(4) The length by which the body overhangs the axis of the rear wheels of a passenger-service vehicle shall not exceed two-fifths of the wheel-base, provided that the Authorized Officer may at his discretion allow an extra length up to 8 in. when he considers such allowance necessary or desirable. In this clause “body” does not include a compartment or fitting specially provided for the carriage of baggage or other goods, or a platform or staircase external to the seating accommodation, provided these are not used to accommodate passengers.

(5) The length by which any part of a passenger-service vehicle, including its fittings, equipment, or its load, extends farther rearward than the forward limits of the wheel-base shall in no circumstances exceed 7 ft., nor shall it extend more than 3 ft. in front of the radiator, or 1 ft. 6 in. in front of the forward end of the chassis-frame member (or the equivalent of such frame member), whichever of the latter two alternatives is the greater distance.

(6) The length by which any part of a passenger-service vehicle, including its fittings, equipment, or its load, extends farther rearward than the rearward limits of the wheel-base, shall be not greater than 9 ft. 6 in., nor greater than 3 ft. 6 in. behind the body, whichever is the lesser distance, and the said 3 ft. 6 in. shall be reduced to the extent of any extra allowance granted under clause (4) of this regulation:

Provided that the Authorized Officer may allow the said 3 ft. 6 in. to be increased by an amount equal to that by which the body overhang falls short of the limit of two-fifths of the wheel-base, but in no such case shall the total overhang then exceed 7 ft.

(7) For the purpose of this regulation “wheel-base” in the case of—

(a) A passenger-service vehicle with only two axles means the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle from the axis or centre of the rear wheel to the centre of the front wheel when in its normal position; and in the case of

(b) A passenger-service vehicle fitted with a more or less rigid frame which is carried towards the front end, or towards the rear end, or towards both ends by two axles placed closely one behind the other, means the distance measured as in the last preceding paragraph from the point (or points) midway between the closely-placed axles.

Body.

34. (1) Every passenger-service vehicle shall be fitted with a permanent body, the frame of which shall be made of wood, steel, or other durable material approved by the Authorized Officer. The body shall be of good and robust design, shall be made of first-class materials, with first-class workmanship and finish, shall be designed to give, to the satisfaction of the Authorized Officer, full protection to passengers, and shall be permanently attached to the chassis.

(2) Highly inflammable materials shall not be used in the construction of the body or fittings and equipment.

(3) Fittings shall not have sharp corners or edges, or extend in such a way as to render them likely to be a cause of injury to passengers or to their clothing.

(4) Effective means shall be taken to prevent any unnecessary rattle of windows or doors or other noises caused by movements of the body-frame or other part when the vehicle is in use.

(5) Every passenger-service vehicle shall be fitted with windows along each side and at the rear of the body: Provided that a service-car or service-coach may have movable side panels or curtains which shall, when in the closed position, be transparent to such degree that there is good visibility for the passengers. In the case of an omnibus any windows that open and alongside which a passenger may be seated shall be guarded to a distance of at least 3 ft. above the level of the top of the seat by slats on the inside or by other approved means, so that a spherical body 5 in. in diameter cannot within the said distance be passed through the opening.

(6) Every passenger-service vehicle body shall be effectively and automatically ventilated, either by means of special design and construction of the walls and ceilings or by the provision of approved ventilators therein or by a combination of such methods, and special attention shall be given to the need for minimizing draughts.

Lighting.

35. (1) While carrying passengers at any time when by law the passenger-service vehicle is required to be lighted, the interior shall, subject to the provisions hereinafter set out, be illuminated with electric light on the basis of a minimum of six candle-power to every two seats in the case of vehicles chiefly used on an urban or suburban service, and in other cases on the basis of a minimum of six candle-power to every five seats. In any case when there is a doubt as to which of the two intensities of lighting as above described should be adopted, the decision of the Authorized Officer shall be final for the purposes of this regulation.

