Other Licenses & Endorsements in Alaska

Special Licenses in Alaska

In Alaska, you can apply for special licenses in addition to your regular, non-commercial driver's license.

The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles may require you to apply for a special driver's license for certain types of vehicles and/or driving purposes.

Generally, you'll need to already have a standard driver's license. For more information about regular driver's licenses, please visit our pages on the following topics:

Alaska School Bus License Requirements

If you're looking to add bus driver to your resume, you'll quickly discover that Alaska demands an extensive training process.

If you want to drive a bus that can carry at least 16 passengers, you'll need a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a passenger and school bus endorsement.

To obtain a school bus license you must visit the Alaska DMV and:

Be at least 21 years old and have at least 3 years of driving experience.
Pass a federally-mandated drug test.
Submit to fingerprinting.
Present your CDL with a passenger "P" endorsement. (If you don't have a CDL, please visit our Applying for a New CDL in Alaska page).
Submit an Application for School Bus Permit (Form 412), which requires a physical.
Complete a school bus training and certification program approved by the Pupil Transportation Services of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
Pass a vision test.
Pass a school bus written test.
Pass a driving test in a school bus.
Pass an air brakes test, if necessary.

You'll also need to provide:

Your Commercial Driver Medical & Self Certifying Verification (Form 413).
Your DOT Medical Card.
A check payable to the "State of Alaska" for $48.25.

NOTE: Your chances of receiving a bus driver's license are dim if you've been convicted of any of the following: incest, sexual assault, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, promoting prostitution, indecent exposure, or drug possession. Also, the state will not view your application favorably if you've been convicted of 2 DWIs or more over the last 10 years.

For more information, please contact the Alaska DMV.

Alaska Taxi/Chauffeur License Requirements

The requirements for obtaining a chauffeur license depend on where you reside. Each municipality has its own set of regulations. In Fairbanks, for instance, you must be at least 21 years old. In Anchorage.

Generally, to qualify for a chauffeur's license, you'll need to:

Hold a valid Alaska driver's license.
Be a resident of the city in which you are applying for the license.
Have a clean driving record.
Pass a background check.
Pass a physical exam.
Pass a drug test.
Complete taxi/chauffeur/vehicle for hire training.
Pay the applicable chauffeur license fee.

For specific information, please contact your local Alaska DMV or county clerk.

NOTE: Free shuttle services (usually supplied by hotels), however, are generally exempt from a taxi license requirement. In this case, all that's required is a regular Alaska driver's license.

Forms

412: Application for School Bus Endorsement; Apply for an Alaska school bus endorsement.

413: Commercial Driver Medical and Self Certifying Verification; Use this form to verify you are medically certified to operate an interstate or intrastate commercial vehicle.