I was on my way back to Huntsville, Texas from Duchesne, Utah with my new 1986 GMC 6000 Skoolie, when a little old lady ran a Stop Sign in front of me in Dennison, Texas and wrecked the front of my new bus. She received the blame for causing the accident but I was cited for not having a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The lights on the bus had been disabled by the School District before I picked up the bus, my buddy and I had unbolted seats already (but they were still in place for the return trip home), and I was not in the act of transporting anyone for hire. The bus is a 60-passenger capacity, has air brakes, and a two-speed rear axle. I was doing about 25 mph when the lady came through the Stop Sign at about 40.
How come the police say I have to have a CDL to operate this bus? Is there anything I can say to the Judge or show to The Court to beat this wrap?