CHAPTER 342
VEHICLE TITLE AND ANTI-THEFT LAW
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
342.01 Words and phrases defined.
342.02 Excepted liens and security interests.
342.03 Motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer leases.
342.05 When certificate of title required.
342.06 Application for certificate of title.
342.065 Title for salvage vehicle.
342.07 Title for repaired salvage vehicle.
342.08 Department to examine records.
342.09 When department to issue certificate and to whom; maintenance of records.
342.10 Contents of certificate of title.
342.11 Grounds for refusing issuance of certificate of title.
342.12 Withholding certificate of title; bond.
342.13 Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates.
TRANSFER OF TITLE
342.15 Transfer of interest in a vehicle.
342.155 Mileage disclosure requirements of transferors and transferees.
342.156 Transfers of leased motor vehicles.
342.157 Motor vehicle salvage pools and auction companies to maintain records.
342.16 Transfer to or from dealer.
342.17 Involuntary transfers.
342.18 When department to issue a new certificate.
342.19 Perfection of security interests.
342.195 Notification of person who has perfected security interest.
342.20 Duties on creation of security interest.
342.21 Assignment of security interest.
342.22 Release of security interest.
342.23 Secured party's and owner's duties.
342.24 Method of perfecting exclusive.
342.25 Suspension or revocation of certificate.
342.255 Cancellation of title or registration.
342.26 Hearings and appeal.
342.281 Previously certificated vehicle.
342.282 Deferred application to previously certificated vehicle.
342.283 Distinctive certificate.
342.284 New security interest in a previously certificated vehicle.
342.285 Unsatisfied security interest in previously certificated vehicle.
ANTI-THEFT AND ANTI-FRAUD PROVISIONS
342.30 Identification numbers.
342.31 Report of stolen or abandoned motor vehicles.
342.32 Counterfeiting and unlawful possession of certificate of title.
342.33 Sale of vehicle used as taxicab.
342.34 Department to be notified of destruction or junking of vehicle.
342.40 Vehicle abandonment prohibited; removal; disposal.
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
342.01
342.01
Words and phrases defined. 342.01(1)
(1) Words and phrases defined in
s. 340.01 are used in the same sense in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided.
342.01(2)(am)
(am) "Leasing company" means any lessor who, within the preceding 12 months, has leased 5 or more vehicles for a period of at least 4 months.
342.01(2)(b)
(b) "Mileage" means the actual distance that a vehicle has traveled in miles.
342.01(2)(c)
(c) "Transfer" means to change ownership by purchase, gift or any other means.
342.01 History
History: 1993 a. 159;
1997 a. 27.
342.02
342.02
Excepted liens and security interests. This chapter does not apply to or affect:
342.02(1)
(1) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle.
342.02(2)
(2) A lien given by statute to the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state.
342.02(3)
(3) A security interest in a vehicle created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the vehicle for sale, which shall be governed by the applicable provisions of
ch. 409.
342.03
342.03
Motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer leases. Notwithstanding
s. 401.201 (37) or
ch. 409, a transaction involving a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer does not create a conditional sale or a security interest merely because it includes a provision that permits or requires the rental price to be adjusted under the agreement by reference to the amount realized upon the sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.
342.03 History
History: 1991 a. 148.
342.05
342.05
When certificate of title required. 342.05(1)
(1) The owner of a vehicle subject to registration in this state, whether or not such vehicle is operated on any highway of this state, shall make application for certificate of title for the vehicle under the following circumstances:
342.05(1)(a)
(a) If the owner has newly acquired the vehicle, he or she shall make application under
s. 342.15.
342.05(1)(b)
(b) If the owner applies for registration of a vehicle without holding a valid certificate of title previously issued to that owner by the department for the vehicle, he or she shall at the same time apply for a certificate of title.
342.05(2)
(2) Except as provided in
sub. (3), an applicant's eligibility for a certificate of title is a prerequisite to registration of the vehicle. If the applicant for registration holds a valid certificate of title previously issued to the applicant by the department for the vehicle, that is prima facie evidence of ownership of the vehicle and the applicant need not apply for a new certificate of title on application for registration.
