🚌 School Bus Driver License Requirements by State

Compare school bus driver license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level school bus driver license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$35,435
AKAlaska	Required	—	$50	$50,505
AZArizona	Required	—	$50	$39,508
ARArkansas	Required	—	$50	$34,213
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$56,207
COColorado	Required	—	$50	$43,988
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$50	$46,839
DEDelaware	Required	—	$50	$40,730
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$52,134
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$39,100
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$37,878
HIHawaii	Required	—	$50	$54,985
IDIdaho	Required	—	$50	$38,286
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$42,766
INIndiana	Required	—	$50	$37,064
IAIowa	Required	—	$50	$36,249
KSKansas	Required	—	$50	$36,249
KYKentucky	Required	—	$50	$36,249
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$36,657
MEMaine	Required	—	$50	$39,508
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$44,395
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$49,690
MIMichigan	Required	—	$50	$38,286
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$50	$42,359
MSMississippi	Required	—	$50	$33,805
MOMissouri	Required	—	$50	$36,657
MTMontana	Required	—	$50	$39,100
NENebraska	Required	—	$50	$36,657
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$41,544
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$50	$42,359
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$48,061
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$50	$37,064
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$52,949
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$37,471
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$38,693
OHOhio	Required	—	$50	$37,471
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$50	$35,435
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$44,803
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$50	$39,915
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$50	$41,951
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$37,064
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$35,842
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$36,657
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$38,286
UTUtah	Required	—	$50	$39,508
VTVermont	Required	—	$50	$41,137
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$41,544
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$48,061
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$50	$35,027
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$50	$38,286
WYWyoming	Required	—	$50	$38,693

Common questions about school bus driver licensing

Do all states require a school bus driver license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level school bus driver license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a school bus driver license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a school bus driver license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.