39:3-10.1 Licensing of bus drivers, exemptions.

39:3-10.1 Licensing of bus drivers, exemptions.

39:3-10.1. No person shall drive any motor vehicle or trackless trolley with a capacity of more than six passengers used for the transportation of passengers for hire or for the transportation of passengers to or from summer day camps or summer residence camps or any bus as defined by the director used for the transportation of passengers, except vehicles used in ride-sharing arrangements, taxicabs, motor vehicles with a capacity of more than six passengers, which are owned and operated directly by businesses engaged in the practice of mortuary science when those vehicles are used exclusively for providing transportation related to the provision of funeral services and which shall not be used in that capacity at any time to pick up or discharge passengers to any airline terminal, train station or other transportation center or for any purpose not directly related to the provision of funeral services or any bus used to transport children to and from school pursuant to N.J.S.18A:39-1 et seq. or when being used by a private school to transport children to and from school, unless specially licensed so to do by the chief administrator or in the case of a nonresident, licensed pursuant to the laws of his resident state with respect to the licensing of bus drivers. Such license shall not be granted by the chief administrator until the applicant therefor is at least 18 years of age and has passed a satisfactory examination in ascertainment of his driving ability and familiarity with the mechanism of said vehicle and has presented evidence, satisfactory to the chief administrator of his previous experience (including proof that he has had at least three years of driving experience), good character and physical fitness. Said license shall be effective until suspended or revoked by the director; provided, the special licensee is also the holder of a license as provided for in R.S.39:3-10.

Every holder of a special license issued pursuant to this section shall furnish to the chief administrator satisfactory evidence of continuing physical fitness, good character and experience at the time of application renewal or such other time as the chief administrator may require, and in such form as the chief administrator may require. In addition, any person applying for a special license pursuant to this section for the transporting of children to and from schools, pursuant to N.J.S.18A:39-1 et seq., shall comply with the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1989, c.104 (C.18A:39-19.1).

The chief administrator may suspend or revoke a license granted under authority of this section for a violation of any of the provisions of this subtitle, or on other reasonable grounds, or where, in his opinion, the licensee is either physically or morally unfit to retain the same. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary the chief administrator shall, upon notice of disqualification from the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1989, c.104 (C.18A:39-19.1), immediately revoke the special license granted under authority of this section without the necessity of a further hearing.

The chief administrator may make such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

Amended 1938, c.49; 1938, c.66, s.4; 1951, c.218; 1953, c.66; (1953, c.66 repealed 1954, c.12); 1955, c.23; 1965, c.119, s.5; 1975, c.180, s.3; 1975, c.284, s.1; 1977, c.25, s.2; 1979, c.147, s.1; 1981, c.413, s.9; 1985, c.246; 1989, c.104, s.5; 1990, c.103, s.27; 2004, c.124, s.1.

NJSA 39:3-10.1a

39:3-10.1a. School bus drivers; examination for presence of controlled dangerous substance
All drivers of buses or other vehicles used by a board of education or by a private school for the transportation of pupils to and from school shall, in addition to any exam required by law, submit to a medical exam for the presence of alcohol, narcotics or habit-producing drugs within the scope of the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act" (P.L.1970, c. 226, C. 24:21-1 et seq.).

L.1975, c. 284, s. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1977.