On October 21, 2008, NHTSA published a final rule in the Federal Register at 73 FR 62744 upgrading the school bus passenger crash protection requirements of FMVSS 222. The final rule requires new school buses of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less GVWR (“small school buses”) to have lap/shoulder belts in lieu of the lap belts currently required. The final rule also sets performance standards for seat belts voluntarily installed on school buses with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) (“large school Buses”). Each State or local jurisdiction may decide whether to install seat belts on these large school buses. Other changes to school bus safety requirements include raising the height of seat backs from 508 mm (20 inches) to 610 mm (24 inches) on all new school buses and requiring a self-latching mechanism on seat bottom cushions that are designed to flip up or be removable without tools.
The effective date of the final rule is April 20, 2009. The requirement for lap/shoulder belts on small school buses applies to small school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2011. Likewise, the requirement that voluntarily-installed seat belts in large school buses must meet the performance and other requirements specified by this final rule applies to large school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2011. The requirement for the 24-inch seat backs and the self-latching seat bottom cushions apply to school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2009.
Petitions for reconsideration must be filed not later than December 5, 2008.
NHTSA contacts: For non-legal issues, Charles Hott, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards (telephone: 202-366-0247). For legal issues, Dorothy Nakama, Office of the Chief Counsel (telephone: 202-366-2992).
