Interpretation ID: nht78-4.18

DATE: 03/20/78

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; J. J. Levin, Jr.; NHTSA

TO: Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles

COPYEE: R. TILTON; ARMSTRONG; HITCHCOCK

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This responds to your January 16, 1978, letter asking several questions about the applicability of the school bus regulations to school buses manufactured after April 1, 1977, transporting 10 or more students to or from school or related events.

You first ask whether these buses must be painted yellow and have school bus lighting and markings. The answer to your question is yes. Any vehicle that transports 10 or more students to or from school or related events is a school bus and must have the painting, marking, and lighting of a school bus.

Your second question is whether smaller school buses (vans) are permitted to have van-type seats or must comply with the requirements of Standard No. 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection. A vehicle that transports 10 or more students must comply with all of the Federal school bus regulations, including the seating standard.