347.40(3) (3) No person may operate or permit the operation of any motor bus on a highway unless the bus is equipped with 2 outside rearview mirrors, one to the right and one to the left of the operator. Each mirror shall have not less than 50 square inches of unobstructed reflective surface and shall be firmly supported and adjustable to give the operator a clear view past both the right and left rear of the bus.
347.40 History History: 1975 c. 84; 1987 a. 235.
347.41 347.41 Speed indicators. No person shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle primarily designed for use upon a highway unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a speedometer which with reasonable accuracy registers the speed of the vehicle, except that motor trucks or truck tractors may be equipped with tachometers or any other devices that indicate speed and motor vehicles transported pursuant and in compliance with s. 341.47 (1) (b) and (c) may be equipped with a governor of speed of a type which restricts speed and which is set at a level equal to or below the limits of 55 miles per hour in lieu of a speedometer.
347.41 History History: 1983 a. 54.
347.413 347.413 Ignition interlock device tampering.
347.413(1) (1) No person may remove, disconnect, tamper with or otherwise circumvent the operation of an ignition interlock device installed in response to the court order under s. 346.65 (6). This subsection does not apply to the removal of an ignition interlock device upon the expiration of the order requiring the motor vehicle to be so equipped or to necessary repairs to a malfunctioning ignition interlock device by a person authorized by the department.
347.413(2) (2) The department shall promulgate a rule establishing specifications and requirements for approved types of ignition interlock devices and their calibration, installation and maintenance.
347.413(3) (3) The department shall design a warning label which shall be affixed to each ignition interlock device upon installation. The label shall provide notice of the penalties for tampering with or circumventing the operation of the ignition interlock device under sub. (1) and s. 343.10 (5) (a) 3.
347.413 History History: 1991 a. 277; 1993 a. 213.
347.415 347.415 Odometer tampering.
347.415(1)(1) No person shall, either personally or through an agent, remove, replace, disconnect, reset, tamper with, alter, or fail to connect the odometer of any motor vehicle with the intent to change or affect the number of miles indicated thereon.
347.415(2) (2) No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration under ch. 341 on any street or highway with knowledge that the odometer is removed, disconnected or nonfunctional. An exemption may be provided if parts are on back order to correct a nonfunctional odometer.
347.415(3) (3) No person may advertise for sale, sell, use, install, or have installed any device which causes an odometer to register any mileage other than the true mileage driven. For purposes of this subsection, "true mileage driven" means that mileage traveled by the vehicle as measured and recorded by the odometer within the manufacturer's design tolerance.
347.415(4) (4) No person shall conspire with any other person to violate sub. (1), (2) or (3).
347.415(5) (5) Nothing in this section shall prevent the service, repair or replacement of an odometer, provided the mileage indicated thereon remains the same as before the service, repair or replacement. Where the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement, the odometer shall be adjusted to read zero, and a written notice shall be attached, by the owner or an agent, to the left door frame of the vehicle, or other location as prescribed by the department, specifying the mileage prior to service, repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which it was serviced, repaired or replaced. No person may, with intent to defraud, remove or alter such a notice so affixed. No person who services, repairs or replaces an odometer that is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement may fail to adjust the odometer to read zero or fail to attach the notice required by this subsection.
347.415 History History: 1975 c. 121, 199; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1993 a. 159.
347.417 347.417 Immobilization device tampering.
347.417(1) (1) No person may remove, disconnect, tamper with or otherwise circumvent the operation of any immobilization device installed in response to a court order under s. 346.65 (6). This subsection does not apply to the removal of an immobilization device pursuant to a court order or to necessary repairs to a malfunctioning immobilization device.
347.417(2) (2) The department shall design a warning label which shall be affixed by the owner of each immobilization device before the device is used to immobilize any motor vehicle under s. 346.65 (6). The label shall provide notice of the penalties for removing, disconnecting, tampering with or otherwise circumventing the operation of the immobilization device.
347.417 History History: 1991 a. 277.
347.42 347.42 Windshield wipers. No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle equipped with a windshield, except a moped or Type 1 motorcycle, unless the motor vehicle also is equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the operator of the vehicle and shall at all times be maintained in good working order.
347.42 History History: 1979 c. 163; 1983 a. 243; 1985 a. 65.
347.43 347.43 Safety glass.
347.43(1)(1) No person may operate upon a highway any motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1936, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used thereon in partitions, doors, windows or windshields.
347.43(2) (2) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glass in accordance with the requirements of sub. (1).
347.43(3) (3) In this section, "safety glass" means glass so treated or combined with other materials as to reduce, in comparison with ordinary sheet glass or plate glass, the likelihood of injury to persons by objects from external sources or by such glass when it is struck, cracked or broken.
