La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § III-821

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 8, August 20, 2024

Section III-821 - General Information

A. These standards are adopted from the minimum standards for school buses in Louisiana as promulgated by authority of Louisiana Revised Statute 17:164 which reads: "The Louisiana State Board of Education is authorized, directed and empowered to establish and adopt regulations relating to the construction, design, equipment and operation of school buses used in transportation of students to and from school. The statute further states that: "...any school bus body, chassis or equipment that meets the latest revised minimum standards for school buses adopted and recommended by the National Conference [now Congress] on school Transportation...shall be deemed in compliance with any such regulations adopted by the Louisiana state board of education...". The National Congress on School Transportation publishes specifications for school buses, along with inspection procedures, in its publication Specifications and Procedures, which is available at ncstonline.org. This document is reviewed and revised every five years.

B. Definitions of School Bus Types

Type A-school bus is a conversion or bus constructed utilizing a cutaway front-section vehicle with a left side drivers door. This definition includes two classifications:

a. type A-1, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds or less; and

b. type A-2, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

Type B-school bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications:

a. type B-1, with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; and

b. type B-2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

Type C-school bus is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels; also known as a conventional school bus. This type also includes cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab with or without a left side door and a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

Type D-school bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels; also known as rear or front engine transit style school buses.

C. Color

1. Any passenger-carrying vehicle, regardless of its class, with a capacity of more than seven passengers and used exclusively in the transportation of teachers and pupils to and from schools or their institution of learning under contract or other arrangement made by or with the constituted and authorized school personnel shall be considered a school bus. The school bus must be painted national school bus glossy yellow (R.S. 17:161). [The color known as "national school bus yellow" (NSBY) is specified and described in the School Bus Manufacturers Technical Council publication SBMTC-008, National School Bus Yellow Color Standard.] The uppermost top section of the roof may be painted white to reduce heat inside of the bus and the body exterior trim may be painted glossy black.

2. The front and rear bumpers shall be black.

3. Wheels may be gray, yellow or black.

4. Every school bus sold or transferred to any use other than school activities shall be painted by the new owner a color other than national school bus chrome yellow, all lettering of school bus identification, and all semaphore arms and alternate flashing signal lights shall be removed therefrom (R.S. 17:162; R.S. 32:378).

D. All school buses presented for inspection must adhere to all safety requirements, where applicable, and must also conform to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard (FMVSSs), Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, and LAC 28:CXIII, the Louisiana Department of Education Student Transportation Handbook, Bulletin 119-Louisiana School Transportation, Chapter 7, Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance. The bus must comply with the following items and devices in addition to all other requirements.

E. Before being approved to inspect school buses, official motor vehicle inspection stations must meet the following qualifications.

1. The station must have an area large enough to accommodate a bus. The inspection area will be subject to approval by the department.

2. Mechanic inspectors must possess a valid driver's license. The mechanic inspector must also meet the minimum experience qualifications.

3. The mechanic inspector must pass the general and commercial MVI classes and must be approved to inspect school buses by the department.

4. In addition stations and mechanic inspectors must meet all requirements in LAC 55:III.805.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § III-821

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Safety Enforcement Section, LR 25:2434 (December 1999), amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, LR 38:2557 (October 2012), Amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, LR 42438 (3/1/2016), Amended LR 441635 (9/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:1304-1310.