Chapter Trans 300

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 Trans 300.32 Bumpers.

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 Trans 300.33 Capacity.

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(1)(b) (b) Each wheelchair location shall be counted as one seating position.

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 Trans 300.34 Color.

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(2) (2) When painted, the bumper shall be painted black.

Trans 300.34(3) (3) Stop arms shall be painted black.

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)(a) (a) Door handles.

Trans 300.34(4)(b) (b) Grab handles.

Trans 300.34(4)(c) (c) Window sash, seals, gaskets, pillars, and bands on exposed edges.

Trans 300.34(4)(d) (d) Door seals and gaskets.

Trans 300.34(4)(e) (e) Mirror frame and mounting brackets.

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.

Trans 300.34(4)(g) (g) Reflector frames and flanges.

Trans 300.34(4)(h) (h) Windshield wiper arms.

Trans 300.34(4)(i) (i) Snow rails.

Trans 300.34(4)(j) (j) License frame and mounting brackets.

Trans 300.34(4)(k) (k) Service door.

Trans 300.34(5) (5) The body manufacturer’s name including a logo may appear on the exterior of the vehicle in any color.

Trans 300.34(6) (6) Noncontrasting reflective material is permitted to include, but not limited to, rub rails, snow rails, as “school bus” lettering and the owner’s identification as required in s. Trans 300.61 (6) or permitted in s. Trans 300.61 (7). Front or rear bumper, or both, may be marked diagonally 45° down to centerline of pavement with 2-inch wide strips of noncontrasting reflective material.

Trans 300.34(7) (7) Yellow reflective tape may be located on the rub rail in areas of emergency exit windows in order to meet requirements of FMVSS 217.

Trans 300.34(8) (8) An external camera, audio monitor or recording device housing shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white.

Trans 300.34(9) (9) Sensors used for anti-theft or pre-trip inspections shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white

Trans 300.34(10) (10) The roof of a school bus may be painted white. The front and rear roof caps shall be painted school bus glossy yellow or black. The white roof may not extend below the side windows, or if equipped, the drip rail.

Trans 300.34 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (4) (f), (6), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (6) and cr. (7), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 03-116: am. (1), (4) (c) and (f), cr. (4) (k) Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 15-069: am. (1), renum. (3) (intro.) to (3) and am., r. (3) (a), (b), am. (4) (f), cr. (8) to (10) Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16.

Trans 300.35 Trans 300.35 Construction.

Trans 300.35(1) (1) The construction shall be of prime commercial quality steel or other metal, or material with strength at least equivalent to all-steel, as certified by the bus body manufacturer, except for the grill, hood, or fenders and shall comply with FMVSS 220, school bus rollover protection. Type A-I, B, C or D school buses shall comply with FMVSS 221, school bus body joint strength.

Trans 300.35(2) (2) The construction shall provide a reasonably dustproof and weather tight unit. Openings between the chassis and passenger compartment shall be sealed to prevent fumes or exhaust gas from entering the bus body.

Trans 300.35(3) (3) The floor or subfloor shall be of prime commercial quality steel of at least 14 gauge or material with strength at least equivalent to all-steel, as certified by the bus body manufacturer. Plywood may be used in addition to other flooring material. The floor shall be level from front to back and from side to side except in the wheel housing, toeboard, and driver’s seat platform areas. The body cross members below the floor may have no more than 2 consecutive and no more than 3 total members that are completely rusted through.

Trans 300.35(4) (4) For type A-I, B, C or D buses, all joints within bus bodies which employ discrete fasteners, specifically those which join panels to panels, shall achieve a significant portion of the strength of the parent metal, so that all available panel materials are capable of serving as part of the structure.

Trans 300.35(5) (5) All metal used in construction of the bus body shall be zinc- or aluminum-coated or treated by an equivalent process before the bus is constructed. Included are such items as structural members, inside and outside panels, floor panels and floor sill. Excluded are the door handles, grab handles, stanchions, interior decorative parts, and other interior plated parts.

Trans 300.35(6) (6) Annually between December 1 and December 15, each school bus manufacturer shall certify to the department that all school buses manufactured for sale in Wisconsin in the following calendar year will comply with this section. The certification shall be filed in the division of state patrol. The certification may be addressed to the administrator, division of state patrol, P.O. Box 7912, Madison, WI 53707-7912.

