Chapter Trans 330

Trans 330.10(18) (18) Mirrors.

Trans 330.10(18)(a) (a) There shall be 2 outside rearview mirrors, one to the right and one to the left of the driver. Each mirror shall be firmly supported and adjustable to give the driver a clear view past both the right and left rear of the bus as provided under 49 CFR 393.80 and 571.111.

Trans 330.10(18)(b) (b) In addition to the mirrors under par. (a), there may be an adjustable convex mirror mounted on the left and right front sides of the motor bus to provide an additional close-in field of vision of the front of the bus and rearward. The convex mirror may be mounted separately or attached to the mirrors under par. (a) in a manner that does not reduce the driver’s view. Mirrors may not be broken, cracked or discolored.

Trans 330.10(19) (19) Openings. All openings in the floorboard or firewall between chassis and passenger compartment, such as for the gear shift lever and auxiliary brake lever, shall be sealed to prevent fumes or foreign material from entering the passenger compartment. The motor bus shall be free of rusted or deteriorated areas that could permit foreign substances to enter the interior of the vehicle.

Trans 330.10(20) (20) Seating.

Trans 330.10(20)(a) (a) All seats shall be securely fastened to that part or parts of the body that support them. Any seat cushions shall be fastened so as to prevent them from disengaging from the seat frames in event of an accident. Seat cushions and seat backs may not have any torn or worn-through covering material.

Trans 330.10(20)(b) (b) A motor bus may not be equipped with aisle seats unless those seats are so designed and installed as to automatically fold when they are unoccupied and leave a clear aisle with a minimum clearance of 12 inches in width.

Trans 330.10(21) (21) Front service door.

Trans 330.10(21)(a) (a) The front service door shall be under control of the driver and so designed as to prevent accidental opening or closing.

Trans 330.10(21)(b) (b) The front service door shall be located on the right side of the bus and within the view of the driver.

Trans 330.10(21)(c) (c) The front service door shall have a minimum horizontal opening of 24 inches and a minimum vertical opening of 68 inches.

Trans 330.10(21)(d) (d) Any translucent panel in the front service door shall be of safety glass, plexiglass, polycarbonate or a similar material that provides an equivalent level of safety.

Trans 330.10(22) (22) Rear exit door. A motor bus equipped with a separate exit door shall conform to the following:

Trans 330.10(22)(a) (a) The exit door shall be located on the right side to the rear of the center of the passenger section.

Trans 330.10(22)(b) (b) The exit door shall be a double or single folding-type door, or a 2-section push-type door. Each section of a double-folding door shall have a pliant edge at least 2 inches wide, and each single-folding door shall have a pliant edge at least 3 inches wide. Each section of a push-type door shall have a pliant edge of at least one-half inch wide.

Trans 330.10(22)(c) (c) The exit door shall have a minimum horizontal open clearance of 24 inches at the center, 22 inches at the top and bottom, and a minimum vertical open clearance of 68 inches. The exit door may not open inwardly.

Trans 330.10(22)(d) (d) The exit door shall have all the following:

Trans 330.10(22)(d)1. 1. The words “EXIT DOOR” conspicuously lettered on the interior of the door or immediately adjacent to the door, in letters at least 1N inches high.

Trans 330.10(22)(d)2. 2. An interlocking device to prevent the bus from moving when the exit door is open.

Trans 330.10(22)(e) (e) The pliant edges of a folding-type exit door shall be sensitized so as to actuate reverse action of the door. The pliant edges of a folding-type exit door shall be connected to a warning signal.

Trans 330.10(22)(f) (f) Push-type exit doors need not be equipped with sensitized edges if the door control mechanism is designed to do all the following:

Trans 330.10(22)(f)1. 1. Delay release of the brake interlock until after the doors are completely closed.

Trans 330.10(22)(f)2. 2. Prevent the doors from being unlocked by the driver’s door control while pressure is applied on the inside of the doors.

Trans 330.10(22)(f)3. 3. Lock the doors closed mechanically in case of electric power failure.

Trans 330.10(22)(f)4. 4. Illuminate a light above the door that indicates the door is unlocked and may be opened.

Trans 330.10(22)(g) (g) The exit door may not be used when the motor bus is operated under contract as provided in s. 121.55 (1) (a) or (d), Stats., to transport pupils to or from a public or private school or is otherwise operated on a special route for the purpose of transporting pupils to or from public or private schools, except in an emergency.

Trans 330.10(23) (23) Standee line or bar. A motor bus designed and constructed to allow standees shall conform to the marking and operation requirements under 49 CFR 393.90.

Trans 330.10(24) (24) Steering. The steering system shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.209. The steering system shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

Trans 330.10(25) (25) Steps.

Trans 330.10(25)(a) (a) The first step at the front service door may not be more than 16 inches from the ground.

Trans 330.10(25)(b) (b) The riser of any step may not be more than 15 inches in height. If there are 2 or more risers, each shall be approximately equal in height.

Trans 330.10(25)(c) (c) Except for a retractable step that is extended when passengers enter or leave the motor bus, a step may not protrude beyond the widest part of the body.

Trans 330.10(25)(d) (d) Each step shall be covered with or constructed of nonskid material.

Trans 330.10(25)(e) (e) All steps shall be enclosed to prevent the accumulation of ice or snow.

Trans 330.10(25)(f) (f) Any stepwell light designed to illuminate the steps automatically upon opening the service door shall be operational during the hours of darkness.

Trans 330.10(25)(g) (g) Each motor bus shall be equipped with a grab handle at least 10 inches in length, located inside the front service door entrance, for assistance when entering or leaving the vehicle.

Trans 330.10(26) (26) Sunshield. Each motor bus shall have an interior sunshield not less than 6 by 16 inches in size installed above the windshield in front of the driver’s seat.

Trans 330.10(27) (27) Suspension system. In addition to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.207, all suspension parts, including mountings, shackles, U-bolts, airbags and all connecting air lines, shall be maintained in good working order.

Trans 330.10(28) (28) Tires. In addition to the requirements for motor bus tires under 49 CFR 393.75, a motor bus may not be operated with tires of a different size on the same axle.

Trans 330.10(29) (29) Wheels. Wheels shall conform to requirements for wheel integrity under 49 CFR 393.205.

Trans 330.10(30) (30) Windows and windshields. Windows and windshields shall conform to the applicable standards under 49 CFR 393.60, 393.61, 393.62, and 571.217 and to the following:

Trans 330.10(30)(a) (a) All windows that open shall operate freely. Any side window latches shall be capable of holding the window securely in place in all positions.

Trans 330.10(30)(b) (b) All exposed edges shall be banded or ground to eliminate sharp or rough areas.

Trans 330.10(30)(c) (c) If an emergency window is originally equipped with an automatically operated, audible signal to indicate to the driver that the window is unlatched when the ignition is in the “on” position, no cut-off may be installed in the audible signal circuit.

Trans 330.10(31) (31) Windshield wipers and washers.

Trans 330.10(31)(a) (a) In addition to the requirements for windshield wipers under 49 CFR 393.78, the windshield wiper system shall have at least 2 speeds or a variable speed motor.

Trans 330.10(31)(b) (b) If a motor bus is originally equipped with a windshield washer system that provides fluid for the windshield wipers to clean the windshield, the system shall be maintained in operational condition.

Trans 330.10(32) (32) Wiring. Wiring shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.27 to 393.29, 393.31 and 393.33.

Trans 330.10 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91; CR 19-004: am. (3), (8), (30) (intro.) Register November 2019 No. 767, eff. 12-1-19; correction in (8), (30) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register November 2019 No. 767.

Trans 330.11 Trans 330.11 Retrofitting, replacement equipment and modifications. Except as provided under s. Trans 330.10 (19), a motor bus is not required to be retrofitted in order to comply with s. Trans 330.10 if the motor bus was manufactured and equipped in accordance with the applicable regulations under 49 CFR 393 and 571 and is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. All replacement equipment and modifications of a motor bus shall meet the applicable requirements and standards under 49 CFR 393 and 571 and this chapter.

Trans 330.11 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2012 No. 675.

Trans 330.14 Trans 330.14 Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Trans 330.14(1) (1) This chapter is not intended to establish any safety standard for an item of equipment or for an element of design or construction that is not identical to the applicable federal motor vehicle safety standard under 49 CFR 571.

Trans 330.14 Note Note: Under 15 USC 1392 (d), states and their subdivisions are prohibited from establishing motor vehicle safety standards. Those standards are specified in 49 CFR 571. That prohibition does not apply to the federal motor carrier safety regulations under 49 CFR 390 to 399.

Trans 330.14(2) (2) Nothing in this chapter is intended to allow any person to knowingly render inoperative, in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a motor bus or any item of equipment required for compliance with an applicable federal motor vehicle standard.

Trans 330.14 Note Note: Under 49 USC 1397 (a) (2) (A), such acts are prohibited.

Trans 330.14 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91.

Trans 330.20 Trans 330.20 Inspection by department.

Trans 330.20(1) (1) Except as provided in s. Trans 330.21, at least annually, the owner, lessee or operator shall present at the time and place designated by the department each motor bus required to be inspected. The department may, at its option, inspect a motor bus at the owner’s or lessee’s place of business. The department shall issue a certificate of inspection decal for a motor bus that passes an annual inspection under this section.

