Page 23 - AASBO EDGE BTS 2023

LEGISTLATIVE UPDATE

BY STEPHANIE ARBAUGH
Alternative Transportation –

What About 11-15 Passenger Vans?
Stephanie Arbaugh

As part of the 2022 Arizona legislative session, Administrative Code §§ R13-13-106 through
Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation that 112. The formal process for certification of this
allows the use of some non-traditional vehicles classification of driver will be established by the
— including 11 to 15-passenger vans — for the Student Transportation Advisory Council.
transport of students to and from school.
As an exception, if the bus is painted white and
The bill took effect on September 24, 2022. The was put into service before July 1, 2022, it may be
Department of Public Safety (DPS) has issued a used for student transport through June 30, 2027,
substantive policy statement on the new legislation as long as it meets the other requirements in the
to help guide district decision-making until final Arizona minimum standards for school buses. It
rules can be written. Publication of these rules must be:
may take some time, as they must be created in
consultation with the Student Transportation • Retrofitted with 8-way overhead flashing lights
Advisory Council and other stakeholders and and a stop arm.
then are subject to a public comment period and • Annually inspected by DPS, and
possible revision.
• Painted yellow by June 30, 2027.

Here are a few important highlights from the DPS
policy statement: Third, a person holding a Class D operator's
license may not begin to drive 11 to 15-passenger
First, to be used for student transport to and from vehicles for student transport until he or she has
school, 11 to 15-passenger vehicles — referred met most requirements of a regular school bus
to as a 925 vehicle type — must meet a variety driver, including:
of federal requirements that apply to traditional
school buses. These relate to seating and crash • Class D License.
protection, tires and wheels, vehicle color, etc. • The same classroom and behind-the-wheel
training that would be required of a CDL bus
In practice, standard 11 to 15-passenger vans driver.
may not be used for student transport, including • Drug screenings (annual/random).
for school-sponsored events, until/unless they
• Physical performance test.
are retrofitted to meet existing regulatory
requirements for school buses. • CPR/first aid certification.
• Possession of a fingerprint clearance card.
Second, and similarly, Type A and Type B Multi-
function School Activity Buses (MFSABs) may However, drivers of these alternative vehicles do
be used for student transport by a 925-certified not need a Commercial Class B or C license with
driver only if the vehicles comply with Arizona a school bus endorsement.
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