Mini Bus Laws
Federal law requires that drivers of mini buses or any vehicle carrying more than 15 passengers must have a Commercial Class B Driver's License with a Passenger Endorsement, which usually requires passing a road test. Most states use the federal standard of requiring a commercial license for drivers of 15 passengers or more. Other states have more stringent standards, and, in California, it is required for drivers transporting 10 or more passengers. If the mini bus has air brakes, the license must have an Air Brake Endorsement.
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Types
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The term mini bus usually refers to a 15 to 26 passenger vehicle that is built on a small truck chassis, but some also apply the term mini bus to converted cargo vans that can carry up to 15 passengers.
History
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The top heavy, lightweight 15-passenger vans have such a comparatively poor safety record that The Motor Vehicle Safety Amendments Act of 1974 now forbids the sale of new vans carrying 10 or more passenger to organizations that would use them to transport children such as schools or day care centers. Each instance of such a sale is punishable by a $1,000 fine. Many states have placed additional restrictions on the passenger van variety of mini bus.
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Considerations
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The federal law prohibiting the sale of 15-passenger van type of mini bus to transport children does not affect sales of used vehicles in that category, and hundreds of thousands of them are still on the road. The rising toll of deaths and injuries involving the 15-passenger vans is causing insurance carriers to raise their rates. An increasing number of organizations are now upgrading to the heavier, safer 15 to 26 passenger mini buses. National Safety Council statistics show school buses to be 172 times safer than passenger cars.
Commercial Driver's License Required
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The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires that drivers of large trucks and buses, including mini buses carrying more than 15 passengers, must have a Commercial Class B Driver's License. The aim of the federal law was to make sure that truck and bus drivers had the skills and training to safely operate these heavy vehicles by setting minimum standards.
Features
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The states are responsible for issuing driver's licenses and individual states vary in their requirements for Commercial Class B Licenses. Most states follow the federal guideline requiring a commercial license for those who drive a vehicle carrying more than 15 passengers. California sets the limit at 10 passengers.
A Passenger Endorsement on the Commercial License, usually involving passing a road test, is necessary for a driver to transport passengers in a mini bus. If the mini bus has air brakes, an Air Brake Endorsement on the license will also be required.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Bill Ward
