DCF 251.08(4)(d)1.1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a driver of a vehicle that is transporting children in care may not use a cellular phone or other wireless telecommunication device while loading, unloading, or transporting children, except when the vehicle is out of traffic, not in operation, and any of the following applies:
DCF 251.08(4)(d)1.a.a. The phone or device is used to call 911.
DCF 251.08(4)(d)1.b.b. The phone or device is used to communicate with emergency responders.
DCF 251.08(4)(d)1.c.c. The phone or device is used to communicate with the center regarding an emergency situation.
DCF 251.08(4)(d)2.2. A navigation device may be used during transportation if the device is programmed to a destination when the vehicle is out of traffic and not in operation.
DCF 251.08(5)(5)Vehicle.
DCF 251.08(5)(a)(a) The licensee shall ensure that each vehicle that is used to transport children is all of the following:
DCF 251.08(5)(a)1.1. Registered with the Wisconsin department of transportation or the appropriate authority in another state.
DCF 251.08(5)(a)2.2. Clean, uncluttered, and free of obstruction on the floors, aisles, and seats.
DCF 251.08(5)(a)3.3. In safe operating condition.
DCF 251.08(5)(b)(b) At 12-month intervals the licensee shall provide the department with evidence of a vehicle’s safe operating condition on a form provided by the department.
DCF 251.08 NoteNote: The department’s form, Vehicle Safety Inspection, is used to record evidence of the vehicle’s safe operating condition. Information on how to obtain forms is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.
DCF 251.08(5)(c)(c) At least once per year, the licensee shall make available to the department each vehicle that is required to have a child safety alarm under sub. (8) (a) to determine whether the child safety alarm is in good working order.
DCF 251.08(5)(d)(d) Hired or contracted school buses used to transport children shall be in compliance with ch. Trans 300.
DCF 251.08(6)(6)Seat belts and child safety restraints.
DCF 251.08(6)(a)(a) No person may transport a child under 8 years of age in a motor vehicle, unless the child is restrained in a child safety restraint system that is appropriate to the child’s age and size and in accordance with s. 347.48 Stats., and ch. Trans 310.
DCF 251.08 NoteNote: For further information on child safety restraints, see https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/child-safety/default.aspx.
DCF 251.08(6)(b)(b)
DCF 251.08(6)(b)1.1. Each child who is not required to be in an individual child car safety seat or booster seat when being transported under par. (a) shall be properly restrained by a seat belt in accordance with s. 347.48, Stats., and ch. Trans 315.
DCF 251.08(6)(b)2.2. Each adult in the vehicle shall be properly restrained by a seat belt in accordance with s. 347.48, Stats., and ch. Trans 315.
DCF 251.08(6)(b)3.3. Seat belts may not be shared.
DCF 251.08(6)(c)(c) Children transported in school buses or vehicles built to school bus standards shall be properly seated according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
DCF 251.08(6)(d)(d) Children under 13 years of age who are in the care of the center may not ride in the front seat of a vehicle.
DCF 251.08(7)(7)Vehicle capacity and supervision.
DCF 251.08(7)(a)(a) The center shall be responsible for a child from the time the child is placed in a vehicle until the children reaches his or her destination and is released to a person responsible for the child. A parent of a school age child may authorize a child to enter a building unescorted.
DCF 251.08 NoteNote: The form Transportation Permission - Child Care Centers may be used to designate an adult to receive a child being transported. Forms are available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.
DCF 251.08(7)(b)(b) Children may not be left unattended in a vehicle.
DCF 251.08(7)(c)(c) When children are transported in a vehicle, there shall be at least one adult supervisor in addition to the driver whenever there are more than 3 children who are either under 2 years of age or who have a disability that limits their ability to respond to an emergency.
DCF 251.08(7)(d)(d) The licensee shall develop and implement a procedure to ensure that all children exit the vehicle after being transported to a destination.