(a)(1) No person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle used for passenger transportation on any public highway of this state until such person has obtained a commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement from the commissioner, except a nonresident who holds such license with such endorsement issued by another state. (2) No person shall operate a school bus until such person has obtained a commercial driver’s license with a school bus endorsement, except that a person who holds such a license without such endorsements may operate a school bus without passengers for the purpose of road testing or moving the vehicle. (3) No person shall operate a taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus or service bus until such person has obtained an operator’s license bearing an endorsement of the appropriate type from the commissioner issued in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 14-36a. (4) No person shall operate a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212 or activity vehicle until such person has obtained an operator’s license bearing an endorsement of the appropriate type from the commissioner issued in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 14-36a.

      (b) No operator’s license bearing an endorsement shall be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-36a, until the commissioner, or the commissioner’s authorized representative, is satisfied that the applicant is a proper person to receive such an operator’s license bearing an endorsement, holds a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, or, if necessary for the class of vehicle operated, a commercial driver’s license and is at least eighteen years of age. Each applicant for an operator’s license bearing an endorsement or the renewal of such a license shall furnish the commissioner, or the commissioner’s authorized representative, with satisfactory evidence, under oath, to prove that such person: Has no criminal record, has not been convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a within five years of the date of application and that no reason exists for a refusal to grant or renew such an operator’s license bearing an endorsement. Each applicant for such an operator’s license bearing an endorsement shall submit with the application proof satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant has passed a physical examination administered not more than ninety days prior to the date of application, and which is in compliance with safety regulations established from time to time by the United States Department of Transportation. Each applicant for renewal of such license shall present evidence that such applicant is in compliance with the medical qualifications established in 49 CFR 391, as amended. Each applicant for such an operator’s license bearing an endorsement shall be fingerprinted before the license bearing an endorsement is issued.

      (c) The commissioner may issue, withhold, renew, suspend, cancel or revoke any endorsement required to operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers, as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-36a. The commissioner may, in making his decision, consider the age, accident and criminal record, moral character and physical condition of any such applicant or endorsement holder and such other matters as the commissioner may determine. The commissioner may require any such applicant or endorsement holder to furnish the statements of two or more reputable citizens, which may be required to be under oath, vouching for the good character or other qualifications of the applicant or endorsement holder.

      (d) Upon the arrest of any person who holds an operator’s license bearing a school endorsement charged with a felony or violation of section 53a-73a, the arresting officer or department, within forty-eight hours, shall cause a report of such arrest to be made to the commissioner. The report shall be made on a form approved by the commissioner containing such information as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

      (e) Prior to issuing an operator’s license bearing a school endorsement or bearing the appropriate type of endorsement for operation of a student transportation vehicle pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner shall require each applicant to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, and a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If notice of a state or national criminal history record is received, the commissioner may, subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, refuse to issue an operator’s license bearing such endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. If notification that the applicant is listed as a perpetrator of abuse on the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k is received, the commissioner may refuse to issue an operator’s license bearing such an endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. The commissioner shall not issue a temporary operator’s license bearing a school endorsement or bearing the appropriate type of endorsement for operation of a student transportation vehicle.

      (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the commissioner shall not issue an operator’s license bearing an endorsement to transport passengers who are students, and shall suspend any such endorsement that has been issued, to any person who has been convicted of a serious criminal offense, as determined by the commissioner, or convicted of any provision of federal law or the law of any other state, the violation of which involves conduct that is substantially similar to a violation determined by the commissioner to be a serious criminal offense, if any part of the sentence of such conviction has not been completed, or has been completed during the preceding five years. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

      (g) Any applicant who is refused an operator’s license bearing an endorsement or the renewal of such a license, or whose operator’s license bearing an endorsement or the renewal of such a license is withdrawn or revoked on account of a criminal record, shall be entitled to a hearing if requested in writing within twenty days. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of chapter 54 and the applicant may appeal from the final decision rendered therein in accordance with section 4-183.

      (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-10, the commissioner shall furnish to any board of education or to any public or private organization that is actively engaged in providing public transportation, including the transportation of school children, a report containing the names and motor vehicle operator license numbers of each person who has been issued an operator’s license with one or more endorsements, authorizing such person to transport passengers in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36a, but whose license or any such endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section, or any other provision of this title. The report shall be issued and updated periodically in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner. Such report may be transmitted or otherwise made available to authorized recipients by electronic means.

      (i) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction