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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 Maryland school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The MD 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 Maryland CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this MD CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1. The standee line:
tells the school bus driver where to steer.
is used at bus stops.
shows riders where they cannot stand.
is part of the braking system.
2. When driving at night, to avoid glare from oncoming vehicles you should:
put your own high beams on when other drivers do not put their low beams on.
wear sunglasses.
look directly at lights of oncoming vehicles.
look slightly to the right at a right lane or edge marking.
3. The header board, if equipped, should:
never be used for cargo.
can be dangerous.
block the forward movement of any cargo you carry.
not be used in case of a crash or emergency stop.
4. If you are being tailgated, you should:
turn on your taillights.
make quick changes.
open up room in front of you.
increase your speed very gradually.
5. ______are mounted on the front corners of the bus.
Emergency doors
Warning devices
Outside left and right side rearview mirrors
Outside left and right side cross view mirrors
6. When dealing with a drunk or disruptive rider, you must:
take this rider to the closest police department.
ensure the rider's safety, as well as that of others.
discharge the disruptive rider immediately.
All of the above.
7. As a general rule, during an emergency student safety is best maintained by:
evacuating the bus.
keeping students on the bus.
immediately coming to a complete and sudden stop.
planning the evacuation well in advance.
8. Regrooved tires:
cannot be used on the front wheels of buses.
cannot be used on the wheels of buses.
cannot be used on the rear wheels of buses.
None of the above.
9. If a drawbridge does not have a signal light or traffic control attendant, you should:
stop and look to make sure the draw is completely closed before crossing.
drive through the drawbridge with caution.
stop at least 5 feet before the draw of the bridge.
get through the drawbridge as quickly as possible.
10. Bus drivers:
are required to wear a seat belt only when driving in construction zones.
are required to wear a seat belt only when transporting passengers.
are exempt from wearing a seat belt.
must wear a seat belt at all times.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

The age requirements to obtain a class C driver's license in Maryland are established by the three-steps of the Rookie Driver Program:
  • Learner’s instructional permit ? you must be at least 15 years and 9 months.
  • Provisional license ? you must be at least 16 years and 6 months.
  • Driver’s license ? you must be at least 18 years old and have held a provisional license for at least 18 months.

To schedule the MVA written test for a learner’s permit, complete the pre-application. You can visit any Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office, and upon successful completion of your exam, the permit will be mailed to you.

You must bring the following documents:
  • Proof of identity.
  • Proof of Social Security Number or proof of ineligibility.
  • Two Maryland residency documents. If you are under 18, provide one document and bring your parents/guardians with acceptable proof of your relationship.
  • For applicants under 16, a certificate of school attendance must be provided either by the applicant's school or by a parent or guardian.
For a complete list of acceptable documents, refer to the official Maryland Document Guide.


The MVA written test in Maryland is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, French, and Traditional Chinese. You also have the option to schedule an oral exam. Foreign language interpreters are allowed, but applicants must pay their fee. For those who are hearing impaired, the MVD offers assistance free of charge.

You should read the Maryland Driver's Handbook to familiarize yourself with the most common road rules and safe driving practices. Evaluate your knowledge with our free practice tests, or sign up for DMV Premium to unlock exclusive PDF Cheat Sheets!

The Maryland MVA written test comprises 25 questions, and you have 20 minutes to complete it. You should study the manual carefully to ensure your success on the first attempt.
A score of 88% or better is required to pass the MVA written test, so you can miss up to 3 questions. Be cautious and read thoroughly the questions.
For new drivers in Maryland, there are specific restrictions based on their age and licensing stage.

Learner’s permit holders:
  • Are not allowed to use a cell phone, including hands-free devices, except for emergency calls.
  • Must be accompanied by a driver aged 21 or older, with a minimum of 3 years of driving experience, seated in the front passenger seat.
Provisional license holders (Under 18):
  • Cannot drive with passengers under 18, except siblings, for the first 151 days, unless accompanied by a supervising driver.
  • Cannot drive between midnight and 5 am unless supervised by a licensed driver aged 21 or older with at least 3 years of driving experience, or for work, school, volunteer, or sports activities.
  • Are not allowed to use a cell phone, including hands-free devices, except for emergency calls.
  • Must wear safety belts and ensure that other passengers use them.
For all drivers under 21, it's illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.  

A Maryland learner’s permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. If the permit expires before you can complete or pass the skill test, you will need to reapply for a new permit and retake the knowledge test.

If you fail your MVA written test, you need to schedule another appointment at an MVA office. You can retake the exam the next business day after the first failure. However, if you fail two or more times, you must wait seven days before retaking the permit test.

MD CDL School Bus Test

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