Under present law, a Class C license must be issued and valid for the operation of any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs. or less Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This group applies to vehicles that are placarded for hazardous materials, designed to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver, or used as school buses. Persons holding a valid Class C license may operate vehicles in Class D but not in Classes A, B or M. This bill removes vehicles used as school buses from Class C license group.
Present law prohibits the department from issuing an initial school bus endorsement to any applicant unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The applicant is (i) at least 25 or (ii) at least 23 and an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces, a member of the national guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, or a licensed teacher employed by an LEA;
(2) The applicant has had at least five consecutive years of unrestricted driving experience prior to the date of application; and
(3) The department is fully satisfied as to the applicant's good character, competency, and fitness to be so employed.
Present law requires an applicant for an initial school bus endorsement to submit to the department, as part of the application:
(1) A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), if the applicant is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces; or
(2) A letter recommending the applicant to operate a school bus, from (i) one of the applicant's commanding officers, if the applicant is a member of the national guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or (ii) the director of schools of the LEA that employs the applicant, if the applicant is a licensed teacher.
Finally, present law requires an individual who holds a school bus endorsement to attend annual training as required by the department in order to maintain the endorsement.
As used in present law, "school bus" means every motor vehicle operated for the transportation of children to or from school or school-related activities and operated for compensation. This bill adds to the definition by requiring that the vehicle must be designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-2101, 55-50-102, 55-50-102(22)(C)