Section 155.03 - Inspection of Commercial Passenger Motor VehiclesAt the beginning of an inspection the Department's inspector shall make a visual check of the vehicle and examine the vehicle for the equipment and features specified in 220 CMR 155.03(1) through (31):
(1)Outside Markings. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall display on each side of the bus the name of the owner, trade name, if any, seating capacity, and such other designation as may be approved by the Department. The bus number shall be displayed on both left and right front sides and in a conspicuous location on the rear of the bus, said numbers and lettering to be not less than four inches in height and not less than Winch in stroke. A vehicle authorized to operate under a lease arrangement shall display the names of the lessor and the lessee.(2)Reflectors. Every commercial motor vehicle weighing, with its load, more than 12,000 pounds shall be equipped with a red reflector at the rear.(3)Chock Blocks. Every passenger motor vehicle having a seating capacity of more than seven passengers shall be equipped with one pair of adequate safety chock blocks.(4)Splash Guards. Every passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with suitable guards which will effectively reduce the spray or splash, to the rear, of mud, water, or slush, caused by the rear wheels.(5)Marker Light. Passenger motor vehicles having a registered carrying capacity of three tons or over, shall have an amber light attached to the extreme left of the front of the vehicle, so attached and adjusted as to indicate the extreme left lateral extension of the vehicle or load.(6)Speedometer. Every bus shall be equipped with a speedometer indicating vehicle speed in miles per hour, which shall be operative with reasonable accuracy.(7)Horn. Sound horn to test for adequate signal. The horn must be securely fastened to the vehicle and maintained in accordance with federal or manufacturers specifications.(8)Warning Devices. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle that is required to have a back-up warning device shall be checked for proper operation of said device.(9)Bumpers. The existence of broken or bent bumpers, fenders, exterior sheet metal, or moldings, having sharp edges or abnormal protrusions extending beyond normal vehicle extremities so as to constitute a danger to pedestrians and other motor vehicle traffic shall be reason for rejection. The vehicle hood, door(s), luggage compartment lid, and battery or engine compartment doors or lids, if so equipped, must be capable of being firmly latched.(10)Fenders. Front and rear fenders must be in place. Every commercial motor vehicle which is equipped with tires which extend beyond the fenders or body of such vehicle shall be equipped with flaps or suitable awards to reduce such spray or splash to the rear and side.(11)Seat Belts shall be inspected to assure that all are maintained in good order. The requirements of 49 CFR 393.93 are applicable.(12)Brakes. Each motor bus shall have two separate braking systems with independent operations. They shall be designed in such a way that failure of any one part of either system will not deprive the bus of an effective brake acting on at least two wheels. One braking system shall consist of a power brake as provided for in M.G.L. c. 90 §, 7, acting on at least four wheels and arranged in such a way as to be operated by the foot. It shall be capable of stopping the bus within a distance of 25 feet when moving at a speed of '20 miles per hour on a dry, level road. A second braking system shall consist of an emergency brake which shall be capable of stopping a bus within a distance of 60 feet when moving at a speed of 20 miles per hour on a dry, level road. Buses employing a braking system complying with 49 CFR 393.41(a), (b) and (c) shall employ a parking brake which will hold a bus stationary headed up or down with a full load on a 20% grade.
