The following components will be inspected during a
nonscheduled inspection. A violation of one component may only necessitate a
warning while other components may require a 3-day notice or cause the vehicle
to be declared out-of-service. Certain components have criteria listed in more
than one penalty category, depending on the degree of the specific violation.
If any criteria listed in this Section exists, the corresponding penalty will
be issued.
a) Axles and Tag Axles:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - not firmly attached;
cracked; broken; wheel seals leaking grease; tag axle not operating properly;
air leak.
2) WARNING - pinion seal
leaking.
b) Brakes:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - any problem found with
the service brake system; any problem found with emergency brake system (other
than indicator light).
2) WARNING -
emergency brake indicator light does not function.
c) Bumpers (Front and Rear):
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; loose; broken; protruding
components.
d) Certificate
of Safety:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; expired; voided; incorrect type of
Certificate of Safety.
e)
Doors (Interior and Exterior):
1)
OUT-OF-SERVICE - fails to open or close properly; fails to latch; hinges
broken; door handles missing.
2)
WARNING - seals damaged or missing; damage that prevents proper
sealing.
f) Emergency
Exits:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - obstructed; does
not comply with required number or size of exits (refer to 92 Ill. Adm. Code
448); latch or hinges broken; does not open or close properly; missing
components; child passenger restraint system (i.e., car seat) is located on the
bench seat next to a designated emergency exit window (does not include a
factory-installed built-in child restraint system).
2) WARNING - binding; does not seal properly;
damage that prevents proper sealing.
g) Exhaust System:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - any leaks in system into or under passenger
compartment; broken; disconnected; not securely attached.
h) Fenders:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - protruding components; not securely attached;
missing.
i) Fire
Extinguisher:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - not fully
charged; missing.
2) WARNING - seal
is broken; not mounted in readily accessible location; not labeled if in
compartment; improper rating; overcharged.
AGENCY NOTE: 10 BC is proper rating for fire extinguisher.
j) Floor, Floor Covering, Firewall,
Occupant Compartment, and Engine Cover:
1)
OUT-OF-SERVICE - holes in floorboard; sagging; broken; not firmly
attached.
2) WARNING - torn
covering; defective boots; engine cover does not latch or seal
properly.
k) Frame and
Body:
1) Frame:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - broken; cracked; rusted through; structurally
unsafe; sagging; improper welds.
2) Body (Interior and Exterior):
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - damage that is
detrimental to the safe operation of the vehicle; body tie downs loose or
missing; holes penetrating interior of the vehicle.
B) WARNING - holes not penetrating interior
of the vehicle; any other component loose, missing or broken.
l) Fuel Storage and
Delivery System:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - fuel tank is leaking or loose; fuel lines are
loose, leaking, sagging, rubbing, chaffing, cracked or broken; fuel cap is
missing.
m) Hood:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; broken; does not open; defective
latches or hinges.
n) Horn
(Interior and Exterior):
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; defective; not audible.
o) Lettering (Interior and
Exterior):
WARNING - signs or words "SCHOOL BUS" are present; emergency
exits are not labeled (if required); operating instructions are not present on
emergency exits (if required); "NO STANDEES" not present (if required) (refer
to 92 Ill. Adm. Code 448).
p) Lights/Lamps (Interior and Exterior):
1) Backup:
A) 3-DAY - both lights do not
function.
B) WARNING - one light
does not function; improper color; broken lens or other component.
2) Flashing 8-light System:
WARNING - if present, not made inoperable.
3) Headlights:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; do not function;
not securely mounted.
B) WARNING -
cracked lens on replaceable light source; improper color; defective dimmer
switch.
4) License
Plate:
WARNING - missing; does not function; improper color; broken
lens or other component.
5)
Parking:
WARNING - missing; do not function; improper color; broken lens
or other component.
6)
Sidemarker:
WARNING - missing; do not function; improper color; broken lens
or other component.
7)
Stop/Brake:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; do
not function properly; broken lens; improper color.
B) WARNING - improper color; cracked
lens.
8) Strobe:
WARNING - strobe lamp is present (only allowed on school
buses).
9) Tail:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; do not function
properly; broken lens; improper color.
B) WARNING - cracked lens.
10) Turn Signal (Interior and
Exterior):
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; do
not function properly; driver activation lever defective or missing; broken
lens; improper color.
B) WARNING -
cracked lens.
11) Unison
Flashing Amber "4-light" Warning System (allowed on Religious Organization
Buses only):
WARNING - improper color; system flashes alternately; indicator
light does not function in driver's compartment; not made inoperative if
vehicle is not a Religious Organization Bus; school bus "8-light" system is
present.
q)
Mirrors (Interior and Exterior):
1)
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing (if required); shattered.
2) WARNING - cracked; pitted; clouded; loose
or broken mounting; incorrect size; incorrect location; obstructed.
r) Paint Requirements:
WARNING - vehicle is painted national school bus glossy
yellow.
s) Pedals
(Accelerator, Service Brake, Clutch, Emergency/Parking Brake):
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; damaged; pedal
extensions are not from a manufacturer.
2) 3-DAY - rubber cover or non-skid material
is missing.
t)
Reflectors and Reflective Tape:
WARNING - missing; damaged; wrong color; not properly located
(refer to 92 Ill. Adm. Code 448).
u) Seat, Driver's:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - broken; loose;
missing.
2) WARNING - damaged seat
covering; not adjustable.
v) Seats, Passenger:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - seat or frame loose or
broken.
2) WARNING - damaged seat
covering; loose seat cushion.
w) Seat Belt (Driver's):
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; broken; improper
mounting; buckle does not operate properly.
2) WARNING - driver's retractor does not
operate properly; driver's seat belt is on the floor.
x) Seat Belts (Passenger):
OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing (if required, see AGENCY NOTE);
broken; improper mounting; buckle does not operate properly.
AGENCY NOTE: Each bus shall be equiped with a retractable lap
belt assembly for the driver's seat. A shoulder harness is optional. FMVSS
require passenger safety belts on any bus that has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or
less. Passenger safety belts are optional on any bus that has a GVWR of more
than 10,000 lbs. (See
49 CFR
571.210 (October 1, 2013).
y) School Bus Identification:
WARNING - any of the following are present: "SCHOOL BUS"
lettering; "school bus yellow" paint; flashing 8-light system; stop signal arm
panel; strobe light.
z)
Steering System:
1) Exterior:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - linkage components are bent; binding; jamming;
welded repairs; loose; insecurely mounted; missing. Steering components are
loose or leaking; belts are frayed or cracked; loose, missing or inoperative
power or power assist unit; reservoir is low or empty.
2) Interior:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - column support bracket is loose or missing;
excessive up and down movement in steering shaft; excessive damage to steering
wheel; spokes are missing; lash exceeds acceptable limits.
aa) Steps, Entrance:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - broken; rusted
through.
2) WARNING - sagging;
obstructed (i.e., any item that is blocking or partially blocking the
steps).
bb) Stop Signal
Arm Panel:
WARNING - present (allowed on school buses only).
cc) Suspension:
1) Shocks:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - broken; missing; broken
or loose mounts.
B) WARNING -
leakage.
2) Springs and
Spring Components:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - any missing, broken, cracked, damaged, or
loose spring or spring component.
3) Air
OUT-OF-SERVICE - damaged; leaking air; not properly attached;
not sitting level; rubbing on any part of the frame or body.
dd) Warning Devices:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing.
2) WARNING - incomplete set; reflectors are
cracked or broken; flags are ripped or torn; emergency triangles are not
operational; not securely stored; not readily accessible.
ee) Wheels:
1) Wheel Housing:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - tire rubs against any portion of body,
chassis, bumper; not firmly attached; holes are present.
2) Rim:
OUT-OF-SERVICE - cracked; broken; elongated holes; defective
welds; missing or broken lugs or lug nuts; lock ring damaged; bent.
3) Tires:
A) Steering axle:
i) OUT-OF-SERVICE - regrooved, recapped,
retreaded; restricting markings are present; insufficient tread depth at any
measured point of a major tread groove (less than 4/32); broken or cut cord;
any sign of carcass failure; tires are not same construction; regular and
mud/snow tread are mixed; radial and bias ply tires are used incorrectly; bias
tube installed on radial; valve stem is damaged.
ii) WARNING - flat tire.
B) Drive axle:
i) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; insufficient
tread depth at any measured point of a major tread groove (less than 2/32);
broken or cut cord.
ii) 3-DAY -
radial and bias ply tires are used incorrectly; regular and mud/snow tread are
improperly mixed on same axle; tire exceeds diameter of its mate; regrooved or
recut on tire not labeled "regroovable"; bias tube installed on radial; damaged
valve stem; flat tire on dual wheel axle.
iii) WARNING - flat tire on single wheel
axle.
ff) Window Glazing:
1) Emergency Exits:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; shattered; any
sharp edge that could inflict cuts to the skin.
B) WARNING - improper "AS" rating; incorrect
glazing material; any crack to glazing; visibility obstructed.
2) Service Door Windows:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; shattered; any
sharp edge that could inflict cuts to the skin; visibility
obstructed.
B) WARNING - improper
"AS" rating; incorrect glazing material; any crack to glazing.
3) Side Windows:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; shattered; any
sharp edge that could inflict cuts to the skin; visibility obstructed in
driver's side window.
B) WARNING -
improper "AS" rating; incorrect glazing material; any crack to glazing;
visibility obstructed other than to driver's side window.
4) Windshield:
A) OUT-OF-SERVICE - missing; shattered; not
firmly sealed or attached; any crack more than 6 inches in length in the area
swept by the windshield wiper blade; any "starchip" measuring more than 1 inch
in diameter in the area swept by the windshield wiper blade; driver's
visibility obstructed; any sharp edge that could inflict cuts to the
skin.
B) WARNING - any crack more
than 6 inches in length outside the area swept by the windshield wiper blade;
any "starchip" more than 1 inch in diameter outside the area swept by the
windshield wiper blade; discoloration more than 3 inches up from the bottom or
more than 1 inch down from the top or in more than 1 inch from the left or
right side (except tinting that is allowed by
625 ILCS
5/12-503).
gg) Windshield Washer:
WARNING - does not operate properly; no fluid; broken; missing
components.
hh) Windshield
Wipers:
1) OUT-OF-SERVICE - wipers do not
operate properly; broken blades or arms; driver activation knob is
missing.
2) WARNING - does not
cover entire cleaning area; rubber blades are damaged; does not park
properly.
ii) Wiring
(Interior, Exterior, and Engine Compartment) and Insulation:
WARNING - broken; not on proper circuit; frayed; not securely
attached; missing.
