N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:20-50.1 - Scope and purpose

(a) This subchapter shall be applicable to all motor vehicles registered in New Jersey originally designed by the manufacturer to carry 10 or more passengers, excluding the driver, operated by, or under contract with, a public or governmental agency, or religious or other charitable organization or corporation, or privately operated for the transportation of children to or from school for secular or religious education, school-connected activity, day camp, summer day camp, nursery school, child care center, preschool center or other similar places of education. All such motor vehicles shall be registered as school buses in accordance with 39:3-19.2 and shall comply with the rules set forth in this subchapter and in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A, 50B and 50C, and all applicable Federal standards. A motor vehicle shall not be used for the purposes set forth in this subsection unless it has been registered as a school bus in accordance with 39:3-19.2 and complies with the rules set forth in this subchapter and in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A, 50B and 50C, and all applicable Federal standards.

(b) Each school bus shall be inspected twice each year by the Commission's Inspection Services Bus Unit to ensure that such vehicle is in safe and proper operating condition. The time and location of the inspections shall be established by the Chief Administrator or his or her designee. When inspections are scheduled at the school bus owner/lessee's terminal, the owner/lessee of the terminal shall provide a clean, safe environment where the buses are to be inspected.

(c) The rules set forth in this subchapter and in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A, 50B and 50C shall not apply to commercial buses approved for school use.

(d) An autobus or commercial bus that is used for the transportation of children to or from school shall display a certificate of inspection issued by the Commission indicating school use. A commercial bus is exempt from displaying a certificate for school use issued by the Commission when being used on a preset franchised route and schedule or chartered for school-connected activities.

(e) A parent or legal guardian under contract with a district board of education to transport only his or her own child or children shall not be required to possess a commercial driver license or to use a motor vehicle registered as a school bus.

(f) The rules set forth in this subchapter and in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A, 50B and 50C shall apply to school buses with a January 2006 or later incomplete chassis manufacture date unless otherwise provided. School buses manufactured prior to January 2006 shall comply with the standards in effect when the school bus was manufactured or converted.

(g) All equipment and components required by this subchapter and by N.J.A.C. 13:20-50A, 50B and 50C shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50.1

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 1821(a), effective 8/6/2018