REGISTRATION
341.01
341.01
Words and phrases defined. 341.01(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.
341.01(2)
(2) In this chapter notwithstanding
s. 340.01 (24), "implement of husbandry" means a vehicle or piece of equipment or machinery designed for agricultural purposes, used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations and used principally off a highway, or a trailer-mounted bulk liquid fertilizer container.
341.01 History
History: 1989 a. 105.
341.03
341.03
Operating vehicle after suspension, revocation or cancellation of registration. 341.03(1)
(1)
Prohibition. No person may operate or knowingly permit the operation of a motor vehicle if the registration for that vehicle is suspended, revoked or canceled under
s. 144.42 (6) (d) [285.30 (6) (d)] or 342.255,
ch. 344 or this chapter, or if the registration for that vehicle is suspended, canceled or revoked under the law of another jurisdiction.
341.03 Note
NOTE: The bracketed language indicates the correct cross-reference. Section 144.42 was renumbered by
1995 Wis. Act 227. Corrective legislation is pending.
341.03(2)(a)(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.
341.03(2)(b)
(b) Any person who violates
sub. (1), where the vehicle used is a vehicle not enumerated under
par. (a), may be required to forfeit not more than $500.
341.03(3)(a)1.1. It is a defense to a violation of
sub. (1) that the person did not know, and had no reason to know, that the motor vehicle registration was suspended, revoked or canceled at the time of the violation.
341.03(3)(a)2.
2. Refusal to accept or failure to receive an order of suspension, revocation or cancellation mailed by the department to the person's last-known address shall not be a defense to a violation of
sub. (1). If the person has changed his or her address and fails to notify the department as required in
s. 343.22, then failure to receive notice of suspension, revocation or cancellation shall not be a defense to a violation of
sub. (1).
341.03(3)(b)
(b) This section does not apply if operating the motor vehicle was made necessary by a situation of emergency.
341.03 History
History: 1995 a. 128.
341.04
341.04
Penalty for operating unregistered or improperly registered vehicle. Except during a state of emergency proclaimed under
ch. 166:
341.04(1)
(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate or for an owner to consent to being operated on any highway of this state any motor vehicle, mobile home, trailer or semitrailer or any other vehicle for which a registration fee is specifically prescribed unless at the time of operation the vehicle in question either is registered in this state, or, except for registration under
s. 341.30 or
341.305, a complete application for registration, including evidence of any inspection under
s. 110.20 when required, accompanied by the required fee has been delivered to the department or deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid, or is exempt from registration.
341.04(1)(a)
(a) A vehicle may be operated by a private person after the date of purchase of such vehicle by such private person or after the date such person moved to this state if application for registration, except for registration under
s. 341.30 or
341.305, and certificate of title has been made.
341.04(1)(b)
(b) All vehicles subject to renewal of registration may be operated provided that application for reregistration, except for registration under
s. 341.30 or
341.305, has been made.
341.04(2)
(2) Unless application for reregistration has been made as required by
s. 341.32, it is unlawful for any person to operate or for the owner to consent to being operated on any highway of this state any registered vehicle the construction or use of which has been changed so as to make the vehicle subject to a higher fee than the fee at which it currently is registered or which is carrying a greater load than that permitted under the current registration.
341.04(3)(a)(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.
341.04(3)(b)
(b) Any person who violates
sub. (1) or
(2), where the vehicle used is a vehicle not enumerated under
par. (a), may be required to forfeit not more than $500.
341.04(3)(c)
(c) In addition to imposing the penalty under
par. (a) or
(b), the court shall order the offender to make application for registration or reregistration and to pay the required fee. If 45 days have elapsed from the date of conviction and the department has not received an application for registration or reregistration and the required fee, the department shall order the offender to make application for registration or reregistration and to pay the required fee. Unless the department receives the application for registration or reregistration and the required fee within 20 days from the date of the department's order, the department may suspend any or all registrations of the offender. Any registration suspended under this section shall remain suspended until the offender makes application for registration or reregistration and the required fee for registration is paid. For purposes of this section, the required registration or reregistration fee for residents of this state is the required annual or biennial fee, or, if the vehicle is eligible for quarterly or consecutive monthly registration, the fee required in
s. 341.30 or
341.305. For purposes of this section, the required fee for a vehicle registered on the basis of gross weight shall be the fee for the maximum weight for which the vehicle may be legally registered or the weight at which the vehicle was operating, whichever is greater.
341.045
341.045
Use of registered farm trucks regulated. A motor truck under
s. 340.01 (18) (a) 1. registered as a farm truck under
s. 341.26 (3) (a) may be used for personal and family purposes if the primary use of that motor truck is for purposes specified in
s. 340.01 (18) (a) 1., except that a registered farm truck may not be used in furtherance of any nonfarm occupation, trade, profession or other employment, including commuting to or from the place of such nonfarm occupation, trade, profession or employment. A motor truck under
s. 340.01 (18) (a) 2. may not be used for personal and family purposes. This section does not apply to dual purpose farm trucks registered under
s. 341.26 (3) (am). Any violations of this section are subject to the penalty prescribed for violations of
s. 341.04 (2).
