39-21-27.1. Schoolbus standards - Equipment and color regulations

39-21-27.1. Schoolbus standards - Equipment and color regulations Only motor vehicles which have been designed by the manufacturer for the purpose of carrying passengers may be used as schoolbuses. The superintendent of public instruction may adopt reasonable regulations, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, relating to the construction, design, operation, equipment, and color of schoolbuses and shall prepare and publish standards for North Dakota schoolbuses which must set forth the regulations. The superintendent of public instruction may issue an order prohibiting the operation on public streets, highways, and elsewhere of any schoolbus which does not comply with the regulations, and school districts operating buses which do not meet the regulations will not be eligible to receive state reimbursement for vehicular transportation. If a schoolbus is purchased for a purpose or purposes other than the public transport of schoolchildren, the purchaser shall change the color of the vehicle and deactivate or remove the warning signal lights and the stop sign on the control arm. Highway patrol officers and all peace officers are authorized to make necessary investigations relating to compliance with the regulations adopted by the superintendent of public instruction and to make reports of their findings to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.