Section 442.250  Identification/Lettering

a)         Except where otherwise required or allowed, lettering on the exterior of the body shall be black against a national school bus glossy yellow background. All required letters and numerals shall conform to Series "B", or heavier series, of the Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs issued by the Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C. 20591.  Decals may be used instead of paint.  Signs, numbers, or lettering, other than those either required by Section 12-802 of the Code or this Part shall not be affixed permanently on either the exterior or interior of the bus.  Interior lettering shall contrast with its background.

b)         The words "SCHOOL BUS" shall be displayed against a national school bus glossy yellow background as high as practical and approximately centered on the front and rear of the bus body, in letters at least 200 mm (8") high (see Section 12-802 of the Code).  These words may be painted on or applied to the bus body or displayed on a sign firmly attached to or built into the body.  The background of an illuminated sign shall approximate the national school bus glossy yellow color as closely as feasible.

c)         A school bus identification number, supplied by the purchaser, shall be displayed as high as practical on the front and rear of the bus in numerals not less than 100 mm (4") high.  Such number may be displayed on the sides of the bus as specified by the purchaser.  As an option, identification numbers may be located on the rooftop.

d)         Either the owner's name or the school district number or both must be displayed on both sides of the bus at least four inches high, approximately centered and as high as practicable below the window line. (See Section 12-802 of the Code.) The lettering must be located on one line.

e)         The body and/or chassis manufacturer's name, emblem, or other identification may be displayed, colorless or in any color, on any unglazed surface of the bus so as not to be mistaken for the name required in subsection (d) of this Section, and so as not to interfere with any required letters or numerals.

f)         The words "EMPTY WEIGHT", or the abbreviation "EMPTY WT.", or the letters "E.W.", followed by the empty weight of the bus (see Section 442.120), stated in pounds, shall be displayed on the exterior of the body near the rear edge of the service entrance in numerals and letters at least 50 mm (2") high (see Section 12-802 of the Code).

g)         The word "CAPACITY", or the abbreviation "CAP.", and the rated passenger capacity, as described in Section 442.214, followed by the word "PASSENGERS", or the abbreviation "PASS.", shall be displayed on the exterior of the body near the rear edge of the service entranceway, and on the interior above the right portion of the windshield, in numerals and letters at least 50 mm (2") high (see Section 12-802 of the Code).

h)         The words "NO STANDEES" shall be displayed only on the interior above the windshield, approximately opposite the aisle but to the right of the mirror and sun visor, in letters at least 50 mm (2") high.

i)          The words "EMERGENCY DOOR" or "EMERGENCY EXIT" in letters at least 5 cm (2") high must be displayed on the interior and exterior of the bus. "EMERGENCY DOOR" must be displayed at the top of, or directly above, any emergency exit door.  "EMERGENCY EXIT" must be displayed at the top of, or directly above, or at the bottom of, any emergency exit window.  They may be displayed on a separate colorless background (such as white, aluminum, or silver) that extends no more than 15 mm (.6") above or below the words and no more than 25 mm (1") to the right or left of the words.

j)          A black arrow, curved or straight, at least 150 mm (5.9") in length and 15 mm (.6") in width, showing the direction each exterior emergency exit release mechanism is to be moved to open the emergency exit, shall be painted or permanently affixed on the exterior yellow portion of the bus within 150 mm (5.9") of each release mechanism.

k)         An arrow showing the direction each interior emergency exit release mechanism is to be moved to open the emergency exit shall be painted or permanently affixed on the interior of the bus within 150 mm (5.9") of each emergency exit release mechanism.  Each interior arrow shall contrast with its background and, where suitable space is limited, may be smaller than the exterior arrow(s) but must be conspicuous.

l)          Alternate Fuel

1)         If the bus uses alternate fuel (e.g., propane, CNG), the vehicle must be marked with an identifying decal.  Such decal shall be diamond shaped with white or silver scotchlite letters one inch in height and a stroke of the brush at least ¼ inch wide on a black background with a white or silver scotchlite border bearing either the words or letters:

            "PROPANE" = If propelled by liquefied petroleum gas other than liquefied natural gas; or

            "CNG" = If propelled by compressed natural gas.  The sign or decal shall be maintained in good legible condition.

2)         The alternate fuel decal shall be displayed near the rear bumper and visible from the rear of the vehicle. (Section 12-704.3 of the Code)

m)        The vehicle's length (rounded up to nearest whole foot) must be displayed on or adjacent to the interior bulkhead clearly within the driver's view. (For example:  vehicle length of 39.1 feet will be displayed as 40 feet.) Each letter or numeral must be at least two inches high and black in color. The measurement must be taken from the front bumper to the rear bumper.

n)         A "Stop Line" in contrasting color is required between 5.9 and 6.1 inches below the top of each side window opening.  The line shall be located between each window that slides downward.

o)         The decal described in this subsection (o) is required to be displayed on every school bus registered in Illinois.  The school bus manufacturer may elect to apply the decal at the time the school bus is manufactured or the decal may be applied by the school bus owner after the school bus is purchased.  A white decal with black lettering and numerals that measure one inch high must be displayed on the rear of the bus.  The decal must display the words TO REPORT ERRATIC DRIVING followed by the area code and phone number of the bus owner.  The decal shall be located on the rear window glazing below the rear seat back, on the bus body below the window line, or on the rear bumper.  The decal must be visible to the motoring public from the rear of the bus and cannot obstruct any required lettering or numerals.  The decal cannot be located on any emergency door glazing or any emergency window glazing.  Magnetic signs are not allowed.  (See P.A. 95-0176, effective January 1, 2008.)

p)         The decals described in this subsection (p) are required to be displayed on every school bus registered in Illinois if an audio and/or visual recording will be made of the interior of the school bus.  The school bus manufacturer may elect to apply the decals at the time the school bus is manufactured or the decals may be applied by the school bus owner after the school bus is purchased.  Two white decals with black lettering measuring one inch high shall be displayed, one on the exterior of the service (e.g., entrance) door or on the bus body adjacent to the service door if the door is not adequate to accommodate the decal and a second on the front interior bulkhead.  The decals shall serve as a notice of audio and/or visual recordings.  The exterior decal must not be located on any service door glazing and the interior decal must not obstruct any other required lettering on the bulkhead.  Magnetic signs are not allowed.  (See P.A. 95-0352, effective August 23, 2007.)

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 18305, effective November 14, 2008)