341.14(6r)(fm)1.1. In addition to the special groups specified under
par. (f), any group or organization may apply to the department for designation as an authorized special group. The department shall designate any group or organization that meets all of the following criteria as an authorized special group:
341.14(6r)(fm)1.c.
c. The group or organization is not a church, a synagogue, a mosque or any organization, whether or not organized under
ch. 187, that operates under a creed.
341.14(6r)(fm)1.d.
d. The group or organization does not promote, practice or encourage hatred or any form of discrimination.
341.14(6r)(fm)1.e.
e. The group or organization does not carry connotations offensive to good taste or decency, or that would be misleading, or in conflict with the enumeration or designation of any other authorized special group.
341.14(6r)(fm)2.
2. The application for designation as an authorized special group shall include all of the following:
341.14(6r)(fm)2.a.
a. A deposit of $15,500 that shall be returned to the group or organization if the application is denied or, if the application is approved, $15 times the number of special group plates issued to members of the authorized special group in the first year of issuance of the special group plate shall be returned to the group or organization, up to a maximum of $12,000.
341.14(6r)(fm)2.b.
b. A certification by the group or organization that any approvals required for use of any logo, trademark, trade name or other commercial symbol related to the group or organization have been obtained and that the group or organization shall be responsible for any licensing fees related to the word or words or the symbol on special group plates for the group or organization.
341.14(6r)(fm)2.c.
c. Any other information that the department reasonably requires to determine whether the group or organization is entitled by law to designation as an authorized special group.
341.14(6r)(fm)4.
4. If the application for designation as an authorized special group is denied, the department shall promptly return the application to the group or organization, together with a notice stating the reason for the denial. All decisions of the department with respect to applications under this paragraph shall be final and not subject to judicial review under
ch. 227.
341.14(6r)(fm)5.
5. The department may not assist any group or organization in the use of special group plates in any fund-raising effort by the group or organization.
341.14(6r)(fm)6.
6. The department shall establish by rule procedures for the designation of authorized special groups under this paragraph and for the issuance or the discontinuation of issuance of special group plates under this subsection to members of an authorized special group.
341.14(6r)(fm)7.
7. Except for the authorized special group enumerated under
par. (f) 55., after October 1, 1998, additional authorized special groups may only be special groups designated by the department under this paragraph. The authorized special groups enumerated in
par. (f) shall be limited solely to those special groups specified under
par. (f) on October 1,
1998, except for the authorized special group enumerated under
par. (f) 55. This subdivision does not apply to the special group specified under
par. (f) 54.
341.14(6r)(g)
(g) If an individual in possession of special plates under
par. (f) 33.,
34. or
48. or of personalized plates under
s. 341.145 (1) (c) of the same color and design as special plates under
par. (f) 33.,
34. or
48. does not maintain membership in the applicable authorized special group during a year that is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.
341.14(6r)(h)
(h) From the appropriation under
s. 20.395 (5) (cL), the department shall pay reasonable licensing fees relating to the word or words or the symbol on special group plates under
par. (f) 55.
341.14(7)
(7) The department shall disseminate information to all applicants for registration plates under
sub. (1),
(1a),
(1e),
(1m) or
(1q) relating to the parking privileges granted under
s. 346.50 (2),
(2a) or
(3) and their right to request enforcement of
s. 346.505.
341.14(8)
(8) If a special plate for a group associated with a branch of the armed services or otherwise military in nature has been issued to a person under this section, upon application by the surviving spouse of the person, the department may permit the surviving spouse to retain the plate. If the plate has been returned to the department or surrendered to another state, the department may reissue the plate to the surviving spouse. The department shall charge an additional fee of $10 to reissue the plate. This subsection does not apply to a special plate issued under
s. 341.14 (1) or
(1r).
341.14 History
History: 1971 c. 164 s.
83;
1971 c. 299;
1975 c. 384,
417;
1977 c. 16;
1977 c. 29 ss.
1417,
1418,
1654 (7) (a), (e);
1977 c. 43,
183,
292,
418,
447;
1979 c. 236;
1981 c. 255;
1983 a. 227,
430,
511;
1985 a. 29,
55;
1985 a. 87 ss.
1,
5;
1985 a. 124,
202;
1985 a. 332 ss.
