Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
2011 No. 49
Road Traffic And Vehicles
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Made 24th February 2011
Coming into operation 24th March 2011

The Department of the Environment, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 55(1), (2), (4) and (6) and 110(2) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, makes the following Regulations:
S.I. 1995/2994 (N.I. 18)

Citation, commencement and interpretation
1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and shall come into operation on 24th March 2011.
(2) In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
S.R. 2000 No. 169

Amendment to regulation 2 (interpretation)
2. (1) Regulation 2 of the principal Regulations is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) after the definition of “cc” insert—

““child” means a child under the age of 16 years;”;

(b) after the definition of “hours of darkness” insert—

““illuminable sign” means a sign which is of a type shown in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 22A and complies with the requirements of that Schedule;”;

(c) omit the definition of “prescribed sign”;
(d) after the definition of “road clearance vehicle” insert—

““roof bar” means an appliance fitted to the roof of a vehicle which is of a type described in Schedule 22C and complies with the requirements of that Schedule;”;

(e) after the definition of “running lamp” insert—

““school” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;
S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3)
“school service” means a bus service—
(i) which operates during term time only in accordance with a timetable and is normally available to members of the general public and is regularly used by such members but the main purpose of that service is to carry a child to or from his school;
(ii) provided or secured by an Education and Library Board pursuant to arrangements made under Article 52 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986; and
Article 52 was substituted by S.I. 1997 No. 866 (N.I. 5); Article 23
(iii) which is provided by a bus which is the property of an Education and Library Board and is painted in the distinctive livery of that Board;”;

(f) after the definition of “side retro reflector” insert—

““small bus” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but not more than sixteen seated passengers in addition to the driver;”;

(g) after the definition of “special warning lamp” insert—

““standard sign” means a sign which is of a type shown in Schedule 22 and complies with the requirements of that Schedule;”;

(h) after the definition of “warning beacon” insert—

““warning light” means a lamp which is of a type described in Schedule 22B and complies with the requirements of that Schedule;”.

(3) After paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) In these Regulations a reference to a bus carrying a child to or from his school is a reference to a bus carrying a child—
(i) to, or to a place within the vicinity of, his school on a day during term time before he has attended the school on that day; or
(ii) from, or from a place within the vicinity of, his school on a day during term time after he has finished attending the school on that day.”.

Amendment to regulation 15 (lamps to show a steady light)
3. In regulation 15(2) of the principal Regulations, after sub-paragraph (h) add—

“or
(i) a warning light.”.

Amendment to regulation 17 (signs on buses carrying children)
4. For regulation 17 of the principal Regulations substitute—

“Signs on buses carrying children
17. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) and regulations 17A(3), 17B(2) and 17C(2) a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless —
(a) a standard sign is fitted to the front of the bus and is plainly visible to road users ahead of the bus; and
(b) a standard sign is fitted to the rear of the bus and is plainly visible to road users behind the bus.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply —
(a) where a bus is on a bus service of a description specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 18 (bus services specified for the purposes of regulation 57(5)) to the Construction and Use Regulations; or
S.R. 1999 No. 454 as amended by S.R. 2002 No. 256
(b) where a bus is the property of an Education and Library Board and is painted in the distinctive livery of that Board.
(3) A standard sign shall be removed while any bus to which it has been fitted is being used for purposes other than carrying a child to or from his school.
(4) This regulation shall cease to have effect on 31st August 2014.

Illuminable signs on buses carrying children
17A. (1) From 1st September 2014, a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus first used before 1st June 2010, which is being used to provide a school service when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless—
(a) an illuminable sign is fitted to the front of the bus and is plainly visible to road users ahead of the bus; and
(b) an illuminable sign is fitted to the rear of the bus and is plainly visible to road users behind the bus,
which both comply with the requirements of Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 22A and are fitted in accordance with the specifications in Schedule 22D.
(2) From 1st September 2014, a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus first used on or after 1st June 2010, which is being used to provide a school service when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless—
(a) an illuminable sign is fitted to the front of the bus and is plainly visible to road users ahead of the bus; and
(b) an illuminable sign is fitted to the rear of the bus and is plainly visible to road users behind the bus,
which both comply with the requirements of Part 2 of Schedule 22A and are fitted in accordance with the specifications in Schedule 22D.
(3) It shall not be a contravention of regulation 17(1) for a person to cause or permit to be used on a road a bus used to provide a school service where the illuminable signs specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) are fitted to a bus prior to 1st September 2014.

