• Safety comes first when operating 15-passenger vans.car parts image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Passenger vans are a convenient, cheap way to transport large groups of people to a variety of destinations. Due to cost effectiveness, 15-passenger vans have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional school bus rentals. However, these vans pose a danger to passengers. According to Safety Forum, as of 2010, crashes where vans were carrying greater than 9 passengers rolled over 35.4 percent of the time in the United States. Although these vans present high risks for passengers, laws surrounding their use in North Carolina are similar to those of a regular car.
  
  

Licensing Laws

• It is illegal to drive without a license. Certain types of vehicles require specific licenses to operate. In order to operate a 15-passenger van in North Carolina, one must possess a class C license. This license is common and is not considered a "special" license. A class C license will allow transport of 15 people including the driver. In order to transport 15 people plus the driver, a Commercial Driver's License, class C must be obtained.
  
  The minimum age to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license in North Carolina is 18. Additionally, residents applying for licenses must be able to provide proof of residency, age, identity, liability insurance and have a valid social security card. As of July 2010, a $4.00 per-year fee is required for all class C licenses. These fees are computed and charged at the beginning of each renewal period, which is every 5 to 8 years depending on the applicant's age.
  
  

Seat Belt Laws

• Seat belts must be worn in 15-passenger vans.seat belt receptacle image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Fifteen-passenger vans are held to the same standards as all other vehicles under North Carolina's seat belt laws. The state's seat belt laws require all vans produced after 1972 to have seat belts for all passengers and the driver. All passengers younger than 16 years of age are covered under the NC Child Passenger Safety Law. Passengers older than 16 are covered under the NC Seat Belt Law.
  
  The NC Child Passenger Safety Law requires the driver to ensure that all passengers 16 years of age or under are properly restrained in seat belts. Children under 8, weighing less than 80 pounds, are required to be buckled into appropriate child restraints. Children younger than 5 years of age are not allowed to ride in the front of vans with active air bag systems. As of July 2010, drivers who fail to comply with these regulations will be subjected to a fine up to $25 and the removal of up to 2 driver's license points.
  
  The North Carolina Seat belt Law, covering persons older than 16 years of age, requires that all persons wear seat belts. As of July 2010, each person over 16 is responsible for her own seat belt use and will be charged fines of $25.50 plus $100.05 for court costs if occupying the front seats and $10 if occupying the back seats. No license or insurance points are deducted.
  
  

Road Use Laws

• Passenger vans must follow the rules of the road.Traffic light image by Tasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Drivers of 15-passenger vans are required to obey the same traffic laws as those driving smaller vehicles. These laws include following the speed limits, which range from 70 miles per hour for freeways to 20 miles per hour for school zones; breaking at red lights and stop signs; adjusting driving for all posted road cautions and conditions; and having a blood alcohol level of less than 0.08 percent.