---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 30125"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "30125"
heading: "Schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/30125"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part A — General"
  - "Chapter 301 — Motor Vehicle Safety"
  - "Subchapter II — Standards and Compliance"
---

# §30125. Schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment

- (a) **Definitions.—** In this section—
  - (1) “schoolbus” means a passenger [motor vehicle](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-7) designed to carry a driver and more than 10 passengers, that the Secretary of [Transportation](/usc/49/13907.md?p=e-2) decides is likely to be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school.
  - (2) “schoolbus equipment” means equipment designed primarily for a [schoolbus](#a-1) or manufactured or sold to replace or improve a system, part, or component of a [schoolbus](#a-1) or as an accessory or addition to a [schoolbus](#a-1).
- (b) **Standards.—** The Secretary shall prescribe [motor vehicle safety standards](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-10) for [schoolbuses](#a-1) and [schoolbus equipment](#a-2) manufactured in, or imported into, the United States. Standards shall include minimum performance requirements for—
  - (1) emergency exits;
  - (2) interior protection for occupants;
  - (3) floor strength;
  - (4) seating systems;
  - (5) crashworthiness of body and frame (including protection against rollover hazards);
  - (6) vehicle operating systems;
  - (7) windows and windshields; and
  - (8) fuel systems.
- (c) **Test Driving by Manufacturers.—** The Secretary may require by regulation a [schoolbus](#a-1) to be test-driven by a [manufacturer](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-6) before introduction in commerce.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 957.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 30125(a) | 15:1391(14), (15). | Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 102(14), (15); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 201, 88 Stat. 1484. |
| 30125(b) | 15:1392(i)(1). | Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 103(i)(1), (2); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 202, 88 Stat. 1484; July 8, 1976, Pub. L. 94–346, § 2, 90 Stat. 815. |
| 30125(c) | 15:1392(i)(2). |  |
|  | 15:1397(a)(1)(F). | Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 108(a)(1)(F); added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 203, 88 Stat. 1485. |

In subsection (a)(1), the words “the purpose of” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(2), the words “any similar part or component” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the text of 15:1392(i)(1)(A) (1st sentence) and (B) (words before 2d comma) is omitted as executed. The word “prescribe” is substituted for “promulgate”, and the word “Federal” is omitted, for consistency. The words “Such proposed standards” and “those aspects of performance set out in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph” are omitted because of the restatement. The word “requirements” is substituted for “standards” to avoid using “standards” in 2 different ways. The text of 15:1392(i)(1)(B) (last 6 words) is omitted as executed.

In subsection (c), the text of 15:1397(a)(1)(F) is omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement.