§ 20-218. Standard qualifications for school bus drivers; speed limit for school buses and school activity buses. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 20‑218.  Standardqualifications for school bus drivers; speed limit for school buses and schoolactivity buses.

(a)        Qualifications. – Noperson shall drive a school bus over the highways or public vehicular areas ofNorth Carolina while it is occupied by one or more child passengers unless theperson furnishes to the superintendent of the schools of the county in whichthe bus shall be operated a certificate from any representative duly designatedby the Commissioner and from the Director of Transportation or a designee ofthe Director in charge of school buses in the county showing that the personhas been examined by them and is fit and competent to drive a school bus overthe highways and public vehicular areas of the State. The driver of a school busmust be at least 18 years of age and hold a Class A, B, or C commercial driverslicense and a school bus driver's certificate. The driver of a school activitybus must meet the same qualifications as a school bus driver or must have alicense appropriate for the class of vehicle being driven.

(b)        Speed Limits. – Itis unlawful to drive a school bus occupied by one or more child passengers overthe highways or public vehicular areas of the State at a greater rate of speedthan 45 miles per hour. It is unlawful to drive a school activity bus occupiedby one or more child passengers over the highways or public vehicular areas ofNorth Carolina at a greater rate of speed than 55 miles per hour.

(c)        Punishment. – Aperson who violates this section commits a Class 3 misdemeanor.  (1937, c. 397, ss. 1‑3;1941, c. 21; 1943, c. 440; 1945, c. 216; 1957, cc. 139, 595; 1971, c. 293;1977, c. 791, ss. 1, 2; c. 1102; 1979, c. 31, ss. 1, 2; c. 667, s. 36; 1981, c.30; 1987, c. 337, s. 1; 1989, c. 558, s. 1; c. 771, s. 6; 1991, c. 726, s. 22;1993, c. 217, s. 1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, s. 20; 2009‑550, s.3.2.)