PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

In order to become a school bus driver with Suffolk Transportation Services, Inc. you must be a licensed driver in the United States for a minimum of three years. You must obtain a class B, passenger and school bus endorsement permit for a CDL license. To apply for a Commercial Driver License (CDL) permit, you must have a NYS driver license (class D, class E, or Non-CDL C) or a valid CDL from another state.

The NYS CDL manual can be obtained online at www.nydmv.state.ny.us or from a DMV office. Study the sections of the manual that apply to the type of CDL you need. In the CDL manual, focus on the following sections:

Section 2: Driving Safely

Section 3: Transporting Cargo

Section 4: Transporting Passengers

Section 5: Air Brakes

Section 10: School Bus

Section 11, 12 & 13: Pre-Trip Inspection Test, Vehicle Control Test, On Road Test

You must take and pass the necessary written tests at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will need to pass the Initial Core test (general knowledge), the test for the passenger endorsement and the test for school endorsement, which is a fee of $10.00. If you do not pass one section you can take that section over for $5.00; no need to retake all sections. If you decide to take the passenger or school bus endorsements on different days, it is a fee of $5.00 per sitting.

If you are interested in training in the large bus, now or in the future, you may also take the test on air brakes. You cannot train in the large bus without taking the air brake test. Each test must be passed by a score of at least 80%. Once you pass the required tests you will be issued a Class B Learner’s Permit. Even if you are training for a van, your permit will be class B.

Suffolk County Written Test DMV Office