W. Va. Code R. § 126-92-26

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 24, June 14, 2024

Section 126-92-26 - Inspection and Maintenance of Buses

26.1. Vehicle Inspection.

26.1.a. Pursuant to W.Va. Code § 17C-16-2, any member of a department of public safety may stop and inspect a bus at any time.

26.1.b. Qualified bus inspectors are employed by the WVDE and may inspect a bus at any time without prior notice.

26.1.c. All buses transporting students to school and/or school-related events shall be inspected by a qualified bus inspector annually during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

26.1.c.1. The State Director shall supervise the scheduling of bus inspections and may require additional and random inspections of buses.

26.1.c.2. The operator may be required to present to the bus inspector a valid commercial drivers license, a first aid certificate, and a State of West Virginia certification card at the time of inspection.

26.1.c.3. All buses used to transport students shall be inspected and display a valid inspection certificate.

26.1.d. A bus used to transport students that is involved in an accident which causes damage to any steering component, front axle or frame, or any major structural damage requiring the bus to be towed, must be inspected and approved by a WVDE bus inspector prior to returning to service.

26.1.d.1. Any seat belts (driver's seat belt, seat belts anchoring child restraints, wheelchair restraints, etc.) in use at the time of a moderate to severe accident shall be replaced. Additionally, the CSRS, if in use, shall be replaced following a moderate to severe accident. CSRS do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor accident. A minor accident is one in which all of the following apply:

26.1.d.1.A. the vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.

26.1.d.1.B. the area of the vehicle nearest the CSRS was not damaged.

26.1.d.1.C. none of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.

26.1.d.1.D. if the vehicle had air bags, they were not deployed during the accident.

26.1.d.1.E. there was no visible damage to the CSRS.

26.1.e. Any bus used to transport students which is declared unsafe is to be marked with the appropriate rejection sticker.

26.2.County Bus Maintenance.

26.2.a. The county board shall establish a bus maintenance program. At no time shall any other vehicle maintenance take priority over bus maintenance. The maintenance program may be delivered by the county board or through a private contractor.

26.2.b. The maintenance program shall employ mechanics and service employees skilled in school bus maintenance.

26.2.c. The county board shall ensure that the maintenance staff members receive at least 18 hours of professional development in school bus maintenance and repair annually.

26.2.d. An inventory of the bus vehicle parts shall be completed annually and made available at the county maintenance center.

26.2.e. Maintenance records for buses shall be current and made available at the county maintenance center for review by the WVDE bus inspector upon request.

26.2.f. A preventive maintenance inspection shall be performed on all buses (including spares) every 20 days and not to exceed a maximum of 40 days. A preventive maintenance schedule for each bus shall be posted in the county maintenance center, made available to the bus operator, and to the WVDE bus inspector upon request.

26.2.g. All county-owned facilities including bus maintenance centers are subject to inspection by the WVDE Office of School Facilities and Transportation staff per W. Va. Code § 18-9D-16(c).

W. Va. Code R. § 126-92-26