342.25(4)
(4) The department may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked.
342.255
342.255
Cancellation of title or registration. The department shall cancel a title or registration whenever:
342.255(1)
(1) A transfer of title is set aside by the court by order or judgment; or
342.255(2)
(2) Fraud on the department is discovered by the department; or
342.255(3)
(3) It is subsequently discovered that the issuance or possession of a title or registration is prohibited by law or that the odometer of a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued by the department has been subjected to tampering and return of the certificate of title to the department is considered necessary to make a notation of that information on the certificate.
342.26
342.26
Hearings and appeal. Any person aggrieved by an act or omission of the department under this chapter is entitled, upon request, to a hearing and judicial review thereof in accordance with
ch. 227. Contested cases shall be heard and decided by the division of hearings and appeals.
342.281
342.281
Previously certificated vehicle. A previously certificated vehicle is a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued by the department prior to June 1, 1966.
342.281 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a).
342.282
342.282
Deferred application to previously certificated vehicle. Sections 342.19 to
342.24 shall not apply to a previously certificated vehicle until:
342.282(1)
(1) There is a transfer of ownership of the vehicle; or
342.282(2)
(2) The department issues a certificate of title of the vehicle under this chapter.
342.282 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a).
342.283
342.283
Distinctive certificate. If the department is not satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests, created before June 1, 1966, in a previously certificated vehicle, it shall, unless the applicant fulfills the requirements of
s. 342.12 (3), issue a distinctive certificate of title of the vehicle containing the legend "This vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed security interest" and any other information the department prescribes.
342.283 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a).
342.284
342.284
New security interest in a previously certificated vehicle. After June 1, 1966, a security interest in a previously certificated vehicle may be created and perfected only by compliance with
ss. 342.19 and
342.24.
342.285
342.285
Unsatisfied security interest in previously certificated vehicle. 342.285(1)
(1) If a security interest in a previously certificated vehicle is perfected under any other applicable law of this state at the time this section takes effect (June 1, 1966), the security interest continues perfected until its perfection lapses under the law under which it was perfected (or would lapse in the absence of a further filing or renewal of filing) and thereafter, if, before such lapse, there is delivered to the department the existing certificate of title together with the application and fee required by
s. 342.20 (1). In such case the department shall issue a new certificate pursuant to
s. 342.20 (3).
342.285(2)
(2) If a security interest in a previously certificated vehicle was created, but was unperfected, under any other applicable law of this state at the time this section takes effect (June 1, 1966), it may be perfected under
sub. (1), but such perfection dates only from the date of the division's receipt of the certificate.
342.285 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a).
ANTI-THEFT AND ANTI-FRAUD PROVISIONS
342.30
342.30
Identification numbers. 342.30(1)
(1) No person may remove, alter or obliterate or intentionally make it impossible to read, as required under
sub. (2), an identification number. This subsection does not apply to the obliteration of an identification number which occurs in the process of crushing a vehicle or vehicle part for scrap.
342.30(1m)
(1m) When the department is satisfied as to the ownership of a vehicle subject to registration which has not been numbered by the manufacturer or on which the original number has been removed, obliterated or altered or on which the original casting has been replaced or on which a new identification number is required under
s. 342.06 (1) (f), the department shall assign a new identification number for each such vehicle.
342.30(2)
(2) An identification number assigned by the department to a mobile home, trailer or semitrailer shall be stamped upon the frame in a readily visible location. An identification number assigned to a motor vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed to the left front pillar. The vehicle identification number for motor vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed upon either a part of the vehicle that is not designed to be removed except for repair, or a separate plate which is permanently affixed to such part. The vehicle identification number shall be located inside the passenger compartment and shall be readable, without moving any part of the vehicle, through the vehicle glazing under daylight lighting conditions by an observer having 20/20 vision (Snellen) whose eyepoint is located outside the vehicle adjacent to the left windshield pillar. Identification numbers assigned for cycles shall be stamped on the left side, near the top of the engine casting just below the cylinder barrel. Such stamping or affixing shall be done under the supervision of a dealer, distributor or manufacturer registered under
s. 341.51 or under the supervision of a peace officer. The person supervising the stamping or affixing shall make a report thereof to the department.
342.30(2m)(a)(a) A traffic officer or person authorized to enforce nonmoving traffic violations may use reasonable means to gain access to a vehicle if that vehicle's identification number cannot be read as required under
sub. (2).
342.30(2m)(b)
(b) Any person acting under
par. (a) is immune from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions taken within the scope of that person's official duties.
342.30(3)(a)(a) Any person who violates
sub. (1) may be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years or both.
342.30(3)(b)1.1. Any owner of a vehicle for which the department has issued a new identification number who fails to have such number attached or stamped as required by
sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
342.30(3)(b)2.
