(a) Every passenger van used for the transportation of children shall bear upon the front and rear thereof a plainly visible sign containing the warning “Caution: Loading and Unloading Passengers” in letters not less than six inches in height. Every such passenger van shall be equipped with either flashing warning signal lights as are contemplated and referred to in West Virginia Code 17C-12-8, or a red caution flag which the driver or some other adult must use by exiting the passenger van and displaying while assisting in the loading or unloading of passengers. Such vehicles may also be equipped with a white flashing strobotron warning light that meets the requirements set forth in West Virginia Code 17C-15-26(e).
(b) Where the actual identity of the operator of a motor vehicle operated in violation of subsection (a) of this section is unknown but the license plate number of the motor vehicle is known, it may be inferred that the operator was an owner or lessee of the motor vehicle for purposes of the probable cause determination. Where there is more than one registered owner or lessee, the inference created by this subsection shall apply to the first listed owner or lessee as found on the motor vehicle registration: Provided, that a person charged with a violation of subsection (a) of this section under the provisions of this subsection where the sole evidence against the owner or lessee is the presence of the vehicle at the scene at the time of the offense shall only be subject to the applicable fine set forth in Section 343.99(b).
(c) Service of process of a complaint issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall be effected consistent with West Virginia Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.
(d) Every bus used for the transportation of school children shall bear upon the front and rear thereof a plainly visible sign containing the words "school bus" in letters not less than eight inches in height. When a contract school bus is being operated upon a street or highway for purposes other than the actual transportation of children either to or from school, all markings thereon indicating "school bus" shall be covered or concealed. Any school bus sold or transferred to another owner by a county board of education, agency or individual, shall have all flashing warning lights disconnected and all lettering removed or permanently obscured, except when sold or transferred for the transportation of school children.
(WVaC 17C-12-7)