CHAPTER 7. SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION
IC 20-27-7
Chapter 7. School Bus Inspection and Registration
IC 20-27-7-1
Annual inspection of buses
Sec. 1. The state police department shall annually inspect all
special purpose buses and school buses, including those operated by
a nonpublic school to transport students. The inspection of a school
bus must determine whether the school bus complies with the safety
requirements prescribed for school bus construction and equipment
in the rules of the committee.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-2
Inspection time
Sec. 2. The owner of a school bus or special purpose bus shall
present the school bus or special purpose bus for the inspection
required under section 1 of this chapter at the date, time, and place
designated by the state police department.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-3
Certificate of inspection
Sec. 3. If the inspection required under section 1 of this chapter
reveals that a school bus meets all safety requirements, the inspecting
officer shall issue to the owner of the school bus a certificate that the
school bus has been inspected and that it complies with the safety
requirements. Except as provided in sections 5 through 7 of this
chapter, a certificate of inspection issued under this section is valid
until September 30 of the school year following the school year for
which the certificate is issued.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-4
Certificate of inspection display
Sec. 4. A school bus may not be used to transport passengers
unless a valid certificate of inspection issued under section 3 of this
chapter is displayed as viewed from the outside on the lower left
corner of the windshield of the school bus. However, if the left
corner position obstructs the school bus driver's view, the inspection
sticker may be positioned on the bottom of the windshield so as to
minimize the obstruction to the school bus driver's view.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-5
Certificate of inspection upon transfer of ownership
Sec. 5. A school bus that is sold or has the ownership transferred
to a new owner must be presented for an inspection under section 2
of this chapter before the school bus may be used to transport
passengers. If the school bus meets the requirements specified under
section 3 of this chapter, the state police department shall issue a new
certificate of inspection for the school bus. A certificate of inspection
issued under this section is valid until September 30 of the school
year following the school year for which the certificate is issued.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-6
Inspection of buses older than 12 years
Sec. 6. In addition to the inspection required under section 1 of
this chapter, a school bus that was manufactured at least twelve (12)
years before the year for which a certificate of inspection is being
sought must be presented for inspection not less than five (5) months
nor more than seven (7) months after the inspection required under
section 1 of this chapter is completed. If the school bus meets the
requirements specified in section 3 of this chapter, the state police
department shall issue a new certificate of inspection for the school
bus. A certificate of inspection issued for a school bus described in
this section is valid for seven (7) months after the date the certificate
is issued.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-7
Certificate of inspection after damage by accident
Sec. 7. If a school bus has received damage in an accident that has
put the school bus out of service because of passenger safety
concerns, the school bus must be presented for an inspection under
section 2 of this chapter before the school bus may be used to
transport passengers. If the school bus meets the requirements
specified in section 3 of this chapter, the state police department
shall issue a new certificate of inspection for the school bus. A
certificate of inspection issued under this section is valid until
September 30 of the school year following the school year for which
the certificate is issued.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-8
Inspection requirements
Sec. 8. The inspection of a special purpose bus shall consist of an
inspection to determine the existence and condition of the vehicle's:
(1) brakes;
(2) lights (headlamps, tail lamps, brake lights, clearance lights,
and turn signals);
(3) steering and suspension;
(4) exhaust systems;
(5) general body condition; and
(6) tires.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-9
Bus maintenance
Sec. 9. A school bus or special purpose bus must be maintained
to meet the minimum standards set forth by the committee when
transporting passengers.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-10
Temporary certificate of inspection due to material defect
Sec. 10. If the inspection of a special purpose bus or a school bus
performed under this chapter reveals any material defect that renders
the school bus unsafe and in noncompliance with any safety
requirements established by the committee or with the safety
requirements of this chapter, the inspecting officer shall issue a
temporary certificate of inspection for the special purpose bus or
school bus. The following apply to a temporary certificate of
inspection issued under this section:
(1) The certificate shall be displayed as viewed from the outside
in the lower left corner of the windshield of the special purpose
bus or school bus. However, if the left corner position obstructs
the driver's view, the temporary certificate of inspection may be
positioned on the bottom of the windshield so as to minimize
the obstruction to the driver's view.
