(A) No person, partnership, association, or corporation shall transport pupils to or from school on a school bus or enter into a contract with a board of education of any school district for the transportation of pupils on a school bus without being licensed by the Department of Public Safety.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within 1 year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to 1 predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within 1 year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of 2 or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.763) (1981 Code, § 77.06)