The CDL passenger endorsement (P endorsement) is the add-on credential you need to legally operate a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including yourself as the driver. It requires a written knowledge test, a road skills test, and a background check. It opens the door to some of the most stable, consistent driving jobs available.
Here's everything you need to know before you start.
The P endorsement is added directly to your commercial driver's license (CDL). Without it, your CDL only authorizes you to drive freight-hauling vehicles. With it, you can legally transport groups of people on charter buses, transit routes, airport shuttles, and more.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the baseline rules, and each state DMV administers the actual testing process. Requirements are consistent in structure across the country, though exact fees and scheduling vary by state.
Simple rule: if the vehicle is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (driver included), you need the P endorsement. That threshold covers a wide range of vehicles.
Jobs that require the P endorsement:
If the vehicle carries 15 passengers or fewer, a standard Class C license may cover it in some states. But the moment you cross that 16-passenger mark, the P endorsement is mandatory.
Let's be direct here. There are three requirements to earn your P endorsement, and you need to clear all three.
You must already hold — or be in the process of obtaining — a Class A, Class B, or Class C CDL. The P endorsement cannot be added to a standard passenger car license. learn how to get your CDL step by step
The passenger transport written test covers:
The exam pulls from the Passenger Transport section of your state's CDL handbook. Most states run it as a multiple-choice test. You need to pass with a minimum score — typically 80% — though check with your specific state DMV for the exact passing threshold.
Unlike the hazmat endorsement requirements, the P endorsement does require a road skills test. You'll take this test in a vehicle that represents the class of passenger vehicle you intend to operate.
The examiner will assess:
The background check is required for all P endorsement applicants. This is a standard criminal history review conducted at the state level. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify you from holding the P endorsement — your state DMV can provide the specific disqualifying offenses for your jurisdiction.
The S endorsement builds on the P endorsement. You can't get the school bus endorsement without first holding the P endorsement. Think of it as a two-step: get your P first, then layer the S on top with an additional written test and a skills test in an actual school bus-type vehicle.
School bus drivers transport pre-primary, primary, and secondary students — between home and school, school and home, or to and from school-sponsored events. It's a more specialized credential with stricter background check standards in most states.
School bus endorsement requirements and training
Yes — if this is your first time adding the P endorsement to your CDL. The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, which took effect on February 7, 2022, apply to any first-time endorsement in the P, H (hazmat), or S categories.
If you already held a CLP, CDL, or endorsement before February 7, 2022, this requirement doesn't apply to you. If you're newer to CDL licensing than that date, you'll need to complete FMCSA-approved ELDT theory training before you can take the P endorsement test.
The CDL School offers ELDT-approved online training that covers both the Class A or B base license and the P and S endorsements in a single bundled course. ELDT training options and online course bundles.
Straightforward answer: it's manageable if you study the right material.
The written knowledge portion trips up drivers who skip the Passenger Transport section of the CDL handbook and assume their general driving knowledge covers it. It doesn't. Questions about emergency exit procedures, railroad crossing rules for buses, and loading zone regulations are specific to passenger transport — you won't find them in the general CDL knowledge sections.
The road skills test is where preparation really shows. Driving a full-size bus handles differently than a semi. If your CDL training was entirely in a Class A freight vehicle, spend time in a passenger vehicle before you sit for the test.
Study tips that actually work:
The class of CDL you need depends on the weight of the bus you're operating.
Class B with a P endorsement is the most common combination for bus drivers. Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs, which covers nearly every full-size city bus, charter coach, and transit vehicle on the road.
CDL Class B training and what vehicles it covers
The P endorsement isn't a niche add-on. It positions you for a broad, stable range of driving careers with consistent hours and, in many cases, union wages and benefits.
Public transit agencies hire CDL drivers with a P endorsement to run fixed bus routes. These are often union positions with defined schedules, health benefits, pension plans, and strong job security. Demand is consistent — cities don't stop needing bus drivers.
Charter companies move groups for events, casino trips, corporate transport, and tourism. Hours can be irregular and seasonal, but pay per trip is competitive and the variety keeps the job interesting.
Hotels, rental car companies, and airport authorities all operate shuttle buses. Many of these are local runs with predictable routes — a good fit for drivers who want to stay close to home.
Paratransit services transport passengers with disabilities who can't use standard fixed-route buses. This work is meaningful, steady, and increasingly well-funded through public transit budgets.
Tourism-focused operators hire drivers for city tours, wine country routes, national park circuits, and similar seasonal work. This is a good entry point for drivers who want to travel while working.
If you add the S endorsement on top of your P, school bus driving is one of the most reliably scheduled driving jobs available. Morning and afternoon runs, summers off (or optional summer school routes), and strong community ties make this a popular long-term career for drivers who want stability.
Pay varies by employer type, location, and CDL class. Here's a general picture of what drivers earn across the main passenger vehicle categories.
Union positions in major metro areas push transit bus pay toward the higher end of that range. School bus pay varies more widely by district and state funding.
What are the CDL passenger endorsement requirements?
To get the P endorsement, you need a valid CDL (Class A, B, or C), completion of ELDT theory training if you're a first-time applicant after February 2022, a passing score on the passenger transport written knowledge test, a passing road skills test in a passenger vehicle, and a background check. All three testing components must be cleared before the endorsement is issued.
How many questions are on the CDL passenger endorsement test?
Most states use a 20-question multiple-choice format for the passenger transport written test. You generally need to answer at least 16 correctly (80%) to pass, but confirm the exact passing score with your state DMV since it can vary.
Do I need a P endorsement to drive a 15-passenger van?
No — the 16-passenger threshold includes the driver. A van designed for 15 passengers plus the driver (16 total) does require the P endorsement. A van with 15 total occupancy including the driver does not. Check the vehicle's designed passenger capacity, not just how many seats are filled.
Can I get the S endorsement without the P endorsement?
No. The school bus (S) endorsement requires the passenger (P) endorsement first. You take the P test and skills test, pass your background check, get the P added to your CDL, and then pursue the S endorsement as a second layer on top.
Does the P endorsement expire?
The P endorsement stays on your CDL as long as your CDL remains valid. You renew it when you renew your CDL — there's no separate two-year renewal cycle like the hazmat endorsement. Background check requirements at renewal vary by state.
What disqualifies you from getting a CDL passenger endorsement?
Certain criminal convictions can bar you from obtaining the P endorsement, similar to the restrictions on the hazmat endorsement. The specific disqualifying offenses are defined at the state level and enforced during the background check. Contact your state DMV for the complete list before applying if you have any concerns about your record.