Tennessee School Bus ELDT – S Endorsement Training
Complete your School Bus ELDT online in Tennessee — FMCSA-approved, accepted at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS), auto-submitted to TPR. Only $20.
What It Costs and Where to Start in Tennessee
Every FMCSA-approved ELDT theory course is $20, online, and finished in under 2 hours. Completion is filed to the federal Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
- Hazmat — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL A — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL B — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Passenger — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- School Bus — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- 3-Endorsement Bundle — $50 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- All Bundles — from $30 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Hazmat + Test Prep — $30 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL-A Permit Prep — $15 DMV study aid — not ELDT
Not sure which one?
- I already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement — you only need the endorsement course: Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus, $20 each. Skip CDL-A and CDL-B entirely.
- I'm brand new and have no CDL — start with CDL-A or CDL-B theory, then complete behind-the-wheel training locally. Theory alone does not get you licensed.
- I want all three endorsements — the 3-endorsement bundle is $50 instead of $60 separately.
- What's the cheapest way to do everything? — bundles are the floor: $50 for H+P+S, or $30 for either CDL theory course paired with permit prep. Adding Hazmat all-in, including the federal TSA background check and your state's endorsement fee, typically runs $110–$150.
- Tanker (N) or Doubles/Triples (T)? — neither has an ELDT requirement. The federal rule covers Class A, Class B, the B-to-A upgrade, and Hazmat, Passenger and School Bus only. Both are knowledge-test only at your state DMV: Tanker Test Prep — $15, or Hazmat & Tanker Complete — $45 if you need the Hazmat ELDT too.
Quick Answers — School Bus ELDT in Tennessee
Who needs it?
Any CDL holder adding the School Bus endorsement in Tennessee after February 7, 2022 must complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before taking the endorsement knowledge test.
How long does it take?
Under 2 hours. It's self-paced and 100% online — start and stop on any device.
How much does it cost?
$20 for the School Bus ELDT at DLA Academy — the lowest-priced FMCSA-approved option, with no hidden fees.
Can I do it online?
Yes. The entire course is online and your completion is auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours — no classroom and no appointment.
What's next?
Finish your ELDT, then pass the School Bus knowledge test at TN DOS.
Tennessee School Bus ELDT — Step by Step
Hold a Valid CDL
You need an existing Class A, B, or C CDL before adding the School Bus (S) endorsement. If you don't have one yet, start with CDL A or CDL B Theory ELDT.
Complete School Bus ELDT Online
Complete DLA Academy's FMCSA-approved School Bus ELDT online in under 2 hours. Auto-submitted to FMCSA TPR within 24 hours.
Pass the S Endorsement Knowledge Test at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS)
Visit Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS) to take the School Bus knowledge test. Most states also require a separate skills test in a school bus.
Background Check & Physical
Tennessee requires a background check and DOT physical for school bus drivers. Some districts require additional clearances.
Receive Your S Endorsement
Once TN DOS has your ELDT completion and test results, the School Bus endorsement is added to your CDL.
What DLA Academy's School Bus ELDT Covers
- Loading and unloading procedures
- Emergency exits and evacuations
- Railroad-highway grade crossings
- Student management
- Anti-lock braking systems on buses
- Special safety considerations for school transport
What's on the Tennessee School Bus (S) Endorsement Test
After you finish School Bus (S) ELDT, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS) still administers its own knowledge test before adding the endorsement to your CDL. The questions come from the TN DOS CDL manual, and the core topics are consistent across states:
- Loading and unloading students — the danger zone around the bus, correct use of mirrors, and escorting students across the roadway
- Railroad crossings — the full stop-look-listen procedure required at every crossing, with or without students aboard
- Emergency evacuation — when to evacuate, choosing a safe location, and running an orderly exit with children
- Mirror adjustment and inspection — the school-bus-specific pre-trip inspection, including mirrors, lights, and the stop arm
- Student management — handling behaviour that creates a driving hazard, and post-trip checks for sleeping students
Question counts and passing scores are set by TN DOS and vary, so treat the official TN DOS CDL manual as authoritative. For a fuller breakdown of the exam, see our School Bus (S) endorsement test guide.
Is there a skills test too?
In most states, yes. Passing the School Bus (S) knowledge test is usually not the last step — TN DOS typically also requires an in-vehicle skills test in an actual bus, including an endorsement-specific pre-trip inspection and an on-road drive. Confirm with Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS) before you schedule.
What does the School Bus (S) endorsement cost in Tennessee?
The FMCSA-required ELDT theory is $20 at DLA Academy. On top of that, TN DOS charges its own endorsement and testing fees, which it sets and can change — check the current amounts on the official TN DOS site. There is no TSA background check for School Bus (S), which is why it costs considerably less than adding Hazmat.
Add the P Endorsement Too
School bus drivers often need the Passenger (P) endorsement in addition to S. DLA Academy's Passenger ELDT is $20 — or save by grabbing the 3-endorsement bundle (Hazmat + Passenger + School Bus) for $50.
More Tennessee ELDT Resources
Owner-Operator Resources
Common Questions About ELDT & CDL Endorsements
More Tennessee CDL Resources
Bundles cost less than the same courses bought one at a time, and every price below is the bundled price.
Training a crew? Fleet accounts cover 10 or more drivers from $25 a seat, billed once, with every completion tracked in one place.
Sending drivers our way? The affiliate program pays 25% commission on every enrollment you refer.
4.9★ Google rating from 390+ verified reviews. 6,936+ drivers trained nationwide.
"I took the hazmat course it is as easy as he says. Didn’t take me long to complete. The price comparison is by far the best among the rest. I would recommend to any and everyone. Thanks for all you done"
"Great course. Learned alot and helped me pass my test to get my endorsement!"
"I took the course and I am using my hazmat to make more money and it comes in handy a lot I wish I would have knew about this course a few years ago I was so blessed to find this course available at the price and it was easy to take!!!"
Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Ready to Start Your Tennessee School Bus ELDT?
$20 flat. FMCSA-approved. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TN DOS). Under 2 hours on any device.