A bus owned, leased, contracted to or operated by a school or
school district and regularly used to transport students to and from school or
school-related activities, but not including a charter bus or transit bus,
meets all applicable FMVSS, and is readily identified by alternately flashing
lights, National School Bus Glossy Yellow (NSBY) paint, and the legend "School
Bus." Schools and school districts in Iowa are not allowed to own or lease
motor coaches but may charter them for activities.
(1)
Type A. A 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. A 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. A Type C school
bus, also known as a conventional school bus, is constructed utilizing a
chassis with a hood and front fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the
front wheels. This type of school bus also includes the cutaway truck chassis
or truck chassis with cab with or without a left side door and with a GVWR
greater than 21,500 pounds.
(4)
Type D. A Type D school bus, also known as a rear or front
engine transit-style school bus, is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis.
The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels.
(5)
Type III. Type III
vehicles are not regular school buses but nonetheless are used to transport
students in a school-related context and may be marked as a "school bus." To
qualify as a Type III vehicle, the vehicle may carry a maximum of 12 or fewer
people, including the driver, and weigh 10,000 pounds or less. These vehicles
will be subject to school bus inspections per Iowa Code and rule.
(6)
Specially equipped. A
specially equipped school bus is a school bus designed, equipped, or modified
to accommodate students with special needs.
(7)
Multifunction school activity bus
(MFSAB). A multifunction school activity bus is a school bus whose
purposes do not include transporting students to and from home or school bus
stops as defined in 49 CFR
571.3. MFSABs meet all FMVSS for school buses
except the traffic control requirements (alternately flashing signal and stop
arm). These vehicles will be subject to school bus inspections per Iowa Code
and rule.
Notes
Iowa Admin.
Code rr. 281-44.2
Amended by
IAB
June 11, 2014/Volume XXXVI, Number 25, effective
7/16/2014.
Amended by
IAB
August 28, 2019/Volume XLII, Number 5, effective
10/2/2019
Adopted by
IAB
April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective
5/22/2024
