How to Get a Charter Bus Operating License in Florida

Every state has its vehicle licensing protocols, and Florida is no different. In Florida, you need a commercial drivers license (CDL), Class C, with a P (passengers) endorsement, to operate a charter bus. A charter bus falls into the category of a vehicle that holds more than 15 people including the driver with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds. This type of license is issued after passing the required written and skills tests.

Things You'll Need

  • U.S. citizen proof of identity or a non-U.S. citizen proof of identity
  • Social Security number
  • Proof of residential address
  • Proof of completion of a traffic law and substance abuse education course or license from another state, country or jurisdiction.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take and pass the knowledge tests. General knowledge road tests consist of questions to identify road signs and road rules. To get a CDL with a P endorsement for bus operation, you must also pass knowledge tests on driving and transporting passengers safely.

    • 2

      Pass a vision exam. To pass a vision exam, each eye must be 20/40. Testing is performed with an eye machine on the counter at every driver licensing office in Florida. If your visual acuity reads worse than 20/40, you may be referred to an eye specialist for further testing to determine special requirements.

    • 3

      Complete a hearing exam. If you are deaf or cannot hear a normal tone of conversation, there are rear-view mirror and hearing aid special requirements.

    • 4

      Take and pass the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.

    • 5

      Take and pass the CDL vehicle driving test. To pass the driving test, the driver must receive a satisfactory grade from the examiner based on the ability of the driver to control the vehicle and her observance of traffic laws. Your vehicle control is tested by being able to move the vehicle forward and backward and turn it within a defined space. Road testing requires safely driving your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations including left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets and highways.

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