191,
251 (4);
1987 a. 19,
64,
112,
145,
315,
399,
403;
1989 a. 31,
54,
56,
137,
302,
304,
312,
359;
1991 a. 2,
39,
100,
240;
1993 a. 16,
291,
303,
415,
491;
1995 a. 147,
253,
255,
445;
1997 a. 27,
67,
252,
255;
1999 a. 9,
32,
80,
92,
167,
186; s. 13.93 (2) (c).
341.14 Annotation
Legislative Council Note, 1977: Sub. (3) is amended to enable a federally recognized Indian tribe or band to obtain registration plates for vehicles used by the tribe or band in law enforcement work. These plates are to be of the same type as would normally be issued for use on a privately owned vehicle but the registration fees charged would be the same as provided for plates issued under section 341.26 (2m), relating to special registration fees for vehicles owned by the state or by a county or municipality. [Bill 850-A]
341.142
341.142
Veterans honorary medal decals. If any person who is registering or has registered a vehicle specified in
s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. submits a statement from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the person has been awarded a medal authorized under an act of congress relating to that person's service in the U.S. armed forces, as defined in
s. 40.02 (57m), the department shall, free of charge, procure, issue and deliver to that veteran one decal, similar in appearance to the medal awarded to that veteran, for each motor vehicle registered in the name of that veteran. Notwithstanding
s. 341.61 (3), a decal issued under this section shall be displayed in the manner directed by the department on the rear registration plate of the vehicle registered in the name of the veteran to whom the decal was issued. The department shall specify one combination of colors and design for each medal authorized under an act of congress for which a statement has been received by the department under this section, except that the department may not specify the colors or design unless the colors and design are approved in writing by the state department of veterans affairs. Not more than one decal may be issued under this section for each motor vehicle registered in the name of a veteran.
341.142 History
History: 1995 a. 445.
341.145
341.145
Personalized registration plates. 341.145(1)
(1) In this section, "personalized registration plate" means any of the following:
341.145(1)(a)
(a) A registration plate for an owned automobile or a motor home registered for an annual registration period under
s. 341.29 or
341.295 or a motorcycle 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, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the applicant. Personalized registration plates under this paragraph shall be of the same color and design as regular registration plates and shall consist of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position for a plate issued for a motorcycle or not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position for all other plates.
341.145(1)(b)
(b) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in
s. 341.14 (6m) for an owned automobile or motor truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.
341.145(1)(c)
(c) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in
s. 341.14 (6r) for a vehicle specified under
s. 341.14 (6r), which displays the applicable symbol of the authorized special group to which the person belongs and a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 6 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.
341.145(1)(d)
(d) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in
s. 341.14 (1) for a vehicle specified in
s. 341.14 (1), which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 4 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.
341.145(1)(e)
(e) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in
s. 341.14 (1a) for a vehicle specified in
s. 341.14 (1a), which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 6 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.
341.145(1g)(a)(a) The department may issue personalized registration plates under
sub. (1) (b) to a person who qualifies for special plates under
s. 341.14 (6m).
341.145(1g)(b)
(b) The department may issue personalized registration plates under
sub. (1) (c) to a person who qualifies for special plates under
s. 341.14 (6r).
341.145(1g)(c)
(c) The department may issue personalized registration plates under
sub. (1) (d) to a person who qualifies for special plates under
s. 341.14 (1).
341.145(1r)
(1r) In lieu of the procedure under
s. 341.13 (2), the department may issue distinguishing tags or decals for personalized registration plates for a vehicle registered on the basis of gross weight.
341.145(2)
(2) The department shall issue personalized registration plates only upon request and if:
341.145(2)(a)
(a) The request and alternative thereto is received by the department in writing by the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle is to be registered;
341.145(2)(b)
(b) The request is accompanied by the proper fee, an application for original or renewal vehicle registration and the proper registration fee;
341.145(2)(c)
(c) The requested combination of numbers or letters has not already been issued.
