Interpretation ID: aiam2590
Executive Vice President
Coach & Equipment Sales Corp.
Post Office Box 36
Penn Yan
NY 14527;
Dear Mr. Kreutziger: This responds to your May 6, 1977, letter asking what standards appl to vehicles designed to transport fewer than 10 passengers to or from school.; Vehicles that transport fewer than 10 passengers to or from school ar not considered buses according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) definition of 'bus' found in 49 CFR Part 571.3. Accordingly, these vehicles transporting fewer than 10 passengers would not need to comply standards (sic) applicable to either school buses or buses in general. The vehicles to which you refer would be required to comply with standards applicable to passenger cars or multipurpose passenger vehicles depending upon the type of vehicle being used to transport children. You should consult Part 571.3 (enclosed) of our regulations to determine the classification of the vehicle you intend to construct since the vehicle classification establishes the applicability of the standards.; Sincerely, Joseph J. Levin, Jr., Chief Counsel