1. School buses manufactured prior to April 1, 1977, other than those of the transit type whose gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall not be used for pupil transportation purposes beyond the end of the tenth year from the date of manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school year in which that date falls, whichever is later. School buses manufactured on or after April 1, 1977 and before January 1, 2007, other than those of the transit type whose gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall not be used for pupil transportation purposes beyond the end of the twelfth year from the date of manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school year in which that date falls, whichever is later. School buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, and school buses manufactured prior to January 1, 2007 that have been installed with closed crankcase technology pursuant to the provisions of section 6 of P.L.2005, c.219 (C. 26:2C-8.31) and any regulations promulgated thereunder, other than those of the transit type whose gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall not be used for pupil transportation purposes beyond the end of the twentieth year from the date of manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school year in which that date falls, whichever is later.

Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a “Type S” school bus as defined by N.J.A.C.13:20-51.2 shall not be used for pupil transportation purposes beyond the end of the twelfth year from the date of manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school year in which that date falls, whichever is later, except that the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall extend the retirement date of a Type S school bus by one year upon request by the owner of the Type S school bus, provided that the Type S school bus passes an additional inspection that is consistent with the inspection procedures established under the enhanced safety inspection program established pursuant to the “School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act,” P.L.1999, c.5 (C. 39:3B-18 et seq.). The chief administrator shall not grant a Type S school bus more than one extension.

Nothing provided herein shall be construed to allow the use of any school bus for pupil transportation purposes if that school bus is determined to be unsafe or unfit for pupil transportation.

L.1983, c.206, s.1; amended 2011, c.130, s.1; 2023, c.144.