Trans 301.05(12)
(12) The driver of any vehicle required to stop at a railroad crossing by s.
346.45, Stats., shall come to a full stop at a distance of not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet before crossing at grade any track of a railroad. The hazard warning lights shall be used when the HSV is slowing for the stop and shall remain on until the vehicle has resumed normal speed. While the vehicle is so stopped, the driver shall open the service door and listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. After stopping and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of such vehicle shall cross only in such gear of the vehicle as shall make it unnecessary to manually shift gears while traversing the crossing and may not shift gears while traversing the crossing. The door shall remain open until the front wheels of the HSV have cleared the first set of tracks for each required stop.
Trans 301.05(13)
(13) Passengers shall comply with all orders given by drivers in carrying out the driver's responsibilities under the Wisconsin administrative code.
Trans 301.05 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (1), (3) and (5) to (12), cr. (14),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97; correction in (8) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register March 2012 No. 675;
2017 Wis. Act 238: am. (11)
Register April 2018 No. 748, eff. 5-1-18;
CR 22-048: am. (8) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.
Trans 301.06
Trans 301.06 Vehicle owner and employer requirements. It is the vehicle owner's and the employer's responsibility to determine that qualified personnel operate the vehicle according to safe practices, including s.
346.94 (15), Stats., relating to prohibited towing practices, that the vehicle is insured as an HSV under s.
344.55, Stats., registered as an HSV under s.
341.25 (1) (k), Stats., and inspected as required by s.
110.05, Stats., and this chapter.
Trans 301.06 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.07(1)(1)
Any vehicle that is found to be in such condition that is unsafe for use as an HSV shall have an “out of service" sticker attached to the upper glass in the service door. The vehicle may not be used as an HSV while such sticker is displayed.
Trans 301.07(2)
(2) A vehicle with an “out of service" sticker displayed shall be reinspected after repairs are completed. The sticker shall be removed by an agent of the department prior to reuse as an HSV.
Trans 301.07(3)
(3) It shall be illegal for any person other than an agent of the department to remove an “out of service" sticker unless the vehicle has the base registration removed and is reregistered in such a manner so as to prohibit its use as an HSV.
Trans 301.07 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.09
Trans 301.09 Equipment standards. Any HSV with a passenger-carrying capacity of 16 or more persons, including the operator, shall comply with ch.
Trans 330, motor bus equipment and inspection, except s.
Trans 330.23, inspection fees. In addition, motor buses used to transport persons with disabilities shall comply with s.
Trans 301.14, communication requirements, and subch.
III, special equipment requirements.
Trans 301.09 History
History: Cr.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97;
CR 22-048: am. Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.
Trans 301.10
Trans 301.10 Aisle. Any HSV with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds or a vehicle with the aisle through the center of the unit shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches leading to the emergency door when measured at any point between the seats or between any seat and emergency door frame in the case of a vehicle with a side emergency door. An open area for wheelchairs may not be considered an aisle.
Trans 301.10 Note
Note: For purposes of measurement, the 12-inch aisle clearance is required when measured from a foldaway seat when the seat is in its fully deployed and open position. For purposes of measurement, the 12-inch aisle clearance is required from a flip-up seat that complies with s.
Trans 301.29 (3) at a side emergency door location when the seat is not occupied and is in its automatically closed position.
Trans 301.10 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82;
am.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.11 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; r. and recr.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.12
Trans 301.12 Bumpers. Every HSV shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers properly attached to the vehicle to be effective in the event of an accident.
Trans 301.12 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82.
Trans 301.13(1)(1)
Every HSV manufactured in accordance with federal school bus standards after May 1, 1997 shall meet the requirements of
49 CFR 571.220, school bus rollover protection.
Trans 301.13(2)
(2) Every van modified with a raised roof or doors, or both, placed in operation after May 1, 1997 shall meet the requirements of
49 CFR 571.220, school bus rollover protection.
Trans 301.13(3)
(3) A modified van with raised roof or doors, or both, placed in operation prior to May 1, 1997 may continue operation for 5 years after May 1, 1997 without modification, if it meets the accessibility guidelines for transportation vehicles in
36 CFR part 1192, subpart B, including the door height standard in
36 CFR 1192.25(c).
Trans 301.13 Note
Note: 36 CFR 1192.25(c) reads as follows: “For vehicles in excess of 22 feet in length, the overhead clearance between the top of the door opening and the raised lift platform, or highest point of a ramp, shall be a minimum of 68 inches. For vehicles of 22 feet in length or less, the overhead clearance between the top of the door opening and the raised lift platform, or highest point of a ramp, shall be a minimum of 56 inches."
Trans 301.13 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; r. and recr.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.14
Trans 301.14 Communications. Every HSV shall be equipped with some type of 2-way communication system. This system shall be of such design and installation that the vehicle operator shall at all times be able to communicate with either the base of operations or another intermediary party that could communicate with the base of operations.
Trans 301.14 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 1-1-83; r. (2),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.15(1)(1)
All defrosting equipment shall keep the windshield and the glazing to the left and right of the driver clear of fog and frost. The defroster outlets may not be restricted in any way.
Trans 301.15(2)
(2) Fans may be used in addition to defrosters, but shall be mounted so as not to obstruct the driver's view.
Trans 301.15 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (1),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.16(1)(1)
Every HSV with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds shall be provided with emergency exits that comply with
49 CFR 571.217, bus emergency exits and window retention and release, and the following requirements:
Trans 301.16(1)(c)
(c) The upper and lower portion of the central rear emergency door shall be equipped with approved safety glass, the exposed area of which shall be not less than 400 square inches in the upper portion and not less than 280 square inches in the lower portion. The left side emergency door shall be equipped with safety glass in the upper portion and lower portion shall be of at least the same gauge metal as the body. The emergency door shall be hinged on the right side if it is in the rear of the bus and on the front side if it is in the left side and shall open only outward. Control from the driver's seat may not be permitted.
Trans 301.16(1)(d)
(d) The emergency door shall be equipped with a slide bar, cam-operated latch which shall have a minimum stroke of one inch. The latch shall be equipped with a suitable electric plunger-type switch connected with a distinctive audible signal, automatically operated which shall clearly indicate the unlatching of this door. A cutoff switch may not be installed in the circuit. The switch shall be enclosed in a metal case and wires leading from the switch shall be concealed in the body. The switch shall be so installed that the plunger contacts the farthest edge of the slide bar in such a manner that any movement of the slide bar shall immediately close the circuit and activate the signal. The door latch shall be equipped with an interior handle which shall be capable of quick release but shall be protected against accidental release. It shall lift up to release the latch. The outside handle shall be so constructed as to minimize hitching and shall be a nondetachable device.
Trans 301.16(1)(e)
(e) If locks are installed on the emergency door they shall include a device to prevent the activating of the starter mechanism of the vehicle engine while any door is locked. An audio alarm shall indicate to the driver when any door lock is in the locked position while the ignition switch is in the “on" position.
Trans 301.16(1)(f)
(f) A rear emergency window at least 16 inches in height and as wide as practicable shall be provided in any HSV where the emergency door is not in the rear. The rear window shall be designed so as to be opened from either the inside or the outside. It shall be hinged at the top and designed to prevent accidental closing in an emergency. A positive latch on the inside shall provide for quick release but offer protection against accidental release. The outside handle shall be nondetachable and designed to minimize hitching.
Trans 301.16(1)(f)1.
1. The inside of each emergency window or door shall have the designation “Emergency Exit." Concise operating instructions shall be located within 6 inches of the release mechanism. The outside of the emergency door shall be clearly marked “Emergency Door" or “Emergency Exit" in letters 2 inches high at the top of the door. 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 contrasting or conspicuous colors. The outside of the emergency window shall be labeled “Emergency Exit" in letters at least 2 inches high directly above the window.
Trans 301.16(1)(f)2.
2. A distinctive audible signal, automatically operated shall clearly indicate to the driver the unlatching of any emergency window and no cutoff switch may be installed in the circuit.
Trans 301.16(1)(g)
(g) The area on the inside above the emergency door shall be covered with padding at least 2 inches high to within 2 inches of each side of the door opening.
Trans 301.16(2)
(2) Each HSV of 10,000 pounds or less GVWR need not have a specific emergency exit providing there are 2 separate openings where persons could exit the vehicle under normal circumstances.
Trans 301.16(3)
(3) All doors shall be capable of being opened easily from the inside and outside including the rear door of a van.
Trans 301.16 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (1) (intro.), (b) to (d), (f) 2., (2) and (3), cr. (4),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.17
Trans 301.17 Floor and floor covering. Every HSV shall have a nonslip floor mat or covering wherever the driver or passengers normally place their feet or utilize floor space to get to their seats.
Trans 301.17 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82.
Trans 301.18
Trans 301.18 Exhaust system. The exhaust system which includes the exhaust manifolds, joining gaskets, piping leading from the exhaust manifold, muffler, catalytic converter, and tail pipe may not enter the HSV at any location. The exhaust system pipes shall be of nonflexible tubing. The exhaust system pipes shall extend to, but not beyond the rear limit of the bumper or to the body limits on the left side of the bus behind the driver's compartment, or may exit to the right side of the vehicle to the rear of the rear wheel. The complete exhaust system shall be tightly connected and free from leaks and shall be properly insulated from the electrical wirings or any combustible part of the vehicle.
Trans 301.18 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.19(1)(1)
Each HSV shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher mounted in full view in the driver's compartment or mounted inside a compartment in the driver's area if the compartment is in plain view and is labeled “Fire Extinguisher" in red letters to indicate its location. An automobile or station wagon may have the fire extinguisher mounted in the luggage area provided there is an indication on the dash that the fire extinguisher is so located.
Trans 301.19(2)
(2) Fire extinguishers may be locked or kept in a locked compartment provided it is not locked when passengers are being transported. This subsection may not apply to the cargo area of an automobile.
Trans 301.19(3)
(3) The fire extinguisher shall be at least a 10 BC rating.
Trans 301.19(4)
(4) All extinguishers shall be kept fully charged and sealed.
Trans 301.19(5)
(5) All extinguishers shall be in a bracket or receptacle to secure it to the vehicle.
Trans 301.19 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82;
am. (1), (2) and (6),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.20(1)(1)
Every HSV shall carry a first aid kit. The container shall be moisture and dust proof. It shall be secured in the vehicle.
Trans 301.20 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82.
Trans 301.21
Trans 301.21 Fuel tank and fuel system integrity. Trans 301.21(2)
(2) All fuel lines shall be fastened in a manner that will prevent wear.
Trans 301.21 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (1),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.22(1)(1)
In addition to the requirements under
49 CFR 393.77, a heater shall maintain an inside temperature of not less than 50
° fahrenheit throughout the HSV at average minimum January temperatures as established by the U.S. department of commerce, weather bureau, for the area in which the bus is to be operated.
Trans 301.22(2)
(2) The heater hose shall be adequately supported to guard against excessive wear or abrasion and may not interfere with or restrict the driver. Heater hose or lines inside the driver or passenger compartment shall be shielded to prevent accidental contact by driver or passengers.
Trans 301.22 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am.
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.23(1)(1)
Every HSV originally equipped with any of the following instruments, warning devices, or gauges shall be maintained with that equipment or a comparable replacement in good working condition:
Trans 301.23(1)(a)
(a) Air pressure or vacuum, where air or vacuum brakes are used with low energy supply warning system.
Trans 301.23(2)
(2) The gauges or instruments shall be mounted in such a manner that each is clearly visible to the seated driver.
Trans 301.23 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; r. and recr. (1) (intro.), am. (1) (a),
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
Trans 301.24(1)(1)
The interior of an HSV shall be free of all unnecessary projections likely to cause injury. This standard requires inner lining on ceilings and walls.
Trans 301.24(2)
(2) The interior of the HSV shall be kept free of litter or debris.
Trans 301.24 History
History: Cr.
Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (1), r. (2) and (3), renum. (4) to be (2) and am.,
Register, April, 1997, No. 496, eff. 5-1-97.
