Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1340 - Safety and Homeland Security
Subtitle 1340-03 - Highway Patrol Division
Chapter 1340-03-03 - Rules and Regulations For School Bus Inspection Procedures
Section 1340-03-03-.02 - DEFINITIONS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 1340-03-03-.02

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Annual Inspection. An inspection performed within the period of twelve (12) months that begins with the first day of the month following the month in which the last inspection was performed.

(2) CDL. Commercial Driver's License Issued by the Department.

(3) Commissioner. The appointed commissioner of the Department.

(4) Department. The Tennessee department of safety and homeland security.

(5) Extended Utilization Inspection. An inspection performed semi-annually as required by Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.). Extended Utilization Inspections only apply to Type C and Type D buses.

(6) Extended Utilization Inspection Sticker. An identification sticker issued by the Department as a system of enabling responsible officials and law enforcement personnel to visually identify the inspection status of school buses transporting pupils on a semi-annual basis.

(7) FMVSS. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as defined by Title 49, part 571 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(8) Out-Of-Service Sticker. An identification sticker issued by the Department as a system of identifying vehicles not to be used for transporting of students until removal of this notice by the State Safety Inspector due to failing to meet the criterion to safely transport students.

(9) PAAMS. The portal administrative account management system, used by the pupil transportation division within the Department.

(10) Qualified School Bus Inspector. A person approved by the Department to inspect school buses subject to the rules and regulations of this state.

(11) Recorded Mileage. School bus mileage that must be established by written records and/or odometer readings.

(12) School Bus In-service Date. Date determined by the original title or the body build date.

(13) School Bus Inspection Report. The inspection report form that is to be completed by the Department's Inspector, on a form developed by the Department which can be submitted electronically.

(14) School Bus Inspection Sticker. An identification sticker issued by the Department as a system of enabling responsible officials and law enforcement personnel to visually identify the inspection status of school buses transporting pupils. These are assessed on an annual basis.

(15) School Bus Type Definitions:

(a) School bus: 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. A school bus must meet all applicable FMVSS and is readily identified by alternately flashing lamps, National School Bus Yellow paint, and the legend "School Bus," except as may be provided for the Multifunction school activity bus. The following describes each of these types and styles of vehicle:
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-1, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds or less; and Type A-2, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 pounds and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

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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-1, with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; and Type B-2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

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3. Type C: A Type "C" school bus is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels; also known as a conventional school bus. This type also includes cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab with or without a left side door and a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

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4. Type D: A Type "D" school bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels; also known as rear or front engine transit style school bus.

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(b) Multifunction school activity bus (MFSAB) or Multipurpose passenger vehicles are subcategories of school buses that meet all the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for school buses except the traffic control requirements (alternately flashing signal and stop arm), referenced in 49 CFR 571.3.
1. Multifunction school activity bus (MFSAB) means a school bus whose purposes do not include transporting students to and from home or school bus stops.

2. Multipurpose passenger vehicle means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle or trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(16) Temporary Sticker. An identification sticker issued by the Department to indicate that the bus was determined to need minor repairs, but not considered an immediate threat to the safety of students for a temporary status. These minor repairs must be corrected before final approval may be given.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-2009, 4-4-102, 49-6-2102, and 49-6-2109.

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