Warning lights
17B. (1) From 1st September 2014, a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus which is being used to provide a school service when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless—
(a) warning lights are fitted to the front of the bus and are plainly visible to road users ahead of the bus; and
(b) warning lights are fitted to the rear of the bus and are plainly visible to road users behind the bus,
and are fitted in accordance with the specifications in Schedule 22D.
(2) It shall not be a contravention of regulation 17(1) for a person to cause or permit to be used on a road, a bus which is fitted with warning lights referred to in paragraph (1) prior to 1st September 2014.

Roof bar
17C. (1) From 1st September 2014, in the case of a small bus where it is not practicable to fit illuminable signs, a person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a small bus which is being used to provide a school service when it is carrying a child to or from his school, unless a roof bar is fitted so that it shall be plainly visible to road users ahead of and behind the bus, and is fitted in accordance with the specifications in Schedule 22D.
(2) It shall not be a contravention of regulation 17(1) for a person to cause or permit to be used on a road, a small bus which is fitted with a roof bar referred to in paragraph (1) prior to 1st September 2014.

Switches
17D. A bus used to provide a school service shall be so constructed that each illuminable sign, warning light and roof bar with which the vehicle is fitted, is capable of being operated by a switch which complies with the requirements of Schedule 22E.”.

New regulation 27A (use of illuminable signs, warning lights on school buses)
5. After regulation 27 of the principal Regulations insert—

“Requirements about the use of illuminable signs, warning lights and roof bars on school buses
27A. A person shall not use or cause or permit to be used on a road a bus which is being used to provide a school service when it is carrying a child to or from his school unless—
(a) the illuminable sign required to be fitted by regulation 17A(1) and (2) is kept lit;
(b) the warning lights specified in regulation 17B(1) are activated as children are entering or leaving, or are about to enter or leave the bus, or have just left the bus; and
(c) in a case of a small bus where a roof bar is fitted the roof bar is kept lit.”.

Amendment to regulation 30 (restrictions on the use of lamps other than those to which regulation 27 refers)
6. (1) The table in regulation 30 of the principal Regulations is amended as follows.
(2) In item 5 in head (iii) in column 3 for “; or” substitute “.”.
(3) In item 5 delete head (iv) in column 3.
(4) After item 11 insert—

“12	Illuminable sign	Used so as to be lit when a bus is not being used to provide a school service.
13	Warning lights	Used other than— (a) in the case of a bus to which warning lights are fitted as described in paragraph (1) of regulation 17B, when the bus is stationary and children under the age of 16 years are entering or leaving, or are about to enter or leave, or have just left the bus. (b) in the case of a small bus to which a roof bar is fitted as described regulation 17C, when the bus is stationary and children under the age of 16 years are entering or leaving, or are about to enter or leave, or have just left the bus.
14	Roof Bar	Used so as to be lit when a bus is not being used to provide a school service.”

Amendment to Schedule 22 (standard sign for buses carrying children)
7. For Schedule 22 to the principal Regulations substitute the Schedules as set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 24th February 2011
Deirdre Kenny
A senior officer of the
Department of the Environment
SCHEDULE

“SCHEDULE 22 Standard sign for buses carrying children
Regulation 2(1)
A standard sign shall—
(a) be of a size and colour indicated in diagram 1; and
(b) display the “schoolchild” pictogram shown in that diagram.
Diagram 1
Colour
Shaded areas — yellow retro reflective material
Border and silhouette — black
Dimensions
A.  Front— not less than 250mm    Rear— not less than 400mm	B.  Front— not more than 20mm    Rear— not more than 30mm.

