Bus Driver CDL Testing Simplified: 2 Year Exemption Granted to NSTA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted an exemption that allows school bus commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants to skip part of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test. This “under-the-hood” testing exemption will now be in place from November 28, 2024, to November 28, 2026.

What the Bus Driver CDL Exemption Means

Under this exemption, CDL applicants pursuing school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsements are not required to complete the engine compartment inspection portion of the test. However, their licenses will include restrictions:

1. They can only drive school buses.
2. They are limited to intrastate (within-state) operations.

States can choose to adopt this exemption. If they do, they must follow specific rules, including reporting driver data monthly to the FMCSA.

Why the FMCSA Renewed the Exemption

FMCSA renewed the exemption to address an ongoing school bus driver shortage. Many school districts and industry leaders support this measure, arguing that it helps remove barriers for new drivers.

For instance, the Washington State Student Transportation Coalition commented:

“Our bus drivers are not allowed to perform any on-road repairs or maintenance to their vehicle in the event of a breakdown. The bus driver must call dispatch with the problem, and typically a replacement bus is sent to their location to transport students from the original bus. . . . To this end, the need for under-the-hood knowledge is extremely limited and only serves as a deterrent for potential school bus drivers.”

The FMCSA also noted that as school districts transition to electric buses, the need for traditional engine inspections is decreasing. Electric buses lack the internal combustion engines that are part of current testing requirements.

Public Opinions on the Bus Driver CDL Exemption

The FMCSA received 75 public comments about this renewal. Most of the comments—64 in total—support the exemption. Key reasons for support included:

• Helping address the nationwide school bus driver shortage.
• Recognizing that school bus drivers typically don’t perform vehicle repairs.
• Preparing for the growing use of electric school buses, which make engine inspections unnecessary.

However, 11 commenters raised concerns. Some worried that removing the test could reduce safety. Others said the exemption might cost states money to update their training and testing processes.

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) expressed concern, saying:

“NASDPTS believes that if a driver is capable of adequately ensuring safety in an emergency, then that same driver is capable of inspecting under the hood of a vehicle.”

Safety Remains a Priority

The FMCSA says the exemption will maintain safety standards. Drivers must still complete all other parts of the pre-trip inspection test. Additionally, school buses are typically used for short routes, meaning help is available quickly if there’s a mechanical issue.

The FMCSA emphasized that this exemption does not change vehicle maintenance requirements. Schools and bus companies must continue to inspect and repair their buses regularly.

Next Steps for the Bus Driver CDL Exemption

States that choose to adopt the exemption must report data monthly to the FMCSA. This includes the names and CDL numbers of drivers who receive licenses under the exemption. FMCSA will use this data to monitor the exemption’s impact and determine if further changes are needed.

The FMCSA stated that it could end the exemption early if safety issues arise or if states fail to comply with the terms.

This exemption is one of several measures being taken to help address the challenges faced by school transportation systems, including driver shortages and the growing shift to electric buses.