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Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110

§30125 Schoolbuses and Schoolbus Equipment

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

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must set safety rules for schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment made in or brought into the United States. A schoolbus is a passenger vehicle for a driver and more than 10 passengers that is used mainly to carry preprimary, primary, or secondary students. Schoolbus equipment means parts or accessories made for those buses. The rules must require minimum performance for things like emergency exits, protecting people inside, floor strength, seats, body and frame crashworthiness including rollover protection, vehicle controls, windows and windshields, and fuel systems. The Secretary can also require manufacturers to test-drive a schoolbus before putting it into commerce.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §30125

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions.—
In this section
(1)
(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)Standards.—
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)
(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)Test Driving by Manufacturers.—
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 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110