Scope and Applicability

(1) The standards established in 540 CMR 7.00 are minimum standards for the construction, equipping, maintenance and inspection of Type A, B, C and D school buses, as defined in 540 CMR 7.00, in addition to the applicable Equipment Requirements in M.G.L. c. 90, § 7B. (2) 540 CMR 7.00 applies to school bus bodies and chassis placed in production after January 1, 1989, which shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) in addition to applicable Massachusetts General Laws and shall be maintained to assure continued compliance with such construction standards, while used to transport school pupils. (3) School buses which were manufactured prior to January 1, 1989 in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle afety Standards, Massachusetts General Laws, and Rules and Regulations applicable in the model year of the chassis, and continue to or have been retrofitted to meet such standards, shall be deemed to comply with 540 CMR 7.00. (4) School Pupil Transport Vehicle. A school pupil transport vehicle (7D) must be a passenger vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less and a seating capacity of no more than ten passengers, in addition to the operator, except when a temporary waiver is granted for a vehicle with a seating capacity of eleven passengers, in addition to the operator, pursuant to 540 C.M.R. 7.10.