CDL Information 

Kansas bus drivers are required a class A or B, CDL for an activity and or school bus with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more and/or rated for passenger capacity of 16 or more, including the driver. A class A, B, or C, CDL is required for activity/school buses with a gross weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less and/or rated for a passenger capacity of 16 or more, including the driver. An activity/school bus rated for less than 16 passengers, (14 passengers + the driver) and has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds is not required a CDL. These individuals are required a valid regular DL. The School/Contractor is required to have a copy of the license on file for anyone driving a activity/school bus or school passenger vehicle.

A "P" and "S" endorsement is required on a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the operation of both activity buses and school buses.  To obtain the endorsement you will have to pass a "P" and "S" endorsement knowledge test and a road test in a school bus representative of the type of school bus you will be driving.  

Kansas CDL/CLP Classes, Endorsements and Restriction Codes (PDF)

Commercial Learners Permit (CLP)

After an individual passes the written test for a CDL and or the S endorsement, the individual is issued a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP). A mandated 14 day waiting period per federal law (49 CFR 383.25) is required prior to scheduling the skills test for the CDL and or S endorsement. This same federal law prohibits a CLP holder from transporting students prior to obtaining his or her CDL.

Kansas Commercial Driver's License Handbook/Manual (external link) Kansas Department of Revenue

Kansas Commercial Driver's License Skills Testing Offices (external link) Kansas Department of Revenue

Human Trafficking 

Kansas law, KSA 8-2,157 requires an applicant for issuance or renewal of a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) to complete training approved by the Attorney General in human trafficking identification and prevention and provide satisfactory proof of such completion to the Division of Vehicles prior to such issuance or renewal. This training can be obtained on-line at no charge. Human Trafficking online training (external link).

Medical Self-Certification Information

Medical Self-Certification is part of the CDL, any person applying for a CDL must certify with the State's Driver's License Agency to one of two categories:

1. Non-excepted interstate. I certify that I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, and I am both subject to and meet the qualification requirements under 49 CFR part 391, and I am required to obtain a medical examiner's certificate by 49 CFR 391.45.

2. Excepted interstate. I certify that I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce but engage exclusively in transportation or operations excepted under 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, 391.68 or 398.3 from all or parts of the qualification requirements of 49 CFR part 391, and I am therefore not required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate by 49 CFR 391.45.

If the school bus driver works and drives only for the school district, we recommend they select category #2 on their medical self-certification. Category #2 drivers DO NOT send a copy of their medical examiners certificate to the state. Category #2 is an interstate classification which means the driver can legally drive a school bus out of state. Drivers can change their medical self-certification category at any time if they were to get a job where a category #1 was required

Kansas Driver's License Status Check

Free website to check status of Kansas Driver's License and or CDL. The free status check indicates the medical self-certification category associated with an individual's CDL.  The free status check does not meet the legal requirements of an official driving record. Kansas Driver's License Status Check (external link) Kansas Department of Revenue

Change Medical Self-Certification Category

A KS CDL holder can change their medical self-certification. from a category 1 to a category 2 or vice versa at any time by using the Kansas Department of Revenue's Kansas Commercial Driver's License Holder Medical Self Certification webpage (external link) Kansas Department of Revenue

CDL Modernization Information

CDL Modernization refers to updates made to the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) testing procedures and requirements, primarily focusing on the vehicle inspection and basic control skills (back and offset maneuvers) portions of the exam. These changes, approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), aim to create a more efficient, consistent, and effective testing process for commercial drivers. The School Transportation Safety Unit has training aids available upon request for Kansas School Bus Driver Trainers. The School Transportation Safety Unit has teaching aids available upon request.

CDL Modernization Skills Videos

Click on graphic to play video.

1. Forward Stop

Examiner's Instructions: You will demonstrate your ability to judge the front of your vehicle during a controlled stop. Drive forward through the alley and stop with the front most  part of the vehicle in the box at the end of the alley without going past it. (POINT to the front part of the vehicle that will be scored). You may stop only once. When you have stopped, set your parking brake, shift to neural and sound the horn. Do you have any questions? (click on graphic to play video)

2. Straight Line Backing 

Examiner's Instructions: You will demonstrate your ability to back a vehicle in a straight line. Pull forward and stop when I raise my hand (like this) or blow my whistle. Then, back straight through the alley until the front of your vehicle has cleared the last set of cones at the far end of the alley. You are allowed one free pull-up and may safely exit the vehicle only one time to check around the vehicle. Set your parking brake, shift to neutral, and sound your horn when you have completed the exercise. Do you have any questions?  (click on graphic to play video)

3. Forward Offset Tracking

Examiner's Instructions: You will demonstrate your ability to maneuver a vehicle around other objects while moving forward. Drive forward and steer to the left through the opening into the opposite lane, keeping the right most rear tire between the cone and the line. This maneuver shall be performed in one motion UNLESS an encroachment occurs. In the event of an encroachment, you will need to clear the boundary. There are NO free back-ups, and you are NOT permitted to exit the vehicle during this exercise. Stop your vehicle when you are parallel to the outer boundary, prior to or at the cones at the far end of the exercise. Set your parking brake, shift to neutral, and sound your horn when you have completed the exercise. Do you have any questions? (click on graphic to play video)

4. Reverse Offset Backing

Examiner's Instructions: You will demonstrate your ability to offset back and park a vehicle at the end of an alley. Starting parallel with the outer boundary, offset back into the alley, bringing the rear most part of your vehicle within three feet of the rear of the alley. Stop with the rear most part of the vehicle in the box. (POINT to the rear part of the vehicle that will be scored.) Your vehicle must be completely within the defined exercise boundaries when completed. You may not go beyond the outer boundary line (point to boundary line). You are allowed two free pull-ups and may exit the vehicle a maximum of two times to check around the vehicle during this exercise. When you have completed the exercise, set your parking brake, shift to neutral and sound your horn. Do you have any questions? (click on graphic to play video)