2026-10-12 on the state's own sites. Statutes on the Legislature's site, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml : Vehicle Code 545, 546, 2807.1, 12517, 12517.1, 12517.2, 12517.3, 12517.4, 12517.45, 12522, 13369, 13370, 13371, 13376, 22452, 27316.5 and 34501.5 (with 290 and 34500 for which department is meant), and Education Code 39830.1, 39831.3, 39831.5, 39843, 40081, 40082, 40083, 40084.5, 40085, 40087, 40088 and 40089. Regulations in the California Code of Regulations as published online for the Office of Administrative Law, https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/ , current through Register 2026, No. 39 (9/25/26): Title 13, sections 1201, 1212, 1212.5, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224, 1229, 1230, 1231, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1237, 1242 and 1243. That the appointment for a Special Driver Certificate includes the CHP 295 application, a Department of Justice livescan and a rules and regulations written test, with a first aid examination for school bus and youth bus only, is from the California Highway Patrol's School Bus Program page, https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/school-bus-program , read the same day. That page gives no question count, time limit or pass mark for the written test. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the text of the statute or regulation each one names. Nothing is taken from the Highway Patrol's test, a handbook, an instructor's manual, a prep company or another practice test.
How it works
This unofficial CHP SPAB practice test has 116 questions on California's laws and regulations for school pupil activity bus drivers. The Highway Patrol gives a rules and regulations written test, and did not write or review these questions.
Read the full guide
What the SPAB certificate is
A school pupil activity bus is a carrier's or transit system's bus that a school hires, under contract, for an activity trip (Vehicle Code 546). Its driver needs a passenger endorsement and a SPAB certificate (12517), earned after a 35-hour course: 15 classroom hours and 20 behind the wheel (Education Code 40083).
What the written test looks like
The Highway Patrol's school bus program page lists a rules and regulations written test at the appointment, with a first aid examination for school bus and youth bus applicants only.
A SPAB certificate never covers a school bus; moving up takes five classroom hours and three behind the wheel (Vehicle Code 546, Education Code 40082).
A railroad crossing exempt sign does not excuse a SPAB carrying pupils: stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail (Vehicle Code 22452).
Title 13 lists school buses and youth buses for first aid kits, not SPABs, but every SPAB carries a 4B:C fire extinguisher (sections 1242, 1243).
Questions and answers
What does SPAB stand for?
School pupil activity bus. Vehicle Code 546 defines it as a bus, other than a school bus, run by a common carrier, a public transit system or a charter-party carrier under a contract with a school, taking pupils to or from a school activity.
Is the SPAB test the same as the school bus certificate test?
Both certificates come through the Highway Patrol's examinations (Vehicle Code 12517.4), and SPAB drivers follow the school bus driver regulations. The SPAB course is 35 hours against 40, there is no first aid examination, and the certificate does not cover a school bus.
How much does a SPAB certificate cost?
Vehicle Code 12517(c) sets $25 with the application for an original certificate and $12 to renew it, in addition to the fee authorized in Section 2427. A certificate lasts up to five years and expires on a birthday (12517.4).
How many questions are on the CHP SPAB test?
The Highway Patrol's program page, read on October 12, 2026, gives no question count, time limit or pass mark, so the 40 questions of Exam mode are this site's own number. Ask your state-certified instructor or the school bus coordinator at your area office.