School or Passenger Bus License

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Driver and Operator Short-Term Training
School or Passenger Bus License

Move Ahead

Take your driving skills to the next level. In two weeks or less, you gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to confidently navigate real-life driving situations. You also will prepare for the Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam and the Passenger (P) Endorsement and/or School Bus (S) Endorsement. With 80 hours of classroom instruction, driving simulators, and actual road practice, you’re ready to start a rewarding new career.

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School or Passenger Bus License at a Glance

Degree

Workplace Certificate

Length of Study

Two weeks

Course Format

Face-to-Face

Class Meets

Daytime

Program Start

Continuous

Explore all Driver and Operator Training options at Hawkeye

Proven Success: High Placement Rates, Decades of Experience, and Top Certification Achievements

98%

Placement rate into career

48+

Years of training truck drivers

90%+

Exam pass rate

Your Future as a Bus Driver

Bus drivers safely transport passengers, follow scheduled routes, and provide customer service. They often have flexible schedules, with options for full-time, part-time, or seasonal work.

When you complete the program and earn a Class B CDL with a Passenger and/or School Bus Endorsement you will be ready for jobs in a variety of industries.

Public transit
School
Charter & Tours
Private shuttle services
Speciality transportation services

500,000

U.S. school buses in operation

67,000+

U.S. transit buses in operation

The Hawkeye Difference

24-Acre Driving Facility

Features an open driving area, 26-foot wide road, inclines, and right and left turns. Indoor facility features classrooms and drive through truck bays.

Peek Inside

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Driving Simulators - Risk-Free Learning

Grasp an understanding of controls, gauges and vehicle systems before getting behind the wheel of a bus.

Program Overview

Prepare for a successful career as a school or passenger bus driver with a competency-based program. Move through the program at your pace. Hands-on experience with real buses and state-of-the-art driving simulators allow you to navigate different settings with confidence.

Gain essential, field-specific skills to confidently and safely operate a school or passenger bus and transport passengers.

Master bus operations in various conditions, including rural and urban environments.
Learn to navigate corners, railroad tracks, and other driving scenarios with precision.
Gain expertise in backing and parking to handle real-life driving situations.
Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
Learn passenger management, emergency evacuation procedures, and safe driving with passengers.

Gain confidence as you explore controls, gauges, and vehicle systems in a stress-free setting using driving and brake simulators.

See the Simulator in Action

Must be able to read, speak, write, and comprehend English. No interpreters are allowed per CDL regulations.
Pass the General Knowledge, Air brakes, and Combination test at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and obtain your Class B Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) permit
Pass and pay for a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and pre-employment drug screening.
Register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

This program doesn't qualify for financial aid, but other funding options may be available.

Discover your funding options!

You will gain additional training to earn one or both endorsements.

Passenger (P) Endorsement: Prepare to drive vehicles that carry passengers, focusing on safety, communication, and emergency protocols.

School Bus (S) Endorsement: Understand additional safety and regulatory requirements specific to school bus driving, such as loading/unloading children, handling school zones, and student safety.