School Bus Driver CDL Program
Requirements For NEW School Bus Drivers:
School Year/Training Year: July 1st through June 30th
- Class B School Bus with Passenger Endorsement
School Bus Authorization enables a person to drive a school bus in Iowa. (To be issued an authorization – ELDT Training, CDL, Medical Examiner’s Certificate and training must be current and up to date) Hiring Date: the issue date on a driver’s authorization - New Driver STOP Training
17-hour class for new drivers (Includes 14 hours online and 3 hours of face-to-face)
New Driver: one who has never driven a school bus, or who has in the past, but hasn’t in the past year, or a current driver who missed their annual training the prior year.** Must take some time during the first 6 months of employment to maintain driving privileges.
Requirements For Current School Bus Drivers:
- Annual STOP Training
3-hour class for current drivers
Current Driver: one who has been a driver for at least one year and met their training requirements for prior years. Must take the “Annual STOP Training” every school year
**Authorization issue date from State of Iowa will be July 1 to August 15 of the current year.
IWCC Class B CDL School Bus with Passenger Endorsement
This two-week training program ensures that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a commercial bus or school bus, and you can obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. You will receive 80 hours of instruction in a classroom, on driving simulators, and by driving a 48 ft school bus on the driving range and on the road.
Admission Requirements:
- Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) – fee for the permit is $12
- Please obtain your CLP 2 weeks (14 days) before class begins.
- Obtain your School Bus Driving Permit by successfully passing the written school bus, pre-trip, passenger, air brakes, and general knowledge tests at the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Medical Examiners Certificate (DOT Physical – commonly referred to as the long form)
2026 Annual Renewal Training for Current Bus Drivers
Available Courses
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 01/19/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Co Bluffs Campus Mon-Thrus 8am – 12pm
This two-week training program ensures that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a commercial bus or school bus, and you can obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. You will receive 80 hours of instruction in a classroom, on driving simulators, and by driving a 48 ft school bus on the driving range and on the road. Topics covered will include basic operations of the bus, safe operating practices, advanced operating practices, vehicle maintenance, and non-vehicle maintenance.
Iowa Western will need copies of the documents below before the first day of class:
• Commercial Learner Permit (copy both sides)
• Medical Examiners Certificate (commonly referred to as a long form)
Start Date: 01/19/2026
End Date: 02/05/2026
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $0
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:08 am
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 02/16/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Co Bluffs Campus Mon-Thrus 8am – 12pm
This two-week training program ensures that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a commercial bus or school bus, and you can obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. You will receive 80 hours of instruction in a classroom, on driving simulators, and by driving a 48 ft school bus on the driving range and on the road. Topics covered will include basic operations of the bus, safe operating practices, advanced operating practices, vehicle maintenance, and non-vehicle maintenance.
Iowa Western will need copies of the documents below before the first day of class:
• Commercial Learner Permit (copy both sides)
• Medical Examiners Certificate (commonly referred to as a long form)
Start Date: 02/16/2026
End Date: 03/05/2026
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $0
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:09 am
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 03/16/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Co Bluffs Campus Mon-Thrus 8am – 12pm
This two-week training program ensures that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a commercial bus or school bus, and you can obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. You will receive 80 hours of instruction in a classroom, on driving simulators, and by driving a 48 ft school bus on the driving range and on the road. Topics covered will include basic operations of the bus, safe operating practices, advanced operating practices, vehicle maintenance, and non-vehicle maintenance.
Iowa Western will need copies of the documents below before the first day of class:
• Commercial Learner Permit (copy both sides)
• Medical Examiners Certificate (commonly referred to as a long form)
Start Date: 03/16/2026
End Date: 04/02/2026
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $0
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:09 am
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 04/13/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Co Bluffs Campus Mon-Thrus 8:00am – 12:00pm
This two-week training program ensures that you are fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a commercial bus or school bus, and you can obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. You will receive 80 hours of instruction in a classroom, on driving simulators, and by driving a 48 ft school bus on the driving range and on the road. Topics covered will include basic operations of the bus, safe operating practices, advanced operating practices, vehicle maintenance, and non-vehicle maintenance.
Iowa Western will need copies of the documents below before the first day of class:
• Commercial Learner Permit (copy both sides)
• Medical Examiners Certificate (commonly referred to as a long form)
Start Date: 04/13/2026
End Date: 04/30/2026
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $0
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:09 am
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 05/11/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Mon – Thurs 8am -12p
This 3-week training program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a commercial or school bus. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. The course includes 80 hours of instruction, delivered through classroom learning, simulator training, and hands-on driving experience in a 48-foot school bus on both the driving range and public roads.
Start Date: 05/11/2026
End Date: 05/28/2026
Seats Available: 4
Cost: $1200
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:07 am
CDL Class B School Bus w Passenger Endorsement (TRADE-405) 06/08/2026 - Council Bluffs Campus
$1200.00 FEE Mon – Thurs 8am -12p
This 3-week training program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a commercial or school bus. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement. The course includes 80 hours of instruction, delivered through classroom learning, simulator training, and hands-on driving experience in a 48-foot school bus on both the driving range and public roads.
Start Date: 06/08/2026
End Date: 06/25/2026
Seats Available: 4
Cost: $1200
Location: Council Bluffs Campus
Last Updated: 12/07/2025 5:09 am
Refunds: You may cancel your registration 10 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Business and Community Education Department hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western Business and Community Education Department is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check. A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. A refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Business and Community Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu.
Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling and or where minimum enrollment is not achieved. A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes.