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The school bus endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a school bus in any Class A or B CDL. To add an S endorsement to your CLP/CDL, you must pass the Alabama school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The AL CDL bus test consists of 20 questions, and you'll need at least 16 correct answers to pass (80%). The knowledge test covers the following sections of the Alabama CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this AL CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1. What should you do if your vehicle starts hydroplaning?
Leave the road completely.
Apply the brakes and countersteer to regain control of the vehicle.
Accelerate slightly, then push in the clutch to slow down.
Release the accelerator and push in the clutch to let the wheels turn freely.
2. Texting while operating a commercial motor vehicle is:
acceptable if you are contacting your supervisor.
acceptable if you are contacting your dispacther.
illegal.
only allowed at night.
3. If you hear a loud loud "bang" and the steering feels "heavy", you should:
brake hard and pull off the road.
check your rearview mirrors to see if you have a flat tire.
hold the steering wheel firmly and stay off the brake.
pump the brakes until the vehicle has slowed down.
4. Engine oil pressure should come up to normal within _________ after the engine is started.
seconds
two minutes
five minutes
ten minutes
5. When crossing railroad tracks, you should:
not stop.
shift gears while crossing the tracks.
try to pass slower vehicles.
put the transmission in Neutral.
6. Which of the following is NOT a warning sign of fatigue?
Driving at the speed of the traffic
Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
Heavy eyelids
Frequent blinking
7. School bus drivers should tell students to exit the bus and walk at least ______ from the side of the bus.
10 feet away
5 feet away
25 feet away
8 feet away
8. When stopping, you should bring the school bus to a full stop how many feet away from students at the bus stop?
At least 25 feet
At least 10 feet
At least 5 feet
At least 50 feet
9. To know when to shift, you can use each of the following except:
road speed.
engine speed.
perception distance.
engine sounds.
10. The posted speed for a curve:
is safe for a bus.
is safe for all vehicles except motorcycles.
may not be safe for a bus.
is always safe for all vehicles.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure you've got all you need when applying. Ensure you bring the following documents to fulfill the necessary requirements:

  • Proof of identity, such as a passport or a certified birth certificate
  • Proof of Social Security Number
  • Proof of residency (at least two documents)
  • Proof of school enrollment (if you are younger than 19)

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you will also need a valid passport and a proof of your legal presence in the U.S.

To obtain a class D driver's license in Alabama, teens must follow the three steps of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) system. Here are the age requirements:
  • For a learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years old.
  • For a restricted license, you must be 16 years old or older.
  • For an unrestricted or regular license, you must be at least 17 years old. However, individuals aged 17 must hold a restricted license for at least six months before applying for a regular license. If you are 18 years old or older, you may apply for a driver’s license immediately (the road skills exam is required).

Individuals who are 18 or older, those aged 17 or older with valid licenses for six months or more, individuals 16 or older who are married and the head of the household, and emancipated individuals are exempt from the GDL program.




After completing a pre-application online for your first license or permit, you can check where the nearest Alabama DMV office is located and its business hours. Call the office or go in person to take your knowledge test.

Alabama provides the option to take the DMV written test in several foreign languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese. For those who are hearing impaired, exams are offered also in American Sign Language at certain driver license offices.

The DMV written test test is based on the Alabama Driver's Manual. Focus on road signs, safe driving practices and road rules. Take our free practice tests to prepare for the test, or sign up for DMV Premium to unlock more resources and prepare for your exam faster!
After passing the required examination, new drivers receive a driver's license with the 'Y' restriction. This allows them to drive accompanied by a driver aged 21 or older or a certified driving instructor seated beside them. For drivers who are 16 years old or 17 with a license of less than 6 months, specific restrictions apply:
  • No more than 1 non-family passenger, excluding parents, guardians, or supervising licensed drivers at least 21 years old.
  • No driving between 12 midnight and 6 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or under certain exceptions like work, school events, religious events, or emergencies.
  • It is unlawful to use handheld communication devices while driving.

Upon passing the road test, a regular license is issued, and the 'Y' restriction is removed.


In Alabama, the learner's license is valid for four years, with the option to renew it once. This waiting period ensures you have ample time to gain valuable driving experience and feel confident before the road exam.

AL CDL School Bus Test

Number of questions: 20
Correct answers to pass:16
Passing score:80%
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