Almost all states in the US mandate reflective markings on school buses.  Unlike DOT trucks, regulations concerning school buses fall to the individual states with the federal government providing guidance. Regulations concerning reflective tape are normally found within the regulations of the state that deal with the rest of the bus as well.  (ie exits, seats, seatbelts, fire extinguishers, etc.)

School bus conspicuity treatments generally involve 2-inch prismatic reflective striping in a school bus yellow color down the sides of the vehicle.  Also, 1-inch striping around all exits.  A summary of the federal exit marking regulation is below.

School bus conspicuity treatments generally involve 2-inch prismatic reflective striping in a school bus yellow color down the sides of the vehicle.  Also, 1-inch striping around all exits.  A summary of the federal exit marking regulation is below.

FMVSS 131 & FMVSS 217

School Bus Regulation:

Each opening for a required emergency exit shall be outlined around its outside perimeter with a retroreflective tape with a minimum width of 2.5 centimeters and either red, white, or yellow in color, that when tested under the conditions specified in S6.1 of Standard No. 131 (49 CFR 571.131), meets the criteria specified.

• 1″ reflective yellow strip used to mark side emergency exit windows
• 1″ reflective yellow strip used to mark back emergency exit windows

Private buses fall under DOT C2 regulations because of their size and weight, however, they are not as regulated as school buses. The same type of reflective tape application is highly recommended especially if the bus transports children.

Excerpt from Florida’s School Bus Regulations – There must be installed a reflective marking package as specified in the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, Revised 2010. Striping must be installed longitudinally the length of the body at the vertical location immediately below the seat level rub rails but high enough so as to clear wheel wells, whenever possible. Short breaks in the striping at rivet locations are acceptable. Reflective markings are also required for all emergency exits.