341.05
341.05
When vehicles exempt from registration. A vehicle, even though operated upon a highway of this state, is exempt from registration when such vehicle:
341.05(1)
(1) Is operated in accordance with the provisions relating to registration of dealers, distributors, manufacturers, transporters or finance companies; or
341.05(2)
(2) Is operated in accordance with the provisions exempting nonresident or foreign-registered vehicles from registration; or
341.05(6)
(6) Is operated exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks; or
341.05(7)
(7) Is a farm tractor used exclusively in agricultural operations, including threshing, or used exclusively to provide power to drive other machinery, or to transport from job to job machinery driven by such tractor; or
341.05(9)
(9) Is a trailer or semitrailer used exclusively for the transportation of farm machinery, implements, produce or supplies on a farm or between farms; or
341.05(11)
(11) Is a trailer or semitrailer permanently equipped with a well-drilling outfit or designed for moving pea viners and used exclusively for either of such purposes; or
341.05(12)
(12) Is a fork-lift truck, a specially constructed road or truck tractor used for shunting trailers or semitrailers in terminal areas or a trailer which is used principally off the highway; or
341.05(13m)
(13m) Is a trailer or semitrailer or camping trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and not used for hire or rental; or
341.05(14)
(14) Is a trailer or semitrailer not operated in conjunction with a motor vehicle; or
341.05(14m)
(14m) Is a new motor vehicle being operated only across a highway from point of manufacture or assembly.
341.05(15)
(15) Is a motor vehicle being towed, except when the person operating the vehicle supplying the motive power is a transporter, that person must be registered as a transporter; or
341.05(18)
(18) Is a motor truck which is operated upon a highway only when directly crossing such highway.
341.05(19)
(19) Is a motor vehicle last previously registered in another jurisdiction or a repaired salvage vehicle operated to or from a location where it is to be inspected as required by
ss. 342.06 (1) (g) and
342.07, or an unregistered vehicle operated to or from a location where it is to be inspected as required by
s. 110.20.
341.05(19m)
(19m) Is owned by a technical college district board, used exclusively to instruct students in techniques of automotive repair and maintenance and is operated only within 5 miles of the technical college to transport the vehicle to or from a technical college. The operator of the vehicle shall, when operating the vehicle upon a highway, carry in the vehicle a letter from the district director of the technical college stating that the vehicle is exempt from registration.
341.05(20)
(20) Is an amphibious motor vehicle capable of carrying 10 or more passengers when used for sight-seeing purposes, registered as a boat with the department of natural resources and operated upon a highway for a distance not to exceed 2 miles.
341.05(22)
(22) Is registered by a federally recognized Indian band or tribe and is exempt under a reciprocal registration exemption agreement under
s. 341.409.
341.05 Annotation
Trucks with permanently mounted potato boxes and special low ratio gearing used solely to collect and transport potatoes in harvest and planting seasons are "implements of husbandry" under (17), not "farm trucks". State v. Okray Produce Co., Inc., 132 W (2d) 145, 389 NW (2d) 825 (Ct. App. 1986).
341.055
341.055
Snowmobiles. Snowmobiles shall not be registered under this chapter but shall be registered under
ch. 350.
341.055 History
History: 1971 c. 277.
341.057
341.057
All-terrain vehicles. All-terrain vehicles are not required to be registered under this chapter but shall be registered under
s. 23.33 (2).
341.057 History
History: 1985 a. 29.
341.06
341.06
Optional registration. 341.06(1)
(1) The department shall register the following vehicles upon proper application therefor and payment of the required fee even though such vehicles may be exempt from registration:
341.06(1)(am)
(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 shall be the same as if the trailer or semitrailer were to be used for hire or rental.
341.06(1)(b)
(b) A vehicle owned by a nonresident and which would be subject to registration if owned by a resident. The registration fee charged shall be the same as if the vehicle were owned by a resident.
341.06(2)
(2) A vehicle registered under authority of this section is not on that account exempt from any property tax which would be payable in the absence of such registration.
341.067
341.067
Registration of special vehicles. The department shall register a specially designed vehicle which is authorized for operation by a person holding a special restricted operator's license under
s. 343.135 if the special vehicle meets the equipment standards established under
s. 347.02 (6).
341.067 History
History: 1979 c. 345; Stats. 1979 s. 341.065;
1979 c. 355 s.
156; Stats. 1979 s. 341.067.
