• 110 questions

School Bus Endorsement Practice Test on Stop Arms, Mirrors and Exits

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Which endorsement code on a CDL authorizes its holder to drive a school bus?

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Exam mode: 25 questions, no time limit, 20 right to pass (80%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the FMCSA or any state licensing agency. Bank checked October 3, 2026.

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All 110 questions

The S endorsement and its tests 21

  • A commercial learner's permit carries an S endorsement. Who may ride while the permit holder drives a school bus? 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(ii)
  • A driver wants a school bus endorsement. Which other endorsement must the driver qualify for under section 383.123? 49 CFR 383.123(a)(1)
  • A school bus driver is convicted of a second railroad-highway grade crossing offense in a CMV within 3 years. What is the minimum disqualification? 49 CFR 383.51(d), Table 3
  • A school bus takes a team to an away game. Does the trip fit the section 390.5T definition of a school bus operation? 49 CFR 390.5T
  • A school district says the federal exception for school bus operations frees its drivers from the CDL rules. What does section 383.3 say? 49 CFR 383.3(b)
  • Besides the texting and phone rules, which driving section does 390.3T(f)(1) keep in force for school bus operations? 49 CFR 390.3T(f)(1)
  • How does section 383.5 define a school bus for the CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.5
  • How does section 390.5T define a school bus operation? 49 CFR 390.5T
  • How does section 571.3 define a school bus for the vehicle safety standards? 49 CFR 571.3
Show all 110 questions (101 more)

The S endorsement and its tests, continued

  • In which vehicle must an applicant take the driving skills test for the school bus endorsement? 49 CFR 383.123(a)(3)
  • Section 383.123 puts loading and unloading children first on the knowledge list. Which devices does it name under that topic? 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(i)
  • State law makes a school bus stop at every railroad crossing. Which offense in Table 3 to section 383.51 fits a driver who rolls through one? 49 CFR 383.51(d), Table 3
  • What does section 390.3T(f)(1) do for school bus operations as section 390.5T defines them? 49 CFR 390.3T(f)(1)
  • What does the section 383.5 definition of a school bus leave out? 49 CFR 383.5
  • What is a multifunction school activity bus under section 571.3? 49 CFR 571.3
  • What must a permit holder have passed before an S endorsement goes on the learner's permit? 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(ii)
  • Which driving rules stay in force on a home-to-school run under section 390.3T(f)(1)? 49 CFR 390.3T(f)(1)
  • Which emergency topic is on the federal knowledge list for the school bus endorsement? 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(ii)
  • Which endorsement code on a CDL authorizes its holder to drive a school bus? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(9)(vi)
  • Which tests does section 383.93 list for the school bus endorsement itself? 49 CFR 383.93(c)(5)
  • Whose railroad crossing rules does the school bus knowledge test cover under section 383.123? 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(iii)

Stop signal arms 16

  • A school bus has two stop signal arms. What does FMVSS No. 131 say about the rearmost one? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.2.3
  • A stop signal arm uses lamps. How many does each side need, and where do they go? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.3.2
  • FMVSS No. 131 allows a device that keeps the stop arm from extending automatically. Where must its control be? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.5
  • How may a stop signal arm be made conspicuous under FMVSS No. 131? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.3
  • How must the lamps on each side of a stop signal arm flash? 49 CFR 571.131, S6.2.2
  • May a school bus carry a second stop signal arm? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.4.2
  • On which side of a school bus is the stop signal arm installed? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.4
  • What colors does FMVSS No. 131 require on a stop signal arm? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.2
  • What does a stop signal arm tell other motorists, in the words of FMVSS No. 131? 49 CFR 571.131, S4
  • What happens while the device that prevents automatic stop arm extension is activated? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.5
  • What legend does the stop signal arm carry, and how tall are its letters? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.2.2
  • What purpose does FMVSS No. 131 state for the stop signal arm? 49 CFR 571.131, S2
  • What shape and minimum size does FMVSS No. 131 give the stop signal arm? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.1
  • When extended, what angle must the stop signal arm make with the side of the bus? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.4.1(a)
  • When must the stop signal arm extend automatically? 49 CFR 571.131, S5.5
  • Which school buses fall outside FMVSS No. 131? 49 CFR 571.131, S3

