New Jersey Administrative Code

(a) An automatic audible back-up warning alarm shall be installed in the area behind the rear axle of the school bus. The back-up warning alarm shall comply with SAE Standard J994 (August 1993), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. The back-up warning al…

(a) There shall be one rub rail located on each side of the school bus approximately at seat cushion level that shall extend from the rear side of the service door completely around the school bus body (except the emergency door, the service door, the service compartment, and, on…

(a) When used, a sander shall:1. Be of a hopper cartridge valve-type; 2. Have a metal hopper with all interior surfaces treated to prevent condensation of moisture; 3. Be of at least 100 pound grit capacity; 4. Have a cover on the filler opening of the hopper that screws into pla…

(a) A Type 2 lap/shoulder belt shall be provided for the driver. The assembly shall be equipped with an emergency locking retractor for the continuous belt system. The lap portion of the belt system shall be guided or anchored where practical to prevent the driver from sliding si…

(a) Every seat and restraining barrier shall conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 222 (49 CFR § 571.222), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. (b) Every seat shall have a minimum cushion depth of 15 inches measured from the front of the seatback to t…

A school bus shall be equipped with spray suppressants or mud flaps when the angle formed by the intersection of a line on the level road surface projected rearward from the point where the rearmost tire contacts the ground and a line projected from the point where the rearmost t…

(a) The first step at the service door of Type A, B, and C school buses shall be not less than 10 inches nor more than 14 inches from the ground, based on standard chassis specifications. The first step at the service door of Type D school buses shall be not less than 12 inches n…

(a) Steps shall be covered with a nonskid material. Steps, including the aisle step and the floor line platform area, shall be covered with 3/16 inch rubber floor covering or with other material equal in wear-resistance and abrasion-resistance to top grade rubber. Steps, includin…

If the windshield and/or lamps are not easily accessible from the ground, there shall be at least one folding stirrup step or recessed foothold and suitably located handles on each side of the front of the school bus body. Steps are permitted in or on the front bumper in lieu of …

(a) Every school bus shall be equipped with a stop signal arm on the left side of the school bus body that meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 131 (49 CFR § 571.131), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. (b) A stop signal arm shall not be mounted below a…

If tools, tire chains, and/or tow chains are carried on the school bus, a storage container of adequate strength and capacity shall be provided. Such storage container may be located either inside or outside of the passenger compartment. If such storage container is located insid…

(a) A battery shall be furnished by the chassis manufacturer. (b) Except for a battery mounted in the engine compartment, the body manufacturer shall securely attach the battery on a slide-out or swing-out tray in a closed, vented compartment in the body skirt, so that the batter…

Except as otherwise provided for a Type B school bus constructed on a cutaway chassis, every Type B, C, and D school bus shall be equipped with an interior adjustable, transparent sun shield not less than six inches by 30 inches with a finished edge. A Type A school bus and a Typ…

(a) The tailpipe shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant tubing material at least equal in strength and durability to 16-gauge steel tubing. The tailpipe diameter from the muffler to the end of the tailpipe shall comply with the chassis manufacturer's specifications. (b) Th…

Tow eyes or hooks may be furnished on the rear of the school bus provided that they are attached so that they do not project beyond the rear bumper. Tow eyes or hooks attached to the chassis frame shall be furnished by either the chassis or body manufacturer. The installation sha…

(a) The entire underside of the school bus body, including floor sections, cross members, and side panels below the floor line, may be coated with a rustproofing compound for which the compound manufacturer has issued a notarized certification of compliance to the bus body builde…

(a) The school bus body shall be equipped with a controlled ventilation system of sufficient capacity so as to provide the proper quantity of air under normal operating conditions without the opening of windows except in hot weather. (b) A static-type nonclosable exhaust vent may…

(a) The wheelhousing opening shall allow for easy tire removal and service. (b) The wheelhousing shall be attached to the floor sheets in such a manner so as to prevent any dust, water, or fumes from entering the school bus body. The wheelhousing shall be constructed of at least …

(a) Each full side window shall provide an unobstructed emergency opening at least nine inches high and at least 22 inches wide, obtained by lowering the window. 1. When the body design does not accommodate the installation of a full side window, the window located directly in fr…

A windshield washer system shall be provided. The windshield washer system shall have a pumping mechanism with fluid for washing the windshield. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50B.47

(a) A windshield wiping system, two-speed or more, shall be provided. (b) The windshield wipers shall be operated by one or more air or electric motors of sufficient power to operate the wipers. If one motor is used, the windshield wipers shall work in tandem to provide a full sw…

(a) All wiring shall conform to SAE Recommended Practice J1292 (October 1981), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. Multiplex wiring may be used. (b) Wiring shall be arranged in circuits as required with each circuit protected by a fuse, circuit breaker,…

(a) A school bus shall be equipped with a front and rear bumper. (b) Bumpers shall contain no sharp edges and shall be designed so as to prevent snagging. (c) A front safety shield may be attached directly under the school bus front bumper. The front safety shield shall be constr…

