Chapter Trans 300

Trans 300.16 Trans 300.16 Driver requirements.

Trans 300.16(1) (1) Prior to the start of any trip, the driver, or employer designee, shall check the condition of the bus, giving particular attention to brakes, tires, lights, emergency equipment, mirrors, windows, and interior cleanliness of the bus. Defects shall be reported in writing, or electronic file, to the person in charge of bus maintenance by completing a pre-trip report. In addition to completing a pre-trip report when a defect or unsafe condition is found, an inspection log indicating the date, time, and identification of who completed the inspection must be completed prior to the start of any trip. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the pre-trip inspection has been completed prior to the start of any trip. The driver shall be responsible for the cleanliness of the interior of the bus and shall ensure that the windshield and mirrors are clean before each school bus operation and that the strobe light is actuated whenever the bus is in operation on a highway for purposes specified in s. 340.01 (56) (a) and (am), Stats.

Trans 300.16(2) (2) Articles may not be transported within the bus body if there is or may be interference with the safe transportation of pupils or with the driver or if the articles obstruct the aisle, stepwell, or steps. No animal, firearm, or other weapon of any sort, or articles not associated with school activity shall be permitted on a bus without the express, written authorization of the appropriate school administrator. The bus driver shall refuse admittance to any student not presenting the required written authorization. The driver shall designate where all such articles shall be carried in the bus. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to animals specially trained to aid individuals with disabilities which may be permitted in accord with s. 106.52 (3) (am), Stats.

Trans 300.16(3) (3) The driver may not smoke or permit smoking aboard the school bus.

Trans 300.16(4) (4) A driver may not operate a school bus while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or a combination of alcohol and a controlled substance or permit the use of alcohol or a controlled substance on any school bus. The driver may not operate a school bus if the driver is under any medication, or combination of medication and alcohol, which may affect the safe operation of the bus.

Trans 300.16(5) (5) Drivers operating a school bus that meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle shall comply with ss. 346.63 (5) and 346.63 (7) (a), Stats.

Trans 300.16(6) (6) Drivers operating a school bus not meeting the definition of a commercial motor vehicle shall comply with the following:

Trans 300.16(6)(a) (a) A driver may not consume an intoxicating beverage regardless of its alcoholic content within 4 hours before going on duty, or operating, or having physical control of, a school bus.

Trans 300.16(6)(b) (b) A driver may not consume an intoxicating beverage regardless of its alcoholic content while on duty, or operating, or in physical control of, a school bus.

Trans 300.16(6)(c) (c) A driver may not have in the driver’s possession any alcoholic beverage regardless of its alcoholic content while on duty or operating a school bus.

Trans 300.16(6)(d) (d) A driver may not operate a school bus while having any measured alcohol concentration above 0.0.

Trans 300.16(7) (7) The driver shall maintain order among passengers being transported and shall promptly report any misconduct to the proper authority. The driver may assign a seating order.

Trans 300.16(8) (8) Loading stations or points shall be selected with due regard for traffic and pedestrian safety and shall be approved by school authorities. Flashing warning lights shall be used as required by s. 346.48 (2), Stats. The stop arm shall be used in conjunction with the flashing red warning lights and shall be extended only after the bus comes to a stop. Except where there are special loading zones where the bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the highway, the bus shall be stopped on the traveled portion of the highway in the lane farthest to the right which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. The flashing red warning lights may not be extinguished until loading or unloading is completed and persons who must cross the highway are safely across. The stop arm shall be retracted before putting the bus in motion.

Trans 300.16(9) (9) A school bus may not be stopped on any portion of a highway for the loading or discharge of pupils or other persons unless the bus is painted the yellow and black school bus color combination, is equipped with a stop signal arm and alternating flashing red or flashing red and amber lights and is identified by a school bus sign. This subsection does not apply to a vehicle which is operating within a municipality and which is not readily identifiable as a school bus. When loading or discharging pupils in a rural area, a vehicle not identifiable as a school bus shall do so off the highway and in such a manner that the pupils do not have to cross the highway.

Trans 300.16(10) (10) The driver shall make sure that there is no traffic danger before allowing pupils to cross the highway. Pupils obliged to cross the highway shall be required to cross from a point at least 10 feet forward of the standing bus only after receiving a signal from the driver. When discharging passengers the driver may not proceed until all persons are at a safe distance away from the bus or, if crossing the roadways, they are safely across the street or highway. This subsection applies only where alternating flashing red or flashing red and amber lights are required by s. 346.48, Stats., or authorized by s. 349.21, Stats.

Trans 300.16(11) (11) A driver may not leave the bus unattended with the engine running or the key in the ignition when pupils are in the bus or in the immediate area of the bus.

Trans 300.16(12) (12) Except as provided in sub. (15), the doors of a bus shall be closed securely before starting and shall remain closed while the bus is in motion. Abrupt starts and stops or sudden maneuvers are prohibited, except in an emergency.

Trans 300.16(13) (13) The driver may not require nor permit any passenger to stand while the vehicle is in motion except while a passenger is going to a door or seat just prior to stopping or immediately after loading. This does not apply to chaperones or monitors in the performance of their duties. The driver may not permit any passenger to sit anywhere on the bus except in seats provided.

Trans 300.16(14) (14) The driver may not operate a school bus beyond the legal posted speed limits on any town, county, municipal, state or federal highway.

Trans 300.16(15) (15) The driver of a school bus required to stop at a railroad crossing by s. 346.45, Stats., shall come to a full stop at a distance of not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet before crossing at grade any track of a railroad. The vehicle hazard warning lamps shall be used when the bus is slowing for the stop and shall remain on until the bus has resumed normal speed. While the bus is so stopped, the driver shall open the service door and listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. After stopping and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of the bus shall cross only in the gear of the bus that will make it unnecessary to manually shift gears while traversing the crossing, and the driver may not shift gears while traversing the crossing. The service door shall remain open until the front wheels of the bus have cleared the first set of tracks for each required stop, but shall be closed before shifting.

Trans 300.16(16) (16) In case of an accident or a breakdown, when practicable, the driver shall remain with the bus and may send 2 responsible pupils or other passengers to the nearest place for help unless aid has been secured by means of 2-way communication.

Trans 300.16(17) (17) The use of audio headsets by drivers shall be prohibited.

Trans 300.16(18) (18) Drivers shall check the entire interior of the school bus following each trip to assure all passengers are off the bus.

Trans 300.16(19) (19) Drivers, school boards, transportation supervisors, and bus owners shall cooperate at all times with authorized division of state patrol personnel in carrying out the inspection of school buses and equipment.

Trans 300.16(20) (20) No persons except pupils, school employees, chaperones and other persons approved by the school or department authorities shall be permitted to ride in a school bus subject to this chapter, provided that school board members or an authorized department official conducting an inspection of the vehicle or examination of the driver’s ability shall be given such privilege. Transportation of passengers in excess of the number posted in the bus is prohibited.

Trans 300.16 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (2), (3), renum. (5) to (15) to be (7) to (16) and (19) and am. (7) to (10), (12), (14) to (16), cr. (5), (6), (17), (18), (20), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (2) to (4), (6) (a) to (d), (8) to (11), (13) and (15), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; am. (1), Register, April, 1999, No. 520, eff. 5-1-99; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2012 No. 675; CR 15-069: am. (1), (8) to (10) Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16; CR 22-048: am. (2), (4), (6) (c) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 300.17 Trans 300.17 Passengers. School bus passengers shall comply with any lawful order given by the driver in carrying out the driver’s responsibility of transporting passengers safely.

Trans 300.17 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.

Trans 300.18 Trans 300.18 Out of service.

Trans 300.18(1) (1) Any bus that is found to be in such condition that it is unsafe for use as a school bus shall have an “out of service” sticker attached to the lower right corner of the windshield, and the vehicle may not be used as a school bus while the sticker is displayed.

