California Passenger endorsement practice test
The P endorsement is required in California to drive any bus — transit, charter, church or shuttle — designed for 16 or more people including the driver. The knowledge test focuses on one thing: keeping riders safe at every stage of a trip.
If your bus breaks down with riders aboard, you should:
Testing for the P endorsement in California
Unlike hazmat or tanker, passenger has two parts: the knowledge test, and a skills test taken in a bus representative of what you will actually drive. The vehicle you bring to the DMV can set a restriction — test in a small shuttle and the endorsement may not cover a full-size coach.
School bus drivers start here. In California the S endorsement sits on top of P, which means the passenger test comes first and the school bus test and its extra background checks come after.
Fees, scheduling and document requirements are set by California. Confirm the current details with the DMV before you go.
What the passenger test covers
The questions come from the federal CDL manual, so the material is the same in California as it is anywhere else. The full breakdown — what each section asks and the figures worth memorising — is on the passenger practice test guide. Everything on this page is the CA half of it.
Before any endorsement there is the written test everyone takes. The California general knowledge practice test covers it, and the California DOT physical page covers the medical certificate you cannot be licensed without.
Frequently asked
- Do I need a skills test for the P endorsement in California?
- Yes — both a knowledge test and a skills test in a representative bus. The DMV can restrict the endorsement based on the vehicle you test in, so borrow one that matches the job.
- What class of CDL do I need for a bus in California?
- It follows weight: a bus over 26,000 lbs GVWR needs Class B or A, while a smaller vehicle carrying 16 or more people needs Class C with the P endorsement.