Red and amber signal lamps 10

  • A multifunction school activity bus does not stop traffic to load children at the roadside. What does Table I-a of FMVSS No. 108 require of it? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • A school bus has both amber and red signal lamps. What must happen when the entrance door is opened? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • At what rate do school bus signal warning lamps flash? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • How does FMVSS No. 108 define school bus signal lamps? 49 CFR 571.108, S4
  • How high are the front signal warning lamps mounted? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • How high are the rear signal warning lamps mounted? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • How many red signal warning lamps does FMVSS No. 108 require on a school bus? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • How may the amber signal lamps be switched on under FMVSS No. 108? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • What does FMVSS No. 108 say about amber signal warning lamps on a school bus? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a
  • Where do amber signal lamps go when they are installed? 49 CFR 571.108, Table I-a

Mirror systems A and B 10

  • According to the label FMVSS No. 111 requires, what are cross view mirrors used for? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.3(c)
  • Cylinders G, H and I stand at the front bumper in the mirror test. How far forward of them is the farthest row, cylinders A, B and C? 49 CFR 571.111, S13.3(a)
  • How far rearward must System A show the ground along each side of the bus? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.2(b)
  • How many outside rearview mirror systems must a school bus have under FMVSS No. 111? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.1
  • What does System B have to show the seated driver? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.3(a)
  • What is a convex mirror under FMVSS No. 111? 49 CFR 571.111, S4
  • What is a unit magnification mirror under FMVSS No. 111? 49 CFR 571.111, S4
  • What size are the test cylinders that stand in for children in the school bus mirror test, other than cylinder P? 49 CFR 571.111, S13.2
  • Which school bus mirrors trigger the cross view warning label? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.3(c)
  • Why does the required label say not to use cross view mirrors to view traffic while the bus is moving? 49 CFR 571.111, S9.3(c)

Required emergency exits 13

  • A school bus has a left side emergency door in place of a rear emergency door. What must the rear of the bus have? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1(b)
  • A school bus has a single emergency roof exit. Where is it located? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.2(b)(2)
  • A school bus with a rear emergency door gets its first side emergency door under Table 1. Where does it go? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.2(a)(2)
  • A school bus with a rear emergency door seats 40. How many additional emergency exits does Table 1 of FMVSS No. 217 require? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1, Table 1
  • A school bus with a rear emergency door seats 66. What does Table 1 of FMVSS No. 217 add? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1, Table 1
  • An emergency exit on a school bus is locked. What does FMVSS No. 217 require of the engine starting system? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.3
  • An opening fitted with a wheelchair lift is to count toward the required additional exits. What condition applies? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1(c)
  • How does the rear emergency door of a school bus over 10,000 pounds GVWR open? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1(a)
  • How is every side emergency exit door on a school bus hinged? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.2(a)(1)
  • How must a school bus emergency roof exit be built? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.2(b)(1)
  • What does locked mean in the FMVSS No. 217 rule on starting the engine? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.3
  • Which kind of emergency exit window may a school bus not have? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.2(c)
  • Which two emergency exit layouts may a school bus manufacturer choose between under FMVSS No. 217? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.2.3.1

Exit releases, openings and markings 13

  • A school bus has wheelchair anchorage positions. What label goes beneath or above each emergency exit designation inside the bus? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(d)
  • A school bus loses electrical power in a crash. How must the release of its emergency exit door behave? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.3.3.1
  • A seat sits beside a side emergency exit door. When may its seat bottom lie within the door's clear area? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.4.2.1(a)(2)(ii)
  • From where must one person be able to release a school bus emergency exit door? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.3.3.1
  • How is each required emergency exit opening marked on the outside of a school bus? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(c)
  • How many release mechanisms may a school bus emergency exit window have? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.3.3.2
  • The ignition is on and the release of an emergency exit door is not in the closed position. What must happen? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.3.3.1
  • What does the positive door opening device on a school bus emergency exit door do? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.4.2.1(a)(3)(i)
  • What type of motion releases an emergency exit door from inside a school bus over 10,000 pounds GVWR? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.3.3.1(b)
  • What words mark a school bus emergency exit, and how tall are the letters? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(a)
  • Where are the operating instructions for a school bus emergency exit posted? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(b)
  • Where does the Emergency Door designation go on a school bus? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(a)
  • Which of these is an example of exit operating instructions given in FMVSS No. 217 itself? 49 CFR 571.217, S5.5.3(b)

Seats, barriers and wheelchairs 9

  • A school bus seat cushion flips up or lifts off without tools. What must it have? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.1.5(a)
  • A wheelchair securement device on a school bus uses webbing or a strap. What must it provide? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.4.2(a)
  • How many wheelchair securement anchorages does each wheelchair location on a school bus need? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.4.1
  • How tall must the back of a school bus passenger seat be? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.1.2
  • What label marks a small occupant seating position on a flexible occupancy seat? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.5(a)
  • What purpose does FMVSS No. 222 state for school bus seating and barriers? 49 CFR 571.222, S2
  • What restraint must each wheelchair location provide for the rider? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.4.4(a)
  • Which way must a wheelchair be securable at a wheelchair location on a school bus? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.4.1.2(a)
  • Which way must school bus passenger seats face under FMVSS No. 222? 49 CFR 571.222, S5.1

