BUS (& MINIBUS) CHECK LIST

This list is an abbreviated version of the requirements applicable to a bus and a minibus as required by regulations. A full description of the requirements can be obtained from the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) or in the case of the requirements appertaining to lamps, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended.

Construction and Use Definitions

A bus – a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 seated passengers in addition to the driver.
A minibus - A motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 but not more than 16 seated passengers in addition to the driver.

Principal requirements applicable to all buses (all vehicles) - shown in black

Additional requirements applicable to minibuses only – shown in red.

Dimensions
The vehicle, if having 2 axles, must not exceed 13.5 mtrs in length.
The vehicle, if having more than 2 axles, must not exceed 15 mtrs in length.
The width of the vehicle must not exceed 2.55 mtrs.

Turning Circle.
The vehicle when moving on either lock shall not project outside of an area contained between concentric circles with radii of 12.5 mtrs and 5.3 mtrs.
The vehicle when moving forward from rest on either lock so that its outermost point describes a circle of 12.5 mtrs shall not project beyond its longitudinal plane, which at the beginning of the manoeuvre defines the overall width of the vehicle on the opposite side to the direction of travel by more than
- 0.8 mtrs in the case of a vehicle 12 mtrs or less in length
- 1.2 mtrs in the case of a vehicle over 12 mtrs in length.

Markings
The unladen weight must be plainly marked on the nearside exterior surface.
The vehicle must be fitted with a plate, securely attached in a conspicuous and readily accessible position that displays;
- the manufacturer’s name,
- the vehicle identification number
- maximum permitted laden weight for each axle
- maximum permitted laden weight for the vehicle.
The plate must be of a durable material and the markings must be indelible.

Weights
If the vehicle has been the subject of a conversion the vehicle is accompanied by satisfactory evidence that axles, hubs, suspension, and wheels are capable of operation at the converters declared design weights.
The calculated laden gross weight (kerb weight + passenger weight) must not exceed the declared maximum gross weight.
The calculated axle weight for each axle must not exceed the declared maximum design weight for that axle.

Brakes
The calculated service brake efficiency is at least 50%
The calculated parking brake efficiency (if fitted with single line service brake) is at least 25%
The calculated parking brake efficiency (if fitted with split system service brake) is at least 16%

Tyres
Must display, a manufacturer’s European Approval “E” or “e” marking moulded into the sidewall at the time of manufacture.
The tyres must be of adequate speed capability for the vehicle’s maximum prescribed speed.
The tyres must be of adequate load capacity for the axle to which they are fitted taking account of the declared maximum axle design weight and prescribed speed of the vehicle.

(prescribed speed for a vehicle up to 12mtrs length = 70mph; over 12mtrs = 60mph)

Speed Limiter
Vehicles:
- having a GVW over 5000kg and
- that are new or if having been used on roads outside the UK have a date of manufacture of 1 January 2005 onwards
require to be fitted with a speed limiter and associated tamperproof devices unless incapable of 100kph/62mph.
The vehicle must be fitted with a speed limiter plate marked with the appropriate set speed.

Lamps and Reflectors
All obligatory lamps (other than side marker lamps) and rear reflectors must display a manufacturers European Approval “E” or “e” marking applied at the time of manufacture.
Lamps must illuminate every step at a passenger exit or in a gangway.

Glazing
Windscreens and other windows wholly or partly on either side of the driver’s seat must be constructed of safety glass.
Windscreens and other windows (including roof lights) constructed of glass must be legibly and permanently marked by the manufacturer with either BS857, BS857/2, BS AU 178 or a European Approval “E” or “e” marking to Regulation 43.
Windscreens must have a visual transmission of light of not less than 75%
All other windows wholly or partly on either side of the driver’s seat must have a visual transmission of light of at least 70%
All windows that form all or part of a door giving access to or from the exterior of the vehicle shall have a visual transmission of light of at least 70%.

Mirrors
A main exterior mirror is required on both the nearside and offside of the vehicle.
Each mirror must display a manufacturer’s European “E” or “e” approval marking applied at the time of manufacture.
The minibus must be fitted with mirrors or other means so that the driver, when seated in the driver's seat, can clearly see the area immediately inside and outside every service door of the vehicle. In the case of a rear service door this shall be satisfied if a person 1.3m tall standing 1m behind the vehicle is visible to the driver when occupying the driver's seat

Fuel tanks
No fuel tanks shall be situated in the passenger compartment

Seats
Every seat and wheelchair anchorage must be fixed to the vehicle by a suitable method.
Wheelchair anchorages shall not be positioned so that the wheelchairs would face either side of the vehicle.
No seat shall be fitted facing the side of the vehicle immediately forward of a rear door unless an armrest, or similar device, is fitted to guard against a passenger on that seat falling through the doorway.
No seat shall be placed so that a passenger would, without protection, be liable to be thrown out of an exit.
No seat [other than a wheelchair] shall be less than 400 mm in width.
Forward facing seats must be equipped with seat belts

Doors
No door shall be fitted on the offside other than the drivers or emergency door. On a LHD vehicle, a door to the front (driver + front seat passenger) compartment is deemed to be a driver's door.
There must be one door for normal use by the passengers on the near side of the vehicle and one emergency door either at the rear or on the offside of the vehicle.
Any emergency door on the offside must be in addition to the driver's door.
Emergency doors must be clearly marked in letters not less than 25mm high on both the inside and outside "EMERGENCY DOOR" or "FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY”, be capable of manual operation (the means of which must be clearly marked), have an aperture in the body capable of accommodating a rectangular shape of at least 1210mm high and at least 530mm wide and if hinged open outwards.
Unobstructed access must be available to at least 2 doors (one of which must be either at the rear or offside of the vehicle) from each passenger seat.

Grab & Door Handles
All doors must be capable of being opened, when not locked, from inside and outside the vehicle by a single movement of the handle or other device for opening the door.
All doors capable of being locked from the outside must be capable of being opened from the inside, when so locked, when the vehicle is stationary.
All side service doors must be fitted with a grab handle or a hand rail to assist passengers embarking or alighting from the vehicle.
The door handle must be designed to prevent, so far as is reasonably practical, the accidental opening of the door. Otherwise, there must be a cover on door handles to prevent inadvertent use.

Fire Extinguishers
Every minibus must carry a fire extinguisher that is marked as complying with BS 5423 or the European Standard which EN3. It must have a minimum fire rating of 8A or 12B. Numbers higher than these are acceptable. The contents of the extinguisher can only be either water or foam - halon is no longer accepted.

First Aid Kits
Every minibus must carry a first aid kit that contains:
Ten antiseptic wipes, foil packed;
One conforming disposable bandage (not less than 7.5cm wide);
Two triangular bandages;
One packet of 24 assorted adhesive dressings;
Three large sterile unmedicated ambulance dressings (not less than 15.0 cm x20.0cm);
Two sterile eye pads, with attachments;
Twelve assorted safety pins; and
One pair of rustless blunt-ended scissors.
Exhaust Pipes
The outlet of every exhaust pipe fitted to a minibus shall be either at the rear or on the offside of the vehicle.