La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXIII-2305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CXIII-2305 - Definitions and Descriptions of School Bus Types

A. School buses must meet both federal and state definitions.

1. Federal Definition. School Bus-a passenger motor vehicle designed to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers, which the Secretary of Transportation decides is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary students to or from school or an event related to school.

2. State Definition. School Bus-every motor vehicle that is used to transport students to and from school or in connection with school activities, but not including a charter bus or transit bus.

B. School Bus Types

1.Type A-school bus is a conversion or bus constructed utilizing a cutaway front-section vehicle with a left side driver's door. This definition includes two classifications: Type A-1, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds or less; and Type A-2, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

2.Type B-school bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: Type B-1, with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; and Type B-2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

3.Type C-school bus is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels; also known as a conventional school bus. This type also includes cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab with or without a left side door and a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

4.Type D-school bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels; also known as rear or front engine transit style school buses.

5.Multifunction school activity bus (MFSAB)-school bus whose purposes do not include transporting students to and from home or school bus stops, as defined in 49 CFR 571.3. This subcategory of school bus meets all FMVSS for school buses except the traffic control requirements of alternately flashing signal and stop arm.

6.Specially Equipped-a school bus designed, equipped, or modified to accommodate students with special needs.

C. No vehicle with rated capacity of more than 10 passengers shall be classified as a school bus and thereby used to transport students to and from school and school-related activities unless said vehicle originally was manufactured and certified as a school bus and maintained the certification as a school bus all in accordance with federal and state requirements throughout the life of the vehicle.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXIII-2305

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 25:644 (April 1999), amended LR 36:1478 (July 2010), LR 37:2125 (July 2011), Amended LR 49244 (2/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:158, R.S. 17:160-161, and R.S. 17:164-166.