Sec. 49.

(1) A person, whether or not licensed under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, who is 17 years of age or less shall not drive a school bus.

(2) A person shall not operate a school bus unless that person possesses a valid chauffeur's license, the appropriate vehicle group designation, a passenger vehicle indorsement, and a school bus indorsement as required under section 312e of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.312e. A person with a commercial driver license shall not operate a school bus, and a school, school bus owner, or lessee shall not allow a person with a commercial driver license to operate a school bus, unless the operation is in compliance with the drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR parts 40 and 382.

(3) A person shall not operate a school bus or a school administrator or a person or entity under contract with a school to provide pupil transportation services shall not knowingly permit a person to operate a school bus for the transportation of pupils to and from school or school-related events if that person has 7 or more penalty points for moving violations on his or her driving record under section 320a of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.320a, or if the person has a restricted license due to a conviction for a violation of section 625 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.625.

(4) A commercial driver license skills test shall be administered by a state authorized commercial driver license examiner to a school bus driver who has had 1 or more of the following:

(a) Had his or her driver license or commercial driver license suspended, canceled, or denied under section 303 or 319 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.303 and 257.319.

(b) Has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(c) Has been convicted of any of the disqualifying offenses in 49 CFR 383.51(b) while operating a commercial motor vehicle or any offense in a noncommercial motor vehicle that would be a disqualifying condition under 49 CFR 383.51(b) if committed in a commercial motor vehicle.

(d) Has more than 1 conviction of any of the serious traffic violations defined in 49 CFR 383.51(c), while operating a commercial motor vehicle within the last 3 years.

(e) Has been convicted of any motor vehicle traffic violation that resulted in an accident while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(f) Has been disqualified from operating a school bus under subsection (3).

(g) A driver who is required to take a test under this subsection shall not operate a school bus until the driver has passed the test. The commercial driver license skills test shall be conducted by an examiner not employed or under contract with the same agency or school of the driver being tested.

History: 1990, Act 187, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 309, Eff. Mar. 30, 1995 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 108, Eff. Aug. 15, 2006 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 422, Eff. Mar. 20, 2019