347.43(4) (4) If a common carrier or person operating under a permit or certificate issued by the department is convicted of operating a vehicle in violation of this section, the department may suspend or revoke the permit or certificate until such time as the vehicle has been equipped with safety glass as required by this section.
347.44 347.44 Painting requirements for school buses; restrictions as to painting of other vehicles.
347.44(1) (1) All school buses shall be painted as follows:
347.44(1)(a) (a) With the exception of trim, the body, including hood, fenders, cowl and roof shall be painted a uniform color, national school bus glossy yellow, according to national institute of standards and technology specifications;
347.44(1)(b) (b) The body trim, if used, shall be black; and
347.44(1)(c) (c) The words, "SCHOOL BUS", in black letters at least 8 inches high shall appear on both the front and rear of the upper body area or on a sign attached thereto.
347.44(2) (2) A motor vehicle described in s. 340.01 (56) (b) may, but need not, comply with sub. (1). If the motor vehicle complies with sub. (1), the vehicle shall comply with other regulations relating to school buses prescribed by the department by rule.
347.44(3) (3) No person may paint or in any way designate a motor vehicle in the manner described in sub. (1) except as expressly authorized by this section.
347.44(4) (4) When a motor vehicle in compliance with sub. (1), s. 347.25 (2), and the rules of the department relating to school bus equipment is no longer operated as a school bus, the registration of the motor vehicle for another purpose may not be permitted until the owner:
347.44(4)(a) (a) Physically removes the signs identifying the vehicle as a school bus, the lights required by s. 347.25 (2) and such other equipment as the department may specify by rule; and
347.44(4)(b) (b) Repaints the entire vehicle to a color other than national school bus glossy yellow or any color commonly referred to as yellow.
347.45 347.45 Tire equipment.
347.45(1)(1) All automobiles, motor trucks, motor buses, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers and mobile homes when operated upon a highway shall be completely equipped with tires inflated with compressed air and all other motor vehicles when operated on a highway shall be equipped with tires of rubber or of some material or construction of equal resiliency. No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home having any metal tire in contact with the roadway, except that tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and except as provided in sub. (2) (c).
347.45(2) (2) No person shall operate on a highway any vehicle, including farm tractors, self-propelled farm implements, implements of husbandry, animal-drawn vehicles and road machinery, if such vehicle has on the periphery of any of its tires any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that:
347.45(2)(a) (a) Farm tractors, self-propelled farm implements, implements of husbandry, animal-drawn vehicles and road machinery may be operated with metal tires or tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway; and
347.45(2)(b) (b) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
347.45(2)(c) (c) A pneumatic tire may have embedded in it wire or wire coils for improving traction on ice and snow, but such tire shall be so constructed that the per cent of wire or wire coils in contact with the roadway does not exceed, after the first 1,000 miles of use or operation, 5% of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. During the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of any such tire the wire or wire coils in contact with the roadway shall not exceed 20% of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. Tires equipped with tungsten carbide studs shall be limited in usage and design as follows:
347.45(2)(c)1. 1. The department shall, by rule, designate the times of year during which any type of tire described in this paragraph may be used.
347.45(2)(c)2. 2. Such tires may be used only on authorized emergency vehicles, vehicles used to deliver mail and automobiles with out-of-state registrations and then only if such automobile is in the course of passing through this state for a period of not more than 30 days.
347.45(2)(c)3. 3. Such studs shall not project more than one-eighth inch beyond the tread surface of the tire.
347.45(3) (3) The authority in charge of maintenance of the highway in question may, in its discretion, issue a special permit authorizing operation upon such highway of a vehicle the operation of which would otherwise be prohibited under this section.
347.45(4) (4) No person shall knowingly operate on any highway any vehicle on which any tire has been regrooved or recut or offer such tire for sale or exchange. This subsection shall not apply to regrooved or recut commercial vehicle tires which are designed and constructed in such a manner that regrooving or recutting is an acceptable and safe practice, nor does this subsection apply to regrooving or recutting done in a tire recapping process.
347.45 History History: 1973 c. 338; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1985 a. 187.
347.455 347.455 Modifications to height of vehicle.
347.455(1) (1) Except as further provided in this section, no person may operate any vehicle on a highway if modifications have been made to the suspension system, axles or chassis of the vehicle which cause any portion of the vehicle to ride more than 4 inches above the height of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer. The height of the vehicle shall be measured from the level surface on which the vehicle stands.
347.455(2) (2) If the modification is for the purpose of strengthening or improving handling, modifications may be made to the suspension system, axles or chassis of a 4-wheel drive vehicle or a motor truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds which cause the vehicle to ride 5 or less inches above the height of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer. The height of the vehicle shall be measured from the level surface on which the vehicle stands.
