347.02(2)
(2) No provision of this chapter requiring or prohibiting certain types of equipment on a vehicle is applicable when such vehicle is not operated upon or occupying a highway.
347.02(2m)(a)(a) No provision of this chapter requiring or prohibiting certain types of equipment on a vehicle is applicable to an imported vehicle which has been granted entry into the United States by the federal government solely for the purpose of test or experiment.
347.02(2m)(b)
(b) The exemption under
par. (a) is limited to the one-year period following the entry of the vehicle.
347.02(3)
(3) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with this chapter.
347.02(4)
(4) Beginning July 1, 1960, the provisions of this chapter covering lighting shall be applicable to all state, county and municipal trucks, truck tractors, trailers and semitrailers.
347.02(5)
(5) If a vehicle registered under
s. 341.25 (1) (a),
341.265,
341.266, or
341.269 has equipment which was designated by the manufacturer as optional equipment in the model year the vehicle was manufactured, it is not necessary for such equipment to be in operating condition unless it replaces equipment which is required by law to be both present and functioning.
347.02(6)
(6) Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, the department may establish special equipment standards for vehicles operated under
s. 343.135 which differ from the equipment standards established under this chapter. Equipment standards established under this subsection may not be less stringent than any federal standards established for the vehicle.
347.02(7)
(7) The vehicle equipment requirements for a street modified vehicle shall be the same as the vehicle equipment requirements for a vehicle of the same type and model year that is not a street modified vehicle. The vehicle equipment requirements for a replica vehicle or a homemade vehicle specified in
s. 341.268 (1) (b) 2. shall be the same as the vehicle equipment requirements for a vehicle of the same type and model year as the vehicle used for purposes of the reproduction.
347.03
347.03
Sale of prohibited equipment unlawful. No person shall sell for highway use any device, appliance, accessory or replacement part the use of which on a motor vehicle is unlawful.
347.04
347.04
Owner responsible for improperly equipped vehicle. Any owner of a vehicle not equipped as required by this chapter who knowingly causes or permits such vehicle to be operated on a highway in violation of this chapter is guilty of the violation the same as if he or she had operated the vehicle personally. No demerit points shall be assessed or counted pursuant to
s. 343.32 against the operator's license of the owner of the vehicle by reason of the owner's conviction of any such violation unless the owner was personally operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
347.04 History
History: 1989 a. 105.
347.05
347.05
Reciprocity agreements as to equipment. 347.05(1)(1) The secretary, with the approval of the governor, is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with the duly authorized representatives of other jurisdictions exempting the residents of those jurisdictions from details of vehicle equipment requirements of this state which are particularly burdensome to residents of such other jurisdictions operating vehicles in this state, provided the law of such other jurisdiction requires vehicles to be equipped in a manner rendering them substantially as safe as those equipped in the manner required by the laws of this state. The agreements shall provide substantially like exemptions for residents of this state when operating vehicles in such other jurisdiction.
347.05(2)
(2) This section does not authorize reciprocity agreements as to laws governing the size and weight of vehicles.
347.05 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (c).
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
347.06
347.06
When lighted lamps required. 347.06(1)
(1) Except as provided in
subs. (2) and
(4), no person may operate a vehicle upon a highway during hours of darkness unless all headlamps, tail lamps and clearance lamps with which such vehicle is required to be equipped are lighted. Parking lamps as defined in
s. 347.27 shall not be used for this purpose.
347.06(2)
(2) Headlamps need not be lighted on a towed vehicle or on a vehicle having at least 2 lighted adverse weather lamps on the front thereof and being operated under the circumstances described in
s. 347.26 (3) (b).
347.06(3)
(3) The operator of a vehicle shall keep all lamps and reflectors with which such vehicle is required to be equipped reasonably clean and in proper working condition at all times.
347.06(4)
(4) A duly authorized warden, as defined in
s. 24.01 (11), may operate a vehicle owned or leased by the department of natural resources upon a highway during hours of darkness without lighted headlamps, tail lamps or clearance lamps in the performance of the warden's duties under
s. 29.924 (2).
347.07
347.07
Special restrictions on lamps and the use thereof. 347.07(1)(1) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps also is equipped with any adverse weather lamps, spotlamps or auxiliary lamps, or with any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of any such lamps or combinations thereof on the front of the vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when such vehicle is upon a highway.
347.07(2)
(2) Except as otherwise expressly authorized or required by this chapter, no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment on a highway which has displayed thereon:
347.07(2)(a)
(a) Any color of light other than white or amber visible from directly in front; or
347.07(2)(b)
(b) Any color of light other than red on the rear; or
347.08
347.08
Determining the visibility distance and mounted height of lamps. 347.08(1)
(1) Whenever this chapter states a requirement as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, such distance shall be measured during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions and upon a straight, level, unlighted highway unless a different time, direction or condition is expressly stated.
