343.03(3)
(3) License variants. Except for restricted licenses under
s. 343.08 or temporary licenses, each operator's license issued by the department shall be in one of the following categories with a descriptive legend displayed on the top front side of the license document:
343.03(3)(a)
(a)
Regular license. The standard license legend is "regular" or a readily recognizable abbreviation thereof. The regular license, without any express endorsements or restrictions as provided in this chapter, authorizes the licensee to operate only "class D" vehicles as described in
s. 343.04 (1) (d), except as otherwise provided in this subsection. The license may be endorsed to permit operation of Type 1 motorcycles or school buses. A regular license may be subject to restrictions, including the attachment of a special restrictions card as provided in
s. 343.17 (4).
343.03(3)(b)
(b)
Commercial driver license. A license authorizing the operation of "Class A", "Class B" or "Class C" vehicles, including a license issued under
s. 343.065, shall be labeled "Commercial Driver License" or "CDL". A commercial driver license may be endorsed to permit the operation of any other class or type of vehicle described in
s. 343.04. A commercial driver license may be subject to restrictions, including the attachment of a special restrictions card as provided in
s. 343.17 (4).
343.03(3)(c)
(c)
Motorcycle only license. Except as provided in
par. (f), a license authorizing only the operation of "Class M" vehicles shall be labeled "Motorcycle Only". A motorcycle only license may not be endorsed to permit the operation of any other class or type of vehicle. The license may be subject to restrictions, including the attachment of a special restrictions card as provided in
s. 343.17 (4).
343.03(3)(d)
(d)
Special restricted license. A license issued under
s. 343.135 shall be labeled "Special Restricted License" or a readily recognizable abbreviation thereof. The license may authorize the operation of only "Class D" vehicles and may not be endorsed to permit operation of the vehicle types described in
s. 343.04 (2). The license may be subject to restrictions in addition to those provided in
s. 343.135, including the attachment of a special restrictions card as provided in
s. 343.17 (4).
343.03(3)(e)
(e)
Occupational license. A license issued under
s. 343.10 authorizing only the operation of motor vehicles other than "Class A", "Class B" or "Class C" vehicles shall be labeled "Occupational License". Licenses issued under
s. 343.10 authorizing the operation of "Class A", "Class B" or "Class C" vehicles shall be labeled "CDL-Occupational". An occupational license may authorize the operation of "Class D" or "Class M" vehicles, or both, but may not be endorsed to permit operation of the vehicle types described in
s. 343.04 (2). The license may be subject to restrictions in addition to those provided in
s. 343.10, including the attachment of a special restrictions card as provided in
s. 343.17 (4).
343.03(3)(f)
(f)
Probationary license. If
s. 343.085 applies, the license shall be labeled "Probationary" or a readily recognizable abbreviation thereof instead of as provided in
par. (a) or
(c). This paragraph does not apply to a license authorizing the operation of commercial motor vehicles.
343.03(4)
(4) Elimination of multiple licenses. The department shall not knowingly issue more than one license to a person.
343.03(5)
(5) Inquiries before issuance. Before issuing a license under this chapter, the department shall obtain driver record information from the national driver registry and commercial driver license information system to determine whether the applicant holds a commercial driver license, or a license that is revoked, suspended or canceled, or is otherwise disqualified. If the applicant is currently licensed in another state, the department shall obtain information on the applicant's license status with the state of licensure before issuing a license.
343.03(6)
(6) Release of records. The department shall, upon request, provide to the commercial driver license information system and the driver licensing agencies of other states any applicant or driver record information maintained by the department.
343.03(7)
(7) Notification of commercial driver license issuance. The department shall notify the commercial driver license information system within 10 days of an issuance, renewal or reinstatement of a commercial driver license, a commercial driver license upgrade authorizing the operation of a vehicle group not authorized on the prior commercial driver license, and of the surrender of a commercial driver license issued by another state.
