(A) The driver of a vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child, person attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or child attending a program offered by a head start agency, shall stop at least ten feet from the front or rear of the school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed. It is no defense to a charge under this division that the school bus involved failed to display or be equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign as required by division (B) of this section.
(B) Every school bus shall be equipped with amber and red visual signals meeting the requirements of R.C. § 4511.771 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, and an automatically extended stop warning sign of a type approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, which shall be actuated by the driver of the bus whenever but only whenever the bus is stopped or stopping on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or children attending programs offered by head start agencies. A school bus driver shall not actuate the visual signals or the stop warning sign in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway or at school buildings when children or persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities are loading or unloading at curbside or at buildings when children attending programs offered by head start agencies are loading or unloading at curbside. The visual signals and stop warning sign shall be synchronized or otherwise operated as required by the Ohio Administrative Code.
(C) Where a highway has been divided into four or more traffic lanes, a driver of a vehicle need not stop for a school bus approaching from the opposite direction which has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or children attending programs offered by head start agencies. The driver of any vehicle overtaking the school bus shall comply with division (A) above.
(D) School buses operating on divided highways or on highways with four or more traffic lanes shall receive and discharge all school children, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, and children attending programs offered by head start agencies on their residence side of the highway.
(E) No school bus driver shall start the driver’s bus until after any child, person attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or child attending a program offered by a head start agency who may have alighted therefrom has reached a place of safety on the child’s or person’s residence side of the road.
(F) (1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section may be fined an amount not to exceed $500. A person who is issued a citation for a violation of division (A) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person’s right to contest the citation in a trial but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.
(2) In addition to and independent of any other penalty provided by law, the court or mayor may impose upon an offender who violates this section a class seven suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in R.C. § 4510.02(A)(7). When a license is suspended under this section, the court or mayor shall cause the offender to deliver the license to the court, and the court or clerk of the court immediately shall forward the license to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, together with notice of the court’s action.
(G) As used in this section:
HEAD START AGENCY. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 3301.32.
SCHOOL BUS. As used in relation to children who attend a program offered by a head start agency, means a bus that is owned and operated by a head start agency, is equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign of a type approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is painted the color and displays the markings described in R.C. § 4511.77, and is equipped with amber and red visual signals meeting the requirements of R.C. § 4511.77, irrespective of whether or not the bus has 15 or more children aboard at any time. The term does not include a van owned and operated by a head start agency, irrespective of its color, lights or markings.
(R.C. § 4511.75) (Rev. 2024)
(A) As used in this section, LICENSE PLATE includes but is not limited to any temporary motor vehicle license registration issued under R.C. § 4503.182 or substantially equivalent law of another jurisdiction.
(B) When the operator of a school bus believes that a motorist has violated R.C. § 4511.75(A) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the operator shall report the license plate number and general description of the vehicle and of the operator of the vehicle to the law enforcement agency exercising jurisdiction over the area where the alleged violation occurred. The information contained in the report relating to the license plate number and to the general description of the vehicle and the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation may be supplied by any person with first-hand knowledge of the information. Information of which the operator of the school bus has first-hand knowledge also may be corroborated by any other person.
(C) Upon receipt of the report of the alleged violation of R.C. § 4511.75(A) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the law enforcement agency shall conduct an investigation to attempt to determine the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. If the identity of the operator at the time of the alleged violation is established, the reporting of the license plate number of the vehicle shall establish probable cause for the law enforcement agency to issue a citation for the violation of R.C. § 4511.75(A) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. However, if the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation cannot be established, the law enforcement agency shall issue a warning to the owner of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation, except in the case of a leased or rented vehicle when the warning shall be issued to the lessee at the time of the alleged violation.
