WASHINGTON -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants a private school bus operator in Delaware to pay more than $83,000 for violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The FMCSA issued what it calls a civil penalty notice to Lehanes Bus Service Inc. of New Castle, Del., for a number of alleged safety violations, including failing to conduct random drug and alcohol testing.

It said it levied the $83,120 fine on Lehane because of its lax safety compliance record, which also included:

Employing a driver who tested positive for a controlled substance

Operating vehicles without the required federal minimum levels of insurance

Operating vehicles that had not been inspected for safety defects

"As school buses return to the roads in communities across the country, it is imperative that every bus company and driver operates in full compliance with federal safety regulations," said Rose A. McMurray, FMCSA acting deputy administrator.

"For the FMCSA and its state partners, enforcing safety standards and assessing civil penalties that keep unfit carriers and drivers off the road is critical to protecting the millions of students returning to their classrooms this school year."

The fine and citation of Lehanes Bus Service came as a result of the FMCSA spring passenger carrier strike force initiative, Operation Safe Student, carried out in all 50 states and U.S. territories between May 8 and May 21.

The strike force was conducted to get unsafe buses, motorcoaches and other passenger carriers and drivers off the road, and to provide states additional funding to conduct roadside safety inspections.

Lehanes Bus Service will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the fine.