ARSD Article 24:06 — SCHOOL BUSES

PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 24:06:01 General provisions, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:01 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:01

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:02 Certification requirements, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:02 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:02

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:03 Minimum school bus chassis standards, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:03 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:03

MINIMUM SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS STANDARDS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:04 Minimum school bus body standards, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:04 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:04

MINIMUM SCHOOL BUS BODY STANDARDS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:05 Minimum special education bus standards, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:05 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:05

MINIMUM SPECIAL EDUCATION BUS STANDARDS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:06 Operations, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:06 Repealed chapter

CHAPTER 24:06:06

OPERATIONS

(Repealed. SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995)

Chapter 24:06:07 School bus standards

ARSD 24:06:07:01 Applicability

This chapter provides minimum requirements for the construction and equipping of school buses manufactured into South Dakota after November 1, 2011. Requirements for school buses effective November 1, 2011, or later do not apply to buses delivered pursuant to contracts signed before November 1, 2001

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6, 32-32-5.

ARSD 24:06:07:02 School bus standards

Except as provided in this section, the chassis and body of a school bus and a specially equipped school bus must meet the specifications listed on pages 33 to 77, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition (NSTSP). This requirement does not include the electronic stability controls set forth on page 34 or the crossing arm control set forth on pages 38 to 39, inclusive, of the NSTSP.

In addition to the color requirements set forth on page 37 of the NSTSP, a school bus must have an area extending outward approximately three inches around the lens of each alternately flashing lamp, which is painted black enamel.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Congress on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:07:03 Repealed

Floor insulation.** Repealed.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; repealed, 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007.

ARSD 24:06:07:03.01 Floor insulation

A school bus must meet the insulation requirements listed on pages 60 to 61, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:07:04 Heating and air conditioning systems

A school bus must contain a heating system installed in accordance with the section entitled "Heating and Air Conditioning Systems" on pages 53 to 57, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition. If an air conditioning system is installed on a school bus, it must be installed in accordance with these standards.

In addition, the following standards apply to each school bus type:

(1) The minimum installation for a Type A bus, as defined on page 407 of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition (NSTSP), is one front fresh air heater, utilizing the manufacturer's standard heater with a defroster core and a driver's deflector, and one or more rear recirculating underseat heaters with a minimum of 38,000 BTUs;

(2) The minimum installation for a Type B and C bus, as defined on page 407 of the NSTSP, is one left front fresh air heater with a defroster core and a driver's deflector with a minimum of 80,000 BTUs, one right cowl recirculating heater with a minimum of 50,000 BTUs; and

(a) If the bus has a capacity of less than fifty-nine passengers, a rear underseat recirculating heater with a minimum of 75,000 BTUs; or

(b) If the bus has a capacity of fifty-nine or more passengers, two rear underseat recirculating heaters, or a combination of one midship heater and one rear recirculating heater. Each heater must have a minimum of 75,000 BTUs; and

(3) The minimum installation for a type D bus, as defined on page 408 of the NSTSP, is one front fresh air heater with a defroster core and a minimum of 80,000 BTUs, a driver's underseat heater with a minimum of 14,000 BTUs, and

(a) If the bus has a capacity of less than fifty-nine passengers, a rear underseat recirculating heater with a minimum of 75,000 BTUs; or

(b) If the bus has a capacity of fifty-nine or more passengers, two rear underseat recirculating heaters, or a combination of one midship heater and one rear recirculating heater. Each heater must have a minimum of 75,000 BTUs.

Reference: "School Bus Types," on pages 407 to 408, and "Heating and Air Conditioning Systems," pages 53 to 57, National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference of School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:07:05 Sound and thermal insulation

Sound and thermal insulation for a school bus must meet the following requirements:

(1) The side, roof, front, and rear body panels, including the corner and the roof bows, must be completely insulated to deaden sounds and vibrations and to reduce heat transfer;

(2) The insulation materials must be fire-resistant, UL approved, with minimum R-value of 5.5. Insulation must be installed to prevent sagging.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:07:06 Windows, windshield, and glass

All window openings and glass in the windows and doors of a school bus must comply with section (A) of the section entitled "Windows" on page 78 of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition (NSTSP). In addition, the following provisions apply:

(1) For Type B, C, and D buses, as defined on pages 407 to 408 of the NSTSP, the driver's window, the first window on the left after the driver's window, the first window after the service door, and the windows in the service door must be frost-free (thermal) glass; and

(2) For Type A-2, B, C, and D buses, as defined on pages 407 to 408 of the NSTSP, the lower portion of the rear emergency door must have an exposed glass area of not less than three hundred fifty square inches and must be covered by a protective screen inside.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:07:07 Exits -- Emergency

Emergency exits for a school bus must comply with the section entitled "Emergency Exits" on pages 48 to 49, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, 2025 Revised Edition (NSTSP).