Entry-level S endorsement training 18

  • A trainee finishes the theory portion of school bus endorsement training first. How long is there to finish the behind-the-wheel portion? 49 CFR 380.603(c)(3)
  • Before the bus moves after loading, what does the Loading and Unloading unit say the driver must make sure of? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.2
  • Before which test must a first-time school bus endorsement applicant complete entry-level driver training? 49 CFR 380.605
  • Besides types of crossings and warning devices, what must the Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings unit cover? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.6
  • How are the FMVSS No. 111 mirror requirements shown in behind-the-wheel school bus training? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D2.1
  • How does a trainee show the ability to avoid tail swing crashes in the behind-the-wheel part of Appendix D? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D2.4
  • In what vehicle must school bus endorsement training be conducted under Appendix D to Part 380? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D
  • What does the Post-Crash Procedures unit of Appendix D include? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.4
  • What does the School Bus Security unit of Appendix D cover? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.10
  • What end-of-route check does the Loading and Unloading unit of Appendix D require? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.2
  • When does the Student Management unit say a driver must most avoid being distracted by student behavior? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.7
  • Which equipment does the Loading and Unloading unit say instruction must cover? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.2
  • Which pedestrian hazard does the Danger Zones and Use of Mirrors unit require providers to teach by name? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.1
  • Which riders does the Emergency Exit and Evacuation unit single out? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.5
  • Which risk does the Loading and Unloading unit of Appendix D name besides the dangers at the bus stop? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.2
  • Which school bus items must a trainee show the ability to inspect under Unit D1.9? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.9
  • Which topics fall under Special Safety Considerations in Appendix D? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.8
  • Why does the Route and Stop Reviews unit have drivers plan their routes before driving? 49 CFR Part 380, Appendix D, Unit D1.11

How this list was compiled: Written from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49: Parts 380 (subpart F and Appendix D), 383 and 390, and the school bus vehicle standards in Part 571 (sections 571.3, 571.108, 571.111, 571.131, 571.217 and 571.222), at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49, text in force on 2026-10-01, checked 2026-10-03. Each question names its section. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the regulation text; nothing is copied from a state CDL manual, the AAMVA test item pool or another practice test.

How it works

This unofficial school bus endorsement practice test asks 110 questions on what federal text, checked 3 October 2026, says about stop signal arms, signal lamps, mirror systems and emergency exits. Loading procedure and state stopping law are not covered.

Read the full guide

Where the equipment rules are written

49 CFR 383.123 names the equipment without describing it. The detail sits in the vehicle standards of 49 CFR Part 571: No. 131 for the stop arm, No. 108 for the lamps, No. 111 for mirrors and No. 217 for exits. Two topics go past the knowledge list: 18 questions on entry-level training and 9 on seats, barriers and wheelchair positions.

Using this school bus CDL practice test

Questions come in rounds of ten. After a round, More options opens the topics; Stop signal arms has 16 questions from one standard. Exam mode asks 25 questions and passes at 20 right, the 80 percent in 49 CFR 383.135. A pass covers equipment and licensing rules, not loading procedure.

  • The stop arm extends with the red lamps, and opening the entrance door switches amber off and red on.
  • The engine will not start while an emergency exit is locked, meaning it takes a key or combination (571.217, S5.2.3.3).
  • Misses stay under Missed in More options until you answer them right.

Questions and answers

Do I need the passenger endorsement before the school bus CDL test?

Yes. 49 CFR 383.123 has an applicant qualify for the passenger endorsement, pass a school bus knowledge test and take a skills test in a school bus. The knowledge covers loading and unloading children, emergency exits and evacuation, and railroad-highway grade crossings.

Is there a CDL school bus test questions and answers PDF?

Not here. Under 49 CFR 383.133 a state must use a different version when you retake a failed test, so a memorized list runs out. This CDL school bus practice test explains every answer with its section, and Print, with a tick on With answer key, gives a separate key.

Does a school bus practice test from federal rules cover my state's stopping law?

No. When to switch on the amber lamps, where traffic must stop and how a bus approaches a railroad crossing come from your state's law and its school bus manual. This bank asks only what federal text says.

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