MEMORANDUM

TO:  Non-Public Schools in North Carolina
         North Carolina Charter Schools
         Other Interested Parties

FROM: Derek Graham, Section Chief
               Transportation Services

SUBJECT: School Transportation Issues

The Transportation Services Office at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction receives inquires from time to time regarding the impact of several federal guidelines and polices and how they relate to school transportation in North Carolina. This memorandum provides you with several resources on the internet through which you can obtain information about important issues in student transportation.

The Use of Non-conforming Vehicles (e.g., Vans)
Any vehicle built to transport eleven or more passengers, including the driver, and used to transport students to or from school or school related events is considered a school bus by federal definition. Federal law prohibits the sale of a new vehicle to be used as a school bus unless it meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards applicable to school buses. The purchase or use of such a vehicle, while not illegal in North Carolina, poses a serious liability risk to the school, day care center, or other agencies operating such a vehicle. Further information can be found at the following locations:

http://www.stnonline.com/stn/schoolbusoperations/nonconformingvans/index.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/pub/noncom.hmp.html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/regs.htm

The Transportation of Pre-School aged Children on School Buses
In 1998, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued guidelines for safe transportation of pre-school children on school buses. Essentially, the guidelines state that pre-schoolers are most safely transported on school buses in a child safety restraint system (CSRS), such as a car seat. The CSRS should be mounted according to specifications of the manufacturer in seats that are certified for seat belts or other restraint systems. When using car seats on school buses, operators are best advised to leave the maximum allowable spacing between school bus seats. The guidelines can be found at:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/Guide1999/prekfinal.htm

For other information on school transportation from NHTSA, click on school bus from the NHTSA home Page: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

School Transportation in North Carolina Public Schools
There are a number of resources posted on the Transportation Services web site which may be of use to you. This includes copies of the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Reporter Newsletter and other important resources. The web site is located at http://www.ncbussafety.org

If our office can be of assistance, please contact us at (919) 715-1950 or e-mail dgraham@dpi.state.nc.us.