2. Any owner of a vehicle for which the department has issued a new identification number who with intent to defraud fails to have such number attached or stamped as required by
sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
342.30(4)(a)(a) If a law enforcement agency finds a vehicle or part of a vehicle on which the identification number has been removed, altered or obliterated or made impossible to read, the law enforcement agency may seize the vehicle or part of a vehicle. If the identification number cannot be identified, the seized vehicle or vehicle part is presumed to be contraband. If the identification number can be identified, the agency may return the vehicle to the registered owner. Except as provided in
par. (b), the district attorney shall institute forfeiture proceedings under
s. 973.076 regarding any vehicle or vehicle part that is seized under this paragraph and not returned to the owner.
342.30(4)(b)
(b) If the district attorney brings a criminal action arising out of the seizure under
par. (a), the district attorney shall not institute forfeiture proceedings under
s. 973.076 before there is a final determination in the criminal action.
342.30(4)(c)
(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the obliteration of an identification number that occurs in the process of crushing a vehicle or vehicle part for scrap.
342.31
342.31
Report of stolen or abandoned motor vehicles. 342.31(1)(1) Each sheriff and police department in the state shall immediately report to the department of justice each motor vehicle reported stolen or recovered within its jurisdiction.
342.31(2)
(2) An owner of a garage or trailer park or of any type of storage or parking lot for motor vehicles shall report to the local law enforcement agency the make, motor number and serial or identification number of any vehicle stored, parked or left in the owner's garage, park or lot for a period of more than 30 consecutive days unless arrangements have been made by the owner of the vehicle for its continuous storage or parking or unless the owner of the vehicle is personally known to the owner of the garage, park or lot. Any person who fails to submit such report may be required to forfeit not more than $25.
342.32
342.32
Counterfeiting and unlawful possession of certificate of title. 342.32(1)(1) No person may counterfeit, possess, sell, offer for sale or supply a forged, fictitious, counterfeit, stolen or fraudulently or unlawfully obtained certificate of title or registration, manufacturer's document of origin, instrument or other document that is or may be used as evidence of ownership, the transfer of ownership or the mileage disclosure of a motor vehicle.
342.32(2)
(2) Unless authorized by the department, no person may possess, sell, offer for sale or supply any blank certificates of title or registration, manufacturers' documents of origin, instruments or other documents that may be used as evidence of ownership or registration of a motor vehicle.
342.32(3)
(3) Whoever violates
sub. (1) or
(2) may be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, for each violation.
342.32 History
History: 1993 a. 159.
342.33
342.33
Sale of vehicle used as taxicab. No person shall sell or exchange, authorize or direct the sale or exchange of, or offer for sale or exchange any motor vehicle which the person knows has been used as a taxicab or for public transportation unless the certificate of title for such vehicle has been stamped by the department with the words "This motor vehicle has previously been used as a taxicab or for public transportation" and unless such certificate of title is exhibited by the vendor to the vendee before the sale of such vehicle is consummated. Any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
342.34
342.34
Department to be notified of destruction or junking of vehicle. 342.34(1)(1) Any person owning or possessing a junk vehicle shall, within 10 days after determining that the vehicle is a junk vehicle do all of the following:
342.34(1)(a)
(a) Notify the department of the junk condition of the vehicle.
342.34(1)(b)
(b) Return the certificate of title to the department.
342.34(1)(c)
(c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system or a 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, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type which may subsequently be registered in his or her name. If the vehicle is not a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system, or a 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, he or she shall remove and destroy the plates.
342.34(2)
(2) Any person owning or possessing a vehicle which has been junked or destroyed shall, within 10 days after the destruction or junking occurred do all of the following:
342.34(2)(a)
(a) Notify the department of the destruction or junking.
342.34(2)(b)
(b) Return the certificate of title to the department.
342.34(2)(c)
(c) Remove and either retain or destroy the registration plates for the vehicle as provided in
sub. (1) (c).
342.34(3)
(3) No certificate of title may be issued for a junk vehicle or for a vehicle which has been junked or destroyed.
342.34(3m)
(3m) In determining whether a vehicle meets the definition of a junk vehicle for purposes of this section or
s. 342.15 (1) (a), the department may promulgate rules specifying the conditions under which a vehicle shall be considered incapable of operation or use upon a highway.
342.34(4)(a)(a) Any person violating
sub. (1) or
(2) may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
342.34(4)(b)
(b) Any person who with intent to defraud violates
sub. (1) or
(2) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
342.40
342.40
Vehicle abandonment prohibited; removal; disposal. 342.40(1)(1) No person shall leave unattended any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home on any public highway or private or public property, for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been abandoned. Except as otherwise provided in this section, whenever any vehicle has been left unattended without the permission of the property owner for more than 48 hours in cities of the 1st class and, in other cities, villages and towns, a period set by the governing body thereof, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and constitutes a public nuisance. A motor vehicle shall not be considered an abandoned motor vehicle when it is out of ordinary public view, or when designated as not abandoned by a duly authorized municipal or county official pursuant to municipal or county ordinance.
