New Jersey Administrative Code

(a) The outer edges of the front fenders, measured at the fender line, shall extend beyond the outer edges of the front tires when the front wheels are in a straight-ahead position. (b) On Type C school buses, the front fenders shall be properly braced and shall not require attac…

(a) The frame or its equivalent shall be of such design and strength characteristics as to correspond to at least standard practices for trucks of the same general load characteristics. (b) Frames shall not be modified for the purpose of extending the wheelbase. (c) Holes in the …

(a) A fuel tank(s) having a minimum 30-gallon capacity shall be provided by the chassis manufacturer. The actual draw capacity of each fuel tank shall be a minimum of 83 percent of the tank capacity. A fuel tank(s) shall be filled and vented to the outside of the body and the fue…

(a) When an engine is mounted in the middle or rear of a school bus, a governor shall be installed to limit engine speed to the maximum revolutions per minute recommended by the engine manufacturer, or a tachometer shall be installed so that the engine speed may be known to the d…

The chassis engine shall have plugged openings for the purpose of supplying hot water for the school bus heating system. The openings shall be suitable for attaching 3/4 -inch pipe thread/hose connectors. The engine shall be capable of supplying water at a temperature in accordan…

School buses shall be equipped with dual horns of a standard make. Type A school buses and Type B school buses constructed on a cutaway chassis may be equipped with the chassis manufacturer's standard horn system. Each horn shall be capable of emitting a sound audible under norma…

(a) The chassis shall be equipped with the following instruments and gauges: 1. Speedometer; 2. Odometer; 3. Ammeter with graduated charge and discharge indications or alternator light. An ammeter and its wiring shall be compatible with the generating capacities of the system. A …

An oil filter with a replaceable element shall be provided and shall be connected by flexible oil lines if the oil filter is not of a built-in or engine-mounted design. The oil filter shall have a capacity of at least one quart. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.17

All openings in the floorboard or fire wall between the chassis and the passenger compartment including, but not limited to, the gearshift selector/lever and the parking brake control shall be sealed. Hoses, electrical lines, cables, and other equipment that pass through the fire…

(a) The GVW is the sum of the chassis weight, plus the body weight, plus the driver's weight, plus the seated passengers' weight. (b) For purposes of this section: 1. The driver's weight is 150 pounds; and 2. The passengers' weight is 120 pounds per student. (c) The GVW shall not…

The front axle and rear differential, including suspension systems, shall have a GAWR at least equal to that portion of the load that may be carried in accordance with the chassis manufacturer's maximum GVWR. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.2

The GVWR shall not exceed 185 pounds per published net horsepower of the engine at the manufacturer's recommended maximum number of revolutions per minute. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.20

A retarder system may be used that shall maintain the speed of the fully-loaded school bus at 19 miles per hour on a seven percent grade for 3.6 miles. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.21

School buses shall be equipped with double-action shock absorbers compatible with the manufacturer's rated axle capacity at each wheel location. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.22

(a) The capacity of the springs or suspension assemblies shall be commensurate with the chassis manufacturer's GVWR. (b) If leaf-type rear springs are used, they shall be of a progressive-type. (c) Springs shall be aligned by a centering pin. (d) U-bolts shall be secured by nuts.…

(a) The steering gear shall conform to the chassis manufacturer's standard and shall be designed to ensure proper performance when the school bus is operated with maximum load and at maximum speed. (b) The steering mechanism shall be accessible for external adjustment. (c) No cha…

(a) Tires and rims of proper size and tires with a load-rating commensurate with the chassis manufacturer's GVWR shall be provided. (b) Tubeless tires mounted on one-piece drop center rims may be used. (c) All tires shall be of the same size, type, construction, and load-rating. …

(a) When an automatic transmission is used, it shall provide at least three forward speeds and one reverse speed. (b) When a manual transmission is used, second gear and higher shall be synchronized except when incompatible with engine power. A minimum of three forward speeds and…

(a) A chassis with a wheelbase of 264 inches or less shall have a right and left turning radius of not more than 42 1/2 feet, curb-to-curb measurement. (b) A chassis with a wheelbase of more than 264 inches shall have a right and left turning radius of not more than 44 1/2 feet, …

(a) For school buses with a January 2006 or later chassis manufacture date, the underside of steel or metallic-constructed front fenders may be coated with a rustproofing compound meeting or exceeding Federal Standard Rustproofing of Commercial (Nontactical) Vehicles (FED-STD-297…

The weight distribution of a fully-loaded school bus on a level surface shall not exceed the manufacturer's front and rear GAWR. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.29

(a) A brake system, including service brakes and parking brake, shall be provided. (b) School buses using air in the operation of the brake system shall be equipped with a warning signal, readily audible or visible to the driver, that will emit a continuous warning when the air p…

(a) A school bus shall be equipped with a front bumper. (b) The front bumper shall contain no sharp edges and shall be designed so as to prevent snagging. The front bumper may contain an electric outlet for the engine block heater. (c) The front bumper shall be constructed of pre…

The clutch torque capacity shall be equal to or greater than the engine torque output. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50A.5

