Lone Oak ISD always needs qualified bus drivers to assist with transporting the students in our district safely to and from school and extracurricular events. If you are interested in driving a bus route or if you are a coach needing to obtain a CDL, you can find all the information you need here on what steps you will need to take in obtaining a Commercial Driver's License. Please view the steps below and refer to the links to the right for additional guidance. 

STEP 1: Gather necessary documents
You will need to provide proof of the following to apply for a commercial learner permit:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship
  • Either a birth certificate or passport
• Proof of Residency
  • Could be a current deed, mortgage statement, renters insurance policy, utility bill (full list)
• Proof of Identity
  • Driver's license or passport (full list)
• Proof of Social Security Number
  • A CLP or a CD cannot be issues if you do not have a social Security Number. 
• CLD-10 Form
  • Select line 1 is you will use your CDL for bus driving ONLY. If this is the case, a physical will not need to be presented.  
  • If this is not the case, select options below and make sure to take your physical with you to the appointment. 
  • DO NOT SIGN
• Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance* for each vehicle you own.
  • Registration must be current. 
  • Visit Texas DMV vehicle registration for more information.
  • Addresses on documents must match DL addresses.
    *If you do not own a vehicle, you will sign a statement affirming this. 

STEP 2: Make an appointment at the DPS office. An appointment is required. 

• In using the scheduler, follow the prompts and you will select "apply for initial CDL/CLP permit".
• If you need an appointment sooner than one is available, try using the scheduler early in the morning .You might be able to get an appointment that has been canceled for the day. 
• You may also visit the DPS office first thing in the morning, and you may be able to get a "walk-in" appointment at that time or later that day. 

STEP 3: At your appointment, you will need to do the following:

• Submit the completed CDL application
  • Complete but do not sign. No mark-outs allowed. 
  • Select "Change", as you will be changing from a Class C to Class B.
  • Select "Class B" with "Passenger" and "School Bus" endorsements and "Air Brakes".
  • Answer the remaining questions. 
• Provide the following documents to the license and permit specialist:
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Texas Residency
  • Identity
  • Social Security Number
• Pay application fee - $33
• Provide thumbprints
• Take a photo
• Pass a vision test
• Pass the five written knowledge tests for the appropriate driver's license including any endorsements you will be adding. The knowledge exam must be taken in the following order:
  • Texas Commercial Rules - Section 14 - Passing % 14 of 20
  • General Knowledge - Section 1, 2 & 3 - Passing % 40 of 50
  • Air Brakes - Section 5 - Passing % 18 of 25
  • Passenger Endorsement - Section 4 - Passing % 14 of 20
  • School Bus Endorsement - Section 10 - Passing % 14 of 20
  • The sections referred for the written exam are from the CDL Driver Handbook. 
  • All the information in each section is a possible test question - not just the school bus related information.
  • Tests are given in the order listed . Must pass Test #1 before moving to Test #2.
  • Multiple tests can be taken on the same day. When you fail a test, you must wait till the next day to test again. 
  • If you fail a test, schedule your next appointment before you leave the DPS office. 
  • Genie app or Genie MVP are apps that drivers have recommended to help study. 
• Schedule your skills test at one of the CDL testing locations. 
  *For more information on skills testing, visit driving test requirements. 

You will be given a CLP permit if all of the above are done properly. 

STEP 4: Must pass a DOT physical. 

STEP 5: Apply for Entry Level Driving Training (ELDT) from an approved provider. Tests can be done online.

• INFINIT-I is used by several districts. 

STEP 6: Complete  Behind the Wheel (BTW) Training from an approved provider. 

Once you have held your CLP for a minimum of 14 days, you are eligible to complete the necessary driving tests to obtain your CDL. You will need to provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must be representative of the type of CLP you hold. 

STEP 7: Take your driving test at the DS office. You MUST bring a bus to drive, with a licensed CDL driver. 

• DPS has approved the FMCSA waiver for under the hood pre-trip effective 11/27/22 - 11/27/24. Please note that if you choose the waiver, the driver will be restricted to driving school buses only and only in the state of Texas. If the applicant wishes to drive vehicles other than school buses or might be considering it in the future, the full CDL skills testing will be required, and a medical certificate may be required, depending on the type of commerce the applicant selects. 
  • The waiver means the following components will be excluded from the pre-trip vehicle inspection: oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid/belt/gear, water pump belt/gear, ait compressor belt/gear, or hydraulic master cylinder (as applicable) and leak/hoses. All other components of the pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic controls and road test must be completed. 
• Pass the driving test which consists of: 
  • Vehicke Inspection (Pre-trip) Test
  • Basic Vehicle Control Test
  • Road Test
• Read about driving test requirements. 

* The 20-hour Safety Course must be completed in order to drive a school bus. This course is not required to begin the process of obtaining your CDL.