Tennessee CDL Tennessee School Bus and School Activity Bus Credentialing

An initial Tennessee S endorsement generally requires age 25 and five consecutive years of unrestricted driving experience. An applicant age 23 or 24 may qualify only as an honorably discharged veteran, National Guard or reserve member, or licensed teacher employed by an LEA, with the prescribed discharge or recommendation document.

The driver needs the correct CDL class plus P and S endorsements. Tennessee requires Form 2-C or the private-school equivalent, the applicable knowledge tests, ELDT for first-time P and S, and a representative school-bus skills test in a bus designed for at least 16 occupants including the driver.

A holder of Tennessee's S endorsement must attend the annual training required by the department to maintain it. School systems also verify the five-year driving history and employment qualifications before allowing student transportation.

Drivers carrying students on school-related activity trips in a school bus need S. A mechanic who does not transport students does not need S for the stated mechanic operation, but Tennessee requires the appropriate Class B license and P endorsement.

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.