Interpretation ID: 11526DRN

Michael A. Tonelli, Esq.
Barr, Murman, Tonelli, Herzfeld & Rubin
First of America Plaza
201 East Kennedy Blvd., Suite 901
Tampa, FL 33672-0118

Dear Mr. Tonelli:

This responds to your letter to Mr. Charles Gauthier, formerly of this agency, asking whether multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) must meet Federal standards for passenger cars. We have addressed this question in a December 26, 1995 letter to Jane Thorntorn Mastrucci, Esq. A copy of our letter to Ms. Mastrucci is enclosed.

You also asked for the current "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards [FMVSSs] regarding student transportation" and a copy of the current Highway Safety Program Guideline No. 17 "Pupil Transportation Safety." Due to the volume of the material, we are unable to provide copies of the school bus FMVSSs. However, they are readily available at Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 571. For your reference, I have enclosed an information sheet that describes ways to obtain the material. Enclosed is a copy of Guideline No. 17, which is set forth at 23 CFR '1204.4.

I hope this information is helpful. If you need any further information, please contact Dorothy Nakama of my staff at (202) 366-2992.

Sincerely,

Samuel J. Dubbin Chief Counsel

Enclosures

ref:vsa#571.3 d:3/4/96