Trans 300.18(2) (2) A vehicle with an “out of service” sticker displayed shall be reinspected by and shall have the sticker removed by an employee of the division of state patrol or authorized agent of the carrier at the direction of the division of state patrol employee prior to reuse as a school bus.

Trans 300.18(3) (3) It shall be illegal for any person other than an agent of the department to remove, conceal or obstruct an “out of service” sticker unless the vehicle:

Trans 300.18(3)(a) (a) Has the base school bus registration removed.

Trans 300.18(3)(b) (b) Is re-registered in such a manner as to prohibit its use as a school bus.

Trans 300.18(3)(c) (c) Is converted to meet the requirements of s. Trans 300.19.

Trans 300.18 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (2), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1), (2) and (3) (a) and (b), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.19 Trans 300.19 Requirements to convert a school bus. The owner of every vehicle identified as a school bus by color, signs, and lights which is converted from a school bus to some other type of vehicle shall comply with the following requirements:

Trans 300.19(1) (1) Repaint the entire vehicle to a color other than glossy yellow or any color commonly referred to as yellow.

Trans 300.19(2) (2) Physically remove the flashing red lights from the vehicle; the mere disconnection, covering or repainting of the flashing red lights does not comply with this requirement.

Trans 300.19(3) (3) Remove the stop signal arm.

Trans 300.19(4) (4) Remove any sign identifying the vehicle as a school bus.

Trans 300.19(5) (5) Remove the crossing gate.

Trans 300.19 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 11-98; CR 03-116: cr. (5) Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04.

Trans 300.20 Trans 300.20 Adoption of standards.

Trans 300.20(1) (1) Pursuant to s. 227.21, Stats., the attorney general and the legislative reference bureau have consented to the incorporation by reference of the following standards.

Trans 300.20(1)(a) (a) SAE J579c—sealed beam headlamp units for motor vehicles. SAE standard approved January 1940 and last revised by the lighting committee December 1984.

Trans 300.20(1)(b) (b) SAE J585e—tail lamps (rear position lamps). SAE standard approved March 1918 and last revised by the lighting committee March 1986.

Trans 300.20(1)(c) (c) SAE J586 Feb 84—stop lamps. SAE standard approved February 1927, completely revised by the lighting committee December 1989.

Trans 300.20(1)(d) (d) SAE J587 Oct 81—license plate lamps. SAE standard approved March 1918 and last revised by the lighting committee August 1985.

Trans 300.20(1)(e) (e) SAE J588f—turn signal lamps. SAE standard approved February 1927 and last revised by the lighting committee June 1991.

Trans 300.20(1)(f) (f) SAE J592 Jan 84—clearance, side marker, and identification lamps. SAE standard approved January 1937 and last revised by the lighting committee March 1990.

Trans 300.20(1)(g) (g) SAE J593e—backup lamps. SAE standard approved August 1947 and last revised June 1989.

Trans 300.20(1)(h) (h) SAE J887 May 82—school bus warning lamps. SAE standard approved July 1964 and completely revised August 1987.

Trans 300.20(1)(i) (i) SAE J914b—side turn signal lamps. SAE recommended practice approved February 1965 and last revised November 1989.

Trans 300.20(1)(j) (j) SAE J1133 April 84—school bus stop arm. Report of the lighting committee, approved April 1976, completely revised July 1989.

Trans 300.20(1)(k) (k) Federal regulations adopted. The federal regulations in title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, part 393, parts and accessories necessary for safe operation, and part 571, motor vehicle safety standards, adopted by the United States department of transportation and in effect on October 1, 1996 shall be enforced in relation to a school bus under this chapter as though the regulations were set out in full in this chapter.

Trans 300.20 Note Note: Copies of the references are on file in the offices of the Division of State Patrol, the Secretary of State, and the Legislative Reference Bureau; or may be purchased from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA, 15096. The standards are noted in the SAE handbook, 1997 edition. Any standard or recommended practice shall be treated as an approved standard and shall not be advisory in nature.