(a) Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:27-7.13, each school bus shall be equipped with a properly designed and installed sensor to determine the presence of person(s) or object(s) located in, but not limited to, the front and back of the school bus. (b) All equipment subject to inspection s…

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, for school buses with a June 1993 through December 2005 chassis manufacture date, the school bus body shall be painted National School Bus Yellow. For school buses with a January 2006 or later chassis manufacture date, the school bus…

(a) School buses may be equipped with an electronic voice communication system. (b) A public address sound system with an interior flush-mounted speaker(s) and an exterior speaker(s) may be installed. (c) GPS monitors, transponders and similar devices may be used in a school bus;…

(a) The school bus shall be constructed of prime commercial quality steel or other metal or material with strength at least equivalent to all-steel as certified by the body manufacturer. (b) The construction shall provide a dustproof and watertight unit and the exterior shall be …

(a) Every school bus shall be equipped with a crossing control arm. (b) The construction and design of the crossing control arm shall offer safe and trouble-free operation. (c) The crossing control unit shall be installed on the right side of the front bumper. The crossing contro…

(a) The following standards address modifications to school buses designed for transporting students with special transportation needs. These standards are supplementary to the school bus chassis and body standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A and 50B. (b) Specially equipped s…

(a) When a power lift system is not adequate to load and unload students with special needs, a ramp device may be used.1. When a ramp is used, it shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the wheelchair or other mobile seating device, occupant, and attendant(s). The…

Seat frames may be equipped with attachments or devices to which belts, restraining harnesses, or other devices may be attached. Attachment framework or anchorage devices, if installed, shall conform to FMVSS No. 210 (49 CFR § 571.210), incorporated herein by reference, as amende…

(a) Flexibility in seat spacing to accommodate special devices shall be permitted to meet passenger needs. (b) School buses may be equipped with track seating.1. The floor track shall be recessed into the floor with the top of the track level with the floor surface. 2. Track shal…

(a) The school bus body shall be designed for the positioning and securement of wheelchairs/mobile seating devices and occupants in a forward-facing position. Securement system hardware and attachment points for the forward-facing system shall be provided. The wheelchair/mobile s…

Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.14 Repealed by R.2012 d.023, effective 2/6/2012. See: 43 N.J.R. 1831(a), 44 N.J.R. 287(b). Section was "Steps".

(a) Portable student support equipment or special accessory items including, but not limited to, crutches, walkers, canes, other ambulating devices, oxygen bottles, and ventilators, shall be securely fastened at a mounting location able to withstand a pulling force of five times …

(a) A wheelchair or other mobile seating device shall be equipped with an occupant restraint belt and hand brake that is furnished and maintained by the owner of such wheelchair or other mobile seating device. (b) An electric-powered wheelchair shall be equipped with a gel-cel (n…

(a) The aisle leading to the emergency door and the power lift door from each wheelchair position shall be a minimum width of 30 inches. (b) A school bus designed for transporting students with special transportation needs may have a track system with a track in the aisle; provid…

Every school bus shall be equipped with an electronic voice communication system. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.3

(a) A power lift door that has been modified by removing the power lift in order to accommodate passenger seating shall:1. Be sealed; 2. Be equipped with an operable window that conforms to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:20-50B.46(a); 3. Handles, both inside and outside, removed…

(a) A school bus with a power lift shall be equipped with a special service door to accommodate the power lift. 1. The door shall be located on the right side of the school bus and designed so as not to obstruct the regular service door. 2. The opening may extend below the floor …

(a) For school buses with a January 2006 or later chassis manufacture date, every school bus shall be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system for the engine compartment. The fire suppression system shall be installed in accordance with the fire suppression system manuf…

A school bus equipped with a power lift shall display at least one International Symbol of Accessibility on the back of the school bus below the window line. The International Symbol of Accessibility shall not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches in size, shall be white on a blue backgr…

Lights shall be placed on the school bus to illuminate the power lift door, doorway, and landing area. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.8

(a) A school bus used for the transportation of students who use wheelchairs or other mobile seating devices or who require life support equipment shall be equipped with a power lift in accordance with FMVSS Nos. 403 and 404 (49 CFR 571.403 and 571.404), which are incorporated he…

The exceptions and exemptions set forth in this subchapter shall apply to autobuses approved for school use by the New Jersey Department of Transportation prior to May 21, 1993. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50D.1 Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 1821(a), effective 8/6/2018

(a) The prohibition against advertisements of any kind on either the interior or exterior of the vehicle shall not apply. (b) The seat requirements imposed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:20-50B.33(e) shall not apply to longitudinal seats seating not more than four pupils. (c) The entran…

(a) No autobus under the jurisdiction of the Motor Vehicle Commission's Inspection Services Bus Unit shall be used for school pupil transportation services, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1 and under contract with a local board of education for transportation to and from school, u…