16.1

Those buses which are subject to the Department of Transportation safety test procedures except school buses or buses operated under an Illinois Commerce Commission permit shall meet the following requirements in addition to the general testing requirements of APPENDIX A.

16.2

COLOR AND MARKINGS.

Buses may be of any color and have any markings designating their purpose other than the color and markings for school buses.

Religious organization buses must have the words "NO STANDEES PERMITTED" lettered on the interior on the right side above the windshield in 2" letters.

PROCEDURE – COLOR AND MARKINGS

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually Check.

A.

1.

Painted national school bus chrome yellow, identified with school bus lettering, or licensed as a school bus (these vehicles must be tested as school buses).

2.

The words "NO STANDEES PERMITTED" on a religious organization bus are missing or improperly positioned.

16.3

EMERGENCY EXIT.

All buses shall contain provision for emergency exist and will consist of either of the following:

A.

An emergency exist door shall be located either in the middle of the rear of the bus or on the left side near the rear.  Such exists will be marked "Emergency Door" or "Emergency Exit" in letters at least 2 inches high.

B.

Kick out or push out windows each providing an opening of at least 18 inches by 24 inches.  Such windows will be located on both sides of the bus and will be marked "Emergency Exit" in letters at least 2 inches high and identified with instructions for use in case of emergency.

PROCEDURE – EMERGENCY EXIT

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Check emergency exit and lettering.

A.

1.

Emergency exit is not provide, does not meet specifications, or does not operate properly.

2.

"Emergency Exit" or "Emergency Door" lettering is missing or does not meet specifications.

16.4

EXHAUST SYSTEM.

PROCEDURE – EXHAUST SYSTEM

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually check.

A.

Exhaust system does not extend to the rear of the bumper or to the rear of the left or right rear wheels.

16.5

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

Buses must be equipped with a fully charged fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 5 lb.10BC, mounted in bracket readily accessible.  Buses manufactured prior to January 1, 1977, may have an extinguisher with a rating of 2 ½ lb.10BC.

PROCEDURE – FIRE EXTINGUISHER

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually check.

A.

Fire extinguisher not present, less than rating specifications, not fully charged, or not readily accessible.

16.6

MIRRORS.

All buses shall be equipped with:

A.

One interior mounted rearview mirror, minimum 6" x 30", and

B.

Two adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, one to the left and one to the right, each rectangular 5 inch by 10 inch minimum.

PROCEDURE – MIRRORS

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Check interior and exterior rear-view mirrors for correct location, stable mounting, cracks, sharp edges, unnecessary protrusion, and ease of adjustment.

A.

1.

Mirror not mounted on stable support or is loosely mounted.

2.

Mirror obscured by a pillar or unwiped portion of windshield.

3.

Mirror cracked, pitted, or clouded.

4.

Mirror missing.

5.

Forward vision is unsafely obstructed by mirror assembly.

16.7

SEATS.

All seats must be securely anchored to the flooring and the seat covering material shall be in good condition.

PROCEDURE – SEATS

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually check.

A.

Seats not securely anchored to floor, or seat covering material in poor condition.

16.8

STEPS AND FLOOR COVERING.

The steps and floor covering materials must be free of rips and holes which would cause a passenger to stumble or trip.

PROCEDURE – STEPS AND FLOOR

COVERING

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually check.

A.

Steps or floor covering materials ripped, torn, or in unsafe condition.

16.9

TIRES.

No bus shall operate with regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the front (steering axle) wheels.  Make certain tires conform to manufacture's original equipment rating.

PROCEDURE – TIRES

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

Visually check.

A.

Regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the front (steering axle) wheels. Gross vehicle weight exceeds the manufacturer's weight load ratings of the tires.

16.10

UNISON AMBER WARNING LIGHTS – OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.

Any religious organization bus may be equipped with a 4-lamp flashing signal system having unison flashing amber lamps, 2 at the front and 2 at the rear of the bus, mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally on the same level as is practicable. If such equipment is installed, (a) each lamp must be a sealed beam at least 5 ½ inches in diameter and have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight, (b) the system shall be actuated only by means of a manual switch, and (c) there shall be a device for indicating to the driver that the system is operating properly or is inoperative.

PROCEDURE – UNISON AMBER

WARNING LINGTS

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

A.

If religious organization bus is equipped with unison amber warning lights, check location and operation.

A.

The warning lights are not amber in color, do not operate in unison, or do not meet size, type or location requirements.  Lights are inoperative.  Device for indicating to the driver that the system is operating properly is not provided or is inoperative.