Emergency doors and other emergency exits must also comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 49 C.F.R. § 571.217 (August 8, 2026).

The words "EMERGENCY DOOR", in capital letters at least two inches high, must be placed at the top of, or directly above the emergency door, or on the emergency door in the metal panel above the top glass, both inside and outside of the bus.

All other emergency exits, except roof hatches, must be protected with an audible warning.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

Chapter 24:06:08 School bus procedures

ARSD 24:06:08:01 Repealed

Training of school bus drivers and bus attendants.** Repealed.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; repealed, SL 2011, ch 87, § 2.

ARSD 24:06:08:02 Emergency procedures

Each school bus driver, with authorization by the employing school district, shall conduct emergency evacuation instruction and drills for school bus riders at least twice a year, and three times a year for Headstart school bus riders. Each school bus driver that drives for activities shall give an emergency evacuation instruction and drills for school bus riders before each activity season. The school bus operator shall maintain a log containing the dates and times of drills.

Additional emergency procedures must comply with the section entitled "Emergency and Rescue Procedures" on pages 192 to 194, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

Cross-Reference: Emergency evacuation procedures, School Bus Section, South Dakota CDL Manual.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:08:03 Maintenance records and daily inspection

The school bus driver shall perform daily inspection in accordance with sections A.10 to A.15, inclusive, on pages 154 to 158, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition (NSTSP).

The owner of the school bus shall keep maintenance records on each school bus. The maintenance records must contain work orders and repair records, preventative maintenance records, and inspection reports pursuant to section F.7 on page 173 of the NSTSP.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 22 SDR 61, effective November 9, 1995; 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:08:04 Operations

The state and school districts must, at minimum, comply with the sections entitled "Introduction," "School Bus Use," "State Administration," and "Local School District Administration" on pages 143 to 153, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, 2025 May Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 30 SDR 181, effective May 20, 2004; 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:08:05 Towing

A school bus may tow any type of trailer or vehicle with passengers on the bus if the bus has an additional emergency exit other than the rear.

History

• Source: 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-2, 13-29-6.

ARSD 24:06:08:06 Activity bus operations

The state and school districts must, at minimum, with the section entitled "Activity Bus Operations" on pages 205 to 213, inclusive, of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition.

Reference: National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2025 Revised Edition, National Conference on School Transportation. Copies may be obtained from www.ncstonline.org.

History

• Source: 38 SDR 58, effective October 17, 2011; 44 SDR 43, effective September 13, 2017; 53 SDR 22, effective September 8, 2026.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.

Chapter 24:06:09 School bus inspectors

ARSD 24:06:09:01 Certification of school bus inspectors

Any person who performs annual school bus inspections shall be at least 18 years of age and certified by the Division of Highway Patrol. A person shall successfully complete a training course of at least sixteen hours provided by the Division of Highway Patrol prior to certification. A person shall maintain certification by completing a recertification course of at least four hours provided by the Division of Highway Patrol. Recertification must be completed within one year of publication of updated National School Transportation Specification and Procedures every five years.

History

• Source: 40 SDR 39, effective September 9, 2013.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.1.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.1.

ARSD 24:06:09:02 Revocation of certification

Upon a determination by the Division of Highway Patrol that any person certified as a school bus inspector has failed to exercise an acceptable level of care in performing school bus inspections, the Division of Highway Patrol shall revoke that person's certification. A person whose certification has been revoked may not perform any school bus inspection until the person has repeated and successfully completed the sixteen hour training course.

History

• Source: 40 SDR 39, effective September 9, 2013.
• General Authority: SDCL 13-29-6.1.
• Law Implemented: SDCL 13-29-6.1.

Chapter 24:06:0A Appendix A School Bus Standards, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:0A SCHOOL BUS STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

SCHOOL BUS STANDARDS

APPENDIX A

SEE: Article 24:06

Source : 18 SDR 217, effective July 9, 1992; repealed, SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995.

Chapter 24:06:0B Appendix B Seven-Step Inspection Method for Conducting Pretrip Inspections, Repealed

ARSD 24:06:0B SEVEN-STEP INSPECTION METHOD

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

SEVEN-STEP INSPECTION METHOD

FOR CONDUCTING PRETRIP INSPECTIONS

Article 24:06

APPENDIX B

SEE: § 24:06:06:11

Source : 18 SDR 217, effective July 9, 1992; repealed, SL 1995, ch 86, § 3, effective July 1, 1995.