2005 Illinois 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. Article VIII - Special Requirements For School Buses
(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. VIII heading)
ARTICLE VIII.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES
(625 ILCS 5/12‑800) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑800)
Sec. 12‑800.
(Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 82‑111. Repealed by P.A. 90‑89, eff. 1‑1‑98.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑801) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑801)
Sec. 12‑801.
Color.
The exterior of each school bus shall be national
school bus glossy yellow except as follows:
The rooftop may be white.
The fenders of school buses manufactured before January 1, 1976, may be
black.
Body trim, rub rails, lettering other than on a stop signal arm and bumpers
on a Type I school bus shall be glossy black.
Lettering on a stop signal arm shall be white on a red background.
Bumpers on a Type II school bus may be glossy black or a bright, light
or colorless finish.
The hood and upper cowl may be lusterless black or lusterless school bus
yellow.
Grilles on the front, lamp trim and hubcaps may be a bright finish.
The name or emblem of a manufacturer may be colorless or any color.
The exterior paint of any school bus shall match the central value, hue and
chroma set forth in rules promulgated by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 88‑415; 89‑433, eff. 12‑15‑95.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑802) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑802)
Sec. 12‑802.
Identification.
Each school bus shall have the sign "SCHOOL
BUS" painted on both the front and rear of the bus as high as practicable
in letters at least 8 inches high. The vehicle
weight and the vehicle maximum passenger capacity recommended by the manufacturer
of the bus, which shall be based upon provision for 13 inches of seating
space for each passenger exclusive of the driver, shall be painted on
the body to the left of the service door in letters at least 2 inches high.
The name of the owner or the entity for which the school bus is operated
or both shall be painted in a contrasting color on both sides, centered
as high as practicable below the window line, in letters at least 4 inches
high. A school bus identification number shall be painted as high as practicable
on both the front and rear of the bus in letters at least
4 inches high. Decals may be used instead of painting.
(Source: P.A. 82‑111.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑803) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑803)
Sec. 12‑803.
(a) Each school bus shall be equipped with a stop signal
arm on the driver's side of the school bus that may be operated either manually
or mechanically. For each school bus manufactured on and after September 1,
1992, the stop signal arm shall be an octagon shaped semaphore that conforms to
49 C.F.R. 571.131, "SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES", S5.1 through S5.5.
(b) Each school bus manufactured prior to September 1, 1992 shall be
equipped with a stop signal arm that conforms to standards promulgated by the
Department.
(Source: P.A. 88‑415.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑804) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑804)
Sec. 12‑804.
Other vehicles ‑ Color, stop signal arm and
identification. No vehicle other than a school bus
shall be identified with the sign "SCHOOL BUS", shall be equipped with a
stop signal arm, shall be equipped with a strobe lamp or shall be equipped
with a warning lamp system as
described in Section 12‑805 of this Act.
No commuter van or bus other than a school bus shall be painted national
school bus glossy yellow or a color
that closely resembles national school bus glossy yellow.
(Source: P.A. 81‑0509; 81‑0740; 81‑1509.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑805) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑805)
Sec. 12‑805.
Special lighting equipment.
Each school bus purchased as a new vehicle after December 31, 1975
shall be equipped with an 8‑lamp flashing signal system. Until December
31, 1978, all other school buses shall be equipped with either a 4‑lamp
or an 8‑lamp flashing signal system. After December 31, 1978, all school
buses shall be equipped with an 8‑lamp flashing signal system.
A 4‑lamp flashing signal system shall have 2 alternately flashing red
lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally on the same level
as practicable at the front of the school bus and 2 such lamps mounted
in the same manner at the rear.
An 8‑lamp flashing signal system shall have, in addition to a 4‑lamp
system, 4 alternately flashing amber lamps. Each amber lamp shall be
mounted next to a red lamp and at the same level but closer to the
centerline of the school bus.
Each signal lamp shall be a sealed beam at least 5 1/2 inches in
diameter and shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
in normal sunlight. Both the 4‑lamp and 8‑lamp system shall be actuated
only by means of a manual switch. There shall be a device for indicating
to the driver that the system is operating properly or is inoperative.
A school bus may also be equipped with alternately flashing head
lamps,
which may be operated in conjunction with the 8‑lamp flashing signal
system.
(Source: P.A. 93‑181, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑806) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑806)
Sec. 12‑806.
Identification, stop signal arms and special lighting when
not used as a school bus. Except as provided in Section 12‑806a,
whenever a school bus is operated for the purpose of transporting
passengers other than persons in connection with an activity of the school
or religious organization which owns the school bus or for which the school
bus is operated, the "SCHOOL BUS" signs shall be covered or concealed and
the stop signal arm and flashing signal system shall not be operable
through normal controls.
(Source: P.A. 84‑1311.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑806a) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑806a)
Sec. 12‑806a.
Identification, stop signal arms and special lighting on
school buses used in connection with a youth camp, child care
facility, or community based rehabilitation facility.
(a) Subject to the conditions in Subsection (c), a bus which meets any
of the special requirements for school buses in Section 12‑801, 12‑802,
12‑803 and 12‑805 of this Code may be used for the purpose of transporting
persons 18 years of age or less in connection with any of the following
facilities:
(i) any youth camp licensed under the Youth Camp |
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(ii) any child care facility licensed under the
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(b) Subject to the conditions in subsection (c), a bus which meets any
of the special requirements for school buses in Sections 12‑801, 12‑802,
12‑803 and 12‑805 of this Code may be used for the purpose of transporting
persons recognized as clients of a community based rehabilitation facility
which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities of Tucson, Arizona, and which is under a contractual agreement
with the Department of Human Services.
(c) A bus used for transportation as provided in subsection (a) or (b) shall
either (i) meet all of the special requirements for school buses in Section
12‑801, 12‑802, 12‑803 and 12‑805 or (ii) shall have the "SCHOOL BUS" signs
covered or concealed and the stop signal arm and flashing signal system
rendered inoperable through normal means. A bus which meets all of the
special requirements for school buses in Section 12‑801, 12‑802, 12‑803 and
12‑805 shall be operated by a person who has a valid and properly
classified driver's license issued by the Secretary of State and who
possesses a valid school bus driver permit or is accompanied and
supervised, for the specific purpose of training prior to routine operation
of a school bus, by a person who has held a valid school bus driver permit
for at least one year. A bus which has had the "SCHOOL BUS" signs covered
or concealed and the stop signal arm and flashing signal system rendered
inoperable through normal means may be operated by a person who has a valid
and properly classified driver's license issued by the Secretary of State.
(Source: P.A. 85‑815; 89‑507, eff. 7‑1‑97.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑807) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑807)
Sec. 12‑807.
Seat belt for driver.
Each school bus shall be equipped with a retractable lap belt assembly
for the driver's seat. No school bus shall be operated unless the driver
has properly restrained himself with the lap belt assembly.
(Source: P.A. 78‑1244.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑807.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑807.1)
Sec. 12‑807.1.
Seat back height.
No Type I school bus manufactured
after June 30, 1987 shall be sold for use as, or purchased for use as, or
used as a school bus within this State unless such bus is equipped with
passenger seat backs having a seat back height of 28 inches installed by
the original bus body manufacturer.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1010.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑807.2)
Sec. 12‑807.2.
Crossing control arms.
(a) No Type I or Type II school bus may be operated or used as a school bus
within this State after December 31, 1999 unless that bus is equipped with a
crossing control arm on the front of the bus that conforms to equipment and
installation standards that the Department of Transportation shall
promulgate for purposes of this subsection.
(b) If a Type I or Type II school bus is manufactured after December 31,
1997, that bus shall not be sold for use as, or purchased for the use as, or
used as a school bus within this State unless that bus is equipped with a
crossing control arm that is installed on the front of the bus by the original
bus body manufacturer and that conforms to equipment and installation standards
that the Department shall promulgate for purposes of this subsection.
(c) A crossing control arm meeting standards promulgated by the Department
under this Section shall be designed to swing out from the front of a school
bus when the bus stops and opens its doors while school children enter or exit
the bus, as prescribed in rules promulgated by the State Board of
Education.
(d) This Section does not apply to the temporary operation in this State of
a school bus that is legally registered in another state and is displaying
valid registration plates of that state if (i) the bus is not operated in
Illinois on a regular basis, and (ii) the bus is being operated in Illinois in
connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or similar activity that is
sponsored by one or more schools located outside of Illinois for the benefit of
their enrolled students who are being transported to or from that activity.
(Source: P.A. 90‑108, eff. 7‑14‑97.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑808) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑808)
Sec. 12‑808.
Fire extinguisher.
Each school bus shall be equipped with at least one dry chemical gauge
type fire extinguisher mounted in the extinguisher manufacturer's
automobile type bracket in a position readily accessible to the driver.
(Source: P.A. 78‑1244.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑809) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑809)
Sec. 12‑809.
First aid kit.
Each school bus shall be equipped with a first aid kit mounted in full
view of and readily accessible to the driver.
(Source: P. A. 78‑1244.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑810) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑810)
Sec. 12‑810.
Restraining devices for passengers who are persons with
disabilities. Each school bus which is operated for transporting
passengers who are persons with disabilities shall be equipped with an
appropriate restraining or safety device for each such passenger.
(Source: P.A. 88‑685, eff. 1‑24‑95.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑811) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑811)
Sec. 12‑811.
Amber 3 bar clearance light.
Each type I school bus
shall be equipped with an amber 3 bar clearance light on the front of the bus. The
light shall be illuminated at all times when the bus is being operated between
sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility.
(Source: P.A. 79‑63.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑812) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑812)
Sec. 12‑812.
Rules and regulations.
(a) The Department may promulgate rules and regulations to more
completely specify the equipment requirements of this Article.
(b) All rules, regulations and standards promulgated from time to
time by the State Board of Education
and the Department for
the safety and construction of school buses shall be applicable to every
motor vehicle in this State defined as a school bus under Section 1‑182.
(Source: P.A. 81‑1508.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑812.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑812.1)
Sec. 12‑812.1.
