Becoming a Driver

With or without experience, Berkshire Transportation will help you obtain the tools and knowledge you need to get on the road.

New Jersey state law requires all school bus drivers to have the following:

• Class A, B, or C Commercial Drivers License with P & S endorsements (or basic NJ class D license to begin application process) 
• At least 21 years of age with at least 3 years driving experience
• Be morally fit (via Criminal History Background Checks) 
  

• Be physically fit (via DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate with renewal required every 2 years)

Do you currently have a 
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)?

Yes, I have an active A, B, or C  class CDL license with Passenger (P) and School (S) endorsements.

• Please do the following:

1. Contact Us                                                               Please email us your completed Employee Application Form to [email protected] or call us at (973) 729 - 1278 so that we can get to know you.  Our office will work with you on your DOE Criminal History Review (fingerprinting), DOT Medical Examination, and other paperwork required for your employment.   

Yes, I have an active A, B, or C class CDL but I do not have P and/or S endorsements.  

• In order to become a school bus driver in the state of NJ you will need Passenger (P) and School (S) endorsements on your CDL.  Berkshire Transportation will help you obtain these endorsements.  Please do the following:

1. Contact Us                                                                                 Please email us your completed Employee Application Form to [email protected] or call us at (973) 729 - 1278 so that we can get to know you.  
2. Written Exam                                                                         Please download and print the NJ CDL Manual and study the "Transporting Passengers Safely" (P) and "School Bus" (S) sections.  After studying, locate a NJ DMV location closest to you that offers "CDL Written Test" capabilities.  You will report to this location with your 6 points of ID (with social security card) and take the P & S written endorsement exams.   After successfully passing your written test, the examiner of the test will then schedule you for a road test at a future date.                                                                                                                                                                                               ***It is important that you inform the examiner to schedule your road test for a CLASS C license for 15 passengers or less.***                                                                                             
3. Fingerprinting and Physical                                                     Please call our office after you pass your written exam so that we can help schedule your DOE Criminal History Review (fingerprinting) and DOT Medical Examination appointments.  
4. Road Test.                                                                                         Once your road test is scheduled you will then need to begin studying the "Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection," "Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test," and "Basic Vehicle Controls Skills Test" sections of the NJ CDL Manual.  As the test date approaches we will personally help you prepare for the exam with one of our school vehicles.  On the test day, one of our certified drivers will accompany you to your exam to ensure you are prepared for your test.  
5. Receive Endorsements                                                                  After passing your road test, please bring the following materials to any NJ DMV location so that they may issue you your license.

• 6 points of ID (with social security card)
• DOE Criminal History Review (fingerprints) documents
• DOT Medical Examination certificate
• CDL Permit with passed written and road test credentials
• Completed NJ Declaration form (please retain a copy of this file for our office records)

No, I do not have a CDL license but I do have a regular drivers license (Class D).

• We have helped many of our drivers successfully obtain there CDLs. We are here to help you through the entire process!  To obtain your CDL, please do the following:

1. Contact Us                                                                  Please email us your completed Employee Application Form to [email protected] or call us at (973) 729 - 1278 so that we can get to know you. 
2. Obtain a Permit                                                                               Travel to a NJ DMV location closest to you with your 6 points of ID and social security card so that you can obtain your CDL Permit.  While at the DMV you can also request a copy of the NJ CDL Manual to use for studying. 
3. Written Exam                                                                                To receive your CDL you will need to pass three written multiple choice exams that are based off of the NJ CDL Manual. A passing grade for this exam is a 80% or higher. All three exams can be taken at the same time.                                                                                                                                                   Exam 1 - General Knowledge Test                                                              - 50 multiple choice questions.                                                       - Questions are based on all sections of the CDL                         Manual (not just Passenger and School Bus).            Exam 2 - Passenger                                                                                       - 20 to 25 multiple choice questions.                                            - Questions are based from the "Transporting                              Passengers Safely" section of the CDL Manual.         Exam 3 - School Bus                                                                                       - 20 to 25 multiple choice questions.                                            - Questions are based from the "School Bus"                                section of the CDL Manual                                                                                                                                                      ***Important - questions from each exam come directly from the NJ CDL Manual.  Studying the manual thoroughly, taking notes, and paying attention to detail gives you the best chance of passing.***                                                                                                                                                                 After successfully passing all three written exams, the examiner of the test will then schedule you for a road test at a future date.                                                                                                                                                                                               ***It is important that you inform the examiner to schedule your road test for a CLASS C license for 15 passengers or less.*** 
   
4. Fingerprinting and Physical                                                   Please call our office after you pass your written exam so that we can help schedule your DOE Criminal History Review (fingerprinting) and DOT Medical Examination appointments.                                                                                  
5. Road Test.                                                                                         Once your road test is scheduled you will then need to begin studying the "Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection," "Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test," and "Basic Vehicle Controls Skills Test" sections of the NJ CDL Manual.  As the test date approaches we will personally help you prepare for the exam with one of our school vehicles.  On the test day, one of our certified drivers will accompany you to your exam to ensure you are prepared for your test.  
6. Obtain CDL                                                                               After passing your road test, please bring the following materials to any NJ DMV location so that they may issue you your license.

• 6 points of ID (with social security card)
  
• DOE Criminal History Review (fingerprints) documents
  
• DOT Medical Examination certificate
  
• CDL Permit with passed written and road test credentials
  
• Completed NJ Declaration form (please retain a copy of this file for our office records)