When is it acceptable to drive a bus faster than 55 mph?

Driving a bus faster than 55 mph is acceptable with written authorization from the State Department of Education, as this provides a legitimate and regulated exception to the general speed limit. This authorization is typically issued for specific circumstances where higher speeds may be necessary, such as for transporting students in urgent situations or during a planned event that has the proper oversight.

Having official documentation ensures that the bus driver is operating within the legal frameworks established for school transportation and helps maintain safety standards. Other options do not provide legitimate circumstances under which exceeding the speed limit is allowed, as they either rely on hypotheticals or emergency situations that do not have proper verification.