(a) The chassis, including the front bumper, shall be black. (b) The body cowl, hood, and fenders shall be National School Bus Yellow. The hood may be black or nonreflective National School Bus Yellow. (c) Wheels and rims shall be black, gray, white, chrome, silver, stainless ste…

A school bus shall be protected by a metal guard or guards around the circumference of the front half of the drive shaft to prevent the drive shaft from entering the passenger compartment through the floor or dropping to the ground if broken. If the drive shaft is manufactured in…

(a) School buses shall be equipped with a battery or batteries as specified by the chassis manufacturer. 1. The storage battery shall have a minimum cold cranking capacity rating equal to the cranking current required for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum reserve c…

(a) The exhaust pipe, muffler, and tailpipe shall be outside the school bus body compartment and shall be attached to the chassis. (b) The exhaust system components shall not be installed in a location that is likely to result in the burning, charring, or damaging of the electric…

(a) School buses may be equipped with an air conditioning system. (b) Installation of an air conditioning unit shall not infringe on the inside body height requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50B.20. Installation of an air conditioning ducting system shall not infringe on th…

(a) Defrosting and defogging equipment shall direct a sufficient flow of heated air onto the windshield, the window to the left of the driver, and the glass in the viewing area directly to the right of the driver to eliminate frost, fog, or snow. A Type A school bus and a Type B …

(a) The emergency door shall be hinged on the right side if the emergency door is located in the rear end of the school bus and on the front side if the emergency door is located on either side of the school bus. All emergency doors shall open outward and shall be equipped with a…

(a) The service door is the door intended to be used by passengers to enter and exit the school bus. The service door shall be under the control of the driver and shall be designed so as to afford easy release and prevent accidental opening. When a hand lever is used, no parts of…

(a) A school bus may be equipped with a pry bar at least 23 inches in length. If so equipped, it shall be securely mounted in the school bus in a location easily accessible to the driver. (b) Each school bus shall contain at least three reflectorized triangular road-warning devic…

(a) School buses shall be equipped with emergency push-out side exit windows that are vertically hinged on the forward side of the window as follows: 1. A minimum of one emergency push-out exit window per side. i. Emergency push-out side exit windows shall not be placed directly …

(a) School buses may be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system for the engine compartment. If so equipped, the fire suppression system shall be installed in accordance with the fire suppression system manufacturer's installation specifications. A school bus shall not …

(a) A removable first aid kit may be provided. The first aid kit shall be moistureproof and dustproof and shall be mounted in an accessible place in the immediate vicinity of the driver's compartment. If the first aid kit is stored in a storage compartment, the storage compartmen…

(a) The floor in the underseat area, including the tops of the wheelhousing, the driver's compartment, and the toe board, shall be covered with nonskid rubber floor covering or equivalent material having a minimum overall thickness of .125 inch. The toe board floor covering on Ty…

(a) Heaters shall be of a hot water and/or combustion-type. (b) If only one heater is used, it shall be of a fresh air or combination fresh air and recirculating air-type. (c) If more than one heater is used, the additional heater(s) may be of the recirculating air-type or convec…

(a) The words "SCHOOL BUS" shall be applied to the body of a school bus, or on signs attached thereto, in black letters not less than eight inches high on both the front and rear of the school bus between the signal warning lamps, on a background marked with retro-reflective or i…

(a) The minimum clearance of all aisles shall be 12 inches unless otherwise provided in this subchapter. 1. The aisle leading to a service door and a rear emergency door shall be a minimum width of 12 inches. 2. The aisle leading from the center aisle to a side emergency door sha…

The inside body height of a school bus shall be not less than 72 inches measured metal to metal, at any point on the longitudinal centerline from the front vertical bow to the rear vertical bow. The inside body height of a Type A school bus shall be not less than 62 inches measur…

(a) The ceiling and walls of a school bus shall be insulated with fire-resistant material so as to reduce noise and minimize vibration. (b) If floor insulation is used, it shall be five-ply nominal 5/8 inch-thick plywood, and it shall equal or exceed properties of exterior-type s…

(a) The interior of a school bus shall be free of all projections including, but not limited to, luggage racks that may cause injury. An inner lining shall be installed on ceilings and walls. If the ceiling is constructed with lapped joints, the forward panel shall be lapped by t…

(a) Each lamp on the exterior of a school bus shall be marked with the SAE rating for its proper use and shall conform to FMVSS No. 108 (49 CFR 571.108), incorporated herein by reference. 1. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, for school buses with a June 1993 through Dece…

(a) All metal used in the construction of a school bus body, including items such as structural members, inside and outside panels, door panels, and floor sills, shall be zinc-coated or aluminum-coated or treated by an equivalent process before the school bus is constructed. This…

(a) An interior mirror shall be provided that is either clear view laminated glass or clear view glass bonded to a backing that retains the glass in the event of breakage. The mirror shall have rounded corners and protected edges. Except as otherwise provided for a Type B school …

(a) The chassis frame shall support the rear body cross member. The school bus body shall be attached to the chassis frame at each main floor sill, except where chassis components interfere with such attachment, in such a manner so as to prevent shifting or separation of the scho…