Phone: 608-709-0070
TEXT OF PERMANENT RULE
SECTION 1. Trans 300.02 (7r) is created to read:
Trans 300.02 (7r) “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.
SECTION 2. Trans 300.15 (2) (d) is amended to read:
Trans 300.15 (2) (d) The initial pre-sale inspection and a copy of the latest inspection performed by state employees.
SECTION 3. Trans 300.15 (4) is repealed and recreated to read:
Trans 300.15 (4) A driver’s report indicating a school bus defect or unsafe condition, in either written or electronic form, shall be maintained for a period of 7 calendar days after repair.
SECTION 4. Trans 300.16 (1) is amended to read:
Trans 300.16 (1) Prior to the start of any trip, the driver, or employer designee, shall check the condition of the bus, giving particular attention to brakes, tires, lights, emergency equipment, mirrors, windows, and interior cleanliness of the bus. Defects shall be reported in writing, or electronic file, to the person in charge of bus maintenance by completing a pre-trip report. In addition to completing a pre-trip report when a defect or unsafe condition is found, an inspection log indicating the date, time, and identification of who completed the inspection must be completed prior to the start of any trip. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the pre-trip inspection has been completed prior to the start of any trip. The driver shall be responsible for the cleanliness of the interior of the bus and shall ensure that the windshield and mirrors are clean before each school bus operation and that the strobe light is actuated whenever the bus is in operation on a highway for purposes specified in s. 340.01(56) (a) and (am), Stats. SECTION 5. Trans 300.16 (8) is amended to read:
Trans 300.16 (8) Loading stations or points shall be selected with due regard for traffic and pedestrian safety and shall be approved by school authorities. When flashing red Flashing warning lights are shall be used as required by s. 346.48(2), Stats they shall be actuated continuously at least 100 feet before stopping. The stop arm shall be used in conjunction with the flashing red warning lights and shall be extended only after the bus comes to a stop. Except where there are special loading zones where the bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the highway, the bus shall be stopped on the traveled portion of the highway in the lane farthest to the right which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. The flashing red warning lights may not be extinguished until loading or unloading is completed and persons who must cross the highway are safely across. The stop arm shall be retracted before putting the bus in motion. SECTION 6. Trans 300.16 (9) is amended to read:
Trans 300.16 (9) A school bus may not be stopped on any portion of a highway for the loading or discharge of pupils or other persons unless the bus is painted the yellow and black school bus color combination, is equipped with a stop signal arm and alternating flashing red or flashing red and amber lights and is identified by a school bus sign. This subsection does not apply to a vehicle which is operating within a municipality and which is not readily identifiable as a school bus. When loading or discharging pupils in a rural area, a vehicle not identifiable as a school bus shall do so off the highway and in such a manner that the pupils do not have to cross the highway.
SECTION 7. Trans 300.16 (10) is amended to read:
Trans 300.16 (10) The driver shall make sure that there is no traffic danger before allowing pupils to cross the highway. Pupils obliged to cross the highway shall be required to cross from a point at least 10 feet forward of the standing bus only after receiving a signal from the driver. When discharging passengers the driver may not proceed until all persons are at a safe distance away from the bus or, if crossing the roadways, they are safely across the street or highway. This subsection applies only where alternating flashing red signals or flashing red and amber lights are required by s. 346.48, Stats., or authorized by s. 349.21, Stats. SECTION 8. Trans 300.30 (1) is amended to read:
Trans 300.30 (1) Book racks, if installed, shall be located above the side windows. They may not extend forward of the foremost point of the front seat or across or above the rear emergency door.
SECTION 9. Trans 300.34 (1) is amended to read:
Trans 300.34 (1) All school buses shall be painted national school bus glossy yellow with the exception of the trim, grill, roof, wheels and the bumpers. Grills and wheels may be chrome, black, yellow, silver, white or gray. Engine hood tops may be painted matte black or lusterless yellow for glare reduction.
SECTION 10. Trans 300.34 (3) (intro.) is amended to read:
Trans 300.34 (3) The following are designated as trim and Stop arms shall be painted black.
SECTION 11. Trans 300.34 (3)(a) and (b) are repealed.
SECTION 12. Trans 300.34 (3m) is created to read:
Trans 300.34 (3m) Rub rails shall have a 2 inch minimum black color down their center, by either painting or application of a high quality blackout film, paint film, or retro-reflective tape. The remainder of each rub rail shall be either black or national school bus glossy yellow.
SECTION 13. Trans 300.34 (4) (f) is amended to read:
Trans 300.34 (4) (f) Lamp flanges, housings, and an area around the tail, lamps on combination stop, turn, and turn back up lamps not to exceed 3 inches. Areas adjacent to rub rails may exceed 3 inches to the extent of the width of the rub rail.
SECTION 14. Trans 300.34 (8), (9) and (10) are created to read:
Trans 300.34 (8) An external camera, audio monitor or recording device housing shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white.
Trans 300.34 (9) Sensors used for anti-theft or pre-trip inspections shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white
Trans 300.34 (10) The roof of a school bus may be painted white. The front and rear roof caps shall be painted school bus glossy yellow or black. The white roof may not extend below the side windows, or if equipped, the drip rail.
SECTION 15. Trans 300.39 (9) is amended to read:
Trans 300.39 (9) The inside of each emergency window shall have the designation “Emergency Exit”. An emergency door shall be identified with either the words “Emergency Exit” or “Emergency Door” on the inside at the top of, or above the door. Directly beneath or above each “Emergency Door” or “Emergency Exit” designation specified by this section a label shall state in letters at least one inch high, “DO NOT BLOCK” in a color that contrasts with the background of the label. Concise operating instructions shall be located within 6 inches of the release mechanism. When a release mechanism is not located within an occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label that indicates the location of the nearest mechanism shall be placed within that occupant space. The outside of the emergency door shall be clearly marked “Emergency Door” or “Emergency Exit” in letters 2 inches high at the top of, or above the door or immediately below the upper glass. An arrow at least 6 inches long and 3/4 inch in width indicating the direction the release mechanism should be turned to open the door shall be painted in black on the yellow background. The outside of the emergency window shall be labeled “Emergency Exit” in letters at least 2 inches high, directly above the window or on the window glazing. There may not be any labeling on the glazing indicating emergency door. Labeling or operating instructions may be located on the glazing of emergency window exits as long as the labeling or instructions are clearly visible inside and outside the vehicle.
SECTION 16. Trans 300.40 (1) is amended to read:
Trans 300.40 (1) The exhaust system, which includes the exhaust manifolds, joining gaskets, piping leading from the exhaust manifold, muffler and tail pipe may not enter the bus body at any location. The exhaust system pipes shall be of nonflexible steel except that those buses which utilize a diesel engine may be equipped with a flexible pipe of not more than 18 inches long between the engine and the first exhaust pipe hanger. Stainless steel bellows assemblies are allowed. School buses with 2007 EPA or newer diesel engines, subject to emissions standards in 40 CFR 86.007-11, may have flexible tubing at original manufactured locations and if replaced must meet or exceed manufacturer specifications. SECTION 17. Trans 300.40 (1m) is created to read:
Trans 300.40 (1m) School buses equipped with an EPA 2007 or newer diesel engine, which is subject to emissions standards in 40 CFR 86.007-11, shall maintain or exceed original specifications equipped by the manufacturer and shall discharge exhaust to the rear or left side of the school bus. SECTION 18. Trans 300.40 (3) is amended to read:
Trans 300.40 (3) An exhaust system, that has is not an EPA 2007 or newer diesel engine, subject to emissions standards in 40 CFR 86.007-11, may discharge out of its exit on the right side shall have the exit point if located behind the rear wheels. SECTION 19. Trans 300.54 (1) (intro.) is amended to read:
Trans 300.54 (1) (intro.) The following lights, lamps, and reflectors are required on a school bus painted in accordance with s. 347.44(1), Stats. Each lamp shall be operational and meet the applicable SAE specifications as provided in this section. SECTION 20. Trans 300.54 (1) (a) (intro.) is amended to read:
Trans 300.54 (1) (a) (intro.) The A school bus painted in accordance with s. 347.44(1) Stats., shall be equipped with alternating red flashing lamps lights which conform to the following requirements. SECTION 21. Trans 300.54 (1) (a) 1. d. is created to read:
