School Bus Driver / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee School Bus Driver License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Transports students to and from school safely.

What the Tennessee data shows for School Bus Drivers

Tennessee sets the entry bar for school bus drivers at 70 training hours and a passing score on CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 21 or older. The credential is administered under Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "School Bus Driver Training".

Upfront cost is $69, with renewal running $50 on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Tennessee, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, school bus drivers should know: Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

Licensing Ease Score

A-
Licensing Ease Score
84/100
School Bus Driver · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
70 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$69
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$13/yr
$50 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
School Bus Driver Training
70 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements
Required
Initial License Fee
$69
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Bus Driver All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Bus Driver in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 70 hours of education or training, the CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements exam, and an initial fee of $69. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a School Bus Driver in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed school bus driver in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 70 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Bus Driver license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
School Bus Driver licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Federal CDL recognized nationwide. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for School Bus Driver licensing? ▼
Tennessee does require a background check before issuing a school bus driver license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this school bus driver license

School Bus Driver in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school bus driver-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Tennessee's school bus driver requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Bus Driver in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school bus driver license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.