Trans 300.35(7) (7) Each school bus body manufacturer shall stamp the letters “WI” either preceding or following the body identification number to indicate that the bus body was built to meet Wisconsin school bus construction standards. The school bus body manufacturer shall furnish to the department a blueprint indicating the size and placement of the “WI” requirement on its buses to be sold in Wisconsin. A sample plate shall be furnished by the manufacturer to the division of state patrol showing the placement of the “WI”. This subsection does not apply to vehicles in use as school buses in Wisconsin prior to March 1, 1979.

Trans 300.35(8) (8) The owner of any vehicle previously marked, registered, or titled in another jurisdiction as a school bus shall, prior to using the vehicle for any pupil transportation in Wisconsin, submit the vehicle for department inspection and approval as provided by s. Trans 300.13 (3). In addition, the owner shall provide proof satisfactory to the division of state patrol that the vehicle is constructed in compliance with this section.

Trans 300.35 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (2), (6), r. and recr. (8), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; emerg. am. (1) and (3), eff. 7-1-97; am. (1), (3) and (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.355 Trans 300.355 Crossing gate.

Trans 300.355(1) (1) All school buses shall have a crossing gate installed by May 1, 2004.

Trans 300.355(2) (2) The crossing gate shall be mounted on the right side of the front bumper and shall open to 90 degrees.

Trans 300.355(3) (3) The crossing gate shall meet or exceed SAE J1133. The crossing gate shall be constructed of noncorrosive or nonferrous material or treated in accordance with body sheet metal specifications and shall have no sharp edges or projections that could cause hazard or injury to students. The color may be yellow, black, silver or gray.

Trans 300.355(4) (4) The crossing control arm shall extend a minimum of 70 inches, measured from the bumper at the arm assembly attachment point, when in the extended position. The arm shall extend simultaneously with the stop arm by means of the stop arm controls.

Trans 300.355(5) (5) An automatic recycling interrupt switch may be installed for temporary disabling of the crossing control arm. An electromagnetic device may be installed to stabilize the arm when in the stored position.

Trans 300.355 History History: CR 03-116: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04.

Trans 300.36 Trans 300.36 Defroster.

Trans 300.36(1) (1) The defrosting system shall have the capacity to keep the windshield, the window to the left of the driver and the glass in the service door clear of fog and frost. The defroster outlets may not be restricted in any way.

Trans 300.36(2) (2) Fans may be used in addition to defrosters, but shall be mounted so as not to obstruct the driver’s view.

Trans 300.36(3) (3) Any exposed fan blade shall have a shroud.

Trans 300.36(4) (4) The defrosting system shall conform to SAE standards J391 and J382.

Trans 300.36 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; cr. (4), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.37 Trans 300.37 Drive shaft.

Trans 300.37(1) (1) Each segment of the drive shaft more than 18 inches long shall be equipped with a suitable guard to prevent an accident or injury in the event of its fracture or disconnection. This section does not apply to type A-II buses manufactured in a single stage.

Trans 300.37(2) (2) The universal joints and the center bearing of every bus subject to inspection may not be loose or worn.

Trans 300.37 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 300.38 Trans 300.38 Emergency warning equipment.

Trans 300.38(1) (1) Each school bus shall be equipped with 3 bidirectional emergency triangles. Oil burning pot flares may not be carried on a school bus.

Trans 300.38(2) (2) All emergency equipment shall be kept in suitable fasteners or containers in a readily accessible place in the driver’s compartment. The container or units shall be secured to the bus.

Trans 300.38(3) (3) Emergency equipment may be locked or kept in a locked compartment provided it is not locked when passengers are being transported.

Trans 300.38(4) (4) This section does not preclude the carrying of additional emergency equipment.

Trans 300.38 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; r. (5), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) and (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.39 Trans 300.39 Emergency exits.

Trans 300.39(1) (1) Each school bus shall have emergency exits that comply with 49 CFR 571.217 and FMVSS 217, bus window retention and release, and the following requirements. If a left side emergency door is utilized, there shall also be an emergency exit window in accordance with sub. (8), located in the back of the bus. A window by itself does not meet this requirement for an emergency exit.

