(a) This Part is applicable to all passenger vehicles operating in New York State providing transportation of any of the types described in subdivision (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this section, which are subject to periodic safety inspections by the New York State Department of Transportation (the department). Such vehicles must meet the applicable requirements of the New York State Transportation Law, as well as pertinent requirements of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS - title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations).

All motor vehicles transporting passengers under the age of 21 years, to and from schools, for hire, or owned and/or operated by school districts or any public or private school. School transportation will also include the transportation of passengers under the age of 21 years between school programs and community residences (as such terms are defined in section 1.03 of the Mental Hygiene Law) and where such school programs are approved by the New York State Education Department.

For hire school transportation does not include parents who enter into a contract with a school to provide transportation exclusively for their own children in their own vehicle(s).

All motor vehicles, operated in this State, pursuant to or requiring a certificate or permit for the transportation of passengers from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) or the Commissioner of Transportation.

All buses operated pursuant to or requiring regulatory authority from any city that has adopted an ordinance, local law or charter to regulate a franchise, “bus line” operation pursuant to section 80 of the Transportation Law.

Effective April 1, 1998, double-decker sightseeing buses regulated by the New York City Office of Consumer Affairs shall be subject to the department's periodic inspection requirements pursuant to chapter 202 of the Laws of 1997. Such vehicles shall be considered municipal passenger transportation as set forth in subdivision (d) of this section.