(d) Any school bus driver whose certification has expired shall not operate a school bus, school activity bus, or multifunction school activity bus until such time as they become recertified or obtain an enrollment certificate. The following rules shall apply to certification renewals:

  (1) To avoid a lapse in certification, the recertification course must be completed prior to expiration. The recertification course shall be completed during the 180 day period immediately preceding certification expiration. If the required training is completed within this preferred time interval, certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the upcoming expiration date indicated on the current certificate.

  (2) If the recertification course is completed more than 180 days prior to certification expiration, certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the actual date of course completion.

  (3) During the 12-month interval immediately following certification expiration, the recertification course may be completed for certification renewal. Certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the actual date of course completion. Failure to satisfactorily complete the recertification course during this time frame will require completion of the initial certification course to reinstate certification status. During this time period, a person shall not drive a school bus, school activity bus, or multifunction school activity bus unless he/she has received an enrollment certificate. Issuance of an enrollment certificate during this dormant time interval will require the successful completion of the certification course in order to reinstate full certification status.