Police crack down on unlicensed ‘school bus’ businesses
Police in New Jersey issued nine summonses to drivers who were allegedly using their personal vehicles to transport groups of children to school as a business venture without being licensed to operate their vehicle in a commercial capacity.
BOUND BROOK, N.J. — Police issued summonses on Tuesday to drivers who were allegedly using their personal vehicles illegally to transport groups of children to school as a business venture, NJ Advance Media reports.
After receiving several anonymous complaints, police conducted stops on vehicles dropping off students at LaMonte Annex Elementary School and issued nine summonses to drivers, Police Chief Michael Jannone told the news source.
Authorities found that students were being transported in vehicles that didn’t meet safety requirements, such as having the proper number of seat belts, and some drivers were not licensed to operate their vehicles in a commercial capacity as a school bus, Sgt. Robert Lavin told NJ Advance Media.
Jannone also told the news source that the operation was educational for the parents and for police, and that he contacted the Division of Motor Vehicles to get clarification on the laws after receiving the complaints.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →
Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
