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(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(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(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.
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 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(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(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.
Trans 300.27(2)
(2) A type A-II school bus manufactured in 2 stages shall be equipped with a barrier or a padded stanchion forward of the foremost right and left front seats. The barrier shall extend from the wall to the aisle. If a stanchion is utilized, the area immediately in front of the foremost seat shall be protected with a padded panel extending from no more than 4 inches above the floor to the crossbar. The stanchion bars shall be padded.
Trans 300.27(3)
(3) If the bus meets any federal requirements relating to the use of seat belts, the bus shall, in addition, be equipped with barriers or stanchions as indicated in this section.
Trans 300.27 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am.
Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) and (2),
Register, December, 1997, No 504, eff. 1-1-98.
Trans 300.28
Trans 300.28 Battery. The storage battery shall have a cranking performance rating equal to or greater than the cubic inch displacement of the engine powered by any means other than with diesel fuel.
Trans 300.28 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.
Trans 300.29(1)(1)
All batteries shall be securely attached in a manner to prevent dislocation in the event of an accident. The battery may be mounted in the engine compartment or, when mounted outside of the engine compartment, it shall be contained in a closed, drained, weather-tight and vented compartment which shall retain the battery in the event of upset or roll-over of the bus. If the battery is mounted in the body skirt, the battery compartment door or cover shall be secured by a latch. The battery may not be located in the passenger compartment.
Trans 300.29 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1),
Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am.,
Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.
Trans 300.30(1)(1)
Book racks, if installed, shall be located above the side windows. They may not extend forward of the foremost point of the front seat or across or above the rear emergency door.
Trans 300.30(2)
(2) Book racks made of expanded, punched, or woven metal are not permitted.
Trans 300.30(3)
(3) Book racks shall be free of projections or sharp edges.
Trans 300.30(4)
(4) Book racks are permitted only in buses with a minimum of 72
‶ head room.
Trans 300.30 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83
; am. (1),
Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98;
CR 15-069: am. (1)
Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16.
Trans 300.31(1)(1)
Every school bus shall meet federal brake standards under
49 CFR 393.40 to
393.52,
396.17, and applicable standards under
49 CFR 571.105 and
571.121, in effect at the time of manufacture. Each brake system including the parking brake shall be maintained in good working order. The brake system shall be free of any leaks. The lines and hoses may not be chafed, flattened or restricted in any way.
Trans 300.31(2)
(2) A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses air assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions at 60 psi and lower. The governor cut out pressure may not exceed 135 psi. The governor cut in pressure may not be lower than 80 psi.
Trans 300.31(3)
(3) A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions when the vacuum is 8 inches of mercury and less.
Trans 300.31(4)
(4) A type A–I, B, C or D school bus when equipped with air or vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a reserve tank having a capacity of not less than 1,000 cubic inches to provide additional air or vacuum for the primary brake system. There shall be a check valve or pressure protective valve to protect the system from loss of air or vacuum. There shall be no accessory except the low pressure warning device operated from the air or vacuum reserve tank or its connecting lines. The low pressure warning system shall be installed to indicate the air pressure or vacuum in the tank. The gauge required to monitor this system shall be visible to the driver at all times. Unless previously equipped, a type A-I school bus with a GVWR of 11,500 pounds or less that uses vacuum assisted brakes is not required to be equipped with an additional reserve tank and gauge, provided the vacuum assist system meets FMVSS No. 105.
Trans 300.31(5)
(5) Every school bus shall be equipped with a power assist brake system.
Trans 300.31(6)
(6) The interior of the brake drums, brake linings, brake discs, and pads shall be free of cracks and contamination from oil or grease.
Trans 300.31(7)
(7) The brake systems shall be properly adjusted to provide maximum braking effort in accordance with
49 CFR 396.17 (appendix G).
Trans 300.31 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (6), (7),
Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95;
am. (1) to (4),
Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98;
CR 03-116: am. (4)
Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04.
Trans 300.32(1)(1)
The front bumper of type A-I, B, C or D buses shall have not less than an 8-inch face and shall extend between the frame rails as a minimum. The bumper shall be of sufficient strength and be positioned to permit pushing a vehicle of similar weight without distortion to the bumper, chassis, or body.
Trans 300.32(2)
(2) The rear bumper of type A-I, B, C or D buses shall have not less than an 8-inch face and shall wrap around the rear corners of the body to a point at least 12 inches forward. The bumper shall be of sufficient strength and shall be positioned to permit the bus to be pushed without distortion to either the bumper or the bus body. There shall be no more than 1/2 inch space between the bumper and the body. Protective material may be utilized to fill all or part of the required l/2 inch space.
Trans 300.32(3)
(3) Type A-II buses shall be equipped with bumpers on the front and on the rear.
Trans 300.32 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) to (3),
Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.
Trans 300.33(1)(1)
The passenger capacity of a school bus shall be determined by the following standards:
Trans 300.33(1)(a)
(a) Pupils through the 12th grade shall be allotted 13 inches of seating space.
Trans 300.33(2)
(2) There shall be displayed on the inside of the bus directly over the windshield on the right side a sign indicating the maximum pupil passenger capacity. The size of the letters and numerals shall be large enough to permit them to be read by passengers. Transportation of passengers in excess of the number designated on the sign or of the actual seat measurement is prohibited.
Trans 300.33(3)
(3) The total available seating capacity per seat shall determine the capacity of the bus. Fold down or fold up seats or reclining seats are not permitted except that at side emergency door locations, a “flip-up seat" may be used. The “flip-up seat" shall conform to the following requirements:
Trans 300.33(3)(a)
(a) The “flip-up seat" shall be designed and constructed to inhibit passenger limbs from becoming lodged between the seat cushion and seat back.
Trans 300.33(3)(b)
(b) The working mechanism under the seat shall be covered to eliminate any tripping hazard.
Trans 300.33(3)(c)
(c) The bottom of the “flip-up seat" shall be covered with sheet metal or other material of equal strength and durability and any sharp edges padded to prevent injury or snagging of clothing.
Trans 300.33(3)(d)
(d) The seat shall be designed and constructed to rise to a vertical position automatically when not occupied.
Trans 300.33(4)
(4) All passengers aboard a school bus shall be seated in a permanently mounted seat. This subsection does not apply to persons transported in wheelchairs or in other devices where special care is required.
Trans 300.33 History
History: Cr.
Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (2), renum. (3) to (3) (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (a) to (d),
Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95
; am. (3) (intro.),
Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.
Trans 300.34(1)(1)
All school buses shall be painted national school bus glossy yellow with the exception of the trim, grill, roof, wheels and the bumpers. Grills and wheels may be chrome, black, yellow, silver, white or gray. Engine hood tops may be painted matte black or lusterless yellow for glare reduction.
Trans 300.34(3m)
(3m) Rub rails shall have a 2 inch minimum black color down their center, by either painting or application of a high quality blackout film, paint film, or retro-reflective tape. The remainder of each rub rail shall be either black or national school bus glossy yellow.
Trans 300.34(4)
(4) The following may be designated as trim or body components and if painted shall be either black or yellow:
Trans 300.34(4)(f)
(f) Lamp flanges, housings, and an area around the tail, stop, turn, and back up lamps not to exceed 3 inches. Areas adjacent to rub rails may exceed 3 inches to the extent of the width of the rub rail.
