(1) Subject to the provisions of this section it shall not be lawful for a mechanically propelled vehicle in respect of which no public service vehicle licence is in force to be used for the carriage of passengers for reward.
(2) The Minister for Education may, where he is satisfied that special provision for bringing children to a particular school is necessary, grant to the owner of a mechanically propelled vehicle a licence to use such vehicle for the conveyance of children to such school for reward, and so long as such licence remains in force such mechanically propelled vehicle shall not be a public service vehicle within the meaning of this Act merely by reason of its being used under and in accordance with such licence for the conveyance of children to and from such school for reward.
(3) Where -
(a) application is made by the owner of a mechanically propelled vehicle to an officer of the Gárda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent for the issue of such permit as