Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Subtitle 19 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-SCHOOL VEHICLES
Chapter 11.19.02 - Type I School Vehicles - Construction Standards
Section 11.19.02.20 - Color and Identification (Lettering)
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 11.19.02.20
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024
A. Color.
(1) The school bus body, including the hood, cowl, the area above and below the School Bus lettering on the front and rear header, and fenders shall be painted a uniform color, National School Bus Yellow. If the window pilasters are visible after the window is installed they shall also be painted National School Bus Yellow. A chrome or manufacturer's grey grill is acceptable and the roof may be painted white. The front and rear roof caps may not be painted white.
(2) The hood may be painted with nonreflective National School Bus Yellow paint.
(3) Body trim, on the exterior of the body, including the bumper, the emergency door arrow, and the lettering on the front, rear, and both sides of the body, shall be black. Yellow numbers on the front bumper are acceptable.
(4) Rub rails, seat line, and snow rails shall be painted glossy black.
(5) Wheel rims shall be gray, silver, or black, if painted. Wheel rims may be aluminum. Accessories of any type covering axle nuts, wheels, or lug nuts are not permitted.
B. The following lettering is required and shall be block type:
(1) Lettering.
(a) The body of the school bus shall bear the words "SCHOOL BUS" in black block letters, 8 inches by 1 inch, on both the front and rear of the body.
(b) The lettering shall be placed as high as possible without impairment of its visibility.
(c) The lettering may be on a reflective area 12 inches by 49 inches.
(d) The 12-inch by 49-inch background area may be reduced in size to conform to the contours of the vehicle.
(2) The words "EMERGENCY DOOR" or "EMERGENCY EXIT" shall be 2 inches high black lettering and shall be applied at the top of, or directly above, the emergency exit door and above the emergency push-out windows on the inside and outside of the vehicle. If the outside areas above the door or the upper door window are not large enough for the words, the words may be placed on the door under the upper window.
(3) Operation of Emergency Door or Exit Latch (6-inch black arrow by 3/4 inch wide indicating direction of release of door or exit, inside and outside).
(4) Identification number (all four sides 6 inches high by 3/4 inch wide visible directly from the front, rear, and each side). Identification number on rear of vehicle shall be located above the rear bumper and below the window line. Temporary signage or numbers shall be placed in the second window on the lower glass on each side of the vehicle.
(5) If applicable, the name of the local school system shall be on both sides of the vehicle, properly centered, in letters 6 inches high by 3/4 inch wide.
(6) Contractors' and private owners' or operators' names to the rear of the entrance door 2-1/2-3 inches high by 1/4-1/2 inch wide in a 16 by 30-inch area. This lettering shall also be on the left side in the same approximate location.
C. The following lettering may be used, if required or desired:
(1) ICC number (to rear of entrance door 2 1/2-3 inches high by 1/4-1/2 inch wide);
(2) Address of owner (to rear of entrance door 2 1/2-3 inches high by 1/4-1/2 inch wide);
(3) Telephone number of owner (to rear of entrance door 2 1/2-3 inches high by 1/4-1/2 inch wide);
(4) "STOP ON SIGNAL" when required (4 inches high black lettering below rear window).
D. Only signs and lettering approved by State law or regulation and any numbers necessary for identification shall appear on the vehicle. Bumper stickers are not permitted. The fleet number may be on the front bumper. All lettering shall be located according to the diagram and shall be block type.
E. A vehicle titled and registered shall comply with all lettering size and location requirements. If buses are repainted, they shall be relettered in compliance with these regulations.
F. Lettering shall be painted or applied using vinyl die cut self-adhering letters and numbers.
G. "Drug Free School Zone" Lettering.
(1) If desired, "Drug Free School Zone" may be on the exterior of the vehicle.
(2) The lettering shall be:
(a) Located under the first window on the service door side or at another location near the service door approved on each individual bus;
(b) Black, in block letters 2 inches high by 3/8 inch wide.
(3) A decal for the "Drug Free School Zone" may be used provided the background is National School Bus Yellow and the decal is not larger than 8 by 18 inches.
H. Yellow Reflective Tape.
(1) Reflective tape at least 1 inch wide and not wider than 6 1/2 inches may be used to form a:
(a) Single horizontal line on each side of the bus immediately below the upper rub rail or at the floor line; or
(b) Rectangular figure on the rear of the bus body.
(2) The vertical lines of the rectangle in §H(1)(b) of this regulation shall be as close to the sides of the bus as possible without extending over the sides of the bus.
(3) The horizontal lines of the rectangle shall consist of one straight line above and near the rear bumper and one straight line at or near the roof line.
I. The reflective tape specified in §H of this regulation may be applied in a discontinuous fashion so as not to cover any existing or required lettering.
J. Roof Identification Number. Identification numbers on the roof may be used. If used, they shall be:
(1) Located in the most forward section of the roof as possible;
(2) Lettered from the left side to the right side of the bus; and
(3) 18 inches high by 10 inches wide, with a 2-3/4 inch stroke.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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