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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 Iowa school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The IA 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 Iowa CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this IA CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1.
Buses must never carry:
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irritating material.
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small arms ammunition labeled ORM-D.
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emergency hospital supplies.
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2.
Air brakes use ________ to make the brakes work.
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compressed gases
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compressed gas cylinders
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compressed air
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3.
When unloading at the school, the driver should:
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make sure the students are returning to the bus.
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walk through the bus and check for hiding/sleeping students.
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ask one of the students to supervise unloading.
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4.
When driving in a construction zone, if a construction worker is near the road, you should:
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further reduce your speed.
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maintain a constant speed.
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come to a complete stop.
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5.
If the drive wheels begin to spin, you should:
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accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.
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take your foot off the accelerator.
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apply your brakes all the way.
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6.
Before driving your bus, you must:
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clean the interior.
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review the inspection report.
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ensure the emergency exit door is open.
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7.
During an emergency student safety is generally best maintained by:
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keeping students on the bus.
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leading students as far away from the bus as possible.
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leading students downwind of the bus if fire is present.
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8.
At passive railroad crossings, even if there are active railroad signals that indicate the tracks are clear, you must _________ to be sure it is safe to proceed.
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go, stop and listen
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listen, look and stop
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stop, look, and listen
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9.
If your bus is equipped with a roof-mounted strobe light, you should use it:
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whenever possible.
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only in an emergency.
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when you have limited visibility.
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10.
If a student drops something in front of the bus, the student should:
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pick up the object as quickly as possible.
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leave the item where it fell, and get the driver's attention and permission to retrieve the item.
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ask the driver to retrieve the item.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are under 18, you must follow the Iowa Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program. Here are the three phases of the program and the corresponding ages:
- Instruction permit? you must be 14 years old. After holding the permit for six months without traffic violation, you can also apply for a minor school license at 14 ½ years old. This special permit is optional and allows you to drive to school or to school activities within a 50-mile distance from your home.
- Intermediate license ? you must be 16 years old and have held an instruction permit for 12 months.
- Full license ? you must be at least 17 and have held an intermediate license for 12 months. Alternatively, you can directly obtain a class C driver's license at 18.
You have two options:
- You can schedule an appointment to take the exam at a service center. Simply locate the nearest Iowa DMV branch and choose your preferred date and time.
- If you are a minor between 14 and 17, you can take the knowledge test at a participating school/agency or at home using an electronic device connected to the internet. Once your parent completes and submits the application to Proctor Knowledge Exam Form, you’ll receive an email with instructions for proceeding. After successfully passing the exam, make an appointment to obtain the permit.
You can schedule an appointment for either option on the Iowa Department of Transportation website.
When applying for a driver’s license for the first time, you must bring the following documents:
- Proof of identity, date of birth, and lawful status (e.g, U.S. passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization). If your legal name differs from your identity document, provide proof of the change, such as a certified marriage certificate, court order documents, or ID card.
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN).
- Two proofs of Iowa residency and current residential address (e.g, Iowa voter registration card, utility bill, credit card statement…). If you are under 18 and unmarried, your parent/guardian must sign the Written Consent form to establish your residence. Additionally, provide a second printed document displaying your current name and current Iowa residential address, such as a report card or medical form.
You can use the online checklist provided by the Iowa DOT to ensure you have all the required documents.
The DMV written test in Iowa is not exclusively provided in English but is offered in various languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hmong, Italian, Korean, Laotian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. If you need an interpreter for a language not provided, you have to schedule an appointment.
To get ready for the DMV written test, start by reading the Iowa Driver License Manual. This manual has all the info you need to study for the exam: traffic signs, road rules, and safe driving practices. Then, check what you've learned with our free practice tests!
For new drivers in Iowa, various restrictions apply:
Instruction Permit
- You cannot drive alone and you must be accompanied by a driver education instructor, a licensed parent/guardian, a licensed member of your family who is at least 21, or a licensed adult who is at least 25 (with parental permission if you are a minor).
Minor School License
- You can't drive alone, except for school activities between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Intermediate License
- You cannot drive alone between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless a parent/guardian completes a Waiver of Intermediate Driver’s License Hour Restriction form.
- For the first six months, you cannot transport more than one minor without supervision, except for siblings.
The instruction permit is valid for four years. During this period, complete the 20 hours of supervised driving and after holding the permit for 12 months and maintaining a clean driving record for 6 months, you can apply for the intermediate license.
If you fail your DMV written test in Iowa, you have to wait at least one business day before retaking it. Before trying again, focus on the sections of the manual you have overlooked and consider signing up for DMV Premium to access additional practice tests!