Bus Driver License Fees Vary by State and License Class
A commercial driver's license (CDL) for bus operation costs between $50 and $250 for the license itself, depending on your state and how long you want it valid. That is only the base fee. You will also pay separately for the written knowledge test, the skills test (road test), and often a medical examination. The total cost to get a bus driver license from start to finish typically falls between $300 and $800, but some states charge more.
The license fee itself is not the same as the test fees. Your state's DMV charges one price to issue the license card, and a different price for each test you take. Some states bundle these costs; others list them separately on your bill. Knowing the breakdown matters because you may be able to take the written test at one visit and the skills test weeks later, and you need to know what you owe at each step.
If you already hold a regular driver's license, you will not pay to renew that license while you hold a CDL. Most states fold the CDL into your regular license renewal, so you pay one fee that covers both. If your regular license expires before your CDL does, you renew both at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- The CDL license fee itself ranges from $50 to $250 depending on your state and the validity period you choose, usually three to eight years.
- You must also pay separate fees for the written knowledge test and the skills test, which together typically cost $100 to $300 more.
- A medical examination (Department of Transportation physical) is required before you can take the skills test and usually costs $50 to $150, paid to a certified medical examiner, not the DMV.
- If you fail either test, you pay the test fee again to retake it; most states do not refund failed test fees.
- Some employers pay for CDL training and testing as part of hiring, so ask before you pay out of pocket.
Breaking Down the Individual Costs
The written knowledge test fee is usually $10 to $50 and covers the general knowledge test plus the passenger endorsement test (required for bus drivers). Some states charge one fee for both tests; others charge per test. You take this test at a DMV office or an approved testing location, and you can usually schedule it online or by phone.
The skills test (road test) fee is typically $50 to $150 and is the most expensive single test. This is the test where you drive a bus with an examiner in the vehicle. You must bring your own bus or arrange to use one through your employer or a training school. If you fail, you pay the fee again to retake it. Most states allow you to retake the test within 30 to 60 days without reapplying for the license.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination is required and costs $50 to $150, but you pay the medical examiner directly, not the DMV. You must pass this exam before the DMV will let you take the skills test. The exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and ability to operate a bus safely. You can use any certified medical examiner; the DMV provides a list on its website.
Some states charge a CDL process or processing fee of $10 to $30 on top of the license fee. A few states also charge a hazmat endorsement fee if you will be transporting hazardous materials, though most bus drivers do not need this.
State-by-State Fee Examples
| State | License Fee (8 years) | Written Test Fee | Skills Test Fee | Approximate Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $196 | $35 | $100 | $331+ |
| Texas | $97 | $20 | $50 | $167+ |
| New York | $120 | $10 | $70 | $200+ |
| Florida | $75 | $7 | $75 | $157+ |
| Illinois | $150 | $5 | $60 | $215+ |
These figures do not include the DOT medical exam (paid separately to the examiner) or any training course fees. Prices change periodically, so check your state DMV website for current fees before you budget.
When Your Employer or Training School Covers the Cost
Many transit agencies, school districts, and private bus companies pay for CDL training and testing as part of their hiring process. If you are hired as a bus driver, ask the employer whether they cover the written test, skills test, or both. Some employers require you to pass the written test on your own first, then they pay for the skills test and medical exam once you are hired.
If you attend a CDL training school, the school may include test fees in the tuition, or it may charge them separately. Training schools typically charge $3,000 to $7,000 for a full CDL program, which usually includes classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training, and sometimes the skills test fee. Ask the school exactly what is included before you enroll.
If you pay for training out of pocket and later find an employer who would have paid, you cannot get a refund. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement after you have worked for them for a set period (often six months to one year), so ask about that option too.
Renewal Fees and How Long Your License Lasts
A CDL is valid for three to eight years depending on your state. When it expires, you renew it by paying the renewal fee (usually the same as the original license fee) and passing a new medical exam. You do not have to retake the written or skills test unless your state requires it or you let your license lapse for more than a certain period.
Some states charge a lower renewal fee than the original license fee. Others charge the same amount. A few states offer a shorter validity period (three or four years) at a lower cost if you want to renew more often. Check your state DMV website to see what renewal options are available.
If your CDL expires and you do not renew it within a grace period (usually 30 to 90 days), you may have to retake the written test and skills test to restore it, which means paying all the test fees again. Renewing before expiration is always cheaper than restoring an expired license.
Fees You Should Not Pay
Do not pay anyone to take the written test for you or to may provide you will pass. The DMV administers the test, and only you can take it. Anyone offering to take it for you is committing fraud, and you could lose your license and face criminal charges.
Do not pay a third-party website or service to submit your CDL process. You submit the process directly to your state DMV, and there is no fee for that step beyond the license fee itself. Some websites charge $50 to $200 to "help" you explore, but they are just filling out a form you can fill out yourself.
Do not pay extra for a medical exam beyond what the certified examiner charges. The DMV does not collect a separate medical exam fee. If someone claims the DMV charges a medical exam fee, they are misleading you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test and skills test on the same day?
Most states allow you to take both tests on the same day if you schedule them that way, but you must pass the written test first. Some testing locations may not have both available on the same day, so call ahead. You will pay both test fees regardless of whether you take them together or separately.
What happens if I fail the skills test?
You pay the skills test fee again to retake it. Most states let you retake it within 30 to 60 days without reapplying for the license. If you wait longer than that, you may have to reapply and pay the process fee again. Check your state DMV rules for the retake window.
Does my medical exam expire?
Yes. A DOT medical certificate is valid for two years. You must renew it before it expires if you want to keep driving. Some states require you to renew your medical certificate before you renew your CDL; others let you renew the CDL first and then update the medical certificate later. Check your state's rules.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about getting a bus driver license?
Most states do not refund license fees or test fees once you have paid them, even if you do not take the test or pass it. Some states may refund the license fee if you request it within a short window (often 30 days), but test fees are rarely refundable. Ask your DMV about its refund policy before you pay.
Is there a fee to add the passenger endorsement to my CDL?
The passenger endorsement is usually included in the written test fee for a bus driver CDL. You do not pay an extra endorsement fee. If you already have a CDL for trucks and want to add the passenger endorsement, some states charge a small fee (usually $5 to $20) to add it; others do not. Check your state DMV website.