(13)Air Equipment. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle equipped with a compressed air tank shall be provided with a safety valve. There shall be a distinct and separate visible signal to warn the driver when the air pressure in the reservoir reaches a point below the effective working pressure. Said tank shall also be equipped with a drain valve to be operated either manually or automatically. Alcohol injection systems may be employed.(14)Interior Lights. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle with a top shall be equipped with electric lights so located as to provide for a well distributed illumination of the interior, platform and steps of the bus. Such lights shall be kept lighted at all times when the lack of illumination may result in danger or discomfort to the passengers.(15)Mirrors. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with exterior rear view mirrors which provide the driver with a clear view of the roadway on each side and to the rear of the vehicle. It shall also be equipped with an interior rear view mirror which shall provide the driver with a clear view of the interior of the vehicle. Vehicles used in school bus service shall conform to M.G.L. c. 90, § 7B.(16)Sun Visors. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device which will protect the eyes of the driver from the direct rays of the sun.(17)Steps. The lowest step at the entrance and exit doors of a commercial passenger motor vehicle shall not be more than 16 inches from the ground when the tires are fully inflated and the bus is unloaded, nor shall the height between any two steps be more than 15 inches. All steps shall be provided with safety treads of type that will prevent passengers from slipping.(18)Emergency Exits.(a)Emergency Door. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be provided with an emergency door located in the middle of the rear of the bus or on the side opposite the receiving door. The emergency door shall be easily opened. It shall, unless otherwise authorized by the Department, open outward and shall be kept free from obstructions. The words "Emergency Door" shall be conspicuously marked on or near this door. Each bus designed with transverse seats extending the full width of the body shall be provided with a door at each end of said seat. The words "Emergency Door" shall be conspicuously marked on or near each door on the left hand side of this type vehicle. The minimum clearance of a bus emergency door and approach thereto shall be 48 inches from floor of bus and 18 inches wide, and it shall provide at least 12 inches floor clearance. Emergency doors shall be identified by a red light which shall be lighted as required and readily visible to passengers. They shall be equipped with an audible signal that sounds whenever the door is opened. Note: If any bus permitted by the Department is equipped with a locking device on its emergency door, the locking device shall not be engaged while the bus is in motion. This type of bus shall be equipped with an interlocking device which will prevent the starting of the engine and the movement of the bus while the door is locked.(b)Emergency Escape Kick-out Windows All commercial passenger motor vehicles shall have an emergency door at the rear or rear left side, or in lieu thereof, shall be provided with emergency escape push-out windows. Each window shall be in a form of a parallelogram with dimensions of not less than 18 inches by 24 inches, and each shall contain an area of not less than 432 square inches. There shall be a sufficient number of such push-out or kick-out windows in each vehicle to provide a total escape area equivalent to 67 square inches per seat, including the driver's seat. No less than 40% of the total escape area shall be on one side of the vehicle. Emergency escape kick-out or push-out windows shall be conspicuously marked by sign or light and shall always be kept in good working order so that they may be readily opened in an emergency. Windows shall not be obstructed by bars or other such means located either inside or outside such windows so as to hinder escape.(19)Engine Covers. Commercial passenger motor vehicles equipped with engines installed within the area of the driver's compartment must be fully covered and properly protected from fire, and from noxious and toxic fumes and gasses.(20)Fire Extinguisher. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with a pressurized dry chemical type fire extinguisher of a type approved by the Underwriter's Laboratory Inc., with a rating of not less than ten B.C. (one 10 B.C. or two 5 B.C. permitted).(21)Drive Shaft Protection. The drive shaft on every commercial passenger motor vehicle must be protected in a way to prevent same from falling on the ground or coming in contact with the floor of the bus in case it becomes disconnected.(22)Driver's First Aid Kit. Every school bus shall be equipped with a suitable first aid kit in compliance with M.G.L. c. 90, § 7B.(23)Emergency Road Markers. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least three red emergency reflectors which comply with 49 CFR 393.95(i) and which shall be placed in a suitable position on the roadway when required.(24)Driver's Seat Belts. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1974, must be provided with a seat belt for the driver which will conform with U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards and which shall be fastened around driver whenever bus is in motion. All buses used in school service shall be equipped with driver seat belts which shall be used when the bus is in motion.(25)Driver's Guard. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be provided with a guard or other means to prevent passengers from crowding or interfering with the driver. No person shall be permitted, at any time, inside the guard.(26)Grab Handles for Doors. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be provided with a grab handle conveniently located at each receiving door.(27)Grab Handles for Standees. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle carrying standing passengers shall be provided with grab handles, straps or bars for their support.(28)Ventilators. Every closed commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with ventilators of a suitable type to insure proper ventilation, Vehicles equipped with an air conditioning system and solid type windows shall have at least two windows of sliding type or roof ventilators which will allow ventilation in the event of loss of the system. These windows shall be located on opposite sides of each other. The latter two sentences apply to buses of model year 1978 and thereafter.(29)Signal to Driver. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle used in regular route service shall be provided with a bell or buzzer which can be conveniently sounded by a passenger from any part of the interior of the bus as a signal to the driver for the bus to come to a stop.(30)Route and Destination Signs. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall properly display a destination or route sign at the front which shall be clearly visible by day or night. Special, charter or school bus signs shall be displayed whenever the bus is engaged in such service. "No Passengers" signs shall be displayed when passengers are not desired. Whenever transit or coach type vehicles are used under a school permit issued by the Department, school bus signs must be displayed.(31)Heaters and Defrosters. Every commercial passenger motor vehicle shall be equipped with adequate heaters and defrosters which shall comply with U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Safety Regulation, 49 CFR 393.77 and 393.79.