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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 Kentucky school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The KY 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 Kentucky CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this KY CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1. How should you brake if your vehicle loses ABS?
Stay off the Brake
Step on and off the brake pedal several times
Brake as you always have.
Pump the brake repeatedly
2. Never refuel your bus:
in a closed building with riders on board.
while the windows are open.
with a higher grade of fuel.
All of the above.
3. When driving in very hot weather, you may have to:
increase your speed until the tires cool off.
reduce your speed to prevent overheating.
watch out for black ice.
decrease your following distance.
4. When changing lanes, you should:
not use your turn signals.
not use your mirrors.
do it quickly.
None of the above.
5. Properly adjusted mirrors on a school bus should allow the driver to see:
the vehicles in front of the bus.
the sides of the school bus.
under the school bus.
the front tires touching the ground.
6. The safety valve is usually set to open at:
100 psi.
150 psi.
200 psi.
75 psi.
7. The inside rearview mirror is used to:
see the "danger zone" areas insde the bus.
monitor passenger activity inside the bus.
see the "danger zone" areas around the bus.
see hazards ahead.
8. Properly adjusted crossover mirrors allow you to see:
the area from the front of the bus to the service door.
the entire area in front of the bus.
the right and left front tires touching the ground.
All of the above.
9. When students unload the bus, they should:
stop and help the driver supervise the unloading process.
walk at least 10 feet away from the bus.
stand at the side of the bus.
walk along the side of the bus.
10. Properly adjusted outside left and right side flat mirrors should allow the driver to see:
the front bumper.
the rear tires touching the ground.
the front tires touching the ground.
at least 1 traffic lane on either side of the bus.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Teens under 18 must follow the three steps of the Graduated Licensing Program to obtain a class D driver's license. To apply for a permit, you must be 16 years old. If you are under 21, after holding your permit for 6 months and completing a minimum of practice driving hours, you are eligible for an intermediate license. After holding the intermediate license for 6 months, you are ready for the full unrestricted license.
  • If you are over 18, you can apply for a permit, and after 6 months, you will be eligible for a full-unrestricted license. 
  • If you are over 21, you only need to hold the permit for 30 days before applying for a full-unrestricted license.

You can schedule an appointment online for your DMV written test at the Kentucky State Police website. Locate the Kentucky driver licensing office nearest to you and check its operating hours and available days. 
When applying for the first time, you need to bring specific documents:
  • One proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, and an additional document if you have changed your name (marriage certificate, legal name change order).
  • One proof of Social Security number, such as an SS Card.
  • One proof of residency, such as a utility bill, telephone bill, or bank statement.
  • School Compliance Verification Form (for minors).
Use this tool to generate a personalized list of documents.

DMV written tests are available in Albanian, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Korean, Bosnian, Laotian, Burmese, Pashto, Cambodian, Polish, Chinese, Romanian, Croatian, Russian, Dari, Somali, Farsi, Spanish, French, Swahili, German, Thai, Hindi, Turkish, Japanese, and Vietnamese. If you are unable to read English, you can opt for an oral exam. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, please contact a driver licensing office and request an interpreter.

To pass the DMV written test, study the Kentucky Driver's Manual. Pay attention to road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Practice with our free tests or choose DMV Premium for additional resources!
Restrictions vary according to your age and license type. If you have a permit license:
  • You can drive only under the supervision of a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
  • You cannot transport more than one passenger under 20 (except for family members).
  • You cannot drive between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except for emergencies, school, or work activities.
  • Under 21 there is a "Zero Alcohol Tolerance" for those under 21.
If you have an intermediate license, the same driving hours, passenger, and alcohol restrictions apply, but you can drive alone during daylight hours.


The Kentucky instruction permit is valid for three years and can be renewed in person. Appointments are highly recommended because walk-in availability varies at different locations. If the permit is not renewed within one year of its expiration date, both the written and vision tests must be retaken.
If you do not pass your DMV written test in Kentucky, you can retake the test the following day. It is advisable to dedicate time to preparing adequately for the exam to enhance your chances of success.

KY CDL School Bus Test

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