• Each bus manufactured on or after September 1, 1994, must meet the applicable federal emergency exit requirements in effect on the date of manufacture.
• Each bus, including a school bus used in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations, must meet applicable federal requirements in effect on the date of manufacture.
• Each bus and each school bus used in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations, manufactured on or after September 1, 1973, must meet the applicable federal emergency exit identification and operating instruction requirements in effect on the date of manufacture.

Emergency exit rules for buses, found in 393.62, vary based on when the bus was manufactured.

• If manufactured on or after September 1, 1994:
  • Each bus with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less must meet the emergency exit requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217 (S5.2.2.3) in effect on the date of manufacture
  • Each bus with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds must have emergency exits which meet the applicable emergency exit requirements of FMVSS No. 217 (S5.2.2 or S5.2.3) in effect on the date of manufacture.
• If manufactured on or after September 1, 1973, but before September 1, 1994:
  • Each bus (including a school bus used in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations) with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds must meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 217, S5.2.2 in effect on the date of manufacture.
  • Each bus (including a school bus used in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations) with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less must meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 217, S5.2.2.3 in effect on the date of manufacture
• The regulations also set forth the emergency exit requirements (393.62(c)) and laminated safety glass/push-out window requirements (393.62(d)) for buses manufactured before September 1, 1973.

“Emergency Exit” markings and instructions

Each bus and each school bus used in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations, manufactured on or after September 1, 1973, must meet the applicable emergency exit identification or marking requirements of FMVSS No. 217, S5.5, in effect on the date of manufacture. The emergency exits and doors on all buses must be marked “Emergency Exit” or “Emergency Door” followed by concise operating instructions, located within six inches of the release mechanism, describing each motion necessary to unlatch or open the exit. (393.62(e))

Prisoner exception

The emergency exit requirements do not apply to buses used exclusively for the transportation of prisoners. (393.62(f))