(2) The lights shall be so placed within the body of the passenger-service vehicle or shall be so controlled by switches, or so guarded by shields or non-reflectors that the driver shall not be hampered by light direct or reflected from the internal lights. Independent circuits shall be provided so that, during lighting hours and while the passenger-service vehicle is on service, at least one of the interior lights may remain alight.

(3) When owing to paucity of passengers or the requirements of safety or other proper circumstances, it would temporarily not be reasonable wholly to meet the requirements of clause (1) hereof, all or any of the internal lights save that referred to in subclause (2) hereof may be switched off by the driver.

(4) The lights shall be so distributed that the doorways and steps shall be illuminated while in use, and so that light is distributed throughout the interior of the passenger-service vehicle.

(5) No single light shall be less than six candle-power.

(6) Lamp-fittings, globes, and wiring shall be of a substantial nature, so that passengers will be protected from their failure or breakage.

(7) Every passenger-service vehicle shall be fitted with a cautionary signal light (preferably amber in colour) which is automatically lit upon application of the service brake and is extinguished when such brake is again released. Such cautionary light shall be located near to the tail-light fitting or may form part thereof, and shall show to the rearward.

(8) Unless the Authorized Officer in special circumstances approves otherwise, every service-car or service-coach shall—

(a) If intended to be used in a licensed passenger-service longer than half an hour after sunset, have provision for its front destination sign to be clearly illuminated.

(b) If actually used for half an hour after sunset have its front destination sign clearly illuminated.

Steps.

36. (1) Steps for the assistance of passengers in entering and alighting from the passenger-service vehicle shall be placed to all outside doorways (except emergency doors) which do not reach within 1 ft. 4 in. of the surface of a level roadway. Steps must be safe and convenient, and sufficient means shall be provided by grip-handles to assist passengers using them.

(2) Unless the Authorized Officer approves otherwise, the distance of the lowest step above the surface of a level roadway must be not more than 1 ft. 4 in. with the passenger-service vehicle unloaded, or less than 10 in. with the passenger-service vehicle loaded, and the tire worn to its maximum degree. The rise between one step and the next shall not be greater than 1 ft. The treading-surface of any step shall not be less than 8 in. from front to back. Every step shall be provided and maintained with a suitable covering or tread-plate to prevent slipping, and shall be of the one continuous level for its full width at each doorway.

Miscellaneous Fittings.

37. (1) Buffers of a cushioning non-rigid type and fitted in a manner approved by the Authorized Officer shall be provided along the front of every passenger-service vehicle to reduce likelihood of injury to the vehicle or the passengers in the event of a collision, and likewise shall be provided along the rear end or at and about the two rear corners of every passenger-service vehicle which is not provided with a baggage-rack accepted by the Authorized Officer as likely to serve the same purpose.

(2) An omnibus shall be so constructed, or side guards or other approved appliances shall be so fitted, that, save for any necessary steering-clearance, or essential clearance due to the nature of the road surface, persons are protected from falling under the vehicle from the sides.

General Chassis Requirements.

38. (1) The springs shall be of ample strength and shall be so designed, constructed, and secured that when the passenger-service vehicle is travelling either fully or partially loaded it shall afford reasonable comfort to the passengers under average conditions of its service and route.

(2) The wheels shall not be so heavy or so equipped that more than reasonable strain is placed upon the steering-gear.

(3) The sum of the weight of the passenger-service vehicle body with its fittings and equipment and spare wheel or wheels, tools and other gear, fuel, oil, and water, the driver, passengers, and any other load that the chassis is, in the opinion of the Authorized Officer likely to carry in service, shall not exceed the maximum gross load that the chassis was designed by its maker to carry safely in regular daily passenger-service.

(4) The wheel-base, tires, steering-gear, overhang, and the loading of every passenger-service vehicle shall be such that skidding, pitching, or other improper movements shall be avoided so far as possible.

(5) In this and the next succeeding regulation “chassis” means the actual chassis that is proposed to be used as supplied by the manufacturer, with its original equipment and with its road-wheels fitted with tires complete (and of the