SCHEDULE 22A   Illuminable sign for buses carrying children
Regulations 2(1), 17A(1) and (2)

PART 1 Bulb based illumination
1. The illuminable sign referred to in regulation 17A(1) shall—
(a) be of a size and colour indicated in diagram 2;
(b) display the “schoolchild” pictogram shown in that diagram; and
(c) be illuminated by bulbs which shall emit a luminous intensity of not less than 4 candela and not more than 60 candela measured in the reference axis.
Diagram 2
Colour
Background areas — illuminated yellow or amber
Border and silhouette — black
Dimensions
A.  Front— not less than 240mm    Rear— not less that 240mm	B.  Front— not less than 20mm    Rear— not less than 20mm.
C.  Front— not less than 200mm    Rear— not less than 200mm	

PART 2 Alternative illumination
2. The illuminable sign referred to in regulation 17A(1) and (2) shall—
(a) be of a size and colour indicated in diagram 2;
(b) display the “schoolchild” pictogram shown in that diagram;
(c) be illuminated by a lamp which is of a type that when switched off the illuminable sign shall show only a blank grey or black face;
(d) emit a luminous intensity of not less than 4 candela and not more than 60 candela measured in the reference axis; and
(e) in the case of illumination provided by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) they shall have a minimum pitch of 12mm, horizontally and vertically.
3. In this Schedule “reference axis” has the same meaning as in paragraph 1.8 of the UNECE Regulation 65- Special Warning Lamps for Motor Vehicles.
Copies available from http://unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/r065r1e.doc

SCHEDULE 22B Warning lights
Regulations 2(1) and 17B(1)
A warning light shall—
(a) have an illuminated area with a diameter of at least 100mm and be amber in colour;
(b) have a horizontal angle of visibility of 80° outwards and 45° inwards and a vertical angle of visibility of 15° above and below the horizontal;
(c) be a single intensity lamp which complies with the flash rate and luminous intensity as set out in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation 65 “Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Special Warning Lamps for Motor Vehicles” for category X lamps; and
Copies of Regulation 65 are available from the following website: http://unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs61-80.html
(d) flash in such a manner that one light is shown when the other is not shown.

SCHEDULE 22C Roof bars for buses carrying children
Regulations 2(1) and 17C(1)
1. A roof bar shall be at least 1000mm in length, excluding the warning lights and shall not exceed the width of the bus.
2. A roof bar shall—
(a) incorporate a sign which shall be of a size and colour indicated in diagram 3;
(b) display the “schoolchild” pictogram shown in that diagram to both the front and the rear of the roof bar;
(c) be illuminated by —
(i) bulbs that comply with the requirements of paragraph 1(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 22A; or
(ii) a lamp that complies with the requirements of paragraph 2(c), (d), and (e) of Part 2 of Schedule 22A except that in paragraph (e) the maximum pitch shall be 7mm, horizontally and vertically;
(d) incorporate the words “School Bus” to the left of the sign using a minimum font height of 110 mm to both the front and the rear of the roof bar; and
(e) have the sign, the words “School Bus” and warning lights referred to in paragraph 3 in alignment.
Diagram 3
Colour
Background areas — yellow or amber
Border and silhouette — black
Dimensions
A.  Front— not less than 120mm    Rear— not less that 120mm	B.  Front— not less than 10mm    Rear— not less than 10mm.
C.  Front— not less than 100mm    Rear— not less than 100mm	
3. A roof bar shall incorporate a warning light on each side of, and the same distance from, the centre of the roof bar, in either of the positions shown in diagram 4.
Position of warning lights in or on roof bars
Diagram 4
4. In this Schedule “warning lights” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1).

SCHEDULE 22D Fitting of illuminable sign, warning lights and roof bar on buses carrying children
Regulations 17A, 17B and 17C

