Tennessee CDL Endorsements and Restrictions

Tennessee uses T for multiple trailers, N for tank vehicles, H for hazardous materials, X for tank plus hazardous materials, P for passenger vehicles, and S for school buses. P and S require knowledge and representative-vehicle skills testing; H also requires ELDT when first obtained and TSA approval.

Only P, S, and N may be placed on a Tennessee CLP. P or S carries the P no-passengers restriction, and N carries the X no-cargo-in-tank restriction. A learner tank that previously contained hazardous material must be purged before operation.

Testing in an automatic vehicle creates E; without air brakes creates L; with air-over-hydraulic brakes creates Z; and a Class A combination that is not a tractor-semitrailer creates O. Passenger testing in smaller vehicle groups creates M or N.

The S endorsement applies to school and school-activity trips in a school bus. A representative school-bus skills test requires a bus designed for at least 16 occupants including the driver. A mechanic who does not transport students does not need S, but Tennessee requires the appropriate Class B license and P endorsement for the stated mechanic operation.

Apply the rule to the exact Tennessee vehicle, credential, date, trip, test stage, and operating facts in the question. Current TDOSHS pages and Tennessee law control when an older manual sentence conflicts with a newer official requirement.