Passenger endorsement practice test
The P endorsement is required to drive any bus — transit, charter, church, or shuttle — designed for 16 or more people including the driver. The test focuses on one thing: keeping riders safe at every stage of a trip.
Passenger Endorsement Question 1 of 10
Before driving, emergency exits and roof hatches should be:
How the P endorsement works
Unlike hazmat or tanker, the passenger endorsement has two parts: the knowledge test, and a skills test taken in a bus representative of the type you will drive. If you test in a small shuttle, your endorsement may carry a restriction against larger buses.
School bus drivers need the P endorsement first, then add the S endorsement on top of it.
What the test covers
The questions come from Section 4 of the CDL manual:
- Vehicle inspection: emergency exits closed but never locked, interior handholds and seats, required emergency equipment
- The standee line and rules for standing riders
- What riders may and may not bring aboard — the small-quantity hazmat exceptions and the forbidden list
- Stops: railroad crossings (15–50 feet), drawbridges (50 feet), and fueling rules
- Managing riders: disruptive passengers, baggage placement, and avoiding distraction
- Speed and handling — why posted curve speeds don’t apply to a tall bus
Frequently asked
- Do I need a skills test for the P endorsement?
- Yes — both a knowledge test and a skills test in a representative bus. The vehicle you test in can set restrictions on what you may drive afterward.
- What class of CDL do I need for a bus?
- It depends on weight: a bus over 26,000 lbs GVWR needs Class B (or A); smaller 16+ passenger vehicles need Class C with the P endorsement.
- Does the P endorsement cover school buses?
- No — school buses require the separate S endorsement in addition to P, with its own knowledge test, skills test, and state background checks.