Buses Get Extra Time for Rollover Crash Tests: Safer Rides Delayed
Published Date: 3/3/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 30, 2024, big buses like motorcoaches must pass a new rollover safety test to keep passengers safe during crashes. But don’t worry—NHTSA is giving bus makers extra time until March 20, 2025, before enforcing these rules, so they can get everything just right. This means safer rides ahead without rushing the bus builders or breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Rollover Test for Large Buses
FMVSS No. 227 requires over-the-road buses (motorcoaches) and other large buses to pass a rollover test, to provide a defined "survival space" that protects occupants, and prohibits emergency exits from opening during the rollover test; this standard became effective December 30, 2024. The rule is aimed at protecting passengers by ensuring bus structure integrity in rollovers.
Enforcement Delay for Bus Rollover Rule
NHTSA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the Bus Rollover Structural Integrity final rules from December 30, 2024 until March 20, 2025. This gives bus makers and other regulated entities extra time to meet the new requirements without penalties during that period.
Transit Bus Definition and Intrusion Weight Changes
An amendment issued November 13, 2023 revised the definition of "transit bus" and changed the maximum allowable weight of objects that may intrude into the required survival space during the rollover test; that amendment became effective December 30, 2024. These amendments change the technical criteria that determine how the rollover test is applied to certain buses.
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