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RULE 9310 SCHOOL BUS FLEETS (Adopted September 21, 2006) 

1.0 Purpose 

The purpose of this rule is to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate 

matter (PM) and diesel toxic air contaminants from school bus fleets and to provide 

administrative requirements for school bus fleet operators. 

2.0 Applicability 

 

 The requirements of this rule shall apply to all school bus fleet operators and any 

contractors who provide school bus service. 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO): as defined Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

3.2 Alternative Fueled Engine or School Bus: any engine or school bus that uses 

compressed or liquefied natural gas, propane, methanol, electricity, fuel cells, 

hybrid technology, or other advanced technologies that do not rely on diesel or 

gasoline fuels, and has been certified by the California Air Resources Board. 

3.3 Approved Diesel Emission Control Strategy: an exhaust control device(s) or 

emission reduction strategy that is level 3 verified by the ARB. Level 3 verified 

technologies reduce particulate matter (PM) by at least 85% or achieve a PM 

level of 0.01 g/bhp-hr or less. 

3.4 California Air Resources Board (ARB or CARB): as defined in Rule 1020 

(Definitions). 

3.5 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): United States Environmental 

Protection Agency. 

3.6 Existing Fleet: a school bus fleet that was in operation before January 1, 2007. 

3.6 Existing School Bus: a bus operating as part of an existing fleet. 

3.7 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): the weight rating of a vehicle. 

3.8 Hybrid: a technology used by a vehicle to draw propulsion energy from both of 

the following on-vehicle sources of stored energy: 1) a consumable fuel and 2) 

an energy storage device such as a battery, capacitor, or flywheel. 
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3.9 New School Bus Fleet: a school bus fleet that did not operate before January 1, 

2007. 

3.10 NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen): any oxide of nitrogen. 

3.11 Operator: any person who owns, leases, or operates school buses for any 

school in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin. 

3.12 PM (Particulate Matter): any material except uncombined water, which exists in 

a finely divided form as a liquid or solid at Standard Conditions. 

3.13 Replacement School Bus: a school bus purchased or acquired with the intent of 

removing an existing school bus from service. 

3.14 Repower: to remove the engine and related components and replace with an 

ARB certified engine. 

3.15 Retrofit: to modify with an Approved Diesel Emission Control Strategy. 

3.16 School: any public or private school used for the purpose of education and 

instruction of school pupils Kindergarten through Grade 12, but does not include 

any private school in which education and instruction is primarily conducted in 

private homes. 

3.17 School Bus: any vehicle used for the express purpose of transporting students 

Kindergarten through Grade 12 from home to school and to any school 

sponsored activities. 

3.18 School Bus Fleet: any group of one or more school buses. 

3.19 Toxic Air Contaminants (TAC): any air pollutant identified in regulation by the 

ARB, which may cause or contribute to an increase in deaths or in serious 

illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health. 

3.20 Year of Delivery: no more than 12 months from the date that the school bus is 

delivered to the school bus fleet operator. 

4.0 Exemptions 

4.1 School buses with a GVWR of less than or equal to 8,500 pounds are exempt 

from the requirements listed in Section 5.0. 

4.2 Fleet operators claiming an exemption pursuant to Section 4.1 shall maintain 

records as specified in Section 6.4.2. 
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4.3 School buses replaced, retrofitted and/or repowered, with the use of eligible 

incentive funds, are exempt from the requirements listed in Section 5.1 provided 

that such actions are completed prior to the otherwise applicable deadlines. Such 

buses may be included as compliant vehicles for Section 5.2. Furthermore, 

emissions reduced using eligible incentive funds will be considered surplus to 

this rule. 

5.0 Requirements 

5.1 By January 1, 2016 operators of existing school bus fleets shall meet the 

following requirements: 

5.1.1 Each existing diesel fueled school bus fleet operator shall: 

5.1.1.1 Replace all of their school buses manufactured before January 

1, 1978 with buses that meet the applicable ARB and EPA 

emission standards for engines certified for the year of 

delivery of that school bus engine and fuel type, and 

5.1.1.2 Replace their school buses manufactured on and after January 

1, 1978 with buses that meet the applicable ARB and EPA 

emission standards for engines manufactured for the year of 

delivery; or 

5.1.1.3 Retrofit their school buses manufactured on and after January 

1, 1978 with an Approved Diesel Emission Control Strategy 

or 

5.1.1.4 Repower their school buses with an engine meeting all the 

ARB and EPA emissions standards that are applicable to 

engines produced on and after October 1, 2002. 

5.1.2 All existing gasoline or alternative fueled school buses and any diesel 

school buses manufactured after October 1, 2002 shall be considered 

compliant if it meets the following: 

5.1.2.1 Operated per manufacturers specification, and 

5.1.2.2 If replaced, shall be replaced with a school bus meeting all the 

applicable ARB and EPA current year emissions standards for 

the year of delivery of that school bus engine and fuel type. 
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5.2 On and after January 1, 2007, any new school bus fleet and any additions to an 

existing school bus fleet must meet all the applicable ARB and EPA emissions 

standards for the year of delivery of that school bus engine and fuel type. 

6.0 Administrative Requirements 

 

6.1 Identify Existing Fleet 

By January 1, 2007, each operator shall provide the District with a list of 

existing school buses in their fleet identifying the following information for each 

school bus: 

6.1.1 The manufacturer, to include make and model of the chassis, and the 

year built. 

6.1.2 The engine manufacturer. 

6.1.3 The year of manufacture of the engine. 

6.1.4 The engine fuel type. 

6.1.5 The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

6.1.6 The gross vehicle weight rating. 

6.1.7 The size in passenger capacity. 

6.1.8 Any currently installed emission controls. 

6.1.9 An explanation of how each bus will comply with the requirements of 

Section 5.0. 

6.1.10 The year of the last California Highway Patrol safety certification. 

6.2 Identify New Fleets and Additions to Fleets, Replacements, and Any Retrofits 

and/or Repowers 

At least two months before purchasing, replacing, retrofitting or repowering, 

each operator shall provide the District with the following information: 

6.2.1 The anticipated date of purchase for any bus, retrofit or repower. 

6.2.2 The date of delivery of the new purchase and any addition to the existing 

fleet. 
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6.2.3 The manufacturer, to include make and model of the chassis, and the 

year built. 

6.2.4 The engine manufacturer. 

6.2.5 The year of manufacture of the engine. 

6.2.6 The engine fuel type. 

6.2.7 The gross vehicle weight rating. 

6.2.8 The size in passenger capacity. 

6.2.9 Any emission controls. 

6.3 Within one month after taking delivery of a replacement school bus or 

retrofitting or repowering a school bus, the operator shall provide the APCO 

with the VIN for the replacement school bus, and make any corrections to the 

information provided per Section 6.2. 

6.4 Recordkeeping 

6.4.1 For school buses applicable to Section 5.0, each fleet operator shall 

maintain records of annual mileage per bus and the amount of fuel 

purchased annually for the fleet, recorded by fuel type. 

6.4.2 Each fleet operator seeking an exemption under Section 4.0 shall 

maintain travel records of mileage, fuel usage, and trip destinations for 

each bus exempt per Section 4.1. 

6.4.3 Effective and beginning on and after September 21, 2006 records shall be 

maintained for a minimum of five years and made available for inspection 

by the APCO upon request. 
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