§393.62 Window Obstructions

Question 1: May a bus being operated by a for-hire motor carrier of passengers, under contract with a governmental agency to provide transportation of prisoners in interstate commerce, be allowed to operate with security bars covering the emergency push-out windows and with locked emergency door exits?

Guidance: Yes. Even when the transportation is performed by a contract carrier, the welfare, safety, and security of the prisoners is under the authority of the governmental corrections agency and, thus, the agency may require additional security measures. For these types of operations, a carrier may meet the special security requirements of the governmental corrections agency regarding emergency exits. However, CMVs that have been modified to meet the security requirements of the corrections agency may not be used for other purposes that are subject to the FMCSRs unless they meet the emergency exit requirements.