CDL Class B
You need a special bus drivers license to become a bus driver. This license is called an F extension. You will also need to be cleared by your doctor.
Air brakes don't matter insofar as license classes go. If it's a bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver), you'd need a Class C CDL with passenger endorsement (school bus endorsement if it's a school bus). If it's a vehicle carrying a quantity of hazardous materials which requires placards to be displayed, you'd need a Class C CDL with a hazmat endorsement. Otherwise, an ordinary driver's license (the class varies by state).
The primary purpose of Class B driving license is passenger transport. Bus drivers are required hold Class B license. Another purpose of Class B drivers license is to deliver and pick-up items.
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If it has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs. or less, a Class C CDL. If it has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs., Class B CDL. In both cases, a passenger endorsement is required.
You'll have to take the General Knowledge test, air brakes test (if applicable), passenger test, you'll have to perform your pretrip and road test in a bus of the appropriate class for the class of license you're going for, and you'll have to undergo a background check for the school bus endorsement.
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A CDL is not required until the capacity of the bus is greater than 15 people (including the driver).
doctor, nurse, bus driver, taxi driver, truck driver
In general buses aren't rented unless you have a driver with a Class A Commercial Driver's license. You'd want a chartered bus service. In Minnesota Lorenz buses is the largest operator of Charter buses.
If both a passenger and a bus driver were drunk on the bus, they can both find themselves in trouble for public intoxication. In addition to that the driver could lose his job and license for drinking and driving.