(a) The Department shall adopt and promulgate rules
and regulations governing the use of liquefied petroleum gases, compressed
natural gases and liquefied natural gases as a propellant fuel in school
buses. Such rules
and regulations
shall include the installation, maintenance and operation of such equipment
installed on school buses and shall be based on the generally accepted standards
of safety as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.
(b) All school buses using liquefied petroleum gases, compressed natural
gases or liquefied natural gases as a propellant fuel must conform to and
obey any rule or regulation lawfully adopted by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 83‑1027.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑813.1)
Sec. 12‑813.1.
Operation of a school bus while using a cellular radio
telecommunication device.
(a) In this Section:
"School bus driver" means a person operating a school bus who has a valid
school bus driver permit as required under Sections 6‑104 and 6‑106.1 of this
Code.
"Cellular radio telecommunication device" means a device capable of sending
or receiving telephone communications without an access line for service and
which requires the operator to dial numbers manually. It does not, however,
include citizens band radios or citizens band radio hybrids.
"Using a cellular radio telecommunication device" means talking or listening
to or dialing a cellular radio telecommunication device.
To "operate" means to have the vehicle in motion while it contains one or
more passengers.
(b) A school bus driver may not operate a school bus while using a cellular
radio telecommunication device.
(c) This Section does not apply:
(1) To the use of a cellular radio telecommunication |
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device for the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation:
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(A) an emergency response operator;
(B) a hospital;
(C) a
physician's office or health clinic;
(D) an ambulance service;
(E) a fire department, fire district, or fire
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(F) a police department.
(2) To the use of a cellular radio telecommunication
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device to call for assistance in the event that there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem that impairs the safe operation of the bus.
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(3) To the use of a cellular radio telecommunication
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device that has a digital two‑way radio service capability owned and operated by the school district, when that device is being used as a digital two‑way radio.
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(4) When the school bus is parked.
(d) A school bus driver who violates this Section is guilty of a petty
offense punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $250.
(Source: P.A. 92‑730, eff. 1‑1‑03.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑815) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑815)
Sec. 12‑815.
Strobe lamp on school bus.
(a) A school bus manufactured prior to January 1, 2000 may
be equipped with one strobe lamp that
will emit 60
to 120 flashes per minute of white or bluish‑white light visible to a
motorist approaching the bus from any direction.
A school bus
manufactured on or after January 1, 2000 shall be equipped with one strobe lamp that will emit 60 to
120 flashes
per minute of white or bluish‑white light visible to a motorist approaching the
bus from
any direction.
The lamp shall be of
sufficient brightness to be visible in normal sunlight when viewed directly
from a distance of at least one mile.
(b) The strobe lamp shall be mounted on the rooftop of the bus with the
light generating element in the lamp located equidistant from each side
and either at or behind the center of the rooftop. The maximum height of
the element above the rooftop shall not exceed 1/30 of its distance from
the rear of the rooftop. If the structure of the strobe lamp obscures the
light generating element, the element shall be deemed to be in the center
of the lamp with a maximum height 1/4 inch less than the maximum height
of the strobe lamp unless otherwise indicated in rules and regulations
promulgated by the Department. The Department may promulgate rules and
regulations to govern measurements, glare, effectiveness and protection of
strobe lamps on school buses, including higher strobe lamps than authorized
in this paragraph.
(c) The strobe lamp may be lighted only when the school bus is
actually
being used as a school bus and:
1. is stopping or stopped for loading or discharging |
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pupils on a highway outside an urban area; or
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2. is bearing one or more pupils and is either
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stopped or, in the interest of safety, is moving very slowly at a speed:
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(i) less than the posted minimum speed limit, or
(ii) less than 30 miles per hour on a highway
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(Source: P.A. 91‑168, eff. 1‑1‑00; 91‑679, eff. 1‑26‑00.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑815.1)
Sec. 12‑815.1.
Emergency exits identification.
On and after August 1, 2000,
all emergency exits of a
school bus shall be outlined around the perimeter of the exit with a minimum
one inch wide yellow reflective tape or decal. This yellow reflective tape or
decal shall be placed on the exterior surface of the school bus.
(Source: P.A. 91‑168, eff. 1‑1‑00; 91‑785, eff. 6‑9‑00.)
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(625 ILCS 5/12‑815.2)
Sec. 12‑815.2. Noise suppression switch. Any school bus manufactured on or after January 1, 2006 must be equipped with a noise suppression switch capable of turning off noise producing accessories, including: heater blowers; defroster fans; auxiliary fans; and radios.
(Source: P.A. 94‑519, eff. 8‑10‑05.)
(625 ILCS 5/12‑820) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑820)
Sec. 12‑820.
Nursery school buses.
The Department of Transportation, after conducting a Public Hearing,
may, by regulation,
modify and supplement
the requirements pertaining to seat dimensions, spacing and height from
the floor and to
other safety features in the interior of a school bus used to transport
preschool children,
when such modification or supplementing will enhance the safety of the bus
when transporting
such children.
(Source: P.A. 85‑828.)
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