Trans 300.39(2) (2) Required emergency exits shall be designed to be opened from both the inside and the outside of the bus. Side emergency exit windows are exempt from this requirement.

Trans 300.39(3) (3) There may not be any obstructions in the aisles or inside of the door that would delay or hinder an orderly use of the emergency exit. Articles transported on non-occupied seats inside the bus shall be secured.

Trans 300.39(4) (4) Steps leading to an emergency door are prohibited.

Trans 300.39(5) (5) The upper and lower portion of the central rear emergency door shall be equipped with approved safety glass, the area of which shall be not less than 400 square inches in the upper portion and not less than 280 square inches in the lower portion. Van type buses are exempt from the requirement to have glazing in the lower part of the door. The left side emergency door shall be equipped with safety glass in the upper portion and the lower portion shall be of at least the same gauge metal as the body. The emergency door shall be hinged on the right side if it is in the rear of the bus and on the front side if it is in the left side and shall open only outward. Control of the emergency door from the driver’s seat shall not be permitted.

Trans 300.39(6) (6) The emergency doors shall be equipped with a slide bar, cam-operated latch which shall have a minimum stroke of one inch. The latch shall be equipped with an electric plunger-type switch connected with a distinctive signal audible to the driver, shall be automatically operated, shall clearly indicate the unlatching of the emergency door and may not have a cutoff switch installed in the circuit. The switch and its activating plunger shall be enclosed in a case, which will prevent tampering, and wires leading from the switch shall be concealed in the body. The switch shall be so installed that the plunger contacts the farthest edge of the slide bar in such a manner that any movement of the slide bar will immediately close the circuit and activate the signal. The door latch shall be equipped with an interior handle which shall be capable of quick release but shall be protected against accidental release. The handle shall lift up to release the latch. The outside handle shall be such as to minimize hitching and shall be securely attached.

Trans 300.39(7) (7) If locks are installed on the emergency door they shall include a device to prevent the activating of the starter mechanism of the bus engine while any door is locked. An audio alarm shall indicate to the driver when any door lock is in the locked position while the ignition switch is in the “on” position. Any locking device on a school bus manufactured after July 1, 1977 or installed on any school bus after July 1, 1977 shall comply with these requirements.

Trans 300.39(8) (8) A rear emergency window at least 16 inches in height and as wide as practicable shall be provided in any bus where the emergency door is not in the rear. It shall be hinged at the top and designed to prevent accidental closing in an emergency. A positive latch on the inside of the window shall provide for quick release, but offer protection against accidental release. The outside handle shall be nondetachable and designed to minimize hitching.

Trans 300.39(9) (9) The inside of each emergency window shall have the designation “Emergency Exit”. An emergency door shall be identified with either the words “Emergency Exit” or “Emergency Door” on the inside at the top of, or above the door. Directly beneath or above each “Emergency Door” or “Emergency Exit” designation specified by this section a label shall state in letters at least one inch high, “DO NOT BLOCK” in a color that contrasts with the background of the label. Concise operating instructions shall be located within 6 inches of the release mechanism. When a release mechanism is not located within an occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label that indicates the location of the nearest mechanism shall be placed within that occupant space. The outside of the emergency door shall be clearly marked “Emergency Door” or “Emergency Exit” in letters 2 inches high at the top of, or above the door or immediately below the upper glass. An arrow at least 6 inches long and 3/4 inch in width indicating the direction the release mechanism should be turned to open the door shall be painted in black on the yellow background. The outside of the emergency window shall be labeled “Emergency Exit” in letters at least 2 inches high, directly above the window or on the window glazing. There may not be any labeling on the glazing indicating emergency door. Labeling or operating instructions may be located on the glazing of emergency window exits as long as the labeling or instructions are clearly visible inside and outside the vehicle.

Trans 300.39(10) (10) A distinctive audible signal automatically operated shall clearly indicate to the driver the unlatching of any emergency window and no cutoff switch shall be installed in the circuit.

Trans 300.39(11) (11) The area on the inside above the emergency door shall be covered with padding at least 2 inches high the entire width of the door opening.