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 7.09 - Minimum Standards for School Pupil Transport Vehicles

(1) School Pupil Transport Vehicle (7D). Must be a passenger vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Except when a temporary waiver is granted in accordance with 540 CMR 7.10, effective July 1, 2020, all school pupil transport vehicles shall have a seating capacity of no more than ten passengers, in addition to the driver.

(2) Identification. All vehicles shall conspicuously display on both sides of the vehicle, the company name, city and state in lettering at least two inches high with a 3/4 inch brush stroke in glossy black lettering.

(3) Brakes.

(4) Seatbelts. The vehicle shall be equipped with a seat belt for each permanent seating accommodation, in good working order, and in compliance with the United States Department of Transportation's Safety Standard.

(5) Window Tinting. Any window tinting shall comply with 540 CMR 4.04: Procedures for Inspections of Non-commercial Motor Vehicles.

(6) Side Doors and Rear Doors. The vehicle shall have, in good working order, an emergency door buzzer or warning device to indicate when door is open.

(7) School Bus Signs, Alternating Flashing Red Signal Lamps and Actuation. The vehicle shall comply with all applicable provisions of 49 CFR 571.108.

(8) Windshield. The windshield shall be in accordance with M.G.L. c. 90, § 9D.

(9) Windshield Wiper/Washer System. The vehicle shall be equipped with a windshield wiper/washer system in good working order.

(10) Steering Mechanism. The steering mechanism shall be approved by the chassis manufacturer and designed to assure safe and accurate performance when the vehicle is operated with maximum load and at maximum speed.

(11) Horn. The vehicle shall be equipped with a horn of standard make, capable of producing adequate sound.

(12) Turn Signals. The vehicle shall be equipped with turn signals in good working order.

(13) Emergency Four-way Flashers. The vehicle shall be equipped with emergency four-way flashers in good working order.

(14) Ignition Lock. The vehicle shall be equipped with an ignition lock in good working order.

(15) Interior of Vehicle. The interior of the vehicle shall be clean and in good condition.

(16) Headlamps. The vehicle shall be equipped with headlamps and be in good working order.

(17) Tires. All tires must have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inch.

(18) Wheels. Wheels shall not be missing, bent, cracked, have broken tire rims, broken studs or missing nuts.

(19) Muffler and Exhaust System. The exhaust system, exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes, mufflers and tail pipe shall be present and free of leaks. Systems components shall be securely fastened with fasteners in place and undamaged. All motor vehicle exhaust systems shall discharge the exhaust beyond the operator, passenger and or trunk compartment.

(20) Fuel Tank. The fuel tank shall be present and not leak and shall be securely attached to the vehicle's body or chassis.

(21) Springs. Capacity of springs or suspension assemblies shall be commensurate with chassis manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating.

(22) Tail Lights. The vehicle shall be equipped with two tail lights and two stop lights, one of each mounted at each side of the rear of the vehicle, provided both functions may be combined on a single tail lamp, one at each side.

(23) Back Up Warning Alarm. All vehicles shall be equipped with an audible back up alarm. This alarm shall be installed behind the rear axle. This system must be installed on all vehicles by July 1, 2018.

(24) Bumpers. All bumpers as originally equipped by the manufacturer shall be securely mounted in place.

(25) Hood, Doors, and Compartment Lids. The hood, doors and compartment lids shall open and close properly and be capable of being firmly latched.

(26) Fenders (front and rear). All fenders shall be securely mounted in place and be in good condition.

(27) Additional Required Equipment. The vehicle shall carry a first aid kit, body fluid clean-up kit, two adequate chock blocks, seat belt cutter in the driver's compartment, fire/evacuation blanket (wheelchair vehicles only), fire extinguisher with a total rating of 2A10BC or greater (accessible to the driver) and three reflective triangles.

The inspector shall issue a 7D Repair Form (EQ) for any vehicle that fails to satisfy any one of the following requirements.

(28) Speedometer. The speedometer shall be in good working order.

(29) Sun Visor and Rearview Mirror. The sun visor and rearview mirror shall be in good condition.

(30) Windows. In addition to the requirements of the windshield, all windows shall be present and in good working order.

(31) Defroster and Heater. The defroster and heater shall be in good working order.

(32) Interior Lights. All interior lights shall be in good working order to illuminate the interior of the vehicle.

(33) Instruments, Lamps, and Gauges. All instruments, lamps and gauges shall be in good working order.

(34) School Bus Light Indicator. Such indicator must be equipped with a continuous warning light(s) readily visible to the driver to indicate school bus lights are activated. This system must be installed on all vehicles by July 1, 2018.

(35) Child Reminder System. The child reminder system must include an audible device that must be disengaged by the driver before leaving the vehicle. Effective July 1, 2020, all school pupil transport vehicles of model year 2018 or newer shall have a child reminder system. The child reminder system control shall be located in the rear most seating compartment.

(36) Evacuation Plan for School Pupil Transport Vehicles. Every school pupil transport vehicle is required to have an evacuation plan that clearly states the procedures for the evacuation of each passenger. The plan must remain in the vehicle at all times. All drivers shall understand and be able to execute these plans. The company is to review the plans with the drivers at least twice per year and is required to keep a record of such reviews, including the date and substance of the review and the names of those drivers and supervisor(s) participating in the reviews.

(37) Power Train, Cooling System or Steering System. The power train, cooling system and steering system shall be free of any fluid leaks or seepage.

(38) Battery. The battery shall be securely mounted in a carrier.

(39) Belts (Alternator/Power Steering). Belts shall not be loose and shall be in good condition.

(40) Mirrors. Mirrors shall be in good condition and mounted one on each side of the vehicle with a clear view to the rear.

(41) Side Marker Lamps. The side marker lamps shall be as installed by the manufacturer, and in good working order.

(42) Shock Absorbers. The vehicle shall have two shock absorbers in the front and two in the rear in good working order.