341.145(3)
(3) In addition to the regular application fee provided under
s. 341.25 (1) (a),
(c) or
(j) or
(2) or
341.26 (3) (a) 2. or
(am), the applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on an annual basis shall pay a fee of $15 for the issuance of the plate and $15 in each succeeding year to maintain the plate. In addition to the regular application fee provided under
s. 341.25 (1) (b) or
341.26 (3) (a) 1., the applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on a biennial basis shall pay a fee of $30 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued during the first year of the biennial registration period or $15 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued during the 2nd year of the biennial registration period. The fee to maintain a personalized plate issued on a biennial basis is $30. The fee for reissuance of a personalized plate shall be $15 for an annual registration and $30 for a biennial registration. An applicant for personalized plates issued under
sub. (1) (b) or
(c) shall not be required to pay the fee for initial issuance of the plates.
341.145(4)
(4) Each personalized registration plate issued shall be reserved for the recipient in succeeding registration periods and shall not be duplicated for issuance to any other person if the recipient maintains the plate, unless the recipient authorizes the issuance of the plate to another person. If the recipient does not maintain the plate for 2 successive years which are not plate issuance years or if the recipient does not specifically request reissuance of the personalized registration plate by the date on which the plate expires in a plate issuance year, the department may issue the personalized registration plate to another applicant.
341.145(5)
(5) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate under
sub. (3) during a year that is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department.
341.145(6)
(6) Any registration plate issued sequentially to an applicant for original or renewal registration shall be available for issuance as a personalized registration plate if the plate has not been maintained for 2 successive years or if the recipient of the plate authorizes the issuance of the plate to another person.
341.145(7)
(7) The department may refuse to issue any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which may carry connotations offensive to good taste or decency, or which would be misleading, or in conflict with the issuance of any other registration plates. All decisions of the department with respect to personalized registration plate applications shall be final and not subject to judicial review under
ch. 227.
341.145(8)
(8) The department may cancel and order the return of any personalized registration plates issued which contain any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which the department determines may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency or which may be misleading. Any person ordered to return such plates shall either be reimbursed for any additional fees they paid for the plates for the registration year in which they are recalled, or be given at no additional cost replacement personalized registration plates, the issuance of which is in compliance with the statutes. A person who fails to return personalized registration plates upon request of the department may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
341.15
341.15
Display of registration plates. 341.15(1)
(1) Whenever 2 registration plates are issued for a vehicle, one plate shall be attached to the front and one to the rear of the vehicle. Whenever only one registration plate is issued for a vehicle, the plate shall be attached as follows:
341.15(1)(a)
(a) If the vehicle is a truck tractor or road tractor or a motor truck issued the plate under
s. 341.405 (2), to the front.
341.15(1)(b)
(b) For any other vehicle for which only one plate is issued, to the rear, except that a plate issued to or for a municipality under
s. 341.26 (2m) may be attached to the front of the vehicle if the design or use of the vehicle is such as to make a plate attached to the rear difficult to see and read.
341.15(1m)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), any registration decal or tag issued by the department shall be placed on the rear registration plate of the vehicle in the manner directed by the department.
341.15(1m)(b)
(b) Any registration decal or tag issued by the department for a truck tractor, road tractor or motor truck under
sub. (1) (a) or for any other vehicle which may bear a registration plate attached to the front as provided in
sub. (1) (b) shall be placed on the front registration plate of the vehicle in the manner directed by the department.
341.15(2)
(2) Registration plates shall be attached firmly and rigidly in a horizontal position and conspicuous place. The plates shall at all times be maintained in a legible condition and shall be so displayed that they can be readily and distinctly seen and read. Any peace officer may require the operator of any vehicle on which plates are not properly displayed to display such plates as required by this section.
341.15(3)
(3) Any of the following may be required to forfeit not more than $200:
341.15(3)(a)
(a) A person who operates a vehicle for which a current registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration has been issued without such plate, tag, decal or other evidence of registration being attached to the vehicle, except when such vehicle is being operated pursuant to a temporary operation permit or plate;
341.15(3)(b)
(b) A person who operates a vehicle with a registration plate attached in a non-rigid or non-horizontal manner or in an inconspicuous place so as to make it difficult to see and read the plate;
341.15(3)(c)
(c) A person who operates a vehicle with a registration plate in an illegible condition due to the accumulation of dirt or other foreign matter.