342.40(2)
(2) Any vehicle in violation of this section shall be impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of under
sub. (3) except that if it is deemed by a duly authorized municipal or county representative that the cost of towing and storage charges for the impoundment would exceed the value of the vehicle, the vehicle may be junked or sold by the municipality or county prior to expiration of the impoundment period upon determination by the chief of police or sheriff having jurisdiction that the vehicle is not stolen or otherwise wanted for evidence or other reason. All substantially complete vehicles in excess of 19 model years of age shall be disposed of in accordance with
sub. (3) (c).
342.40(3)
(3) Any municipality or county may enact ordinances governing the removal and disposal of abandoned vehicles and, except for abandoned vehicles that have been stolen, provide a forfeiture in addition to providing for the recovery by the municipality or county of the cost of impounding and disposing of the vehicle.
342.40(3)(a)
(a) Any municipal or university police officer, police officer appointed under
s. 16.84 (2), sheriff's deputy, county traffic patrolman, state traffic officer or conservation warden who discovers any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or mobile home on any public highway or private or public property which has been abandoned shall cause the vehicle to be removed to a suitable place of impoundment. Upon removal of the vehicle the officer or warden shall notify the sheriff or chief of police of the abandonment and of the location of the impounded vehicle.
342.40(3)(b)
(b) The owner of any abandoned vehicle except a stolen vehicle is responsible for the abandonment and all costs of impounding and disposing of the vehicle. Costs not recovered from the sale of the vehicle may be recovered in a civil action by the municipality against the owner. Whether or not the municipality recovers the cost of towing and enforcement, the municipality shall be responsible to the towing service for requisitional towing service and reasonable charges for impoundment.
342.40(3)(c)
(c) Any vehicle which is deemed abandoned by a duly authorized municipal or county representative and not disposed of under
sub. (2) shall be retained in storage for a minimum period of 10 days after certified mail notice has been sent to the owner and lienholders of record to permit reclamation of the vehicle after payment of accrued charges. Such notice shall set forth the year, make, model, and serial number of the abandoned motor vehicle, the place where the vehicle is being held, and shall inform the owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the vehicle. The notice shall state that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their rights to reclaim the vehicle under this section shall be deemed a waiver of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle and a consent to the sale of the vehicle. Each retained vehicle not reclaimed by its owner or lienholder may be sold. The municipality or county may dispose of the vehicle by sealed bid or auction sale as provided by ordinance. At such sale the highest bid for any such motor vehicle shall be accepted unless the same is deemed inadequate by a duly authorized municipal or county representative, in which event all bids may be rejected. If all bids are rejected or no bid is received, the municipality or county may either readvertise the sale, adjourn the sale to a definite date, sell the motor vehicle at a private sale or junk the vehicle. Any interested person may offer bids on each abandoned vehicle to be sold. If municipal or county ordinances do not state the procedure to be followed in advertising or providing public notice of the sale, a public notice shall be posted at the office of the municipal police department or the office of the county sheriff. The posting of the notice at the police or sheriff's department shall be in the same form as the certified mail notice sent to the owner or lienholders of record. Upon sale of an abandoned vehicle, the municipality or county shall supply the purchaser with a completed form designed by the department enabling the purchaser to obtain a regular certificate of title for the vehicle. The purchaser shall have 10 days to remove the vehicle from the storage area, but shall pay a reasonable storage fee established by the municipality or county for each day the vehicle remains in storage after the 2nd business day subsequent to the sale date. Ten days after the sale, the purchaser shall forfeit all interest in the vehicle and the vehicle shall be deemed to be abandoned and may be sold again. Any listing of vehicles to be sold by any municipality or county shall be made available to any interested person or organization which makes a written request for such list. The municipality or county may charge a fee for the list.
342.40(3)(e)
(e) Within 5 days after the sale or disposal of a vehicle as provided in this subsection or
sub. (2), the municipality or county shall advise the department of the sale or disposition on a form supplied by the department.
342.40(4)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a state agency responsible for the land on which a vehicle is left unattended and a duly authorized representative of that agency may exercise all of the powers and duties under this section of a municipality and a duly authorized municipal representative, subject to the following conditions:
342.40(4)(b)1.
1. Whenever a vehicle has been left unattended without the permission of the state agency for more than 72 hours, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and constitutes a public nuisance.
342.40(4)(b)2.
2. The state agency may promulgate rules governing the removal and disposal of abandoned vehicles and, except for abandoned vehicles that have been stolen, provide a forfeiture in addition to providing for the recovery by the state agency of the cost of impounding and disposing of the vehicle.
342.40(4)(c)
(c) This subsection applies to any vehicle deemed abandoned before April 30, 1996, except that no forfeiture may be assessed against the owner of such a vehicle.