(R.C. § 4511.751) (Rev. 2022)
(A) No person shall operate a vehicle used for pupil transportation within this municipality in violation of the rules of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or the Ohio Department of Public Safety. No person, being the owner thereof, or having the supervisory responsibility therefor, shall permit the operation of a vehicle used for pupil transportation within this municipality in violation of the rules of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
(B) As used in this section, VEHICLE USED FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION means any vehicle that is identified as such by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce by rule and that is subject to O.A.C. Chapter 3301-83.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or R.C. § 4511.76, or R.C. § 4511.63, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(R.C. § 4511.76(C), (H), (I)) (Rev. 2024)
(A) No person shall operate, nor shall any person being the owner thereof, or having supervisory responsibility therefor, permit the operation of, a school bus within this municipality, unless there is displayed thereon the decals issued by the state highway patrol bearing the proper date of inspection for the calendar year for which the inspection decals were issued.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or R.C. § 4511.761, or R.C. § 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(C) Whenever a person is found guilty in a court of record of a violation of this section, the trial judge, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may suspend for any period of time not exceeding three years, or cancel the license of any person, partnership, association, or corporation, issued under R.C. § 4511.763.
(R.C. § 4511.761) (Rev. 2004)
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person who is the owner of a bus that previously was registered as a school bus that is used or is to be used exclusively for purposes other than the transportation of children shall operate the bus or permit it to be operated within this municipality unless the bus has been painted a color different from that prescribed for school buses by R.C. § 4511.77 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance and painted in such a way that the words “stop” and “school bus” are obliterated.
(B) Any church bus that previously was registered as a school bus and is registered under R.C. § 4503.07 may retain the paint color prescribed for school buses by R.C. § 4511.77 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance if the bus complies with all of the following:
(1) The words “school bus” required by R.C. § 4511.77 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance are covered or obliterated and the bus is marked on the front and rear with the words “church bus” painted in black lettering not less than ten inches in height.
(2) The automatically extending stop warning sign required by R.C. § 4511.75 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance is removed and the word “stop” required by R.C. § 4511.77 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance is covered or obliterated.
(3) The flashing red and amber lights required by R.C. § 4511.771 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance are covered or removed.
(4) The inspection decal required by R.C. § 4511.761 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance is covered or removed.
(5) The identification number assigned under R.C. § 4511.764 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance and marked in black lettering on the front and rear of the bus is covered or obliterated.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or R.C. § 4511.762, or R.C. § 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(D) Whenever a person is found guilty in a court of record of a violation of this section, the trial judge, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may suspend for any period of time not exceeding three years, or cancel the license of any person, partnership, association, or corporation, issued under R.C. § 4511.763.
(R.C. § 4511.762) (Rev. 2004)
(A) No person, partnership, association, or corporation shall transport pupils to or from school on a school bus or enter into a contract with a board of education of any school district for the transportation of pupils on a school bus without being licensed by the Department of Public Safety.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.763) (Rev. 2004)
(A) No person shall operate, nor shall any person being the owner thereof or having supervisory responsibility therefor, permit the operation of a school bus within this municipality unless there is displayed thereon an identifying number in accordance with R.C. § 4511.764.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of R.C. § 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.77, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(R.C. § 4511.764) (Rev. 2004)
(A) No person shall operate, nor shall any person being the owner thereof or having supervisory responsibility therefor permit the operation of, a school bus within this municipality unless it is painted national school bus yellow and is marked on both front and rear with the words “school bus” in black lettering not less than eight inches in height and on the rear of the bus with the word “stop” in black lettering not less than ten inches in height.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or R.C. § 4511.77, or R.C. § 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, or 4511.79 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(C) Whenever a person is found guilty in a court of record of a violation of this section, the trial judge, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may suspend, for any period of time not exceeding three years, or cancel the license of any person, partnership, association, or corporation issued under R.C. § 4511.763.
(R.C. § 4511.77) (Rev. 2004)
(A) Every school bus shall, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required pursuant to R.C. §§ 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.764 and 4511.77, and any substantially equivalent municipal ordinances, be equipped with signal lamps mounted as high as practicable, which shall display to the front two alternately flashing red lights and two alternately flashing amber lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights and alternately flashing amber lights located at the same level, and these lights shall be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. The alternately flashing red lights shall be spaced as widely as practicable, and the alternately flashing amber lights shall be located next to them.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.771) (Rev. 2004)
(A) On and after May 6, 1986, no person, school board, or governmental entity shall purchase, lease, or rent a new school bus unless the school bus has an occupant restraining device, as defined in R.C. § 4513.263, installed for use in its operator’s seat.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4511.772) (Rev. 2004)