New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Chapter VI - Transportation Regulations
Subchapter D - Motor Carriers Of Passengers
Article 3 - Safety
Part 720 - Bus And Passenger Carrying Vehicle Safety Regulations
Section 720.3 - Motor vehicle identification and markings
Universal Citation: 17 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 720.3
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) General requirements (all vehicles).
(1) Display of certificate. A valid
certificate of registration and proof of inspection shall be carried on each
motor vehicle subject to the department's inspection requirements of this Part
at all times while transporting passengers.
(2) Display of operator name. The exact name
of the operator shall be conspicuously lettered on each longitudinal side of
the exterior of the vehicle, in letters at least three inches high. Such name
and designation shall be as nearly horizontal in form as practicable. If a
trade or other name also appears on the vehicle, the exact name of the operator
shall be followed by the words OPERATOR or OPERATED BY.
(3) Display of operator number. An
identifying number unique to that operator's vehicle shall be conspicuously
lettered on the exterior front, the exterior rear, each exterior side and the
interior front of every vehicle. The identifying numbers on the exterior shall
be at least three inches high and the identifying number on the interior shall
be at least two inches high.
(4)
Partial use vehicle. In lieu of complying with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this
subdivision, the operator of a motor vehicle, which is not operated exclusively
in passenger transportation services for which inspection is required, may
carry, within such motor vehicle, written evidence of the name or names and
identifying number otherwise subject to prominent display. Such written
evidence of the name or names and identifying number shall be available for
examination at all times while such motor vehicle is being operated in such
passenger transportation services; provided, however, that when such vehicle is
being operated in passenger transportation services subject to the inspection
requirements of this Part, such motor vehicle shall bear, on each exterior
side, a magnetic or other removable sign stating the exact name of the operator
in at least three inches high If a trade or other name also appears on the
vehicle, the exact name of the operator shall be followed by the words OPERATOR
or OPERATED BY.
(5) Hydrocarbon gas
vehicles. Vehicles using hydrocarbon gas for primary or secondary power must
meet the identification requirements of the regulations of the Department of
Motor Vehicles (15 NYCRR Part 70).
(6) Repealed
(7) Universal disabled symbol. The universal
disabled symbol shall be conspicuously displayed on the exterior of every
vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift which transports children with
disabilities. (See section
720.8[b][6]of
this Part.) The symbol shall be placed on the rear of the vehicle.
(8) Lettering of capacity. The maximum
seating and standing capacities of a bus shall be lettered near the floor line
of the vehicle adjacent to the entrance door in easily discernible figures not
less than 11/2 inches high depicting adult capacity and child capacity. While
adult capacity shall always be listed, child capacity shall be depicted only if
the bus is used to transport children in school service.
(9) Destination signs. Each bus with a
maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 18,001 lbs. or more, used in city
service or intercity service, shall have an illuminated sign on the front of
the bus that clearly displays its destination or type of service. Such sign
shall be so designed and located as to be visible at all times at lest 100 feet
forward from the front of the bus.
(10) Route signs. Each bus operated in city
service, where more than two routes are operated, shall display a number,
symbol or letter to distinctly indicate the specific route or
destination.
(b) School vehicles with capacity of eight or more passengers.
(1) School vehicle signs. Pursuant to the
section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, every
vehicle having a seating capacity of eight or more passengers, when used
exclusively to transport pupils, teachers and other persons acting in a
supervisory capacity to and from school or school activities, or to transport
children, instructors or other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to and
from child care centers maintained for migrant farm and food processing
laborers or to transport children, instructors or other persons acting in a
supervisory capacity to and from camp or camp activities, or to transport
children, instructors or other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to and
from religious service or instruction shall be equipped with one sign on the
front and sign on the rear, bearing the inscription SCHOOL BUS. Such sign must
comply with the following:
(i) The letters of
such signs shall be uniform capital block letters, not less than eight inches
in height and each stroke of each letter shall be not less than one inch in
width.
(ii) The letters of such
sign must be black and the background of each such sign shall be the color
known pursuant to industry standards as school bus yellow or national school
bus chrome.
(iii) Signs may be
painted on the vehicle, provided they comply with all the specifications
contained in this Part.
(iv)
Aftermarket signs attached to the vehicle must comply with all the lettering
requirements for a school bus sign and the width of any such sign shall not be
more than 60 inches.
(v) The sign
on the front of each such vehicle shall be mounted in such a manner that it
shall not obstruct the vision of the driver of the vehicle and with the bottom
of the sign no lower than the top of the windshield. The sign on the rear of
each such vehicle shall be mounted in such a manner that the bottom thereof
shall not obstruct any rear window of such vehicle.
(vi) On school vehicles with a seating
capacity of 15 passengers or less, such signs may consist of one two-faced
sign, facing both front and rear, mounted on the top of the vehicle, in
approximately the center of the roof. Any such optionally installed sign must
comply with this Part.
(vii) Any
sign shall be mounted in such a manner that it will not interfere with the
visibility of the flashing red signal lamps mounted on such vehicle.
(viii) Each such sign must be visible and
readable from a point at least 200 feet distant.
(ix) In the event that any such vehicle is
operated on a public highway during the period between one-half hour after
sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, each such sign must be illuminated so
as to be visible from a point at least 500 feet distant.
(x) Each such sign must be installed in such
a manner that the faces of the sign does not deviate more than 10 degrees from
vertical.
(xi) Such signs may be
placed either on the outside of the vehicle or incorporated into an illuminated
sign box built into the vehicle.
(xii) When illumination of such signs is
required, the signs may be illuminated from in front of the sign, or, if the
background of the sign is translucent, then the light may be placed behind the
sign. In any event, the sign must comply with the requirements as to color and
size of letters and background.
(xiii) When required, sign illumination must
be continuous and uniform. School Bus signs shall be displayed only when the
vehicle is engaged exclusively in the transportation of pupils, teachers and
other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to and from School or school
activities. When the vehicle is not so engaged, such signs must be covered or
removed. Such signs shall not be displayed or used when the vehicle is engaged
in charter operations not related to school or school activities.
(xiv) Under no circumstances shall signs made
of reflective material be substituted for or applied to the required
illuminated School Bus signs.
(2) Telephone number. All school buses
purchased, leased or acquired on or after September 1, 1997, shall have the
telephone number, including the area code, of the owner and/or operator printed
in three inch bold type on the rear of such vehicle to the extent practical.
Other school buses may have such information on the rear of the bus if so
desired by the operator.
(c) Exceptions. Vehicles which do not receive or discharge passengers on or along the public highways. Such vehicles may be exempt from the requirements of subdivision (b) of this section provided that the operator of such vehicle certifies to the department in writing that the vehicle does not receive or discharge passengers on or along any public highway. Such certification shall be provided to and shall only be approved by an authorized department representative if the intended use of such a vehicle is not inconsistent with the provisions of the National Traffic Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1974 with respect to the use of new vans with a seating capacity of more than 10 persons, including the driver, for school transportation.
(d) Signs and placards. Any motor vehicle having a seating capacity of more than seven passengers and whose primary use is to transport pupil(s) and teachers to and from school shall not be mounted with or have installed thereon any sign, placard, or other display except as permitted by law. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to such motor vehicles operating in a city with a population of one million or more.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York 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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