AB882: Bill Text

Under current law, DOT collects a fee of $4 whenever such credit or plate transfer provisions are used. This bill eliminates this fee. The bill also eliminates the replacement plate fee of $4 associated with personalized license plates or the loss of eligibility for special group plates.

Proof of financial responsibility

Current law requires DOT to revoke the vehicle operating privilege and motor vehicle registrations of any person who is involved in a motor vehicle accident and who, within 30 days after a court judgment that requires the person to pay to another person (the "judgment creditor") more than $500 for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident, either fails to satisfy the judgment against the person or fails to appeal the judgment. However, if the judgment creditor consents DOT may allow the person to keep his or her operating privilege and vehicle registrations if the person: 1) provides proof of financial responsibility for the future (proof of the person's financial ability to pay any damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident in the future); and 2) maintains such proof in effect for 3 years after the date of the judgment awarding damages.

This bill requires such a person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future in effect for 3 years after the consent agreement between the person and the judgment creditor is filed with DOT, instead of maintaining such proof in effect for 3 years after the entry of judgment.

Currently, if a person required to pay a judgment in excess of $500 for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident obtains a court order allowing payment of the judgment in instalments, DOT may not revoke the person's operating privilege or vehicle registrations if the person provides proof of financial responsibility for the future. However, the person is not required to provide proof of financial responsibility for the future if 3 years have elapsed since the entry of the judgment. Under this bill, such a person is not required to provide proof of financial responsibility if 3 years have elapsed since the date on which the order permitting payment of the judgment in instalments is filed with DOT.

Also under current law, a person whose operating privilege or vehicle registration is revoked for failing to pay such a judgment may not reinstate the person's operating privilege or vehicle registration unless the person provides and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future. This requirement does not apply if 3 years have elapsed since the date of entry of the judgment which was the cause for revocation. Under this bill, the requirement to provide proof of financial responsibility as a condition of reinstatement does not apply if 3 years have elapsed since the date on which the judgment of monetary damages was satisfied, stayed or discharged.

Under current law, DOT requires certain motor vehicle operators to furnish proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to any motor vehicle that will be operated by such persons. A vehicle operator may file a certification of insurance as proof of financial responsibility for the future certifying that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy insuring any motor vehicle that will be operated by such person with the permission of the vehicle owner. These certifications of insurance may also be filed by any motor vehicle owner who is required to furnish proof of financial responsibility for the future but such certifications are limited to any motor vehicle that will be operated by such person with the permission of the vehicle owner.

This bill provides that any motor vehicle owner who is required to file proof of financial responsibility for the future with DOT may file a certification of insurance that certifies that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy insuring all motor vehicles owned by such person and all persons who will be operating any such vehicle with the permission of its owner.

Vehicle identification numbers

Current law specifies the location at which a vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned by DOT must be permanently affixed. This bill eliminates the statutory locations and requires DOT by rule to specify the locations for VIN placement.

Trailers and semitrailers

Under current law, the owner of a fleet of 100 or more trailers, each having a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less and used for hire or rental, may register the trailers for a 6-year period ending June 30. This bill eliminates this expiration date, allowing DOT to establish the expiration date.

This bill clarifies that DOT may register semitrailers under the international registration plan for an annual fee of $50 and may issue metal registration plates as evidence of such registration.

Other

Current law allows DOT and local highway authorities to require an applicant for a permit to transport a vehicle of excessive size or weight upon a highway to provide proof of liability insurance for harm or damage caused by transporting the oversize or overweight vehicle. Such proof of insurance is required for an annual permit to transport an oversize mobile home upon a highway.

This bill eliminates the requirement that an applicant for an annual permit to transport an oversize mobile home upon a highway provide proof of liability insurance. DOT and local highway authorities retain the authority to require such insurance for oversize mobile homes whenever DOT or the local highway authority believes such proof of insurance is appropriate.

Current law recognizes a "station wagon" as a distinct vehicle type, but treats that distinct vehicle type as an "automobile". This bill eliminates "station wagon" as a distinct vehicle type.

For further information, see the Notes provided by the law revision committee of the joint legislative council in the bill.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Law revision committee prefatory note: This bill is a remedial legislation proposal, requested by the department of transportation and introduced by the law revision committee under s. 13.83 (1) (c) 4., stats. After careful consideration of the various provisions of this bill, the law revision committee has determined that this bill makes minor substantive changes in the statutes, and that these changes are desirable as a matter of public policy.

AB882, s. 1 Section 1 . 70.112 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,5,5 70.112 (5) Motor vehicles, bicycles, snowmobiles. Every automobile, motor bicycle, motor bus, motorcycle, motor truck, moped, road tractor, school bus, snowmobile, station wagon, truck tractor, or other similar motor vehicle, or trailer or semitrailer used in connection therewith.

Note: Sections 1 to 4, 8 to 15, 19 , 20, 24 , 25, 30 , 31, 42 , 47, 48 , 50, 51 , 57 to 63 and 65 eliminate the definition of, and references to, station wagons which exist in the statutes. According to DOT, DOT does not distinguish between automobiles and station wagons for registration purposes, so the definition of "station wagon" serves no useful purpose and should be deleted.

AB882, s. 2 Section 2. 340.01 (61) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 3 Section 3. 341.03 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,5,11 341.03 (2) (a) Any person who violates sub. (1), where the vehicle used is an automobile, station wagon or any other vehicle having a gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

AB882, s. 4 Section 4 . 341.04 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,5,16 341.04 (3) (a) Any person who violates sub. (1) or (2), where the vehicle used is an automobile, station wagon, or any other vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

AB882, s. 5 Section 5 . 341.06 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,6,5 341.06 (1) (am) A trailer or semitrailer or camping trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and not used for hire or rental. The registration fee charged under this paragraph shall be the same as if the trailer or semitrailer were to be used for hire or rental the fee under s. 341.25 (1) (gd).

Note: Currently, registration of a fleet of 100 or more for-hire small trailers (those with a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less) is for a 6-year period ending June 30. Sections 5 and 39 eliminate this June 30 expiration date. According to DOT, elimination of this expiration date will allow DOT to consolidate small trailer registration plates with large trailer registration plates, which expire on December 31.

AB882, s. 6 Section 6 . 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. of the statutes, as created by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,6,15 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. A state resident who purchases or leases an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less from a person other than the dealer for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for the a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

Note: Sections 6 and 7 apply the same provisions in current law regarding motor vehicle dealer issuance of temporary license plates to leased vehicles, as well as to purchased vehicles. According to DOT, these changes reflect the current prevalence of vehicle leasing arrangements.

AB882, s. 7 Section 7 . 341.09 (2m) (a) 2. of the statutes, as created by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,7,8 341.09 (2m) (a) 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., the department shall issue a sufficient number of temporary operation plates without charge to each dealer licensed in this state for issuance under this subdivision. Each dealer shall issue a temporary operation plate without charge to any state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for the a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

AB882, s. 8 Section 8 . 341.14 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,8,2 341.14 (1) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the resident is, by reason of injuries sustained while in the active U.S. military service, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the veteran, plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall have a light blue background except for a white border not to exceed one inch at top and bottom, and blue lettering, except that the word "VET" and the identifying number shown on the plates shall be colored red. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.

AB882, s. 9 Section 9. 341.14 (1a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,8,20 341.14 (1a) If any resident of this state, who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying to the department that the resident is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the disabled person plates of a special design in lieu of plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a nonveteran disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.

AB882, s. 10 Section 10. 341.14 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,9,14 341.14 (1m) If any licensed driver submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that another person who is regularly dependent on the licensed driver for transportation is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to the licensed driver plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the automobile or station wagon, or motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or motor home, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a licensed driver on whom a disabled person is regularly dependent and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub. (1a).

AB882, s. 11 Section 11. 341.14 (1q) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,9,25 341.14 (1q) If any employer who provides an automobile or station wagon, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, for an employe's use submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that the employe is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to such employer plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub. (1a).

AB882, s. 12 Section 12. 341.14 (1r) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,10,23 341.14 (1r) (a) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, certifying to the department that the vehicle is leased to a person who qualifies for special plates under sub. (1) or (1a) together with the information required under sub. (1) or (1a), the department shall issue and deliver to the resident, plates of the appropriate special design under sub. (1) or (1a) in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. No plates may be issued and delivered to a resident under this paragraph on or after January 1, 1998.

AB882, s. 13 Section 13. 341.14 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,11,12 341.14 (2) Upon compliance with the laws relating to registration of automobiles, station wagons and motor homes; motor trucks, dual purpose motor homes and dual purpose farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds; and farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, including payment of the prescribed registration fees therefor plus an additional fee of $10 when registration plates are issued accompanied by an application showing satisfactory proof that the applicant is the holder of an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the federal communications commission, the department shall issue registration plates on which, in lieu of the usual registration number, shall be inscribed in large legible form the call letters of such applicant as assigned by the federal communications commission. The fee for reissuance of a plate under this subsection shall be $10.

AB882, s. 14 Section 14. 341.14 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,11,25 341.14 (6) (a) Upon application to register an automobile or station wagon or a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds by any person who was a member of any of the U.S. armed services and who was held as a prisoner of war during any of the conflicts described in s. 45.35 (5) (e) 2. to 8. or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34, and upon submission of a statement from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying that the person was a prisoner of war during one of the conflicts described in s. 45.35 (5) (e) 2. to 8. or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34, the department shall issue to the person a special plate which is colored red, white and blue and which has the words "ex-prisoner of war" placed on the plate in the manner designated by the department.

AB882, s. 15 Section 15 . 341.14 (6m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,12,10 341.14 (6m) (a) Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds by any person who is a resident of this state and a member or retired member of the national guard, the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall be determined by the department, after consultation with the adjutant general, and which have the words "Wisconsin guard member" placed on the plates in the manner designated by the department. An additional fee of $10 shall be charged for the issuance of the plates. Registration plates issued under this subsection shall expire annually.

AB882, s. 16 Section 16 . 341.14 (6m) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,12,17 341.14 (6m) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), if an individual in possession of special plates under this subsection or of personalized plates under s. 341.145 (1) (b) does not maintain membership in the national guard during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.

Note: Sections 16 to 18, 21 to 23 and 27 to 29 eliminate the $4 replacement fee that is charged when someone who is no longer eligible for certain special group plates reregisters a vehicle to a regular plate. These changes correspond to the provisions in Section 36 of the bill which eliminate the provisions in current law which prohibit the owner of an automobile that is being registered with DOT from receiving credit for the unused portion of another automobile's registration or transferring the automobile's license plates to the automobile that is being registered, if these credit or plate transfer provisions have applied, within the previous 12-month period, to the automobile that is being registered.

AB882, s. 17 Section 17 . 341.14 (6m) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,12,20 341.14 (6m) (b) 1. Dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department; and

AB882, s. 18 Section 18 . 341.14 (6m) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 19 Section 19 . 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,13,9 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor home, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, by any person who is a resident of this state and a member of an authorized special group, the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall indicate that the vehicle is owned by a person who is a member of the applicable special group.

AB882, s. 20 Section 20 . 341.14 (6r) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,13,17 341.14 (6r) (bg) 1. Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor home, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, by any person who is a resident of this state and a member of the authorized special group under par. (f) 52., the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall indicate that the vehicle is owned by a person who is a member of that special group.

AB882, s. 21 Section 21 . 341.14 (6r) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,13,25 341.14 (6r) (g) If an individual in possession of special plates under par. (f) 33., 34. or 48. or of personalized plates under s. 341.145 (1) (c) of the same color and design as special plates under par. (f) 33., 34. or 48. does not maintain membership in the applicable authorized special group during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB882, s. 22 Section 22. 341.14 (6r) (g) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,3 341.14 (6r) (g) 1. Dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department; and

AB882, s. 23 Section 23 . 341.14 (6r) (g) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 24 Section 24 . 341.145 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,16 341.145 (1) (a) A registration plate for an owned automobile or station wagon or a motor home registered for an annual registration period under s. 341.29 or 341.295 or a motorcycle or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the applicant. Personalized registration plates under this paragraph shall be of the same color and design as regular registration plates and shall consist of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position for a plate issued for a motorcycle or not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position for all other plates.

AB882, s. 25 Section 25 . 341.145 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,22 341.145 (1) (b) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (6m) for an owned automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

AB882, s. 26 Section 26 . 341.145 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,15,3 341.145 (2) (a) The request and alternative thereto is received by the department in writing by mail by the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle is to be registered;

Note: Section 26 eliminates the requirement that personalized license plates be applied for by mail. According to DOT, it was necessary to have this application-by-mail requirement at the inception of the personalized license plate program because of the competition for certain popular plate messages. However, because most of the plate messages in great demand have already been issued, and because DOT has routinized the application process, the requirement to apply for personalized plates by mail is no longer necessary.

AB882, s. 27 Section 27 . 341.145 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,15,9 341.145 (5) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate under sub. (3) during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB882, s. 28 Section 28. 341.145 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,15,12 341.145 (5) (a) Dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department; and

AB882, s. 29 Section 29 . 341.145 (5) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 30 Section 30 . 341.25 (1) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,15,18 341.25 (1) (a) For each automobile or station wagon, a fee of $45, except that an automobile registered in this state prior to September 1, 1947, at a fee of less than $18 shall be registered at such lesser fee plus an additional fee of $2.

AB882, s. 31 Section 31 . 341.26 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,16,8 341.26 (7) (b) When engaged in passenger-carrying operations other than as provided in par. (a) or sub. (2) (d), a school bus shall be registered as a motor bus at a fee determined under s. 341.25 (2), or as an automobile or station wagon at the fee provided in s. 341.25 (1) (a). Fees for registration under s. 341.25 (2) may be paid in accordance with ss. 341.30 and 341.31. Fees for part-quarterly registration shall be computed on the basis of one-twelfth of the annual fee multiplied by the number of months of the current quarter which have not fully expired on the date of the application. If a vehicle was not operated in other than school bus service, a statement of nonoperation satisfactory to the department shall be filed with the application.

AB882, s. 32 Section 32 . 341.264 (1) and (2) (a) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB882,16,20 341.264 (1) Upon application and payment of a fee of $50, the department shall register a semitrailer which is operated in connection with a truck tractor or hauled by a motor vehicle and used with a device which converts the semitrailer to a trailer. Except for a semitrailer registered under sub. (3), registration Registration under this section is valid without the payment of any additional fee while the registrant is the owner of the semitrailer and, with respect to the sale of a leased semitrailer to the lessee of the semitrailer, while the former lessee is the owner of the semitrailer if the lessee reimbursed the lessor of the semitrailer at the time of registration of the semitrailer for payment of the registration fee under this subsection. The department shall issue a permanent semitrailer registration plate to evidence registration under this subsection.

AB882,17,2 (2) (a) Upon the sale of a semitrailer registered under this section, the seller shall remove the registration plate and destroy it. The purchaser shall immediately apply for registration and pay the full applicable fee prescribed in sub. (1) or established under sub. (3). This paragraph does not apply to the sale of a leased semitrailer to a lessee eligible to maintain permanent registration of the semitrailer under sub. (1).

Note: Sections 32 , 33 and 43 provide that current 12-year plates for semitrailers issued under the international registration plan (IRP) would no longer be issued. Instead, these provisions permit DOT to register semitrailers under the IRP and to issue base plates for each semitrailer registered under the IRP. An annual registration fee of $50 would be charged for semitrailers registered under the IRP. According to DOT, motor carriers who operate in California who must have an IRP trailer plate would have the permanent semitrailer plate if these provisions were adopted, rather than the current plate which is renewed every 12 years.