New Jersey Assembly Bill No. 4835 Simplifies School Bus Operation Requirements
TRENTON, NJ – The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee has favorably reported on Assembly Bill No. 4835, a significant piece of legislation aimed at streamlining the process for operating a Type S school bus. This bill allows individuals holding a Type S school bus certificate to transport children to and from school without the need for a commercial driver’s license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement, provided they meet certain criteria outlined in the legislation.
Under the new bill, individuals found operating a Type S school bus while their driving privileges are suspended or revoked will face serious legal consequences. Specifically, such an offense is classified as a fourth-degree crime, escalating to a third-degree crime if the operation results in an accident causing bodily injury.
Furthermore, the legislation introduces stringent penalties for drivers who leave a pupil on a Type S school bus at the end of a route. A first offense leads to a six-month suspension of the Type S school bus certificate, while a second offense or causing harm due to gross negligence results in permanent revocation.
The bill also mandates a 90-day suspension of the Type S school bus certificate for drivers convicted of three or more motor vehicle moving violations within a three-year period, or for accumulating six or more penalty points. It requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Chief Administrator to notify the Commissioner of Education about any suspension, who in turn must inform the driver’s employer.
Additionally, drivers facing suspension must complete a defensive driving course and a 10-hour training program approved by the chief administrator before their certificate can be reinstated. The definition of a “Type S school bus” within the bill encompasses vehicles used for student transportation by educational institutions, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or more and designed to seat nine passengers or less, excluding the driver.