Minnesota Administrative Rules

8840.5925 VEHICLE EQUIPMENT.

Subpart 1.

Safety equipment.

When in use, each vehicle must carry the following safety equipment:

A.

The vehicle must carry a fully charged, dry chemical, fire extinguisher that has not less than a 5B:C rating and a gauge indicating the charge level of the fire extinguisher. Passenger automobiles that are not vans may carry the fire extinguisher in the trunk of the vehicle if the following notice is affixed to the dashboard of the vehicle: "A fire extinguisher is in the trunk of this vehicle." In other vehicles, the fire extinguisher must be securely mounted in a bracket and readily accessible to the driver in case of emergency.

B.

The vehicle must carry an emergency first aid kit in a dust-proof container, labeled "FIRST AID." The kit must contain at least the following items:

(1)

sterile gauze pads;

(2)

soft roll bandages;

(3)

adhesive tape; and

(4)

scissors.

C.

The vehicle must be equipped with a working radio, cellular telephone, or other means of two-way communication.

D.

The vehicle must carry an operable flashlight.

E.

When a vehicle carries children under the age of four, a child-restraint system that meets the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 213, Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.213, as amended, which is incorporated by reference, must be available in the vehicle.

F.

The vehicle must carry three emergency warning triangles. Both faces of each triangle must consist of red reflective and orange fluorescent material. Each of the three sides of the triangular device must be 17 to 22 inches long and two to three inches wide. The units must be kept clean and in good repair and stored so as to be readily available when needed.

G.

Each vehicle must carry an ice scraper from October 1 to April 30, and each vehicle that is not a taxi must carry a blanket at all times.

H.

Vehicles with interior fuse boxes must carry extra electrical fuses.

I.

If a vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair securement device, it must carry a tool designed and used for cutting securement straps. The tool must not have an exposed sharp edge or be of a type that could be used as a weapon.

Subp. 2.

Seats.

Seats must be securely fastened to the floor or frame of the vehicle. Vehicles, except type I school buses, displaying a current certificate issued by the commissioner of public safety, must have a usable seat belt for each person being transported and for the driver.

Subp. 3.

Ramps.

Ramps must have a slip-proof surface to provide traction. One end of the ramp must be secured to the floor of the vehicle when the ramp is in use. Ramps must conform to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 38.23, paragraph (c), which is incorporated by reference.

Subp. 4.

Wheelchair lifts, requirements.

A vehicle that is equipped with a wheelchair lift and carries semiambulatory persons who use the wheelchair lift must be equipped with either a wheelchair lift with an adjustable or removable railing 28 inches to 36 inches high on one side of the lift or with a folding wheelchair stored on the vehicle when it is in use.

A wheelchair lift must conform to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 38.23, paragraph (b), which is incorporated by reference.

Subp. 5.

Securement devices.

Vehicles that carry occupied stretchers or litters must comply with requirements for securement devices in Minnesota Statutes, section 144E.103, and the federal ambulance standards as they apply to stretcher or litter securement devices referenced in part 4690.1500, subpart 2. Vehicles that carry wheelchairs must comply with the requirements for securement devices in parts 7450.0100 to 7450.0800.

Subp. 6.

Vehicle identification.

Every vehicle must display on both sides the provider's business name and the provider's United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number or if the provider does not have a USDOT number the special transportation service certificate number preceded by the letters "STS". The name and numbers must be marked in colors that sharply contrast with the background, be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle is stationary, and be maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the markings. The markings may be shown by use of a removable device if that device meets the identification and legibility requirements of this subpart.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 174.30

History:

17 SR 634; 28 SR 1578

Published Electronically:

October 11, 2007