PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT VS SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT: KEY DIFFERENCES EXPLAINED

If you're planning to drive buses, you may need a Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsement—or both. Here’s what each endorsement means and how to choose the right one for your CDL goals.

WHAT IS A PASSENGER (P) ENDORSEMENT?

A Passenger endorsement allows you to drive any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including:

• Transit buses
  
  
• Tour and charter buses
  
  
• Airport and hotel shuttles
  
  
• Certain commercial vans
  
  

It’s commonly paired with a Class B CDL and is required in both public and private transit industries.

👉 Get started with the Passenger Endorsement Course

WHAT IS A SCHOOL BUS (S) ENDORSEMENT?

The School Bus endorsement is required if you plan to transport school-aged children to and from school or school-related activities.

To earn the S endorsement, you must:

• Hold a valid Passenger (P) endorsement
  
  
• Pass an additional written knowledge test
  
  
• Undergo fingerprinting and a background check
  
  
• Pass a skills test in a school bus
  
  

This endorsement is often required by school districts and private education contractors.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU GET?

• For transit, tourism, and shuttle driving: Passenger (P) is enough
  
  
• For school-related driving: You’ll need both P and S endorsements

TRAIN ONLINE WITH ELDT NATION

ELDT Nation offers FMCSA-approved training to get you certified faster:

• Passenger Endorsement Course – $32
  
  
• School Bus course coming soon!
  
  

Enroll today to meet federal training requirements from the comfort of home.