Wisconsin Legislature: Ch. Trans 300 TOC

Ch. Trans 300 NoteNote: Chapter Trans 300 was renumbered from chapter MVD 17 and revised by emergency rule effective September 8, 1982; chapter MVD 17 as it existed on February 28, 1983 was repealed and a new chapter Trans 300 was created effective March 1, 1983.

Trans 300.01Trans 300.01 Purpose and scope.

Trans 300.01(1)(1) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the safe transportation of pupils and other authorized persons in school buses as defined in s. 340.01 (56), Stats.

Trans 300.01(2)(2) This chapter is intended to provide specific safety-related standards regarding the design, construction, inspection, and operation of school buses.

Trans 300.01(3)(3) The chapter provides for differing standards for vehicles of varying size and configuration.

Trans 300.01 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.

Trans 300.02Trans 300.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

Trans 300.02(1)(1) “Attended” means the driver is in the immediate area of the school bus service door or, in the case of a bus equipped with a power lift, the driver is assisting an individual with disabilities to board or exit.

Trans 300.02(1m)(1m) “Department” means the department of transportation.

Trans 300.02(2)(2) “Driver’s compartment” means the area forward of the rearmost portion of the driver’s seat across the entire width of the bus.

Trans 300.02(2m)(2m) “FMVSS” means federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Trans 300.02(3)(3) “GAWR” means the gross axle weight rating.

Trans 300.02(4)(4) “GVWR” means the gross vehicle weight rating.

Trans 300.02(4g)(4g) “Lights” or “lamps” mean devices that emit light, either to illuminate roads, license plates and similar items, or to warn motorists and the public of the presence of a school bus and the need for due care. In this chapter, both terms have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably.

Trans 300.02(4m)(4m) “Rebody” means the placing of a new or replacement school bus body on a previously-licensed school bus chassis.

Trans 300.02(5)(5) “SAE” means the society of automotive engineers.

Trans 300.02(6)(6)

Trans 300.02(6)(a)(a) “School bus” or “bus” means a passenger motor vehicle which is designed to carry 10 or more passengers in addition to the driver, is painted in accordance with s. 347.44 (1), Stats., and transports persons as described in s. 340.01 (56) (a) and (am), Stats. A school bus may be classed as one of the following types:

Trans 300.02(6)(a)1.1. A type “A” school bus is a conversion or body constructed upon a van-type or cutaway front-section vehicle with a left side driver’s door, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. This definition shall include the following 2 classifications:

Trans 300.02(6)(a)1.a.a. Type A-I, with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds.

Trans 300.02(6)(a)1.b.b. Type A-II, with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds and under.

Trans 300.02(6)(a)2.2. A type “B” school bus is a conversion or body constructed and installed upon a van or front-section vehicle chassis, or stripped chassis, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. Part of the engine is beneath or behind, or both, the windshield and beside the driver’s seat. The entrance door is behind the front wheels.

Trans 300.02(6)(a)3.3. A type “C” school bus is a body installed upon a flat back cowl chassis, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. All of the engine is in front of the windshield and the entrance door is behind the front wheels.

Trans 300.02(6)(a)4.4. A type “D” school bus is a body installed upon a chassis, with the engine mounted in the front, midships, or rear, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than 10 persons. The engine may be behind the windshield and beside the driver’s seat, or it may be at the rear of the bus, behind the rear wheels, or midships between the front and rear axles. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels.

Trans 300.02(6)(b)(b) “School bus” does not include an alternative vehicle, a human service vehicle, a motor bus or a motor vehicle operated as part of an urban mass transit system, in accordance with s. 340.01 (56) (b), Stats.

Trans 300.02(7)(7) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department of transportation.

Trans 300.02(7m)(7m) “Vehicular hazard warning lamps” means utilization of all turn signal lights simultaneously by actuating the vehicular hazard warning switch.

Trans 300.02(8)(8) “Wheelchair” means any specially constructed wheeled device used exclusively for the movement of individuals with physical disabilities.

Trans 300.02 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; renum. (1) to (1m), cr. (1), (2m), (4m), (7m), am. (8), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; r and recr. (6), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 15-069: cr. (7r) Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16; renum. (7r) to (4g) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register April 2016 No. 724; CR 22-048: am. (1), (8) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

subch. I of ch. Trans 300Subchapter I—Purchasing and Operating Requirements

Trans 300.10Trans 300.10 Manufacturer. It is the vehicle manufacturer and the school bus body manufacturer’s responsibility to manufacture a school bus in compliance with all federal and state standards applicable to the manufacturer of school buses. The vehicle manufacturer shall provide copies of all equipment recalls to the administrator, Wisconsin division of state patrol, to assure appropriate repairs are made.

Trans 300.10 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95.

Trans 300.11Trans 300.11 Dealer.

Trans 300.11(1)(1) It is the chassis dealer’s responsibility to furnish a motor vehicle chassis that is to be combined with a school bus body which meets the applicable state standards that relate to chassis components. The chassis dealer is the statutory owner of the school bus.

Trans 300.11(2)(2) General practice through the years has made the school bus body distributor the person who actually delivers the school bus to the purchaser. The presale inspection shall be the responsibility of the dealer or the distributor delivering the school bus to the purchaser.