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.
DCF 251.08(7)(e)(e) No child may be in a vehicle for transport to or from a center, a field trip, or other center activity for more than 60 minutes for a one-way trip.
DCF 251.08(8)(8)Child care vehicle safety alarm.
DCF 251.08(8)(a)(a) A vehicle shall be equipped with a child safety alarm that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting if all of the following conditions apply:
DCF 251.08(8)(a)1.1. The vehicle is owned or leased by a licensee or a contractor of a licensee.
DCF 251.08(8)(a)2.2. The vehicle has a seating capacity of 6 or more passengers plus the driver. The seating capacity of the vehicle shall be determined by the manufacturer.
DCF 251.08(8)(a)3.3. The vehicle is used to transport children in care.
DCF 251.08(8)(b)(b) No person may shut off a child safety alarm unless the driver first inspects the vehicle to ensure that no child is left unattended in the vehicle.
DCF 251.08(8)(c)(c) The child safety alarm shall be in good working order each time the vehicle is used for transporting children to or from a center.
DCF 251.08 NoteNote: Information on the required vehicle safety alarm is available in the “child care licensing/information for providers” section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov.
DCF 251.08 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97; CR 03-052: r. and recr. (3) and (7), am. (4) (b) and (5) (d), cr. (4) (d) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; CR 07-102: am. (1), (3) (b), (4) (d), (5) (b) 1. and (6) (b), r. and recr. (2) (a), cr. (3) (c), (4) (b) 2. to 5. and (5) (e), renum. (4) (b) to be (4) (b) 1. and am. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; CR 14-028: cr. (8) Register July 2016 No. 727, eff. 8-1-16; EmR1918: emerg. r. and recr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: r. and recr. Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20.
DCF 251.09DCF 251.09Additional requirements for infant and toddler care.