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NASDPTS Survey of State Laws on 12-and
15-Passenger Vans Used for School Transportation
In February 2004 the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services released a survey of its State Director members that sought to determine the current state-by-state laws/regulations on the use of 12-and 15-passenger vansto transport students to and from school or on school-related activity trips. Here are the survey results:
State
To & From
School
To & From
School-related
Events
Comments
Alabama
No*
No*
 *State laws do not apply to private schools.
Alaska
No*
Yes
 *State laws do not apply to private schools
Arizona
No
Yes
  
Arkansas
Yes
Yes
  
California
No
No
  
Colorado
Yes*
Yes*
 *State-wide, self-insurance pool for school districts will not insure vans after July 1, 2005.
Connecticut
No
Yes
  
Delaware
No
No
  
Florida
No*
No*
 *Does not apply to private schools or companies that contract directly with parents.
Georgia
No*
Yes*
 *State laws do not apply to private schools
Hawaii
Yes
Yes
  
Idaho
No*
Yes

*State statute allows for some exceptions, e.g., student with special needs in remote locations without school buses.

*State laws do not apply to private schools.

Illinois
No
Yes
  
Indiana
No*
Yes**
 *Special education students may be transported in vans.

**After June 30, 2006, vans will be prohibited. State laws do not apply to private schools.
Iowa
No
No
  
Kansas
No
No
  
Kentucky
No
No
  
Louisiana
No*
No*
 *State laws do no t apply to private schools.
Maine
No
No*
 *Private schools are exempte from this state regulation.
Maryland
No
No
 State law not clear on private schools.
Massachusetts
Yes
Yes
  
Michigan
No
No
  
Minnesota
No
No
  
Mississippi
Yes*
Yes*
 *State law does not prohibit the use of vans, but Department of Education will not approve van purchases.
Missouri
No*
No*
 *State laws do not apply to private schools.
Montana
No*
No*
 *State laws do not apply to private schools.
Nebraska
Yes
Yes
  
Nevada
No
Yes
  
New Hampshire
No
No
  
New Jersey
No
No
  
New Mexico
No
No
  
New York
No
No
  
North Carolina
No*
Yes
 *Private schools not covered by state rules.
North Dakota
Yes*
Yes*
 *Not allowed after June 1, 2008. Vans can no longer be purchased for these purposes after March 1, 2003. State laws do not apply to private schools.
Ohio
No
No
  
Oklahoma
No
No

Oregon
No
No
  
Pennsylvania
No*
No*
 *Unless the van was registered as a bus in Pennsylvania prior to March 1, 1993, or titled to a public, private, or parochial school prior to March 1, 1993, and was registered as a bus to such school prior to September 15, 1993.
Rhode Island
No*
No**
 *Child care organizations are exempt, and can use vans for transprotation to and from school.

**Vans purchased prior to January 1, 2000, can be used until January 1, 2008.
South Carolina
No*
No*
 *Vans purchased prior to July 1, 2000, can be used until June 30, 2006.
South Dakota
No
No
  
Tennessee
No
Yes
  
Texas
No*
Yes
 *Private schools not covered by state rules.
Utah
No
No
  
Vermont
Yes
Yes
  
Virginia
No*
No*
 *State laws only apply to public schools.
Washington
No*
No*
 *State rules only apply to public schools.
West Virginia
No
Yes
  
Wisconsin
Yes
Yes
  
Wyoming
*state rules only apply to public schools
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