344.42 History
History: 1997 a. 27.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER
344.45
344.45
Surrender of license and registration upon revocation or suspension. 344.45(1)
(1) Whenever a person's operating privilege or registration is revoked or suspended under this chapter, the department may also order the person to surrender to the department his or her license and the registration plate or plates of the vehicle or vehicles for which registration was revoked or suspended. If the person fails forthwith to return the license, registration plate or plates to the department, the department may direct a traffic officer to take possession thereof and return them to the department.
Effective date note
NOTE: Section 344.45 (title) and (1) are amended eff. 5-1-2000 or the date stated in the notice published by the secretary of transportation in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under s. 85.515, whichever is earlier, by
1997 Wis. Act 84 to read:
Effective date text
344.45 Surrender of license and registration upon suspension. (1) Whenever a person's operating privilege or registration is suspended under this chapter, the department may order the person to surrender to the department his or her operator's license and the registration plates of the vehicle or vehicles for which registration was suspended. If the person fails immediately to return the operator's license or registration plates to the department, the department may direct a traffic officer to take possession thereof and return them to the department.
344.45(2)
(2) Any person who intentionally fails or refuses to return a license and registration plate or plates as required by this section may be required to forfeit not more than $100.
344.46
344.46
Transfer of vehicle ownership to defeat purpose of chapter. 344.46(1)(1) No owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident in this state which is reportable under
s. 346.70 shall transfer the ownership or registration of any vehicle whose registration is subject to revocation under
s. 344.14 until this chapter has been complied with or until the secretary is satisfied that such transfer is proposed in good faith and not for the purpose or with the effect of defeating the purposes of this chapter.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) is amended eff. 5-1-2000 or the date stated in the notice published by the secretary of transportation in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under s. 85.515, whichever is earlier, by
1997 Wis. Act 84 to read:
Effective date text
(1) No owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident in this state which is reportable under s. 346.70 shall transfer the ownership or registration of any vehicle whose registration is subject to suspension or revocation under s. 344.14 until this chapter has been complied with or until the secretary is satisfied that such transfer is proposed in good faith and not for the purpose or with the effect of defeating the purposes of this chapter.
344.46(2)
(2) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
344.46(3)
(3) This section does not apply to or affect the registration of any vehicle sold by a person who, pursuant to the terms or conditions of any written instrument giving a right of repossession, has exercised such right and has repossessed such vehicle from a person whose registration has been revoked pursuant to this chapter.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (3) is amended eff. 5-1-2000 or the date stated in the notice published by the secretary of transportation in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under s. 85.515, whichever is earlier, by
1997 Wis. Act 84 to read:
Effective date text
(3) This section does not apply to or affect the registration of any vehicle sold by a person who, under the terms or conditions of any written instrument giving a right of repossession, has exercised such right and has repossessed such vehicle from a person whose registration has been suspended or revoked under this chapter.
344.48(1)(a)
(a) Forge or, without authority, sign any notice provided for in
s. 344.14 or
344.15 (4), or both, to the effect that a policy or bond is in effect or, knowing or having reason to believe that the notice has been forged or signed without authority, file or offer the notice for filing; or
344.48(1)(b)
(b) Forge or, without authority, sign any evidence of proof of financial responsibility or, knowing or having reason to believe that such evidence has been forged or signed without authority, file or offer such evidence for filing.
344.48(1)(c)
(c) Sign or file the affidavit mentioned in
s. 344.15 (4), knowing that it contains a false statement.
344.48(2)
(2) Any person violating this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (2) is amended eff. 12-31-99 by
1997 Wis. Act 283 to read:
Effective date text
(2) Any person violating this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 2 years or both.
344.48 History
History: 1985 a. 29;
1997 a. 283.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RENTED AND HUMAN SERVICES VEHICLES
344.51
344.51
Financial responsibility for domestic rented or leased vehicles. 344.51(1g)(a)
(a) "Lessor" means a person who, for compensation, leases a motor vehicle to a lessee to be operated by or with the consent of the lessee or who acquires a contract for the leasing of a motor vehicle from another person.
344.51(1g)(b)
(b) "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle.
344.51(1g)(c)
(c) "Rental company" means a person who, for compensation, rents a motor vehicle to a renter to be operated by or with the consent of the renter or who acquires a contract for the renting of a motor vehicle from another person.
344.51(1m)
(1m) No lessor or rental company may for compensation rent or lease any motor vehicle unless there is filed with the department on a form prescribed by the department a certificate for a good and sufficient bond or policy of insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do an automobile liability insurance or surety business in this state. The certificate shall provide that the insurer which issued it will be liable for damages caused by the negligent operation of the motor vehicle in the amounts set forth in
s. 344.01 (2) (d). No lessor or rental company complying with this subsection, and no lessor or rental company entering into or acquiring an interest in any contract for the rental or leasing of a motor vehicle for which any other lessor or rental company has complied with this subsection, is liable for damages caused by the negligent operation of the motor vehicle by another person.
