Vehicle Identification

Vehicle Certification and Data Plate

NOTE: Labels shown in this chapter are examples only. Actual label locations and specifications may vary from vehicle to vehicle.

The certification plate is installed on the pillar, forward of the entrance door. The certification plate indicates compliance with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) at the time of manufacture, gross axle weight rating (GAWR) front and rear, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), vehicle identification number (VIN), vehicle type, body identification, and build date. See Fig. 1.1 .

Fig. 1.1, Certification and Data Plate Label

Whenever contacting parts, service, or warranty personnel regarding the vehicle, the following two numbers will be requested:

body identification number

VIN

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Labels

NOTE: Due to the variety of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) certification requirements, not all of the labels shown will apply to your vehicle.

Buses purchased in the U.S. are marked as certified by means of an FMVSS certification label. See Fig. 1.1 . The tire and rim information are also included on this label.

Chassis built without a cargo body that are intended for service in the U.S. have an incomplete vehicle certification label attached by the final-stage manufacturer. See Fig. 1.2 . This label will be attached to the incomplete vehicle document included with the vehicle, and certifies that the vehicle conforms to all applicable FMVSS regulations in effect on the date of completion.

Fig. 1.2, Incomplete Vehicle Certification Label

The tire and rim portion of the FMVSS certification label certifies suitable tire and rim combinations that can be installed on the vehicle, for the given gross axle weight rating. Tires and rims installed on the vehicle at the time of manufacture may have a higher load capacity than that certified by the tire and rim label. If the tires and rims currently on the vehicle have a lower load capacity than that shown on the tire and rim label, then the tires and rims determine the load limitations on each of the axles.

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Labels

In Canada, buses are marked as certified by means of a statement of compliance label, which is located in the driver area. See Fig. 1.3 .

Fig. 1.3, Canada Statement of Compliance Label

If purchased for service in Canada, chassis built without a body are marked as certified with the label shown in Fig. 1.2 . This label must be attached by the final-stage manufacturer to certify that the vehicle conforms to all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) regulations in effect on the date of completion.

Tire and Rim Information

Tire and rim information for the vehicle is shown in Fig. 1.1 . This information certifies suitable tire and rim combinations that can be installed on the vehicle for the given gross axle weight rating. Tires and rims installed on the vehicle at the time of manufacture may have a higher load capacity than that certified by the certification and data plate label. If the tires and rims currently on the vehicle have a lower load capacity than that shown on the certification and data plate label, then the tires and rims determine the load limitations on each of the axles.

Vehicle Loading

The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) is the maximum weight the axle can carry. GAWR is the combined capacity of the axle, brakes, tires, wheel equipment, and suspension.

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle. See Fig. 1.1 .

NOTICE

Never load the vehicle over the GVWR. Considerable damage to the drivetrain may result if the vehicle is over the GVWR.

IMPORTANT: Passenger and cargo loads should be distributed proportionately over both the front and rear axles, and sides of the bus.

NOTE: Actual loads on the front and rear axles can only be determined by weighing the vehicle at highway weigh stations or similar facilities. Overloading the vehicle is considered misuse and will void the vehicle warranty.

Emissions Labels

EPA Noise Emission Control Label

A vehicle noise emission control label is attached either to the left side of the dashboard or in the driver's area. See Fig. 1.4 .

It is the owner's responsibility to maintain the vehicle so that it conforms to EPA regulations.

Fig. 1.4, Vehicle Noise Emission Control Label

IMPORTANT: Certain incomplete vehicles may be produced with incomplete noise control hardware. Such vehicles will not have a vehicle noise emission control information label. For such vehicles, it is the final-stage manufacturer's responsibility to complete the vehicle in conformity to U.S. EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 205) and label it for compliance.

Aftertreatment System Indicators Label

Model year 2007 and later diesel engines in vehicles domiciled in the U.S. or Canada are required to meet all EPA exhaust gas emission regulations effective as per the applicable emission model year, and are equipped with an emission aftertreatment system (ATS). Vehicles domiciled outside of the U.S. and Canada may not have aftertreatment equipment, depending upon local statutory emissions guidelines.

There is a warning label (placement will vary by bodybuilder) for important warning indicators in the instrument cluster that pertain to the ATS. See Fig. 1.5 . See Table 1.1 and Table 1.2 for additional EPA information.

It is a violation of U.S. federal law to alter exhaust plumbing, ATS, or other components in any way that would bring the engine/vehicle out of compliance with certification requirements [Ref: 42 U.S.C. S7522(a) (3)]. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the vehicle so that it conforms to EPA regulations.

Fig. 1.5, ATS Indicators, EPA10 and Newer

Vehicle Emission Control Information Label

Model year 2013 and later vehicles meet requirements as specified by GHG14, GHG17 and GHG21 regulations, respectively. These vehicles are equipped with components that increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Components may include, but are not limited to, low-rolling resistance tires; aerodynamic devices such as hood, vehicle speed limiters; and idle shutdown timers.

A Vehicle Emission Control Information Label is located on the fan shroud. See Fig. 1.6 . Among other GHG relevant information the label indicates the emission model year of the vehicle. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the vehicle so that it conforms to EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations.

Fig. 1.6, Vehicle Emission Control Information Label

EPA Regulations
Regulation	Emissions Components
EPA07 (Reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions to 1.1 g/bhp-hr, and particulate matter emissions to 0.01 g/bhp-hr)	Aftertreatment device (ATD) containing a diesel particulate filter that traps soot and ash.^*
EPA10 (Reduction of NOx emissions to 0.2 g/bhp-hr)	EPA07-type ATD, with additional selective catalyst reduction (SCR) technology that utilizes diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to convert NOx to nitrogen and water vapor.
GHG14 (Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions)	Fuel efficiency components including, but not limited to, engines, tires, aerodynamic components, vehicle speed limiters, and idle reduction timers specifically designed to meet regulatory fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards.
GHG17	Fuel efficiency components including, but not limited to, engines, tires, aerodynamic components, vehicle speed limiters, and idle reduction timers specifically designed to meet regulatory fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards.
GHG21	GHG14/17 components plus additional components including, but not limited to, transmissions, axles, predictive technologies, idle reduction technologies for vocational vehicles, tire pressure monitoring systems.

^* Cummins, Detroit, and Mercedes-Benz ATD's are also equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst to break down pollutants.

Table 1.1, EPA Regulations

Emission Regulations by Model Year
Model Year	Engine Regulation	Vehicle Regulation
2007–2009	EPA07	N/A
2010–2012	EPA10	N/A
2013–2015	EPA10, GHG14	GHG14
2016	EPA10, GHG17	GHG14
2017–2020	EPA10, GHG17	GHG17
2021–and later	EPA10, GHG21	GHG21

Table 1.2, Emission Regulations by Model Year