Free tool
Which bus can you drive without a CDL?
Under federal rules you can drive a bus that carries up to 14 passengers plus the driver without a CDL, if it is rated under 26,001 lb. At 16 or more people including the driver, the driver needs a commercial license with a passenger endorsement. Enter your numbers to see where your bus lands.
Federal answer
No CDL under federal rules
15 people including the driver. That is under the 16-person line. If the bus is rated at 26,001 lb or more, it needs a Class B CDL anyway. Small buses on a van chassis are usually rated well under that, but check the label.
States license drivers and can add rules or exemptions. Confirm with your state's licensing agency before you hire a driver or buy.
Replacing a 15-passenger van?
A small shuttle bus that seats 14 plus the driver is the usual replacement, because it stays under the CDL line. Read what churches, schools and camps replace their van with.
Common questions
How many passengers can you carry without a CDL?
Under federal rules, up to 14 passengers plus the driver, as long as the bus is rated under 26,001 lb GVWR. A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people including the driver needs a CDL with a passenger endorsement (49 CFR 383.5 and 383.93). States can add their own rules.
Does the driver count toward the 16?
Yes. The federal line is 16 or more people including the driver, so a bus with 15 passenger seats and a driver's seat is over it. That is why so many small buses are sold as 14 passengers plus driver.
Which CDL class does a bus need?
A bus rated at 26,001 lb GVWR or more needs a Class B CDL. A lighter bus that carries 16 or more people including the driver needs a Class C CDL. Either way, carrying 16 or more people needs the passenger (P) endorsement, and driving a school bus that is a commercial vehicle needs the school bus (S) endorsement.
Do church buses need a CDL?
The federal rules do not make an exception for churches: the same 16-person and 26,001 lb lines apply. Some states write their own exemptions, so check with your state's licensing agency.
Do wheelchair positions count as seats?
Count them. A securement position carries a person, so treat it as a seat when you check a bus against the 16-person line, and confirm the vehicle's designed capacity on its certification label.