(a) No motor transportation company or private motor carrier shall cause, allow or permit any motor vehicle operated by it as a contract carrier by motor vehicle to be driven by any person under the age of eighteen years. Any person operating such vehicle shall be schooled in the art of driving such motor vehicle, and shall be without physical disabilities or personal habits which would disqualify or make him or her an unsuitable person to serve as a driver of such motor vehicle.
(b) No motor transportation company or private motor carrier or any officer or agent thereof shall require or knowingly permit any driver to be, nor shall any driver be, in violation of Section 442.03 relative to consecutive service and off-duty hours.