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 History History: 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 300 Subchapter I—Purchasing and Operating Requirements

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

Trans 300.11 Trans 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.

Trans 300.11(3) (3) The dealer or distributor that is required to secure the presale inspection shall be clearly indicated on the purchase order.

Trans 300.11(4) (4) The dealer shall assure that copies of all equipment recalls are provided to the division of state patrol.