Frequently Asked Conventional Non-Public School Questions - Buses

Are school buses in North Carolina required to be yellow in color?

G.S. 20-4.01(27)d4 mandates that all school buses acquired on or after August 1, 2007 (those picking up children from and returning them to their homes each day) be painted primarily yellow below the roofline and bear the plainly visible words " School Bus" on the front and rear. 

In order for a school bus to be able to stop traffic on North Carolina highways (or their right-of-ways) when picking up and depositing children at their homes, it must be of the same color as North Carolina public school yellow buses and equipped with the same type flashing lights, mirrors and front bumper arm as North Carolina public school yellow buses which pick up children each morning. 

G.S. 20-4.01(27)d3 defines activity buses as buses "generally painted a different color from a school bus."

Are schools and child care centers covered under the North Carolina Child Booster Seat law?

Click here for this information.  Also, click on and read the North Carolina child restraint systems statutes.

Is there more information available on the web concerning North Carolina school buses?

Yes.  Click here to access this information.

Must a non-public school which uses its own bus to transport students and/or adults across state lines for class, field or other type trips obtain a US DOT license number to do so?

Yes.  It is required for all privately owned buses, but not for government owned buses. For more details, call (919) 856-4378.

What determines if a vehicle is a bus?

A vehicle is a bus if it is built to transport eleven or more persons including the driver. 

It is a school bus if it is used to transport students to or from school or school-related events. 

It is illegal to buy, sell or lease a new school bus that does not meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards applicable to school buses.

What number can I call to obtain answers to other school bus-related questions?

The telephone number is (919) 861-3106. 

For North Carolina public school bus questions, call (919) 807-3571.