Chapter Trans 305

Trans 305.075(5) (5) Motor vehicles may be equipped with auxiliary off-road lamps that may face to the front or rear of the vehicle. The lamps shall be wired independently of all other lighting circuits and may not be lighted when the vehicle is operated or driven upon a highway.

Trans 305.075 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1) and (5), renum. (2) (c) to be (2) (d), cr. (2) (c), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.08 Trans 305.08 Back-up lamp.

Trans 305.08(1) (1) Every motor vehicle originally manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be equipped with back-up lamps in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.26 (4), Stats.

Trans 305.08(2) (2) The back-up lamp wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.08(3) (3) Back-up lamps may be activated by a switch on the transmission system so the lamps can be lighted only when the transmission is in reverse gear or may be manually turned on by a switch in the driver’s compartment providing there is an indicator light plainly visible to the vehicle driver indicating when the back-up lamps are on.

Trans 305.08 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.09 Trans 305.09 Direction signal lamps.

Trans 305.09(1) (1) The front and rear direction signal lamp system of every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1955, shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.15, Stats.

Trans 305.09(2) (2) All self-canceling direction signal switches shall be in proper working condition.

Trans 305.09(3) (3) All direction signal indicator lamps shall be installed and maintained in proper working condition and may not be covered or obscured by any object or material.

Trans 305.09(4) (4) All directional signal lenses shall be installed and maintained in proper condition and may not be covered or obscured by any object or material.

Trans 305.09(5) (5) All wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.09(6) (6) There shall be no cracked, broken or missing lenses or reflectors.

Trans 305.09 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; renum. (4) and (5) to be (5) and (6), cr. (4), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.10 Trans 305.10 Hazard warning lamps.

Trans 305.10(1) (1) Every motor vehicle originally manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be equipped with hazard warning lamps in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.26 (11), Stats.

Trans 305.10(2) (2) Hazard warning lamps shall be securely mounted.

Trans 305.10(3) (3) Hazard warning lamp wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.10 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.11 Trans 305.11 Headlamps.

Trans 305.11(1) (1) 

Trans 305.11(1)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a headlamp system meeting the specifications of the headlamp system with which the vehicle was originally manufactured. Every homemade or reconstructed vehicle shall be equipped with a headlamp system meeting the specifications of headlamp systems on vehicles manufactured in the year in which the homemade or reconstructed vehicle is first registered.

Trans 305.11(1)(b) (b) Every headlamp shall be properly aimed so as to conform with manufacturer’s recommendations and so that glaring light rays from the headlamp are not directed into the eyes of the driver of any oncoming vehicle.

Trans 305.11(2) (2) 

Trans 305.11(2)(a) (a) The headlamp system on every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and ss. 347.09 and 347.10, Stats.

Trans 305.11(2)(b) (b) The headlamp switch, dimmer switch and beam indicator shall be in proper working condition. All wiring and connections shall be in good condition.

Trans 305.11(3) (3) 

Trans 305.11(3)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle shall have an equal number of headlamps on each side of the vehicle installed at least 12 inches from the center of the vehicle and at the height specified in s. 347.09 (2), Stats.

Trans 305.11(3)(b) (b) Every headlamp shall be properly installed, adjustable and securely fastened. The headlamp mounting shall be in good condition.

Trans 305.11(3)(c) (c) No headlamp may have any type of cover that in any way tints the emitted light or reduces the amount of light emitted to below that required by s. 347.10, Stats. This paragraph applies only at times when the use of headlights is required.

Trans 305.11 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff.3-1-96.

Trans 305.12 Trans 305.12 Parking lamps.

Trans 305.12(1) (1) Every motor vehicle manufactured commencing with the 1950 models, and every homemade or reconstructed motor vehicle registered on or after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with parking lamps to the front meeting the visibility requirements of s. 347.27 (1) (b), Stats.

Trans 305.12(2) (2) The parking lamps and lens of every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.27, Stats.

Trans 305.12(3) (3) All wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.12 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.

Trans 305.13 Trans 305.13 Registration plate lamp.

Trans 305.13(1) (1) All registration plate lamps, wiring and connections shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.13 (3) and (4), Stats.

Trans 305.13(2) (2) The registration plate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to prevent light from the lamp shining away from the vehicle.

Trans 305.13 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.

Trans 305.14 Trans 305.14 Side marker lamps, clearance lamps and reflectors.

Trans 305.14(1) (1) Every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1969, every vehicle registered as a homemade vehicle on or after January 1, 1975, and every vehicle registered as a reconstructed vehicle after March 1, 1996 shall be equipped with side marker lamps and reflectors marking at least the front and rear corners of the vehicle.

Trans 305.14(2) (2) Every motor vehicle originally equipped with clearance lamps as defined in s. 340.01 (7), Stats., or reflectors shall have such lamps or reflectors maintained in conformity with this section and with ss. 347.16 to 347.19, Stats.

Trans 305.14(3) (3) Side marker lamp and clearance lamp wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.14(4) (4) Side marker lamps, clearance lamps and reflectors shall be securely mounted and maintained in proper working condition.

Trans 305.14 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.15 Trans 305.15 Stop lamps.

Trans 305.15(1) (1) Every automobile originally manufactured commencing with the 1950 models, every light truck or motor home originally manufactured commencing with the 1955 models, and every homemade or reconstructed vehicle registered on or after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with at least 2 stop lamps. All other motor vehicles shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp.