343.04
343.04
Vehicle classifications. 343.04(1)
(1)
Vehicle classes. For purposes of this chapter, motor vehicles are divided into the following classes:
343.04(1)(a)
(a)
Class A. A "Class A" motor vehicle is any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight or registered weight of over 26,000 pounds, if the aggregate total gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight or registered weight of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
343.04(1)(b)
(b)
Class B. A "Class B" motor vehicle is any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight or registered weight of over 26,000 pounds, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle or vehicles with an aggregate total gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight or registered weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
343.04(1)(c)
(c)
Class C. A "Class C" motor vehicle is any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight and registered weight of 26,000 pounds or less, including any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating, actual gross weight and registered weight of less than 10,000 pounds, if any of the following applies:
343.04(1)(c)1.
1. The vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
343.04(1)(c)2.
2. The vehicle is transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
343.04(1)(e)
(e)
Class M. A "Class M" vehicle is any Type 1 motorcycle.
343.04(2)
(2) Vehicle types. For purposes of this chapter, certain vehicles intended to carry school children or other passengers, or having special operating characteristics, are divided into the following vehicle types specified in
pars. (a) to
(f):
343.04(2)(a)
(a)
Hazardous materials transporter. Hazardous materials transporter vehicles are vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
343.04(2)(b)
(b)
Air brakes equipped. Air brakes equipped vehicles are commercial motor vehicles equipped with a braking system operating fully or partly on the air brake principle.
343.04(2)(c)
(c)
Tanks. Tanks are commercial motor vehicles which are tank vehicles.
343.04(2)(d)
(d)
Passenger carrying. Passenger-carrying vehicles are motor vehicles designed to carry, or actually carrying, 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
343.04(2)(e)
(e)
School buses. All school buses, including those which are commercial motor vehicles.
343.04(2)(f)
(f)
Vehicles towing double or triple trailers. Vehicles towing double or triple trailers are commercial motor vehicles with double or triple trailers.
343.04 History
History: 1989 a. 105;
1999 a. 140.
ISSUANCE, EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF LICENSES
343.05
343.05
Operators to be licensed; exceptions. 343.05(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in this subsection, no person may at any time have more than one operator's license. This prohibition includes, without limitation, having licenses from more than one state, having licenses under more than one name or birthdate, having an occupational license without having surrendered the revoked or suspended license document, and having more than one license issued for the operation of different types or classes of vehicles. This paragraph does not apply to any person who has only operator's licenses issued by this state and by a country, province or subdivision that is a party to an agreement under
s. 343.16 (1) (d).
343.05(1)(b)
(b) During the 10-day period beginning on the date on which the person is issued an operator's license, a person may hold more than one operator's license.
343.05(1)(c)
(c) A person may have both an operator's license and a duly issued instruction permit allowing restricted operation of a vehicle group not authorized by the license.
343.05(2)(a)(a) No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person is one of the following:
343.05(2)(a)1.
1. A resident who is at least 18 years of age, who is not disqualified under
s. 343.315, who has a valid commercial driver license which is not revoked, suspended, canceled or expired and, for the operation of any vehicle type under
s. 343.04 (2), has an endorsement authorizing operation of the vehicle type.
343.05(2)(a)2.
2. A nonresident who has in his or her immediate possession a valid commercial driver license issued to the person in another jurisdiction or Mexico bearing all endorsements required for the specific class and type of vehicle being operated. A license is not valid under this subdivision if the license is restricted to operation inside the person's home jurisdiction, or if the person is otherwise violating restrictions or exceeding operating authorization stated on the person's license. If the nonresident is operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, he or she must be at least 21 years of age.
343.05(2)(a)4.
4. A person with a temporary license under
s. 343.305 (8) (a) which expressly authorizes the operation of the applicable class and type of commercial motor vehicle and which is not expired.
343.05(2)(b)
(b) This subsection does not apply to a person whose operation of a commercial motor vehicle is subject to waiver under
s. 343.055.
343.05(2)(c)
(c) A tow truck operator holding a valid commercial driver license who is engaged in the removal of a disabled or wrecked vehicle from the highway or eliminating a hazard is not required to hold an endorsement to his or her commercial driver license regardless of the type of vehicle being towed. This exception to the requirement for an endorsement does not apply to any subsequent towing of the vehicle, including moving the vehicle from one repair facility to another, unless one of the following applies:
343.05(2)(c)1.