Trans 300.20 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; correction in (1) (intro.) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, December, 1987, No. 384; am. (1) (a) to (i), (2), cr. (1) (j), (k), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) (k) and renum. and am. (2) to be (1) (k) Note, Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; correction in (1) (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register March 2012 No. 675.

Trans 300.21 Trans 300.21 Rebody requirements.

Trans 300.21(1) (1) A school bus may be upgraded by the installation of a new body on an older chassis. This product will be known as a rebody school bus.

Trans 300.21(2) (2) A chassis provided for a rebody shall be currently titled and licensed as a school bus in Wisconsin.

Trans 300.21(3) (3) Proof shall be presented to the school bus body distributor that all chassis defects from the previous inspection have been corrected.

Trans 300.21(4) (4) The following items shall have been replaced with new or rebuilt parts within 12 months prior to the time of rebody:

Trans 300.21(4)(a) (a) All brake lines replaced with steel or stainless steel lines and all brake hoses replaced.

Trans 300.21(4)(b) (b) Hydrovac and related lines.

Trans 300.21(4)(c) (c) Vacuum tanks.

Trans 300.21(4)(d) (d) Shock absorbers.

Trans 300.21(4)(e) (e) If air equipped, all tanks, lines, diaphragms, and valves.

Trans 300.21(5) (5) Any chassis 5 years old or less that has the items in sub. (4) may be waived from replacement provided the school bus body distributor is satisfied it is in like-new condition.

Trans 300.21(6) (6) The replacement body shall meet all FMVSS requirements applicable at the time the body was manufactured.

Trans 300.21(7) (7) All rebody school buses shall be inspected by the division of state patrol before operation as a school bus. This inspection shall be the same inspection as a presale inspection.

Trans 300.21 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95.

Trans 300.22 Trans 300.22 Charter operations. A school bus may be used temporarily as a motor bus for transportation purposes if the following requirements are met:

Trans 300.22(1) (1) The registration requirements as provided in s. 341.26 (7), Stats.

Trans 300.22(2) (2) The lettering as prescribed by s. 347.44 (1) (c), Stats., is covered or removed. This may be accomplished by substituting the word “charter” for “school.” This subsection does not apply when transporting children for any purpose under s. 346.48 (2) (c), Stats.

Trans 300.22 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

subch. II of ch. Trans 300 Subchapter II—Equipment Standards

Trans 300.25 Trans 300.25 Aisle.

Trans 300.25(1) (1) Every type A-I, B, C or D school bus or type A-II school bus manufactured in 2 stages, shall have a center aisle with a minimum clearance 12 inches wide. The center aisle shall be the open area which pupils entering the service door utilize to gain access to their seats. The center aisle shall extend from the driver’s compartment to the emergency exit at the rear of the bus. The school bus that has a side emergency door shall, in addition, have a 12-inch wide aisle from the center aisle to the side emergency door. The intent of this requirement is to provide a 12-inch wide, unrestricted aisle to any emergency door.

Trans 300.25(2) (2) An open area for wheelchairs is not an aisle.

Trans 300.25 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) and (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.26 Trans 300.26 Alternator, generator.

Trans 300.26(1) (1) The alternator or generator shall have a capacity that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement for the reserve capacity rating of the battery.

Trans 300.26(2) (2) A school bus of more than 15,000 pounds GVWR shall be equipped with an alternator or generator of at least 100 ampere rating.

Trans 300.26(3) (3) A school bus of 15,000 pounds GVWR or less but more than 10,000 pounds GVWR shall be equipped with an alternator or generator of at least 80 ampere rating.

Trans 300.26(4) (4) A type A-II school bus shall be equipped with an alternator or generator of at least 60 ampere rating. If a school bus is equipped with a power lift, it shall be equipped with an 80 ampere or more rated alternator or generator.

Trans 300.26 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (4), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.27 Trans 300.27 Barriers.

Trans 300.27(1) (1) Every type A-I, B, C or D school bus shall be equipped with a barrier forward of the foremost right and left front seats that complies with FMVSS 222, school bus seating and crash protection.