(2) The certificate is valid for thirty (30) days.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-11
Temporary certificate of inspection; repair
Sec. 11. Upon being issued a temporary certificate of inspection
under section 10 of this chapter, the owner of a special purpose bus
or school bus shall have the special purpose bus or school bus
repaired to meet the minimum standards under this chapter. After
having the special purpose bus or school bus repaired to meet the
minimum standards under this chapter, the owner of the special
purpose bus or school bus shall present the special purpose bus or
school bus for an inspection under section 2 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-12
Certificate of inspection after repair
Sec. 12. If after being repaired under section 11 of this chapter a
special purpose bus or school bus meets the minimum standards
under this chapter, the state police department shall issue a certificate
of inspection under section 3 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-13
Out-of-service order and certificate; issuance
Sec. 13. If:
(1) after being repaired under section 11 of this chapter a
special purpose bus or school bus does not meet the minimum
standards under this chapter; or
(2) a special purpose bus or school bus is not repaired to meet
the minimum standards under this chapter;
the state police department shall issue an out-of-service order and
certificate for the special purpose bus or school bus. Each
out-of-service order and certificate shall be served personally on the
driver of the special purpose bus or school bus and a copy shall be
forwarded to the governing body of the school corporation that
controls the operation of the special purpose bus or school bus. After
an out-of-service order and certificate have been issued, the affected
special purpose bus or school bus may not be used to transport
passengers until all defects have been corrected.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-14
Display of out-of-service certificate
Sec. 14. An out-of-service certificate issued under section 13 of
this chapter shall be displayed as viewed from the outside in the
lower left corner of the windshield of the special purpose bus or
school bus for which the certificate is issued. However, if the left
corner position obstructs the driver's view, the out-of-service
certificate may be positioned on the bottom of the windshield so as
to minimize the obstruction to the driver's view. The out-of-service
certificate may be removed only by the state police department
following an inspection that verifies that the special purpose bus or
school bus meets the minimum standards under this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-15
Out-of-service order; appeal
Sec. 15. (a) An out-of-service order may be appealed to the
committee not more than five (5) days after service of the order.
(b) Not more than ten (10) days after an appeal, the committee
shall review the order and decide the matter.
(c) The committee may:
(1) uphold;
(2) modify; or
(3) set aside;
the order.
(d) While an out-of-service order is appealed, the order remains
in full force until set aside or modified by the committee.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-16
Registration plate; application
Sec. 16. When the owner of a school bus applies for a registration
plate under IC 9-18-2-7 or IC 9-18-2-8.5, the owner shall submit with
the application a certificate of inspection issued under section 3 of
this chapter. If the certificate of inspection does not accompany an
owner's application, the bureau of motor vehicles may not issue a
registration plate.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.31-2008, SEC.4.
IC 20-27-7-17
Registration fee
Sec. 17. A school bus driver shall be charged the same annual
registration fee for a school bus that is operated under:
(1) a transportation contract with a school corporation; or
(2) a parents' supplemental transportation contract.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.
IC 20-27-7-18
Registration fee exemption
Sec. 18. (a) A school corporation that owns a school bus or a
special purpose bus and uses the school bus or special purpose bus
to transport students is exempt from the payment of the annual
registration fee for the school bus or special purpose bus. On
application by a school corporation, the commissioner of motor
vehicles shall furnish registration number plates for exempted
vehicles without charge. Application for registration of exempted
vehicles shall be:
(1) made whenever a newly acquired school bus or special
purpose bus requires a registration number plate;
(2) made whenever a registration number plate is transferred
from one (1) school bus or special purpose bus owned by the
school corporation to another school bus or special purpose bus
owned by the school corporation;
(3) made in the name of the school corporation that owns the
school bus or special purpose bus to be registered; and
(4) signed by the proper official of the school corporation.
(b) An owner other than a school corporation that owns a school
bus or a special purpose bus and uses the school bus or special
purpose bus to transport students is not exempt from annual
registration as required under IC 9-18-2-8.5 or payment of the annual
registration fee for school buses.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.31-2008, SEC.5.
IC 20-27-7-19
Violation
Sec. 19. A person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly
violates this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.231-2005,
SEC.38.