1. The tow truck operator is accompanied by a driver who holds the required endorsements.
343.05(2)(c)2.
2. The vehicle is a vehicle that requires a "P" endorsement for its operation.
343.05(3)
(3) Noncommercial vehicles. Except as provided in
sub. (4):
343.05(3)(a)
(a) No person may operate a motor vehicle which is not a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person possesses a valid operator's license issued to the person by the department which is not revoked, suspended, canceled or expired.
343.05(3)(b)
(b) No person may operate a Type 1 motorcycle unless the person possesses a valid operator's license specifically authorizing the operation of Type 1 motorcycles.
343.05(3)(c)
(c) No person may operate a moped or motor bicycle unless the person possesses a valid operator's license or a special restricted operator's license issued under
s. 343.135 or a restricted license issued under
s. 343.08. A license under this paragraph does not authorize operation of a moped or motor bicycle if the license is revoked, suspended, canceled or expired.
343.05(4)(a)(a) The following are exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter:
343.05(4)(a)1.
1. A person in the armed services while operating a motor vehicle owned by or leased to the federal government.
343.05(4)(a)2.
2. A person while temporarily operating or moving a farm tractor or implement of husbandry on a highway between fields or between a farm and a field.
343.05(4)(a)3m.
3m. A person while operating motorized construction equipment. This subdivision does not apply to a truck or a construction vehicle designed for use on a roadway or to any vehicle exceeding a speed of 35 miles per hour.
343.05(4)(b)
(b) The following are exempt from the licensing requirements of
sub. (3):
343.05(4)(b)1.
1. A nonresident who is at least 16 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid operator's license issued to the person in the person's home jurisdiction.
343.05(4)(b)2.
2. Any nonresident of the United States who holds an international driving permit or a valid operator's license issued by a country which is a signatory to either the 1943 regulation of inter-American automotive traffic or the 1949 Geneva convention on road traffic.
343.05(4)(b)3.
3. Any nonresident of the United States who holds an international driving permit or a valid operator's license issued by West Germany, Mexico or Switzerland or by any other nation having a reciprocal agreement with the United States concerning driving privileges.
343.05(4)(c)
(c) An exemption under
par. (b) 2. or
3. applies only for a period of one year after a nonresident's arrival in the United States.
343.05(5)(a)1.
1. Fined not less than $200 nor more than $600 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both for the first such violation.
343.05(5)(a)2.
2. Fined not less than $300 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not less than 5 days nor more than 6 months or both for the 2nd offense occurring within 3 years.
343.05(5)(a)3.
3. Fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 and imprisoned for not less than 10 days nor more than 6 months for the 3rd or subsequent offense occurring within 3 years.
343.05(5)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2. and
sub. (6), any person who violates
sub. (3) (a) may be required to forfeit not more than $200 for the first offense, may be fined not more than $300 and imprisoned for not more than 30 days for the 2nd offense occurring within 3 years, and may be fined not more than $500 and imprisoned for not more than 6 months for the 3rd or subsequent offense occurring within 3 years. A violation of a local ordinance in conformity with this section or a violation of a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with this section shall count as a previous offense.
343.05(5)(b)2.
2. A person whose operator's license has expired not more than 3 months before a violation of
sub. (3) (a) may be required to forfeit not more than $100 for the first offense.
343.05(6)
(6) Other offenses; penalties. Section 343.44 and the penalties thereunder shall apply in lieu of this section to any person operating a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state with an operator's license which is revoked or suspended.
343.05 History
History: 1971 c. 164 s.
83;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a);
1977 c. 273,
288,
447;
1979 c. 345;
1981 c. 42,
138;
1981 c. 390 s.
252;
1983 a. 243,
534,
535,
538;
1985 a. 65;
1989 a. 87,
105,
359;
1991 a. 32,
39;
1995 a. 113,
269,
347;
1997 a. 237.
343.05 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
343.37 for limitations on nonresident operators.
343.05 Annotation
The guidelines for operating a commercial vehicle under this section constitute a fundamental public policy to promote highway safety. The discharge of an at-will employee for refusing to violate this section was a wrongful discharge. Kempfer v. Automated Finishing, Inc.
211 Wis. 2d 100,
564 N.W.2d 692 (1997).
343.05 Annotation
A person has a privilege, but not a right, to drive a motor vehicle upon a public highway. To exercise that privilege, the person must satisfy the licensing requirements of the state. County of Fond du Lac v. Kevin C. Derksen, 2002 WI App 160, ___ Wis. 2d ___,
647 N.W.2d 922.
343.05 Annotation
Three-wheeled trucks and automobiles, golf carts, and other special purpose vehicles such as street sweepers, industrial fork-lifts, and motorized wheelbarrows are not motorcycles, and operators are not required to have special driver licenses. 58 Atty. Gen. 17.
343.05 Annotation
A driver license authorizing motor-driven cycle operation is not required for the operation of a motor-driven cycle on private property. 64 Atty. Gen. 79.
343.055
343.055
Commercial driver license waivers. 343.055(1)(a)(a)
General. Except as provided in
subs. (3) and
(4) and notwithstanding
s. 343.05 (2), operators of certain commercial motor vehicles specified in
pars. (b) to
(h) or any rule of the department promulgated under
sub. (5) are not required to hold commercial driver licenses, if the operator holds a valid operator's license not limited to "Class M" vehicles.
343.055(1)(b)
(b)
Fire fighters. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle including, without limitation, fire trucks, hook and ladder trucks and foam or water transporters, is a person employed by a volunteer or paid fire organization and the person is operating emergency or fire fighting equipment necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency management functions and equipped with a siren and warning lamps as provided in
ss. 347.25 (1) and
347.38 (4) and the operation is in the routine performance of other duties of the fire organization or in response to an emergency call under
s. 346.03 or during the return from a fire or other emergency response.
343.055(1)(c)
(c)
Farmers. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a farmer who is using the commercial motor vehicle within 150 miles of the operator's farm to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies including transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or a combination thereof to or from a farm and the commercial motor vehicle is operated and controlled by a farmer and not used in the operations of a common motor carrier or contract motor carrier, as defined in
s. 194.01 (1) and
(2). In this paragraph, "controlled" means leased or owned; and "farmer" and "leased" have the meanings given in
s. 340.01 (18) (b).
343.055(1)(d)
(d)
Recreational vehicle operators. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a person operating a motor home, or a vehicle towing a 5th-wheel mobile home or single-unit recreational vehicle and the vehicle or combination, including both units of a combination towing vehicle and the 5th-wheel mobile home or recreational vehicle, is both operated and controlled by the person and is transporting only members of the person's family, guests or their personal property. This paragraph does not apply to any transportation for hire or the transportation of any property connected to a commercial activity. In this paragraph, "controlled" means leased or owned.
343.055(1)(h)
(h)
Rescue squad members. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a member of a legally organized rescue squad. This paragraph applies only to the operation of authorized emergency vehicles.
343.055(2)
(2) Disqualifications not applicable. Notwithstanding
s. 343.44, a person disqualified under
s. 343.315 may operate a commercial motor vehicle as described in this section if the person holds a valid operator's license issued to the person authorizing the operation of "Class D" vehicles.
343.055(3)
(3) Vehicles transporting hazardous materials, carrying passengers or towing double or triple trailers not waived. Nothing in this section authorizes the operation of a combination vehicle with double or triple trailers, a vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding except as provided in
sub. (1) (c), or a vehicle carrying or designed to transport the driver and 15 or more persons, by a person who does not hold a valid operator's license properly endorsed to permit such operation.
343.055(4)
(4) Effect of waivers. The waivers under this section shall apply to the extent permitted under federal law and shall exempt a person only from the requirement in
s. 343.05 (2) to hold a commercial driver license to operate a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway in this state. A commercial motor vehicle operated under this waiver remains a commercial motor vehicle.
343.055(5)
(5) Rules. As soon as possible after the federal commercial motor vehicle safety act,
49 USC 31301 to
31317, or the regulations adopted under that act permit any commercial driver license waiver, the department shall promulgate rules governing eligibility for the waiver. This subsection applies to waivers not permitted by federal law on May 12, 1992.
343.06
343.06
Persons not to be licensed. 343.06(1)
(1) The department shall not issue a license:
