On Wednesday, August 16, Governor Murphy signed A-5239/S-3734, P.L. 2023 c.144, extending the service life of school buses to 20 years and extends the service life of Type S school buses.
Prior to P.L. 2023 c. 144, school buses weighing up to 25,000 pounds, produced either on or after January 1, 2007, or those predating 2007 but equipped with crankcase technology, were permitted a functional lifespan of fifteen years. Regardless of their condition or mileage, New Jersey law mandates the retirement of these vehicles once their operational duration is completed.
P.L. 2023 c.144 expands the operational window for school buses from 15 years to 20 years. The law applies to school buses manufactured on or after 2007 and school buses manufactured after 2007 provided, they have been installed with crankcase technology integrated to mitigate emissions.
The law also permits the Motor Vehicle Commission Administrator to extend the retirement date of Type S school buses by one year upon the owner's request. Type S school buses cannot be used to transport pupils beyond the twelfth year of the later the manufacture date or at the end of the school year. The extension can only be granted once and can only be granted upon the passing of an additional inspection.
P.L. 2023, c. 144 took effect on August 16, 2023.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 116.