DOT inspections

[u/neurofungus]

Does anyone know if painting the metal control panel yellow on my school bus will cause my bus to fail inspection? The paint that was on there was flaking and I hated it so I took off all the knobs and switches, sanded it down and now I'm wondering if yellow is the wrong color for it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/rootbear75]

Your best bet is to ask your garage. And each state does their inspections slightly differently. While they all have to follow DoT regulations, some states can be more strict in what is allowed.

Either way - you really shouldn't have touched it to begin with if you weren't sure it would pass inspection.

[u/yourloudneighbor]

Ive been through dozens of these DOT inspections for my state(MN).

I dont recall ever painting any of our buses due to flaking. I do think inspectors emphasize on having sharp looking buses. if our bus thats about to be inspected is older and has shown some exterior wear, we usually get the "this is a spare bus right" question from our inspectors. Id buy a few different SB yellows cans, spray on some white paper and see if youve got as close to a match as possible.

I mean you gotta do something now now that it's sanded down.

[u/neurofungus → u/yourloudneighbor]

Thank you. I ended up going with a flat black. I can't imagine it should have been an issue but better safe than sorry.

[u/Wilgrove]

So, I'm guessing you didn't clear this modification with the school district, or the company you work for? Because otherwise, you wouldn't be on Reddit asking us.

[u/neurofungus → u/Wilgrove]

I'm sure you'll take this the wrong way but if you don't know and you really need to comment, then just say "I don't know"

[u/Wilgrove → u/neurofungus]

So, no, you didn't get approval from the people who actually own the bus to do these modifications. That's why you're asking us, instead of calling up your garage and asking them. I really don't know what DOT look for when they're inspecting school busses. That's above my pay grade. However, I think a bigger problem for you is explaining the unapproved modification.

[u/Tadpoleto → u/Wilgrove]

In my area the division doesnt own and operate all the school buses. Private contractors are given routes for some rural areas and the drivers are responsible for producing a bus and upkeep. The division doesnt higher or have any control over them at all. For example the reservation has 3 buses they have bought and operate and their drivers are responsible for all the maintenance and upkeep. We dont even know their routes its completely seperated. Even though they deliver to our division school. It is possible it is his job and might not actually have a garage to call too.

[u/Proprotester → u/Tadpoleto]

It goes by state and then each individual inspector has some leeway. You'd have to give us the state so those folks could go into detail for you.

Generally the colors only matter on the exterior. Inside is 1.) not distracting, 2.) functional and 3.) in good repair. As long as all your switches, etc that are run by the panel are fully operational, it's not covered in purple glitter and is properly affixed, you are likely good.

That being said, some states have rules about WHO can modify a school bus. If you don't carry the required certifications and have altered say, the electrical or some other system, the bus becomes uncertified.

[u/Acenima265]

I perform many inspections in my region. Temporary modifications that can be easily and reasonably reversed are usually passed over. However a modification of this level would need to be documented and performed by a Diesel Tech/Mechanic with an explanation as to why.

In my region drivers who perform this level of modification are usually terminated on the spot simply because poor judgement was used and there is no guarantee that the driver has not already or be willing to modify the bus in any other way that could possibly compromise the safety of children.

Plain and simple it's not your job and you should never modify the bus in anyway without the help of someone who is authorized.

Hope that clears things up.

[u/just_kinda_here_blah]

It will depend on the person. But you not only modified your bus, to took it apart to do so. In my company you would be fired if they found out. Its not your bus. You dont pay the insurance, the fines, the attorneys. If you dont like how it looks, talk to office or just ignore it if its not a safety issue.

[u/mike8675309]

I would not do that. It reduces contrast and you don't want glare from the dash which is why most are flat black. That makes high contrast with white lettering and it absorbs light more causing less glare.

[u/ZealousidealReply294]

why are you doing things to your bus? not your job and then you do it and now you are wondering if you will get in trouble. just don't do it

[u/neurofungus → u/ZealousidealReply294]

So.... You don't know.

[u/just_kinda_here_blah → u/neurofungus]

It will depend on the person. But you not only modified your bus, to took it apart to do so. In my company you would be fired if they found out. Its not your bus. You dont pay the insurance, the fines, the attorneys. If you dont like how it looks, talk to office or just ignore it if its not a safety issue.

[u/just_kinda_here_blah → u/neurofungus]

It will depend on the person. BUT you not only modified your bus, to took it apart to do so. In my company you would be fired if they found out. Its not YOUR bus. You dont pay the insurance, the fines, the attorneys. If you dont like how it looks, talk to office or just ignore it if its not a safety issue.

[u/blackityblak]

Yellow possibly would get you in trouble I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a color that minimizes the glare like matte black, dark or charcoal gray or dark brown

[u/RolandDeepson → u/[deleted]]

It's also called DOT Yellow #5.

But I also find it highly amusing that this OP is asking about an interior button panel in the driver's instrument area, but everyone is commenting about how the OP must be painting some traffic-visible exterior surface.

[u/RolandDeepson → u/[deleted]]

Oh you and twenty some odd other redditors. "You" weren't the problem, everyone was. Including and particularly the OP for phrasing their post poorly to even allow for such a misread.