In Partnership with Iredell-Statesville Schools

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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 North Carolina school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The NC 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 North Carolina CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this NC CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1. Rough acceleration:
is recommended during long trips.
is necessary to warm up the engine.
improves gas mileage.
can cause mechanical damage.
2. If the drive wheels begin to spin, you should:
apply your brakes all the way.
accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.
wait 4-5 seconds before applying the accelerator.
take your foot off the accelerator.
3. You should adjust the outside left and right side crossover mirrors so you can see:
the right and left front tires touching the ground.
along the sides of the bus.
200 feet behind the bus.
the front of the rear tires touching the ground.
4. When crossing railroad tracks, you should:
apply the parking brakes.
stay in your lane.
stop on the tracks.
shift gears while crossing the tracks.
5. In an emergency:
you should never turn to miss an obstacle.
stopping is not always the safest thing to do.
stopping is always the best thing to do.
you should keep one hand on the steering wheel.
6. If you lose ABS control on one or more wheels, you should:
immediately report it to the motor carrier.
drive normally (you still have regular brakes), but get the system serviced soon.
fully apply the brakes until you stop.
stop braking and countersteer.
7. Brakes out of adjustment can cause the other brakes to:
work better.
last longer.
overheat and fade.
apply more braking power.
8. If you hear a loud loud "bang" and the steering feels "heavy", you should:
check your rearview mirrors to see if you have a flat tire.
pump the brakes until the vehicle has slowed down.
hold the steering wheel firmly and stay off the brake.
brake hard and pull off the road.
9. After an accident, an improper use of flares could cause:
a fire if spilled fuel is on the ground.
the springs to put on the brakes.
the vehicle to slide back and forth.
air pressure to build from 50 to 100 psi within 2 minutes.
10. The blind spot for outside left and right side flat mirrors is:
above each mirror.
behind each mirror.
to the left of each mirror.
immediately below and in front of each mirror.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

Teens between 15 and 18 years old must adhere to the age requirements of the Graduated Driver License law to obtain a class C driver license:

  • Limited learner’s permit ? You must be at least 15 and less than 18 and have completed a driver education course.
  • Limited provisional license ? You must be at least 16 and less than 18 and have held the limited learner’s permit for 12 months without any traffic violations in the previous 6 months.
  • Full provisional license ? You must be at least 16 and less than 18 and have held the limited provisional license for at least 6 months without any traffic violations.
If you are 18 years old, you may apply for a learner permit and obtain a full driver's license after completing the knowledge, vision, and driving tests.

Make an appointment online for the DMV written test by selecting the nearest driver license office. You can choose dates and times based on your preferences and the available options at different North Carolina DMV locations. 

First time applicant must bring the following documents:
  • One proof of identity and age.
  • One proof of a Social Security number.
  • One proof of North Carolina residency (two for an NC REAL ID).
  • One proof of legal presence (for applicants not born in the U.S.).

If you're under 18, you also need to show:
  • Driving Eligibility Certificate and a Driver's Education Certificate.
  • Proof of high school graduation or a GED.

You can check all the required documents here.

North Carolina provides DMV written tests in various languages. Additionally, oral tests can be requested if needed. Although language options are provided, it is advisable to have a basic understanding of English since road signs are always in English.

The best way to prepare for the DMV written test is by reading the North Carolina Driver’s Handbook, which contains information about road signs, safe driving practices, and road rules. After studying the manual, verify your preparation with our free practice tests!

For individuals under 18, it’s not permitted to use a cell phone while driving unless in emergency situations.

Other restrictions apply. If you have a limited learner’s permit:
  • You can drive only with a supervising driver (parent/legal guardian) who has held a license for at least five years.
  • For the first six months, you may drive only between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; afterward, you may drive anytime under supervision.
  • Both your passengers and you must wear seat belts or child safety restraints.

 If you have a limited provisional license:
  • You can drive alone from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • You may drive anytime under the supervision of a parent/guardian/driver approved by your parent/guardian who has held a license for at least five years. It's possible for you to drive alone anytime for work, volunteer fire, or emergency medical service activities.
  • Both your passengers and you must wear seat belts or child safety restraints.
  • You can transport no more than one passenger under 21, except for siblings.
A limited learner's permit is valid until your 18th birthday. If you need to renew it, visit a North Carolina DMV office.

If you don't pass your DMV written test, you can retake it after seven calendar days. Use this week to prepare for your next attempt by reviewing the sections of the manual that you didn't study accurately. If you find the exam difficult, sign up for DMV Premium, which offers numerous resources and practice tests to improve your preparation.

NC CDL School Bus Test

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