Interpretation ID: aiam2611
19 East Market Street
Leesburg
VA 22075;
Dear Mr. Fisher: This responds to your February 16, 1977, letter asking whether day car centers are required to purchase buses manufactured in conformance with the school bus safety standards.; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided that th inclusion of day care centers within the definition of 'school', for purposes of applying the school bus safety standards, would be inappropriate at this time. After careful deliberation, the agency has concluded that since the school bus safety standards do not specifically refer to day care centers, cay care center operators may not have been aware of the possibility that vehicles they use might be subject to school bus safety requirements. Therefore, persons interested in that issue may not have fully participated in our earlier rulemaking on the subject.; In accordance with accepted rulemaking procedures, the agency intend to issue a proposal to extend the coverage of the school bus standards to buses purchased by day care centers. This proposal will provide an opportunity for persons interested in the operation of these facilities to comment upon the advisability of extending the school bus safety standards to their vehicles.; I appreciate your interest in this issue and apologize for an inconvenience caused to your constituent by the length of time required to make this decision.; Sincerely, Joan Claybrook