Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 4511
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.76 (2026)

Administrative rules for school bus construction, design, equipment, operation and licensing

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
September 30, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly
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(A) The department of public safety, by and with the advice of the department of education and workforce, shall adopt and enforce rules relating to the construction, design, and equipment, including lighting equipment required by section 4511.771 of the Revised Code, of all school buses both publicly and privately owned and operated in this state.

(B) The department of education and workforce, by and with the advice of the director of public safety, shall adopt and enforce rules relating to the operation of all vehicles used for pupil transportation.

(C) No person shall operate a vehicle used for pupil transportation within this state in violation of the rules of the department of education and workforce or the 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 state in violation of the rules of the department of education and workforce or the department of public safety.

(D) The department of public safety shall adopt and enforce rules relating to the issuance of a license under section 4511.763 of the Revised Code. The rules may relate to the condition of the equipment to be operated; the liability and property damage insurance carried by the applicant; the posting of satisfactory and sufficient bond; and such other rules as the director of public safety determines reasonably necessary for the safety of the pupils to be transported.

(E) A chartered nonpublic school or a community school may own and operate, or contract with a vendor that supplies, alternative vehicles to transport students to and from regularly scheduled school sessions, school-related activities, and school-sanctioned events when one of the following applies:

(1) A student's school district of residence has declared the transportation of the student impractical pursuant to section 3327.02 of the Revised Code;

(2) A student does not live within thirty minutes of the chartered nonpublic school or the community school, as applicable, and the student's school district is not required to transport the student under section 3327.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) The governing authority of the chartered nonpublic school or the community school has offered to provide the transportation for its students in lieu of the students being transported by their school district of residence.

(F) A school district may own and operate, or contract with a vendor that supplies, alternative vehicles to transport students to and from regularly scheduled school sessions, school-related activities, and school-sanctioned events.

(G) A school district or the governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school or community school that uses an alternative vehicle in accordance with division (E) or (F) of this section, shall ensure that all of the following apply to the operation of that vehicle:

(1) A qualified mechanic inspects the vehicle not fewer than two times each year and determines that it is safe for pupil transportation;

(2) The driver of the vehicle does not stop on the roadway to load or unload passengers;

(3) The driver of the vehicle meets the requirements specified for a driver of a school bus or motor van under section 3327.10 of the Revised Code and any corresponding rules adopted by the department of education and workforce. Notwithstanding that section or any department rules to the contrary, the driver is not required to have a commercial driver's license but shall have a current, valid driver's license, and shall be accustomed to operating the vehicle used to transport the students.

(4) The driver and all passengers in the vehicle comply with the requirements of sections 4511.81 and 4513.263 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

(H)(1) A school district, a chartered nonpublic school, or a community school may own and operate, or contract with a vendor that supplies, a multifunction school activity bus to transport students between school and school functions or activities.

(2) A multifunction school activity bus shall not be used to transport students between school and home or between school and designated school bus stops.

(I) As used in this section:

(1) "Alternative vehicle" means a motor vehicle originally manufactured and designed for not more than twelve passengers, not including the driver.

(2) "Vehicle used for pupil transportation" means any vehicle that is identified as such by the department of education and workforce by rule and that is subject to Chapter 3301-83 of the Administrative Code.

(J) 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 section 4511.63, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Last updated July 21, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1959–2026 · leading case: Campbell v. Burton, 92 Ohio St. 3d 336 (Ohio 2001).
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Campbell v. Burton, 92 Ohio St. 3d 336 (Ohio 2001). “99’s criminal penalty as an express imposition of liability for violation of R.C. 4511.76). Accepting the majority’s interpretation would require us to conclude that the unmodified term “liability” in the clause granting immunity (i.”
Ohio Bus Sales, Inc. v. Toledo Bd. of Educ., 610 N.E.2d 1164 (Ohio Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 2× “Separate and independent bids shall be received with respect to the chassis and body type, and shall state that the buses, when assembled and prior to delivery, comply with the safety regulations of the department of education adopted by and with the advice and consent of the…”
Campbell v. Burton, 2001 Ohio 206 (Ohio 2001). “99’s criminal penalty as an express imposition of liability for violation of R.C. 4511.76). Accepting the majority’s interpretation would require 15 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO us to conclude that the unmodified term “liability” in the clause granting immunity (i.”
Patton v. Springfield Bd. of Educ., 531 N.E.2d 310 (Ohio 1988). “Furthermore, under R.C. 4511.76, *16 no person may operate a school bus in violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to that statute, nor may a school board permit the operation of a school bus in violation of such regulations.”
Bd. of Educ. of the City Sch. Dist. v. Rhodes, 162 N.E.2d 888 (Ohio Ct. App. 1959). “It is to be observed, however, that §4511.76 R. C., recognizes the transportation of pupils by privately-owned and operated busses under contract.”
Sargi v. Kent City Bd. of Educ., 70 F.3d 907 (6th Cir. 1995). “Plaintiff contends that Ohio Rev.Code § 4511.76 expressly imposes liability on the Board for failing to comply with department of education and department of public safety regulations regarding the operation of school buses.”
State v. Vanek-Peterson, 2024 Ohio 1096 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “The court also found Appellant guilty in Case Number 22TRD0314 for violating R.C. 4511.76, regarding school bus regulations.”
State v. Adams, 2026 Ohio 372 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 2× “On April 17, 2024, Adams was additionally cited for violating a school bus regulation violation (R.C. 4511.76) and stopping at a railroad grade crossing (R.”
Ohio Ass'n of Pub. Sch. Employees v. Stark Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 6 Ohio App. Unrep. 135 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 3× “10 and R.C. 4511.76, and the various rules contained in the Ohio Administrative Code as adopted by the Ohio Department of Highway.”
State ex rel. Bd. of Educ. v. Holt, 174 Ohio St. (N.S.) 55 (Ohio 1962). · cites it 2× “Such regulations are, by Section 4511.76, Revised Code, required to be made a part of any contract for the transportation of school children by privately owned and operated school buses.”
Ohio Ass'n of Pub. Sch. Employees v. Montgomery Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 5 Ohio App. Unrep. 45 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990). “" R.C. 4511.76(A) in pertinent part provides: "The Department of Education by and with the advice and consent of the director of highway safety shall adopt and enforce regulations relating to the *** operation of all school buses owned and operated by any school district *** ***…”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.76(A) — 2 cases
Ohio Ass'n of Pub. Sch. Employees v. Stark Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 6 Ohio App. Unrep. 135 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990). “10 and R.C. 4511.76, and the various rules contained in the Ohio Administrative Code as adopted by the Ohio Department of Highway.”
Ohio Ass'n of Pub. Sch. Employees v. Montgomery Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 5 Ohio App. Unrep. 45 (Ohio Ct. App. 1990). “" R.C. 4511.76(A) in pertinent part provides: "The Department of Education by and with the advice and consent of the director of highway safety shall adopt and enforce regulations relating to the *** operation of all school buses owned and operated by any school district *** ***…”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.76(C) — 1 case
State v. Vanek-Peterson, 2024 Ohio 1096 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “The court also found Appellant guilty in Case Number 22TRD0314 for violating R.C. 4511.76, regarding school bus regulations.”
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