Interpretation ID: nht93-4.38

DATE: June 18, 1993

FROM: John Womack -- Acting Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA; Signature by Ken Weinstein

TO: Bob Jones -- Director of Engineering, Independent Mobility Systems, Inc.

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 4-29-93 from Bob Jones to Mary Versailles.

TEXT: This responds to your letter of April 29 1993, addressed to Mary Versailles of this office, requesting information on the proper testing of your raised-roof minivan for compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 220, SCHOOL BUS ROLLOVER PROTECTION.

You correctly stated in your letter that the school bus rollover protection requirements of FMVSS 220 do not apply to minivans. You explained, however, that many states and/or localities require compliance with FMVSS 220 for vehicles equipped to transport the handicapped, and you asked how properly to test your raised-roof minivan for compliance with FMVSS 220.

Since the requirements you referred to are state or local requirements, this agency cannot comment on them. You should contact the states or localities concerned to find out what their expectations are in that regard.

I hope this information will be of assistance to you.