Code of Massachusetts Regulations
540 CMR - REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Title 540 CMR 7.00 - Minimum Standards For Construction and Equipment of School Buses and Minimum Standards For School Pupil Transport Vehicles
Section 7.08 - Out-of-service Criteria

Universal Citation: 540 MA Code of Regs 540.7

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

The purpose of these criteria is to identify critical school bus components and to further provide standards that an inspector(s) shall utilize in determining if a school bus is safe for pupil transportation. These criteria are intended to establish minimum standards for inspecting and placing school buses out-of-service. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90, § 31, any authorized inspector finding a violation of the following criteria shall affix an out-of-service decal to the vehicle's windshield.

(1) Brake System.

(a) Adjustment. Any one brake beyond the adjustment LIMIT (49 CFR 396.9, Subchapter B, Appendix G).

(b) Air System. Fails to maintain pressure when:
1. the leakage rate (brakes released) exceeds 2 psi/min.

2. the leakage rate (brakes applied) exceeds 3 psi/min.

3. fails to recover air pressure as recommended.

(2) Brake System (Hydraulic).

(a) Master Cylinder.
1. reservoir is below minimum level.

2. any leakage of fluid in the master cylinder unit system.

(b) Pedal Reserve. Fails to maintain manufacturer designed height and travel requirements (OEM).

(c) Power Assist Unit. Fails to function as designed (OEM).

(3) Brake Components (Air and Hydraulic).

(a) Brake Hoses/Tubing.
1. brake hose with any damage extending through the outer reinforcement ply.

2. any bulge or swelling when brakes are applied.

3. any restriction due to cracked, broken or crimped line/hose.

4. any line, tubing, hose, or connection that is not constructed to meet all applicable manufacturing codes and standards (OEM).

(b) Brake Lining.
1. any lining/pad worn to the recommended replacement measurement or wear mark.

2. lining pad is broken, not firmly attached to shoe or plate, or is contaminated with oil or grease.

3. fails to make contact with drum (frozen, binding, uneven).

(4) Parking Brake. Not present and working as designed.

(5) Steering System.

(a) Steering Column.
1. any modification or other condition that interferes with the free movement of any steering component.

2. any absence or looseness of U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s).

3. worn or faulty, or obvious repair-welded universal joint(s).

4. steering wheel not properly secured.

(b) Front Axle Beam. Any cracks(s) or obvious welded repair.

(c) Steering Gear Box.
1. any mounting bolt(s) loose or missing.

2. any crack(s) in gear box or mounting brackets.

3. any obvious welded repair.

(d) Pitman Arm.
1. any looseness of the Pitman Arm on the steering gear output shaft.

2. any obvious welded repair.

(e) Power Steering.
1. auxiliary power assist cylinder loose.

2. power steering pump inoperable.

(f) Ball and Socket Joints.
1. any movement under steering load of a nut stud.

2. any motion, other than rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than c inch measured with hand pressure only.

3. any obvious welded repair.

(g) Tie Rods and Drag Links.
1. loose clamp(s) or clamp bolt(s) on tie rod or drag links.

2. any looseness in any threaded joint.

(h) Nuts. Loose or missing fasteners on tie rod, Pitman Arm, drag link, steering arm or tie rod arm.

(i) Hoses and Fluids. Any faulty fluid control device, leak, or empty reservoir.

(6) Suspension Components Axle Parts/Members.

(a) any U-bolt or other spring to axle clamp bolt(s) cracked, broken, loose, or missing.

(b) any spring hanger(s), or other axle positioning parts cracked, broken, loose, or missing that results in shifting of an axle from its normal position.

(c) any worn (beyond manufacturer's specifications) or improperly assembled U-bolt, shock, kingpin, ball joint, strut, air bag and positioning component (OEM).

(d) any spring hanger, assembly part or leaf, broken or missing.

(e) coil spring broken.

(7) Chassis/Frame/Unibody.

(a) Frame.
1. any cracked, loose, sagging or broken frame siderail.

2. any obvious bend or damage resulting from a collision.

3. any worn or loose mounting hole.

(b) Cross Members. Any cross member, outrigger or other structural support cracked, missing or deformed.

(c) Outriggers/Body Support. Any missing, broken, shifted or corroded part that would affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

(d) Bumpers. Any bumper missing or not secured.

(8) Exhaust System - Leaks. Any part of the exhaust system that has a measurable leak (audible or felt) or discharges under the passenger or engine compartment.

(9) Fuel System - Fuel Container/Connection.

(a) any fuel tank not securely attached to the vehicle.

(b) any part of the fuel system not properly secured or fastened.

(c) any liquid fuel leak at any point.

(10) Drive Shaft - Drive Shaft Guard. Loose or missing.

(11) Differential. Cracked housing.

(12) Engine.

(a) Components. Any critical component that fails to function as designed.

