Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§30125 Schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - GENERAL › Chapter CHAPTER 301— - MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - STANDARDS AND COMPLIANCE › § 30125

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must set safety rules for schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment made or imported into the United States. "Schoolbus" means a passenger vehicle built to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers that the Secretary thinks will often be used to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary students. "Schoolbus equipment" means parts or accessories made mainly for a schoolbus. The rules must set minimum performance for eight areas, such as emergency exits, interior protection, floor strength, seating, crash and rollover protection for body and frame, vehicle systems, windows and windshields, and fuel systems. The Secretary can also require manufacturers to test-drive a schoolbus before it is put on the market.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §30125

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section—
(1)“schoolbus” means a passenger motor vehicle designed to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers, that the Secretary of Transportation decides is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school.
(2)“schoolbus equipment” means equipment designed primarily for a schoolbus or manufactured or sold to replace or improve a system, part, or component of a schoolbus or as an accessory or addition to a schoolbus.
(b)The Secretary shall prescribe motor vehicle safety standards for schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment manufactured in, or imported into, the United States. Standards shall include minimum performance requirements for—
(1)emergency exits;
(2)interior protection for occupants;
(3)floor strength;
(4)seating systems;
(5)crashworthiness of body and frame (including protection against rollover hazards);
(6)vehicle operating systems;
(7)windows and windshields; and
(8)fuel systems.
(c)The Secretary may require by regulation a schoolbus to be test-driven by a manufacturer before introduction in commerce.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30125(a)15:1391(14), (15).Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 102(14), (15); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 201, 88 Stat. 1484. 30125(b)15:1392(i)(1).Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 103(i)(1), (2); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 202, 88 Stat. 1484; July 8, 1976, Pub. L. 94–346, § 2, 90 Stat. 815. 30125(c)15:1392(i)(2). 15:1397(a)(1)(F).Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 108(a)(1)(F); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 203, 88 Stat. 1485. In subsection (a)(1), the words “the purpose of” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(2), the words “any similar part or component” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the text of 15:1392(i)(1)(A) (1st sentence) and (B) (words before 2d comma) is omitted as executed. The word “prescribe” is substituted for “promulgate”, and the word “Federal” is omitted, for consistency. The words “Such proposed standards” and “those aspects of performance set out in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph” are omitted because of the restatement. The word “requirements” is substituted for “standards” to avoid using “standards” in 2 different ways. The text of 15:1392(i)(1)(B) (last 6 words) is omitted as executed. In subsection (c), the text of 15:1397(a)(1)(F) is omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 30125

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73