344.51(2)
(2) Any lessor or rental company failing to comply with this section is directly liable for damages caused by the negligence of the person operating such rented or leased vehicle, but such liability may not exceed the limits set forth in
s. 344.01 (2) (d) with respect to the acceptable limits of liability when furnishing proof of financial responsibility.
344.51(3)
(3) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
344.51 Annotation
Lessor is not liable to lessee's insurer for monies insurer paid to victim of lessee's negligence. American Fam. Mut. Ins. v. Reciprocal Ins. 111 W (2d) 308, 330 NW (2d) 223 (Ct. App. 1983).
344.51 Annotation
Where lessee's insurance was insufficient to cover all damages, lessor's errors and omissions policy was required to cover remaining damages. Germanotta v. National Indemnity Co. 119 W (2d) 293, 349 NW (2d) 733 (Ct. App. 1984).
344.51 Annotation
Sections 344.30 and 344.16 permit car rental agencies to satisfy their obligation of proving financial responsibility by filing a certificate of self-insurance and receiving a certificate from DOT confirming their ability to pay. A self-insured agency is not the equivalent of an uninsured driver as it is not otherwise liable for its lessee's negligence. Its liability is limited to the amount an insurer would be required to pay, which under s. 344.01 (2) (d) is fixed at $25,000. Boatright v. Spiewak, 214 W (2d) 506, 570 NW (2d) 897 (Ct. App. 1997).
344.52
344.52
Financial responsibility for foreign rented vehicles. 344.52(1)(1) Whenever any motor vehicle rented for compensation outside this state is operated in this state, the lessor of such motor vehicle is directly liable for all damages to persons or property caused by the negligent operation of such rented vehicle unless, at the time when such damage or injury occurs, the operation of the vehicle is effectively covered by a policy of insurance which provides coverage at least in the amounts specified in
s. 344.01 (2) (d) for property damage, personal injury or death suffered by any person on account of the negligent operation of such vehicle. The amount of liability imposed upon the lessor by this section in the absence of insurance coverage shall not exceed the limits set forth in
s. 344.01 (2) (d) with respect to the acceptable limits of liability when furnishing proof of financial responsibility. The fact that the rented vehicle is operated in this state contrary to any understanding or agreement with the lessor is not a defense to any liability imposed by this section.
344.52(2)
(2) If a motor vehicle rented for compensation outside this state is operated in this state, the lessor of such vehicle is deemed to have irrevocably appointed the secretary as the agent or attorney upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against such lessor or the lessor's executor, administrator, personal representative, successors or assigns, growing out of the operation of such rented motor vehicle in this state. Such appointment is binding upon the lessor's executor, administrator, personal representative, successors or assigns. The operation of such rented motor vehicle in this state is a signification of the lessor's agreement that such legal process or notice may be served upon the lessor or the lessor's executor, administrator, personal representative, successors or assigns and that process or notice so served has the same legal force as if personally served upon them in this state. Service of such process or notice shall be made as provided in
s. 345.09. This section does not affect the right to serve process or notice on the nonresident operator of the rented motor vehicle as provided in
s. 345.09.
344.52(3)
(3) In this section, "motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle.
344.52 History
History: 1977 c. 29.
344.55
344.55
Insurance for human service vehicles. 344.55(1)
(1) No motor vehicle may be used as a human service vehicle unless a policy of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state, is maintained thereon. The policy shall provide property damage liability coverage with a limit of not less than $10,000. The policy also shall provide bodily injury liability coverage with limits of not less than $75,000 for each person and, subject to such limit for each person, total limits as follows:
344.55(1)(a)
(a) $150,000 for each accident for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 7 passengers or less.
344.55(1)(b)
(b) $200,000 for each accident for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 8 to 15 passengers.
344.55(1)(c)
(c) $250,000 for each accident for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 16 to 24 passengers.
344.55(1)(d)
(d) $375,000 for each accident for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 25 to 36 passengers.
344.55(1)(e)
(e) $500,000 for each accident for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 37 to 49 passengers.
344.55(1)(f)
(f) $500,000 plus not less than $10,000 for each accident for each passenger seat accommodation for each motor vehicle having a seating capacity of 50 or more passengers.
