Question about bus drivers license. CDL's and the S & P endorsements?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

What I want to know is if legally a CDL holder with a P endorsement could drive a school bus?

They used RTA buses to evacuate people to the Superdome. I assume that means the designated drivers held CDL's with a P (The P stands for passenger bus) endorsement.

In order to legally drive a school bus you have to hold a CDL with an S (S = school bus) endorsement.

To my knowledge they're not interchangeable. Does anyone know if this is correct?

[blondeatlast]

1. Interesting; here's a link to the Louisiana DMV site concerning CDL

http://www.dps.state.la.us/OMV1.nsf/0/f49e283fc26019e8862564ae00546c22?OpenDocument

Yep--an "S" endorsement is required of school bus drivers (PDF):
http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/schoolbusguide.pdf

[hootinholler]

2. Depends on the passengers...

I'm not sure if you need the P if the bus is not for hire. If you were to buy a bus and just want to drive it around, then no CDL or endorsement would be required.

You do not need the S if you are not driving the school bus for a school related activity. If not used for school, then it's not a school bus, but just a bus, but the school markings and lights need to be covered also.

You also need the proper weight class of license, most buses are class B.

-Hoot