CDL Passenger and School Bus Endorsement Tests Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The CDL Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsement knowledge tests are the written tests for the passenger and school bus endorsements on a commercial driver's license. The knowledge standards are set federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (49 CFR Part 383) and the tests are administered by each state driver licensing agency. The number of questions and any time limit are set by your state, and the passenger and school bus tests are separate tests; this portal's practice mock has 40 questions covering both.

Under 49 CFR 383.93, the P endorsement applies to passenger vehicles and the S endorsement to school buses, and each requires a knowledge test and a skills test. Passing the knowledge tests is a required step before the state issues the endorsements.

Commercial drivers and school bus drivers preparing for the P and S endorsements and candidates retaking the knowledge tests. State procedures and fees vary; check your state licensing agency before you apply.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

Your state licensing agency sets the retake rules, fees and any waiting period after a failed knowledge test; check the agency before you reschedule.

Passing standard: Federal rule 49 CFR 383.135 requires you to answer at least 80 percent of the questions correctly on a CDL knowledge test. The number of questions and any time limit are set by your state, and the passenger and school bus tests are separate tests; this portal's practice mock has 40 questions covering both. No official pass rate for this exam was available in the sources we reviewed, so none is quoted here.

The number of questions and any time limit are set by your state, and the passenger and school bus tests are separate tests; this portal's practice mock has 40 questions covering both. Format: State-administered knowledge tests (Passenger, School Bus) · federal minimum score 80% on each · this portal's practice mock: 40 questions. Passing standard: Federal rule 49 CFR 383.135 requires you to answer at least 80 percent of the questions correctly on a CDL knowledge test.

• Passenger Vehicle Inspection, Baggage and Loading8.33%
• Passenger Emergencies, Exits and Disruptive Riders16.67%
• Passenger Bus Operation, Crossings, Braking and Regulations25%
• School Bus Danger Zones, Mirrors, Loading and Unloading12.5%
• School Bus Emergency Exits and Evacuation12.5%
• School Bus Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings12.5%
• School Bus Student Management, ABS and Special Safety12.5%

The content outline spreads questions across 7 areas: Passenger Vehicle Inspection, Baggage and Loading (8.33%); Passenger Emergencies, Exits and Disruptive Riders (16.67%); Passenger Bus Operation, Crossings, Braking and Regulations (25.0%); School Bus Danger Zones, Mirrors, Loading and Unloading (12.5%); School Bus Emergency Exits and Evacuation (12.5%); School Bus Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings (12.5%); School Bus Student Management, ABS and Special Safety (12.5%).

You need a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit; state guides describe the school bus endorsement as added on top of the passenger endorsement, and state background-check and skills-test requirements apply; confirm the current steps with your state licensing agency.

Knowledge test and endorsement fees are set by each state. Check your state licensing agency for the current testing, endorsement and background-check fees.

After you are endorsed, the endorsements are renewed with your CDL on your state's schedule; check your state agency for the current rules.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Passenger Bus Operation, Crossings, Braking and Regulations (25.0%); Passenger Emergencies, Exits and Disruptive Riders (16.67%); School Bus Danger Zones, Mirrors, Loading and Unloading (12.5%). Then work through the remaining areas, practise jurisdiction-specific rules separately from the general content, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 40 questions in 60 minutes.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the licensing authority and test administrator before you register.