344.55(2)
(2) The department may not issue registration plates for such a vehicle unless there is on file with the department a certificate of insurance showing that the vehicle is insured in compliance with
sub. (1). No such policy may be terminated prior to its expiration or canceled for any reason unless a notice thereof is filed with the department at least 30 days prior to the date of termination or cancellation. The department shall revoke the registration of a vehicle on which the insurance policy has been terminated or canceled, effective on the date of termination or cancellation.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (2) is amended eff. 5-1-2000 or the date stated in the notice published by the secretary of transportation in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under s. 85.515, whichever is earlier, by
1997 Wis. Act 84 to read:
Effective date text
(2) The department may not issue registration plates for such a vehicle unless there is on file with the department a certificate of insurance showing that the vehicle is insured in compliance with sub. (1). No such policy may be terminated prior to its expiration or canceled for any reason unless a notice thereof is filed with the department at least 30 days prior to the date of termination or cancellation. The department shall suspend the registration of a vehicle on which the insurance policy has been terminated or canceled, effective on the date of termination or cancellation.
344.55 History
History: 1983 a. 175 s.
20; Stats. 1983 s. 344.55;
1997 a. 84.
344.57(1)
(1) "Accident" means collision of a private passenger vehicle with another object or other upset of the private passenger vehicle while in operation.
344.57(2)
(2) "Authorized driver" means, in connection with a private passenger vehicle under a rental agreement, all of the following:
344.57(2)(a)
(a) The spouse of the renter, if the spouse is a licensed driver and meets any minimum age requirement in the rental agreement.
344.57(2)(b)
(b) A person listed in the rental agreement as an authorized driver.
344.57(2)(c)
(c) The renter's employer, employe or co-worker, if the employer, employe or co-worker engages in a business activity with the renter, is a licensed driver and meets the rental company's minimum age requirement.
344.57(2)(d)
(d) A person who operates the private passenger vehicle during an emergency or while parking the private passenger vehicle at a commercial or private establishment.
344.57(3)
(3) "Damage waiver" means a contractual provision under which a rental company agrees for a charge not to hold a renter or authorized driver liable for damage or loss related to a private passenger vehicle rented by the renter.
344.57(4)
(4) "Private passenger vehicle" means a type 1 automobile.
344.57(5)
(5) "Rental agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions governing the use of a private passenger vehicle provided for rent by a rental company.
344.57(6)
(6) "Rental company" means a person in the business of providing private passenger vehicles for rent to the public.
344.57(7)
(7) "Renter" means the person who rents a private passenger vehicle from a rental company under a rental agreement.
344.57 History
History: 1989 a. 328.
344.572
344.572
Applicability to rental agreements. 344.572(1)
(1) Except as provided in
sub. (2),
ss. 344.574,
344.576 and
344.578 apply to all rental agreements concerning private passenger vehicles rented from locations in this state for a period of 30 consecutive days or less.
344.572(2)
(2) Sections 344.574,
344.576 and
344.578 do not apply to a rental agreement under which a person rents from a motor vehicle dealer licensed under
s. 218.01 a private passenger vehicle owned by the dealer if the private passenger vehicle is rented only for use while a vehicle owned or leased by the person or which the person has agreed to purchase is being serviced, repaired, manufactured or delivered.
344.572 History
History: 1989 a. 328.
344.574
344.574
Limited liability for damage. 344.574(1)
(1)
Damage to private passenger vehicle. 344.574(1)(a)(a) Unless a renter purchases a damage waiver offered in accordance with
s. 344.576, a rental company may hold the renter liable to the extent permitted under
subs. (2) to
(4) for physical or mechanical damage to the rented private passenger vehicle that is caused by any of the following:
344.574(1)(a)1.
1. An accident occurring while the private passenger vehicle is under the rental agreement.
344.574(1)(a)2.
2. The renter or an authorized driver who is using the private passenger vehicle, intentionally or by his or her reckless or wanton misconduct.
344.574(1)(b)
(b) Unless a renter purchases a damage waiver offered in accordance with
s. 344.576, a rental company may hold an authorized driver liable to the extent permitted under
subs. (2) to
(4) for physical or mechanical damage to the rented private passenger vehicle that is caused by any of the following:
344.574(1)(b)1.
1. An accident occurring while the private passenger vehicle is operated by the authorized driver and is under the rental agreement.
344.574(1)(b)2.
2. The authorized driver who is using the private passenger vehicle, intentionally or by his or her reckless or wanton misconduct.
344.574(2)(a)(a) The total liability of a renter or authorized driver under
sub. (1) for damage to a rented private passenger vehicle may not exceed all of the following:
344.574(2)(a)1.a.
a. The actual and reasonable costs that the rental company incurred to repair the private passenger vehicle or that the rental company would have incurred if the private passenger vehicle had been repaired, which shall reflect any discounts, price reductions or adjustments available to the rental company.
344.574(2)(a)1.b.
b. The fair market value of that private passenger vehicle immediately before the damage occurred, as determined in the customary market for the sale of that private passenger vehicle.