Trans 330.20(2) (2) Upon request of the owner or lessee, the department shall inspect a motor bus at an interval of 6 months following the date of its annual inspection under sub. (1). The department shall provide the owner or lessee of a motor bus that passes an inspection under this subsection with a copy of the record of that inspection showing the date the inspection was performed.

Trans 330.20 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91.

Trans 330.21 Trans 330.21 Urban mass transit system self inspection.

Trans 330.21(1) (1) A motor bus operated by an urban mass transit system, as defined in s. 85.20 (1) (L), Stats., is exempt from the requirement of annual inspection by the department if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

Trans 330.21(1)(a) (a) The urban mass transit system inspects the motor bus at least annually for compliance with the equipment standards and requirements under s. Trans 330.10.

Trans 330.21(1)(b) (b) The inspection is performed by a person who is qualified as provided in s. Trans 330.22.

Trans 330.21(1)(c) (c) The inspection is performed as specified in the inspection form prescribed by the department.

Trans 330.21(1)(d) (d) Upon completion of the inspection, the urban mass transit system submits a copy of the record of inspection of the motor bus to the department. The record of inspection shall be on the inspection form prescribed by the department.

Trans 330.21(1)(e) (e) The urban mass transit system complies with all of the maintenance record requirements of s. Trans 330.04.

Trans 330.21(1)(f) (f) The department reviews the records of inspection submitted by the urban mass transit system and determines that the motor bus inspected by the urban mass transit system is in compliance with this chapter.

Trans 330.21(2) (2) The department may audit the performance of an inspection conducted under this section by observation or by conducting an independent inspection of a motor bus operated by the urban mass transit system.

Trans 330.21(3) (3) The department may require an urban mass transit system that does not comply with this section to present any or all of its motor buses for inspection by the department.

Trans 330.21(4) (4) An urban mass transit system may elect to have its motor buses inspected by the department in lieu of inspecting them under this section.

Trans 330.21 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91.

Trans 330.22 Trans 330.22 Qualifications for inspectors. To qualify to perform the inspection under s. Trans 330.20 or 330.21, a person must meet all of the following requirements:

Trans 330.22(1) (1) Understand the inspection criteria for a motor bus under this chapter.

Trans 330.22(2) (2) Be knowledgeable about and have mastered the methods, procedures, tools and equipment used when performing an inspection.

Trans 330.22(3) (3) Be capable of performing an inspection by reason of experience or training or both as follows:

Trans 330.22(3)(a) (a) Have successfully completed a state or federal-sponsored training program or have a certificate from a state or Canadian province which qualifies the person to perform commercial motor vehicle safety inspections.

Trans 330.22(3)(b) (b) Have training or experience or both totaling at least one year consisting of any of the following:

Trans 330.22(3)(b)1. 1. Participation in a motor bus manufacturer-sponsored training program or similar commercial training program designed to train students in motor bus operation and maintenance.

Trans 330.22(3)(b)2. 2. Experience as a motor bus mechanic or inspector in a motor carrier maintenance program.

Trans 330.22(3)(b)3. 3. Experience as a mechanic or inspector in motor bus maintenance at a commercial garage, fleet leasing company or similar facility.

Trans 330.22(3)(b)4. 4. Experience as a commercial motor vehicle inspector for a state, provincial or federal agency.

Trans 330.22 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91.

Trans 330.23 Trans 330.23 Inspection fee. The department shall charge a $30 fee for each annual or more frequent inspection of a motor bus, except that a motor bus may be reinspected for compliance within 15 days after failing an inspection without payment of an additional fee.

Trans 330.23 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425, eff. 6-1-91.

Trans 330.24 Trans 330.24 Inspection certifications.

Trans 330.24(1) (1) Beginning on January 1, 1992, a motor bus subject to annual inspection by the department under s. Trans 330.20 may not be operated on any highway unless it displays on the body of the motor bus, as close as practicable to the lower right-hand corner of the windshield, an unexpired certificate of inspection decal issued by the department. The department shall issue a certificate of inspection decal for a motor bus only after determining by inspection that the motor bus is in compliance with this chapter.

Trans 330.24(2) (2) Beginning on January 1, 1992, a motor bus that is exempt from annual inspection by the department under s. 110.063 (2), Stats., and s. Trans 330.21 may not be operated on any highway unless a copy of its most recent record of inspection under s. Trans 330.21 is carried on the motor bus and indicates that the inspection was performed within the preceding 12 months and that the motor bus was in compliance with this chapter at the time of inspection. If the motor bus was inspected by the department under s. Trans 330.21 (4) and displays an unexpired certificate of inspection decal as specified in sub. (1), the record of inspection need not be carried on the motor bus.