Trans 305.15(2) (2) The stop lamps of every vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.14, Stats.

Trans 305.15(3) (3) All wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.15(4) (4) All stop lamp lenses shall be installed and maintained in proper condition and may not be covered or obscured by any object or material.

Trans 305.15(5) (5) 

Trans 305.15(5)(a) (a) The high-mounted stop lamp of every motor vehicle originally manufactured with a high-mounted stop lamp shall be maintained in proper working condition and may not be covered or obscured by any object or material. This paragraph does not apply to the temporary covering or obscuring of a high mounted stop lamp by property carried on or in the motor vehicle or in a trailer towed by the motor vehicle.

Trans 305.15(5)(b) (b) Camper tops and other similar coverings may be placed over the cargo area of a light truck provided that if a high-mounted stop lamp is installed on or in the cab of the truck, a comparable high-mounted stop lamp shall be installed on the rear of the truck and maintained in proper working condition. This paragraph does not apply if a camper top or other similar covering placed over the cargo bed of a light truck causes the vehicle to be 80 or more inches in width.

Trans 305.15 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), renum. (5) to be (5) (a) and am., cr. (5) (b), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.16 Trans 305.16 Tail lamps.

Trans 305.16(1) (1) Every automobile originally manufactured commencing with the 1950 models, every light truck or motor home originally manufactured commencing with the 1955 models, and every homemade or reconstructed vehicle registered on or after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with 2 tail lamps. All other motor vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp.

Trans 305.16(2) (2) The tail lamps of every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.13 (1) and (2), Stats.

Trans 305.16(3) (3) All wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition.

Trans 305.16(4) (4) All tail lamp lens and reflectors shall be installed and maintained in proper condition and may not be covered or obscured by any object or material.

Trans 305.16(5) (5) The tail lamps shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the parking lamp or headlamps are lighted.

Trans 305.16 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.17 Trans 305.17 Brakes.

Trans 305.17(1) (1) The brake system on every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.36, Stats.

Trans 305.17(2) (2) Every motor vehicle shall have:

Trans 305.17(2)(a) (a) Braking ability on every wheel.

Trans 305.17(2)(b) (b) No noticeable side pull or excessive vibration when the brakes are applied.

Trans 305.17(2)(c) (c) Brake pedals with a reserve of no less than 20% of total pedal travel left when fully depressed.

Trans 305.17(2)(d) (d) A brake system fully connected and free of leaks.

Trans 305.17(2)(e) (e) Linings, pads, drums and rotors that all meet manufacturer’s minimum recommendations.

Trans 305.17(2)(f) (f) An adequate parking brake meeting the requirements of s. 347.35, Stats.

Trans 305.17(3) (3) All replacement brake lines shall be made only of materials meeting or exceeding the specifications of the brake system manufacturer.

Trans 305.17 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.

Trans 305.18 Trans 305.18 Bumpers.

Trans 305.18(1) (1) 

Trans 305.18(1)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle manufactured after September 1, 1972, and required by federal law to be equipped with bumpers or crash resistance protection, or both, shall be equipped with bumpers which shall be maintained in good condition and in conformity with this section. Replacement equipment shall be the same type as originally required or of equivalent size, strength and surface area. The bumpers may be mounted externally on the vehicle or installed within the front and rear extremes of the vehicle.

Trans 305.18(1)(b) (b) Every homemade or reconstructed motor vehicle registered after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers which provide damage protection that is equivalent to that provided by the bumpers of vehicles manufactured for sale in the year the homemade or reconstructed vehicle is first registered. Such bumpers may be mounted externally on the vehicle or installed within the front and rear extremes of the vehicle. Homemade and reconstructed vehicles registered in Wisconsin prior to March 1, 1996 may comply with either this section or the previous rules governing homemade vehicles.

Trans 305.18(1)(c) (c) Light trucks manufactured on or after January 1, 1997 are required to have rear end protection in accordance with s. Trans 305.56. Light trucks operated under s. 341.47 (1), Stats., are exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.

Trans 305.18(2) (2) 

Trans 305.18(2)(a) (a) All required bumpers shall be securely mounted to the vehicle and at a height that does not vary from the manufacturer’s specifications by more than is permitted under s. 347.455, Stats. In the absence of manufacturer’s specifications, every required bumper shall provide a contact point no higher than 30 inches from the level surface on which the vehicle stands.

Trans 305.18(2)(b) (b) No required bumper may be constructed of wood except that an additional wood bumper may be added to a legal metal bumper.

Trans 305.18(2)(c) (c) No bumper may be damaged or distorted so that it projects away from the vehicle in a manner which creates a hazard.

Trans 305.18 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1) (a), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.19 Trans 305.19 Doors, hoods, locks, latches and door handles.

Trans 305.19(1) (1) Every door, hood and trunk lid of a motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and shall be equipped with sufficient hinges and latches so it can be opened and securely closed.

Trans 305.19(2) (2) 

Trans 305.19(2)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle, except those manufactured with removable doors or without doors, shall be equipped with doors. Open top designed vehicles are not required to have operating doors when the vehicle is operated without a top.

Trans 305.19(2)(b) (b) The hood or engine of a vehicle shall have no protrusions that will restrict the driver’s view by extending more than 3 inches above a line that extends from the center of the hood at the base of the windshield, forward and parallel with the highway.