NJBusJobs

NJ guide

How to become a school bus driver in New Jersey

If you want school bus driving work in NJ, the main moving parts are the right CDL path, the Passenger (P) endorsement, the School Bus (S) endorsement, and employer-specific training steps. You can still apply now even if you are not fully finished yet.

Apply now See the steps

Last updated from live official NJ sources on 2026-07-15.

Quick answer

  • NJ MVC says school bus drivers need the S endorsement.
  • NJ MVC also says drivers with an S endorsement must also have the P endorsement.
  • NJDOE says New Jersey school bus drivers are required to receive proper training.
  • NJ workforce pages list One-Stop Career Centers and training resources if you still need a path in.

The practical NJBusJobs path

1. Figure out which path you are on

Already licensed drivers can apply now and tell us their CDL and endorsement status. If you still need training, you can also apply now and mark that you are willing to train.

2. Confirm the endorsements that matter

For school bus work in NJ, the official MVC endorsements page says the S endorsement is needed, and that school bus drivers also need the P endorsement.

3. Use official state training resources

NJDOE and NJ workforce resources are the best starting points when you still need training, certification help, or a local workforce center.

What the official NJ pages say

NJ MVC endorsements

The NJ MVC endorsements page says:

  • P endorsement: needed for operators of buses or similar vehicles used to transport passengers
  • S endorsement: needed for all school bus drivers
  • Drivers who hold an S endorsement also have to test for P — both are required to operate a school bus
  • MVC also notes Entry-Level Driver Training requirements apply for first-time endorsement applicants before the skills test

Official NJ MVC endorsements page

NJDOE school bus driver training

The NJDOE school bus safety page says New Jersey school bus drivers and aides are required to receive proper training. It also notes recurring training requirements and special-needs interaction training within annual certification.

Official NJDOE school bus drivers and aides page

NJ training and One-Stop support

If you still need a way in, the NJ Department of Labor career-services pages point people to One-Stop Career Centers, training opportunities, apprenticeships, adult education, and SkillUp NJ resources.

Official NJDOL education and training page

If you already have a CDL or endorsements

  • Apply now and include your county, CDL class, passenger endorsement status, school-bus endorsement status, and start timeline.
  • Use one NJ-wide application instead of repeating the same details across multiple employer sites.
  • If you are ready now or ready soon, that is the fastest route into matching.
Start the application

If you still need training

  • You do not need to wait to become perfectly qualified before using NJBusJobs.
  • Apply and mark that you are willing to train.
  • Use the official NJ MVC, NJDOE, and NJDOL pages above to understand endorsements, training expectations, and local workforce help.
  • We want both ready-now drivers and people who want to become a driver.
Apply as a trainee

Simple step-by-step checklist

Step 1

Decide whether you are applying as a ready-now driver, a ready-soon driver, or someone who still needs training.

Step 2

Review the NJ MVC endorsement rules so you understand the P and S path for school bus driving.

Step 3

Review the NJDOE training page so you understand the school-bus-specific training expectations in New Jersey.

Step 4

If you still need help getting started, check NJ One-Stop and state training resources for local support and training options.

Step 5

Apply through NJBusJobs so you are in one statewide pool for school bus, shuttle, paratransit, and related NJ bus opportunities.

Step 6

Keep your phone and email reachable. That is the fastest way to move once real employer matching starts.

Visual examples from bus-driving environments

These supporting images include descriptive alternative text so screen-reader users get the same context as sighted users.

Brand-free yellow school bus parked outdoors in daylight, representing entry-level bus driving opportunities in New Jersey.
Training bus example for applicants who still need CDL or endorsement training.
Source image: Wikimedia Commons, yellow school bus photo.
Driver's seat area inside a school bus, showing the steering wheel, mirrors, and driver controls.
Driver cockpit detail showing the work environment bus drivers use each day.
Source image: Wikimedia Commons, School bus driver seat.
Brand-free yellow school bus on the road, representing school transportation and shuttle-style routes in New Jersey.
Smaller bus example for shuttle, special-needs, and short-route school transportation roles.
Source image: Wikimedia Commons, school bus photo.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to already be a school bus driver?

No. NJBusJobs accepts both current drivers and people who want to become a driver and are willing to train.

Do I need both P and S for school bus work?

According to the NJ MVC endorsements page, yes — school bus drivers need the S endorsement, and drivers with S must also have P.

Where should I check the official state rules?

Use the NJ MVC endorsements page, the NJDOE school bus drivers and aides page, and NJDOL career-services training resources linked above.