49-6-2110 - Safe operation of buses.
49-6-2110. Safe operation of buses.
(a) A school bus shall at no time transport more pupils than the manufacturer's rated capacity for the bus, allowing no less than thirteen linear inches (13²) of seat space for each pupil. The commissioner of education may, under rules and regulations prepared by the commissioner and approved by the state board of education, issue permits to a local board of education allowing the number of pupils transported on a school bus to exceed the limit prescribed in this subsection (a), up to, but not to exceed, twenty percent (20%) of the manufacturer's rated capacity. In no event shall a permit be issued authorizing the loading of a school bus beyond the limits of safety.
(b) A school bus transporting pupils to and from school or on school-sponsored activity trips shall not exceed posted speed limits or a maximum speed of thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) on unpaved roadways.
[Acts 1947, ch. 92, §§ 9, 11; C. Supp. 1950, §§ 2495.9, 2495.11 (Williams, §§ 2495.10, 2495.12); Acts 1957, ch. 159, § 1; 1961, ch. 38, § 1; 1967, ch. 32, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 49-2212, 49-2213; Acts 1984 (1st E.S.), ch. 6, § 17; 1992, ch. 728, § 1.]