(b) Leaks. Any fluid leaks that would affect the safe operation of the engine.

(13) Tires/Wheels/Hubs.

(a) Tire Tread Depth. Any tire worn to less than 4/32 inch.

(b) Tire Sidewall.
1. any sidewall that is cut, worn, or damaged to the extent that the plycord is exposed.

2. any observable bump, bulge, or knot related to sidewall or tread separation.

(c) Tire Inflation. Tire is flat or has noticeable leak.

(d) Tire Type. Not of proper type (load range, size, mismatched, etc.).

(e) Wheels/Rims/Spiders.
1. any nuts, bolts, studs, lugs, missing, damaged or loose.

2. any wheel/rim is cracked, improperly seated, damaged, or welded.

(f) Hub. Excessive wheel bearing play that exceeds OEM specifications.

(14) Aisle.

(a) Clearance. Aisle does not have the required clearance.

(b) Obstruction. There are objects blocking aisles or exits.

(15) Electrical - Wiring. Any required wire or electrical component charred or showing evidence of being burnt or exposed.

(16) Battery.

(a) Condition. Battery will not activate the starter.

(b) Wires. Wiring is exposed or loose.

(c) Battery Securement. Battery not secured.

(17) Windshield Wipers. Broken, missing or inoperative.

(18) Body Interior.

(a) Panels. Any panel (ceiling, side, wheel well, etc.) protruding, having sharp edges, or not secured, that may cause injuries.

(b) Floors. Floor pan or inner panels having excessive perforated areas or openings sufficient to cause a hazard to an occupant.

(c) Step Well. Any part of the step well or support structure is damaged.

(d) Step Treads. Any condition that would present a tripping hazard.

(e) Handrail.
1. missing.

2. fails the NHSTA nut/drawstring test or has not complied with recall.

(f) Seats/Barriers.
1. any seat/barrier that is not secured properly.

2. any seat/barrier material so defective that it compromises the integrity of occupant protection and compartmentalization.

3. seat spacing fails to comply with FMVSS No. 222.

(g) Seat (Driver).
1. fails to adjust or hold proper adjustment.

2. any part of the driver's safety restraint assembly is missing, not properly installed or so defective as to prevent proper securement.

(h) Doors (Service).
1. the service door does not open or close properly.

2. the door control handle does not lock in the closed position.

3. door is equipped with a padlock or similar non-OEM locking device. (Excludes vehicles equipped with an interlock system.)

(i) Doors (Emergency Exits).
1. any emergency door that does not open freely or completely, as designed.

2. any door(s) warning device that is defective.

3. door or roof hatch is equipped with a padlock or similar non-OEM locking device. (Excludes vehicles equipped with an interlock system.)

(19) Windows.

(a) any glass that is broken through or missing.

(b) not of approved type.

(c) every school vehicle windshield shall be free of discoloration or other damage in that portion thereof extending upward from the height of the topmost portion of the steering wheel, but not including a one inch border at the top and a one inch border at each side of the windshield or each panel thereof, except that discoloration and damage as follows are allowed:
1. coloring or tinting applied during manufacture, for reduction of glare;

2. any crack not over three inches wide, if not intersected by any other crack;

3. any damaged area which can be covered by a disc 3/4 inch in diameter, if not closer than three inches to any other such damaged area.

(d) driver's side area window(s) have chips, clouding or cracks that obscure the driver's vision.

(e) Windows (Emergency Exits).
1. any emergency window that fails to open properly.

2. lacks the required number of emergency windows/roof hatches. (Fails to comply with FMVSS No. 217.)

3. required audible warning device(s) not working properly.

(f) Defrosters. Fails to operate.

(20) Body Exterior.

(a) Panels, Rub Rails, Trim. Any school bus body part that is loose, torn, dislocated or protruding from the surface of the bus, creating a hazard.

(b) Compartment Doors. Any engine, battery or other doors that are not secured properly.

(c) Mirrors. Any required mirror missing, broken, discolored or will not hold a set adjustment.

(21) Lamps and Signals.

(a) Horn. Fails to function as designed.

(b) Gauges/Brake Warning. Any critical brake, telltale light, buzzer or gauge that fails to function as designed.

(c) Stop Arm/Optional Crossing Device. Required stop arm(s), or if equipped any crossing control device failing to function properly.

(22) Emergency Equipment - Fire Extinguisher. Any required fire extinguisher(s) which is missing, not of proper type/size, not fully charged, has no pressure gauge, is not secured or is not accessible to the driver.

(23) Wheelchair Equipped Vehicles.

(a) wheelchair lift does not function as designed or is inoperable.

(b) any hydraulic line leaking during lift operation.

(c) wheelchair securement missing or improperly installed, loose or damaged.

(d) any required wheelchair occupant restraint system not in compliance with FMVSS No. 222.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts 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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