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 Yellow (NSBY) paint, and the legend "School Bus."
Schools and school districts in Iowa are prohibited from owning or leasing
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-l, 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-l, 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 must 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 requirements.
(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 requirements.