347.455(3) (3) A 4-wheel drive vehicle or a motor truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds may be modified to use a tire and wheel size which exceeds the wheel and tire size specified by the manufacturer for the vehicle by up to 4 inches in radius.
347.455(4) (4) No person may operate any vehicle on a highway if modifications have been made to the suspension system, axles, chassis or exhaust system of the vehicle which cause any portion of the vehicle, except the tires, to extend below lines drawn from the bottom of each wheel rim to the points of contact between the tires on the opposite side and opposite end of the vehicle and the level surface on which the vehicle stands.
347.455 History History: 1981 c. 216; 1993 a. 165.
347.46 347.46 Fenders and mudguards.
347.46(1) (1) No person shall operate a vehicle of the tractor type on a highway unless the driving wheels of such vehicle are protected by suitable fenders.
347.46(2) (2) No person shall operate on a highway in intercity movement any privately owned motor truck or privately owned semitrailer drawn by a truck tractor, except those motor trucks and semitrailers equipped with dump bodies, unless such motor truck or semitrailer is equipped with rear fenders or mudguards of such material and so constructed and placed as to restrict to a minimum the splashing of water, mud or other material which may be thrown by the rear wheels. Such rear fenders or mudguards shall meet the following minimum specifications:
347.46(2)(a) (a) The fenders or mudguards shall cover the tire or multiple tires they are protecting starting at the top from a line drawn vertically through the center of the axle and extending rearward and downward so that the fender or mudguard under any condition of operation or loading of the vehicle has a ground clearance of not more than one third of the horizontal distance from the center of the rearmost axle to the fender or mudguard;
347.46(2)(b) (b) The fenders or mudguards shall be at least as wide as the tire or multiple tires they are protecting;
347.46(2)(c) (c) If the vehicle is so designed and constructed that the rear wheels are covered in the manner specified in pars. (a) and (b) by means of fenders, body construction or other means of enclosure, then no special mudguards are required. Otherwise, the vehicle shall be equipped with special mudguards to the extent necessary to meet the requirements of pars. (a) and (b).
347.47 347.47 Drawbars, trailer hitches and mobile home couplings.
347.47(1)(1) No person shall operate a vehicle towing or drawing another vehicle or vehicles on a highway if the drawbar or other connection between any 2 vehicles exceeds 12 feet in length.
347.47(2) (2) No person shall operate a motor vehicle drawing a trailer, semitrailer or mobile home upon a highway unless the hitch and coupling attaching the trailer, semitrailer or mobile home to the vehicle by which it is drawn is of such construction as to cause such trailer, semitrailer or mobile home to follow in direct line with the propelling vehicle without dangerous side swing or wobble. The hitch and coupling, the surface to which they are attached, and the connections, shall be of sufficient strength to prevent failure under all conditions of operation. The hitch is that part of the connecting mechanism, including the coupling platform and its attaching members or weldments, which is attached to the towing vehicle. The coupling is that part of the connecting mechanism, including the coupling and its attaching members or weldments, which is attached to the trailer or mobile home and by which connection is made to the hitch. If a device is used between the trailer proper and the coupling such as a pole, such device shall also meet the requirements of this section.
347.47(3) (3) In addition to the hitch and coupling specified in sub. (2), every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of safety chains, leveling bars or cables. This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a 5th wheel and kingpin assembly, nor to a pole or pipe dolly. The safety chains, leveling bars or cables shall have only the necessary slack to permit proper turning and safety chains or cables shall be so connected to the towed and towing vehicle to prevent the drawbar from dropping to the ground if the hitch or coupling disengages. Two separate lengths of safety chain, leveling bars or cable shall be required on all trailers and mobile homes; however, the department may authorize use of such other appropriate equipment or methods approved by nationally recognized organizations which recommend safety standards for motor vehicles.
347.47(4) (4) Trailer, semitrailer and mobile home couplings and the safety chains, leveling bars or cables shall be of such minimum strength, design and type as established by published rule of the department.
347.47 History History: 1971 c. 88; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1654 (7) (e); 1979 c. 34.
347.48 347.48 Safety belts and child safety restraint systems.
347.48(1)(1)Safety belts required.
347.48(1)(a)(a) No person may buy, sell, lease, trade or transfer a motor vehicle other than an automobile at retail from or to Wisconsin residents unless the vehicle is equipped with safety belts installed for use as required under 49 CFR 571, and no such vehicle may be operated in this state unless such belts remain installed.
347.48(1)(b) (b) No person may buy, sell, lease, trade or transfer an automobile that is required under 49 CFR 571 to be equipped with safety belts from or to a resident of this state unless the front designated seating positions of the automobile are equipped with safety belts installed for use as required under 49 CFR 571 and unless each rear outboard designated seating position of the automobile is equipped with a safety belt consisting of a combination of a pelvic and upper torso restraint that conforms to standards for a Type 2 seat belt assembly under 49 CFR 571.209, and no automobile may be operated in this state unless such belts remain installed. Nothing in this section applies to antique reproductions.
347.48(2) (2)Type and manner of installing. All such safety belts must be of a type and must be installed in a manner approved by the department. The department shall establish specifications and requirements for approved types of safety belts and attachments thereto. The department will accept, as approved, all seat belt installations and the belt and anchor meeting the society of automotive engineers' specifications.
347.48(2m) (2m)Required use.
347.48(2m)(a)(a) In this subsection, "properly restrained" means wearing a safety belt approved by the department under sub. (2) and fastened in a manner prescribed by the manufacturer of the safety belt which permits the safety belt to act as a body restraint.
347.48(2m)(b) (b) If a motor vehicle is required to be equipped with safety belts in this state, no person may operate that motor vehicle unless the person is properly restrained in a safety belt.
347.48(2m)(c) (c) If a motor vehicle is required to be equipped with safety belts in this state, no person may operate that motor vehicle unless he or she reasonably believes that each passenger who is at least 4 years old and not more than 15 years old and who is seated at a designated seating position in the front seat required under 49 CFR 571 to have a safety belt installed or at a designated seating position in the seats, other than the front seats, for which a shoulder harness has been installed is properly restrained.
347.48(2m)(d) (d) If a motor vehicle is required to be equipped with safety belts in this state, no person who is at least 4 years old and who is seated at a designated seating position in the front seat required under 49 CFR 571 to have a safety belt installed or at a designated seating position in the seats, other than the front seats, for which a shoulder harness has been installed may be a passenger in that motor vehicle unless the person is properly restrained.
347.48(2m)(dm) (dm) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) do not apply to the operation of an authorized emergency vehicle by a law enforcement officer or other authorized operator under circumstances in which compliance could endanger the safety of the operator or another.
347.48(2m)(dr) (dr) Paragraph (b) does not apply to the operator of a vehicle while on a route which requires the operator to make more than 10 stops per mile involving an exit from the vehicle in the scope of his or her employment. Paragraphs (c) and (d) do not apply to a passenger while on a route which requires the passenger to make more than 10 stops per mile involving an exit from the vehicle in the scope of his or her employment.
347.48(2m)(e) (e) The department shall, by rule, exempt from the requirements under pars. (b) to (d) persons who, because of a physical or medical condition, cannot be properly restrained in a safety belt.
347.48(2m)(f)1.1. This subsection does not apply if the motor vehicle is a taxicab or is not required to be equipped with safety belts under sub. (1) or 49 CFR 571.
347.48(2m)(f)2. 2. This subsection does not apply to a privately owned motor vehicle while being operated by a rural letter carrier for the delivery of mail or while being operated by a delivery person for the delivery of newspapers or periodicals.
347.48(2m)(f)3. 3. This subsection does not apply to a motor vehicle while being operated by a land surveying crew while conducting a land survey along or upon the highway.
347.48(2m)(f)7. 7. This subsection does not apply to a farm truck or dual purpose farm truck while being used in conjunction with the planting or harvesting of crops and not being operated upon the highway.
347.48(2m)(g) (g) Evidence of compliance or failure to comply with par. (b), (c) or (d) is admissible in any civil action for personal injuries or property damage resulting from the use or operation of a motor vehicle. Notwithstanding s. 895.045, with respect to injuries or damages determined to have been caused by a failure to comply with par. (b), (c) or (d), such a failure shall not reduce the recovery for those injuries or damages by more than 15%. This paragraph does not affect the determination of causal negligence in the action.
347.48(2m)(gm) (gm) Notwithstanding s. 349.02, a law enforcement officer may not stop or inspect a vehicle solely to determine compliance with this subsection or sub. (1) or (2) or a local ordinance in conformity with this subsection or sub. (1) or (2). This paragraph does not limit the authority of a law enforcement officer to issue a citation for a violation of this subsection or sub. (1) or (2) or a local ordinance in conformity with this subsection or sub. (1) or (2) observed in the course of a stop or inspection made for other purposes, except that a law enforcement officer may not take a person into physical custody solely for a violation of this subsection or sub. (1) or (2) or a local ordinance in conformity with this subsection or sub. (1) or (2).
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This is an archival version of the Wis. Stats. database for 1995. See Are the Statutes on this Website Official?