FMCSA renews exemption allowing future school bus drivers to skip the under-the-hood component of CDL testing

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) agreed to allow individuals seeking a school bus endorsement to skip the “under-the-hood” testing requirement portion of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) exam.

In a Notice published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2024, the FMCSA announced a decision to renew an exemption request from the National School Transportation Association (NSTA).

The exemption permits, but does not require, States to waive the engine compartment component of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement for school bus driver applicants. This would allow CDL applicants seeking a school bus endorsement to bypass the under-the-hood requirement of their skills testing. These CDL drivers would have a K-restriction on their license and would not be permitted to operate interstate.

All other components of the written and road test must be met by school bus driver applicants.

The exemption is effective November 28, 2024, through November 28, 2026.

The FMCSA found that the exemption was unlikely to impact highway safety because “school buses are typically operated for relatively short distances, mechanics or other qualified personnel can readily provide roadside assistance in the event of an engine malfunction.”

Officials also noted that States may choose to continue to require under-the-hood testing for school bus-only CDL applicants.