Fitting of illuminable signs and warning lights
1. (1) Illuminable signs and warning lights on a bus which is being used to provide a school service shall be fitted so that the centre of the illuminable sign and warning lights shall be positioned not less than 1500mm or more than 3500mm from ground level.
(2) Warning lights referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall be fitted—
(a) in alignment with the illuminable sign;
(b) with the edge of the illuminable sign not more than 200mm from the nearest point on the illuminable area of the warning lights;
(c) so that no part of the lights are obstructed; and
(d) so that they operate independently of any other lighting on the bus.
(3) Where the illuminable sign and warning lights are fitted on the front and rear of the bus behind glass—
(a) the glass shall be clear and not tinted as stated in regulation 37 of the Construction and Use Regulations; and
(b) in addition no part of the illuminable sign and lights shall encroach more than 40mm into the swept area of the wipers or have any detrimental impact on the driver’s forward vision or exterior mirror view.
(4) Where permissible text is used in conjunction with the illuminable sign and warning lights, the warning lights shall be fitted on either side of the permissible text and the illuminable sign, with the edge of the illuminable sign and text on each side being not more than 200mm from the nearest point on the illuminated area of the warning lights as set out in diagram 5.
Diagram 5
(5) In this paragraph “permissible text” means—
(a) the words “School Bus” or “School”; or
(b) the route number or the name of the school
and the text shall be at least 200mm in height and may be either upper or lower case.
2. Illuminable signs and warning lights shall be fitted—
(a) at the front of a bus in any of the positions shown in diagram 6; and
(b) at the rear of a bus in any of the positions shown in diagram 7.
FRONT
Diagram 6
REAR
Diagram 7
Fitting of roof bar
3. A roof bar shall—
(a) be mounted on and fixed safely to the roof; and
(b) be fitted so that the sign, warning lights and text operate independently of any other lighting on the bus.
4. (1) A small bus which does not exceed 5500mm in length and does not exceed 2300mm in height shall be fitted with one roof bar.
(2) If a small bus exceeds either of the measurements referred to in paragraph (1) then it should be fitted with two roof bars.

SCHEDULE 22E Switches relating to the use of illuminable signs, warning lights and roof bars on buses carrying children
Regulation 17D

Buses other than small buses
1. A bus which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 16 seated passengers in addition to the driver shall be fitted with a three position switch for the purpose of enabling the driver to —
(a) switch on the illuminable sign and the warning lights so that the illuminable sign is illuminated continuously and the warning lights automatically activate when the door opens and switch off 4-8 seconds after the door closes;
(b) switch on the illuminable sign and text and warning lights regardless of whether the door is open or closed; and
(c) switch off the illuminable sign and warning lights.

Small Buses
2. In a small bus a three position switch shall be fitted for the purpose of enabling the driver to—
(a) switch on the illuminable sign and warning lights, or the bulb or lamp of a roof bar and its associated warning lights;
(b) switch on the illuminable sign continuously and switch off the warning lights, or switch on the lamp or bulb of a roof bar on continuously and switch off the associated warning lights; and
(c) switch off the illuminable sign and warning lights or switch off the bulb or lamp of a roof bar and its associated warning lights.
(2) A delay shall be built into the systems so that the warning lights will continue to flash 4-8 seconds after they are switched off.

All Buses
3. A bus shall have a visible or audible indicator to inform the driver that the warning lights are on.”

Regulation 7

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (the principal Regulations) in order to introduce new requirements relating to the display of signs and lights on buses carrying children to and from school.
Regulation 4 substitutes regulation 17 of the principal Regulations so that the non-illuminated reflective sign is referred to as a standard sign as specified in Schedule 22, and inserts new regulations into the principal Regulations as follows—
(a) regulation 17A provides that from 1st September 2014 buses used to provide a school service must have an illuminable sign of a type shown in Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 22A, the type of illumination depending on the date the bus is first used.
(b) regulation 17B requires that buses, used to provide a school service, are fitted with warning lights specified in Schedule 22B.
(c) regulation 17C imposes a requirement on buses used to provide a school service with a seating capacity of 9-16 passengers to be fitted with a roof bar as specified in Schedule 22C, where it is not practicable to fit illuminable signs and warning lights.
(d) regulation 17D inserts new requirements regarding the operation of switches for illuminable signs and warning lights.
Fitting of illuminated signs, warning lights and roof bars is dealt with in Schedule 22D.
Regulations 6 inserts new regulation 27A into the principal Regulations which imposes requirements with regard to the lighting of the illuminable sign, warning lights and roof bars.
Regulation 7 amends regulation 30 of the principal Regulations so as to restrict the use of illuminable signs and warning lights.
An Explanatory Memorandum and a Regulatory Impact Assessment has been produced and is available from Road Safety Division, Department of the Environment, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr