Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Transportation › Chapter Trans 300 - Transportation Of School Children › Subchapter II - Equipment Standards › Section Trans 300.61 - Signs and lettering

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Only signs and lettering approved by
				state law or rule shall appear on or in the bus.
(2) The body shall bear words "School Bus" in
				black letters at least 8 inches high and one-inch stroke on both front and rear
				or on yellow signs attached thereto. The lettering shall be placed above the
				rear window and the front windshield. This lettering shall only appear on buses
				painted the yellow and black school bus colors and meeting all the requirements
				of this chapter.
(3) Each school
				bus painted the yellow and black color scheme shall have a fleet number
				consisting of no more than 4 digits. The fleet number shall appear on the front
				and the rear of the bus. Additional fleet number locations may be utilized at
				the owner's option.
(4) Fleet
				numbers shall be no less than 3 inches nor more than 6 inches high with a 1D 2
				inch brush stroke.
(5) Fleet
				numbers are prohibited in the black area around the alternately flashing red
				lights.
(6) The name and address
				(and telephone number, if desired) of the owner or operator shall be displayed
				below the window line in the panel to the rear of, and as close as possible to,
				the service door in letters not less than 2 inches high nor more than 3 inches
				high by ¼ inch stroke. If desired, this marking may also be painted on
				the left side of the bus below the driver's window. Owner's decals may be used
				to comply with this subsection if the decals do not violate other provisions of
				this section.
(7) The name of the
				school bus firm may appear on the sides of the bus between the seat line rub
				rail and the bottom window line in contrasting yellow or black letters not more
				than 10 inches high. The owner's name may also appear on the rear bumper in
				school bus yellow. The lettering may not exceed 6 inches in height with a 1D 2
				inch brush stroke. These options do not relieve the owner or operator from the
				requirements of sub. (6).
(8) The
				vehicle's registration card or a photocopy of the card shall be displayed in
				the driver's compartment and shall be mounted in a holder so the card can be
				read without removal. The passenger capacity shall appear on the inside of the
				bus above the front windshield so it can be easily read. It shall indicate the
				number of seated passengers that may legally be transported. Each wheelchair
				position shall be counted as a seated passenger.
(9) Each school bus with an emergency exit
				shall have the exit identified as required in s.
				Trans
				300.39.
(9m) On or after August 1, 2016, each school
				bus equipped with an eight light warning system shall have contrasting black
				lettering indicating the word "STOP" centered on the rear emergency door panel
				in 8 x 1 inch minimum letters with the words "ON FLASHING RED" directly below
				and centered in 4 ½ x 1D 2 inch minimum letters. When a rear emergency
				door is not present this lettering shall be placed in a visible location on the
				rear of the school bus body as close to the centerline as practicable. This
				lettering may be reflective material or have a reflective background. An
				optional driver alert message board may be used in lieu of the required
				lettering if utilizing a high intensity or LED lights that flash similar
				cautionary messages in two inch high minimum letters. Amber cautionary messages
				may flash when the hazard lights or amber warning lights are activated and a
				red warning message, similar to the required lettering, shall flash when the
				red warning lights are activated.
(10) The following signs are the only other
				decals, stickers, or lettering that may appear on the bus:
(a) No smoking, eating or drinking, (maximum
				2-inch high letters).
(b) Any signs
				required by the federal bureau of motor carrier safety or national highway
				traffic safety administration.
(c)
				Identification as to location of emergency equipment.
(d) Seat belt use required in this
				vehicle.
(e) A seating chart, which
				shall not exceed a maximum size of 8 ½ x 11 inches. Numbers designating
				rows may be placed above the windows on both sides. They shall be black, no
				taller than 2 inches. They shall be permanent and legible by either painting or
				decal placement. They shall not interfere with emergency door or window
				markings.
(f) One page of rules
				pertaining to passenger conduct located in the drivers compartment above the
				windshield on the front bulkhead, which shall not exceed a maximum of 8
				½ x 11 inches.
(g) Any decal
				denoting membership in an association dealing with school transportation. The
				decal shall be placed within 12 inches to the rear of service door and below
				window line. It may not exceed 36 square inches.
(gm) For vehicles powered by alternative
				fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas or electric
				propulsion a designator may be placed on a lower rear corner. This designator
				may also be on the right side and displayed below the window line in the panel
				to the rear of, and as close as possible to, the service door. If desired, this
				designator may also be displayed on the left side, below the driver's window.
				It may not exceed 64 square inches and shall identify the alternative fuel
				used. A school bus that is utilizing an alternative fuel may have the
				manufacturer's logo or background colored green.
(h) A sign or lettering indicating the type
				of fuel used. This may be an industry recognized symbol as the background
				containing the appropriate lettering or abbreviation designating the type of
				fuel.
(i) A placard, decal or other
				device, not to exceed 90 square inches in size, to identify the bus to the
				children.
(j) Emergency telephone
				number may be placed in the driver's compartment in accordance with the
				following criteria:
1. The device the numbers
				are displayed on may not exceed 5 inches by 7 inches and may include a current
				calendar.
2. Acceptable emergency
				telephone numbers: police, fire, rescue squad, school bus contractor, and
				school transportation director or administrator.
(k) A legal disclaimer, not to exceed 5 x 7
				inches, may be displayed in the drivers compartment to advise passengers that
				they may be video or audio recorded.
(l) A United States flag decal or magnet, not
				to exceed 6 inches on any side, may be displayed in the drivers compartment
				provided it does not interfere with any operating controls or other safety
				signs and equipment. It shall not include any sayings or slogans and may not be
				placed on the mirror, visor, windshield or any other window.
(m) A decal, sticker or lettering stating,
				"DO NOT USE THE LAST TWO SEATS UNLESS BUS IS FULL", is permissible to be placed
				on the rear bulkheads. The letters are to be black and are not to exceed 2
				inches high. They are to be permanent and legible by either painting or decal
				placement.