341.07
341.07
Certain vehicles to be registered by resident lessee. 341.07(1)(1) If a motor truck or truck tractor is to be operated in this state under authority of a common carrier certificate or contract carrier license issued by the department to a resident of this state, including a Wisconsin corporation, and such operation is in accordance with a lease or operating agreement with the owner of the motor truck or truck tractor or other person authorized to enter into such lease or operating agreement, the certificated or licensed carrier shall register such motor truck or truck tractor in this state unless it has been so registered by the owner. This section applies even though the motor truck or truck tractor is owned by a nonresident.
341.07(2)
(2) If a motor truck or truck tractor is operated by or with the consent of such certificated or licensed carrier on any highway of this state when such vehicle is not registered in this state or when such vehicle is required by
s. 341.04 (2) to be reregistered, such carrier is subject to the penalty provided in
s. 341.04 (3). The court, in addition to imposing the penalty, shall order the carrier to make application for registration or reregistration and to pay the fee therefor.
341.07(3)
(3) This section does not affect the interchange of trailers and semitrailers as authorized by
s. 341.41 (4).
341.075
341.075
Mobile air conditioner servicing information. The department shall provide information concerning the requirements for servicing mobile air conditioners under
s. 100.45 (4) to the public.
341.075 History
History: 1993 a. 243.
341.08
341.08
Application for registration. 341.08(1)
(1) Application for original registration and for renewal of registration shall be made to the department upon forms prescribed by it and shall be accompanied by the required fee.
341.08(1m)
(1m) The forms for application for original registration and for renewal of registration under
sub. (1) or another form provided by the department shall include a place for an applicant or registrant under this chapter who is a natural person to designate that the applicant's or registrant's name, street address, post-office box number and 9-digit extended zip code may not be disclosed as provided in
s. 341.17 (9), a statement indicating the effect of making such a designation and a place for an applicant or registrant who has made a designation under this subsection to reverse the designation.
341.08(2)
(2) Applications for original registration of a vehicle shall contain the following information:
341.08(2)(b)
(b) The name of the town, city or village in which the owner resides and, if the owner resides in a city of the first or second class, the owner's true residential or business address.
341.08(2)(c)
(c) A description of the vehicle, including make, model, identification number and any other information which the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the vehicle.
341.08(2)(d)
(d) The city, village or town and the county in which the vehicle is customarily kept.
341.08(2)(e)
(e) Such further information as the department may reasonably require to enable it to determine whether the vehicle is by law entitled to registration or to enable it to determine the proper registration fee for the vehicle.
341.08(3)
(3) The department may accept an application and complete registration of a vehicle when the evidence of ownership is held by a nonresident lienholder or for other reason is not immediately available and the department is satisfied as to ownership of the vehicle. The title fee shall be collected at the time of registration and retained even though certificate of title is not issued.
341.08(4)
(4) Applications for renewal of registration shall contain the information required in
sub. (2) for original applications or such parts thereof as the department deems necessary to assure the proper registration of the vehicle. The department may require that applications for renewal of registration be accompanied by the certificate of title issued for the vehicle only when the true ownership or proper registration of the vehicle is in doubt and cannot be resolved from records maintained by the department.
341.08(4m)
(4m) At least 30 days prior to the expiration of a vehicle's registration, the department shall mail to the last-known address of the registrant or, if the vehicle is subject to a lease agreement, of the lessee designated by the registrant, a notice of the date upon which the registration must be renewed and an application form for renewal of registration. The application form or an accompanying document shall include a list of any unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations or any judgments for violation of
ch. 110,
194 or
341 to
350, an administrative rule of the department, or an ordinance enacted in accordance with
s. 349.06, including parking violations, entered against the registrant which remain unpaid. The list of unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations shall be based on information obtained under
s. 345.28 (4). The list of unpaid judgments shall be based on information obtained under
s. 345.47 (1) (d). If there is a citation for any nonmoving traffic violation entered against the registrant or designated lessee which is unpaid, he or she shall be notified that the vehicle may not be registered until the citation is paid or the registrant or designated lessee appears in court to respond to the citation. If there is a judgment entered against the registrant or designated lessee which is unpaid, he or she shall be notified that the vehicle may not be registered until the judgment is paid.
341.08(5)
(5) The department shall supply the several county clerks with blank application forms for original registration of vehicles.
341.08(6)
(6) If the applicant for a certificate of registration is under 18 years of age, the application shall be accompanied by a statement made and signed by either of the applicant's parents, if such parent has custody of the minor; or if neither parent has custody, then by the person having custody, stating that the applicant has the signer's consent to register the vehicle in the applicant's name. The signature on the statement shall not impute any liability for the negligence or misconduct of the applicant while operating such motor vehicle on the highways. Any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
341.08(7)
(7) A vehicle's registration does not expire on the date of expiration of registration under
ss. 341.25 to
341.36 if, on that date of expiration, the registrant is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and is absent from this state. Any registration extended under this subsection expires 30 days after the registrant returns to this state or 90 days after the registrant is discharged from active duty, whichever is earlier. If a registration is renewed after an extension under this subsection, the renewal period shall begin on the day after the date of expiration of registration.