341.15 AnnotationThis section is applicable to temporary plates under s. 341.09. U.S. v. Dexter,
165 F.3d 1120 (1999).
341.16
341.16
Issuance of replacement plate. 341.16(1)(a)(a) Whenever a current registration plate is lost or destroyed, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate was attached shall immediately apply to the department for replacement. Except as provided in
par. (b) and
sub. (2m), upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction of the plate and upon payment of a fee of $2 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement.
341.16(1)(b)
(b) Upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction of a special plate issued under
s. 341.14 (6m) (a) or
(6r) (b) or a special personalized plate issued under
s. 341.145 (1) (b) or
(c) and upon payment of a fee of $5 for each plate or, if the plate is for a special group specified under
s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 35. to
47. or
53., $6 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement.
341.16(2)
(2) Whenever a current registration plate becomes illegible, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate is attached shall apply to the department for a replacement. Except as provided in
sub. (2m), upon receipt of satisfactory proof of illegibility, and upon payment of a fee of $2 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement. Upon receipt of a replacement plate, the applicant shall destroy the illegible plate.
341.16(2m)
(2m) Upon request therefor and payment of a fee of $10, the department may issue an applicant for replacement plates for an automobile registered pursuant to the registration system under
s. 341.27 registration plates of the design specified in
s. 341.13 for the plate issuance cycle next succeeding the cycle under which the original plates were issued. The department may limit the receipt of requests under this subsection to applicants for a renewal registration of a motor vehicle.
341.16(3)
(3) When issuing a replacement plate, the department may assign a new number and issue a new plate rather than a duplicate of the original if in its judgment that is in the best interests of economy or prevention of fraud. Upon receipt of a replacement plate, the applicant shall destroy all plates replaced.
341.16(4)
(4) Any person issued replacement plates who fails to destroy the original plates as required by
sub. (2) or
(3) may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
341.16(5)
(5) This section does not apply to plates issued pursuant to the law pertaining to the registration of dealers, distributors, manufacturers or transporters.
341.17
341.17
Department to compile registration lists. 341.17(1)
(1) At intervals selected by the department, the department shall compile a list of registrations made during that interval pursuant to the system of registering automobiles under
s. 341.27. The list shall give the name and address of each registrant, the registration number assigned, and other identifying information as the department deems necessary.
341.17(2)
(2) The department shall compile a list by counties of new automobile and motor truck registrations. Registrations for other new vehicles may be included if deemed necessary by the department. Such lists shall be compiled at such intervals during the month as is deemed necessary by the department but the final list compiled each month shall include the listing of the last day of the month. Such list shall contain only those vehicles being registered for the first time after sale by a dealer. Such list shall contain the name and address of the owner, the make, body type, identification number of the vehicle, the dealer license number, if such dealer is registered in this state, and the date of sale.
341.17(4)
(4) Upon request, the department shall distribute free of charge registration lists compiled under this section as follows:
341.17(4)(a)
(a) To each county clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under
sub. (1).
341.17(4)(c)
(c) To the sheriff of each county, one copy of each automobile registration list under
sub. (1).
341.17(4)(d)
(d) To each chief of police, one copy of each automobile registration list under
sub. (1).
341.17(4)(e)
(e) To each village clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under
sub. (1).
341.17(4)(g)
(g) To the department of revenue, the number of copies of each automobile registration list under
sub. (1) as requested.
341.17(5)
(5) Except as provided in
sub. (9) (e), public officers and agencies receiving free copies of registration lists under
sub. (4) shall keep such lists current and open to public inspection.
341.17(6)
(6) The department shall sell subscriptions to the registration lists compiled under this section and may sell other registration information. In computing the charge to be made for subscriptions to the registration lists and for other registration information, the department shall determine the costs of compiling the lists and other information and shall fairly apportion the major share of those costs among the subscribers and other purchasers.
341.17(7)
(7) The department may suspend the compilation and distribution of the registration lists during a period of national war emergency and while new registration numbers are not being issued annually, but shall continue to transmit from time to time to the persons under
sub. (4) who request free copies of the lists any additions to or changes in the lists issued during the year preceding suspension which are caused by the registration of vehicles not previously registered in the state or by the issuance of new registration numbers for vehicles previously registered.
341.17(8)
(8) The department shall charge a fee of not less than $2 for conducting a file search of vehicle registration records.
341.17(9)(a)1.
1. "Agent" means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of another person.
