CDL school bus endorsement

Add the endorsement

A school bus driver must be at least 18 years of age. No maximum age is set by law; however, some school districts or private contractors may have a mandatory retirement age.

Requirements

Your CDL may be downgraded to class D if you do not keep your medical certificate current with DVS.

Waiver of Physical Qualifications

You may request a waiver from the commissioner of public safety if you do not meet the physical qualifications for a school bus endorsement. For more information, contact the CDL Unit at (651) 297-5029.

Forms for Medical Waivers

Vision Waiver Packet
Contains:
Cover Letter
General Medical Waiver Application
Waiver Application
Visual Acuity
Optometrist's/Ophthalmologist's Examination

Limb Impairment Waiver Packet
Contains:
Cover Letter
General Medical Waiver Application
Waiver Application
Physician Examination

Possible background check disqualifications

The commissioner of public safety will not issue or renew a school bus endorsement if results of your criminal history check show:

You have been convicted of a disqualifying offense.
You have been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or of violating DWI or implied consent laws within the last five years.
You have been convicted of four moving violations in the last three years.

The Commissioner of Public Safety will cancel a school bus endorsement if:

You do not pass the physical examination or if you do not return the certificate within one year of the date of expiration.

You are convicted of a disqualifying offense, whether you are a resident or nonresident of Minnesota when the offense was committed.

You have been convicted of a violation of DWI laws, or a similar statute or ordinance from another state. Within ten days of receiving notice, the commissioner will cancel your school bus driver's endorsement or your privilege to operate a school bus in Minnesota for five years. After five years, you may apply to the commissioner for reinstatement.

You have been convicted of a fourth moving violation in the last three years. Your cancellation period is completed when one year has elapsed since the last conviction. A school bus driver who has no new convictions after one year may apply for reinstatement.

Waiver of school bus background check cancelation

The commissioner may waive the permanent cancelation requirement for a person convicted of a disqualifying offense as listed in Minnesota Statute section 171.321 subd. 3.

To request a waiver, go to Upload commercial forms to upload a commercial driver's license form.

Types of school buses

The type of school bus you drive will determine which class of license you need. A school bus is a motor vehicle used to transport pupils (grades K-12) to or from a school or school-related activities, by someone who is under an agreement with the school or school district.

Type A

A conversion or body constructed upon a van-type or cutaway front section vehicle with a left-side driver’s door, designed for carrying more than ten persons. There are two classifications: type A-I, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds or less, and type A-II, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 pounds and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

Type B

A conversion or body constructed and installed upon a van or front-section vehicle chassis, or stripped chassis, with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. Part of the engine is beneath or behind the windshield and beside the driver's seat. The entrance door is behind the right front wheels.

Type C

A body installed upon a flat back cowl chassis with a GVWR of more than 21,500 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. The engine is in front of the windshield and the entrance door is behind the right front wheels. A type C school bus has a maximum length of 45 feet.

Type D

A body installed upon a chassis, with the engine mounted in the front, mid-ship or rear, with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. The engine may be behind the windshield and beside the driver's seat; it may be at the rear of the bus, behind the rear wheels or mid-ship between the front and rear axles. The entrance door is on the right, ahead of the front wheels.

Type III

Type III school buses and type III Head Start buses are restricted to passenger cars, station wagons, vans and buses having a maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or fewer people, including the driver, and a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. A type III school bus or Head Start bus must not be outwardly equipped and identified as a type A, B, C or D school bus or Head Start bus. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of ten or fewer, must have been originally manufactured to comply with the passenger safety standards.