316.70  Nonpublic sector buses; safety rules.--

(1)  The Department of Transportation shall establish and revise standards to assure the safe operation of nonpublic sector buses, as defined in s. 316.003(78), which standards shall be those contained in 49 C.F.R. parts 382, 385, and 390-397 and which shall be directed towards assuring that:

(a)  Nonpublic sector buses are safely maintained, equipped, and operated.

(b)  Nonpublic sector buses are carrying the insurance required by law and carrying liability insurance on the checked baggage of passengers not to exceed the standard adopted by the United States Department of Transportation.

(c)  Florida license tags are purchased for nonpublic sector buses pursuant to s. 320.38.

(2)  The Department of Transportation may assess a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per infraction against any person who violates any provision of this section or who violates any rule or order of the department.

(3)  School buses subject to the provisions of chapter 234 or s. 316.615 are exempt from the provisions of this section.