347.08(2)
(2) Whenever this chapter requires a lamp or device to be mounted at a certain height, the distance shall be measured from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without load.
347.09
347.09
Headlamps on motor vehicles. 347.09(1)
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a highway during hours of darkness unless such vehicle is equipped as follows:
347.09(1)(a)
(a) Except as provided in
pars. (b) and
(c), every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least 2 headlamps, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in
sub. (2) and
s. 347.10 and shall be mounted symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle with at least one on each side of the center of the front of the motor vehicle.
347.09(1)(b)
(b) Every moped or Type 1 motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 headlamps, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in
sub. (2) and
s. 347.10.
347.09(1)(c)
(c) Every motor bicycle or vehicle registered under
s. 341.067 and operated by a person licensed under
s. 343.075 or
343.135 shall be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 headlamps, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in
sub. (2) and
s. 347.11.
347.09(2)
(2) Every headlamp on a motor vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches.
347.09 History
History: 1983 a. 243;
1985 a. 65.
347.10
347.10
Headlamp specifications for motor vehicles other than mopeds and motor bicycles. 347.10(1)
(1) Except as provided in
sub. (4), the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than mopeds and motor bicycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations. No such lamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the lamp is in use. Such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
347.10(2)
(2) Multiple-beam headlamps shall comply with the following requirements:
347.10(2)(a)
(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading;
347.10(2)(b)
(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead, and on a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be so directed as to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
347.10(3)
(3) No person shall sell after July 1, 1958, any new motor vehicle equipped with multiple beam headlamps and no person shall operate any motor vehicle sold new after July 1, 1958, and equipped with multiple beam headlamps unless such vehicle also is equipped with a beam indicator which is lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use and which is not otherwise lighted. Such indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles.
347.10(4)
(4) Any motor vehicle may be operated during hours of darkness when equipped with 2 lighted lamps upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and objects 75 feet ahead in lieu of lamps required by
subs. (1) to
(3) if such vehicle at no time is operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour. No lighted lamp under this subsection shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the lighted lamp is in use. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
347.10 History
History: 1983 a. 243;
1995 a. 346.
347.11
347.11
Headlamp specifications for mopeds and motor bicycles. The headlamps on mopeds or motor bicycles may be of the single-beam or multiple-beam type but in either event shall comply with the following requirements and limitations:
347.11(1)
(1) The headlamp shall be an electric headlamp and the current shall be supplied by a wet battery and electric generator, by a current-generating coil incorporated into the magneto or by a generator driven directly by the motor by means of gears, friction wheel, chain or belt.
347.11(2)
(2) The headlamp shall display a white light of sufficient illuminating power to reveal any person, vehicle or substantial object at a distance of 200 feet ahead and shall be so adjusted or operated that the glaring light rays therefrom are not directed into the eyes of the driver of any oncoming vehicle. No headlamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the headlamp is in use. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
347.11(3)
(3) If the moped or motor bicycle is equipped with a multiple-beam headlamp, the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in
sub. (2) and the lowermost beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of light as set forth in
s. 347.10 (2) (b).
347.11(4)
(4) If the moped or motor bicycle is equipped with a single-beam lamp, such lamp shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high-intensity portion of light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, projects higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
347.11 History
History: 1983 a. 243;
1995 a. 346.
347.115
347.115
Modulating headlamps for motorcycles, motor bicycles or mopeds. A motorcycle, motor bicycle or moped may be equipped with and use a means of modulating the upper beam of the headlamp between a high and a lower brightness at a rate of 200 to 280 changes per minute. A headlamp may not be modulated during hours of darkness.
347.115 History
History: 1981 c. 52;
1983 a. 243.
347.12
347.12
Use of multiple-beam headlamps. 347.12(1)
(1) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway during hours of darkness, the operator shall use a distribution of light or composite beam directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or vehicle at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
347.12(1)(a)
(a) Whenever the operator of a vehicle equipped with multiple-beam headlamps approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the operator shall dim, depress or tilt the vehicle's headlights so that the glaring rays are not directed into the eyes of the operator of the other vehicle. This paragraph does not prohibit an operator from intermittently flashing the vehicle's high-beam headlamps at an oncoming vehicle whose high-beam headlamps are lit.
347.12(1)(b)
(b) Whenever the operator of a vehicle equipped with multiple-beam headlamps approaches or follows another vehicle within 500 feet to the rear, the operator shall dim, depress, or tilt the vehicle's headlights so that the glaring rays are not reflected into the eyes of the operator of the other vehicle. This paragraph does not prohibit an operator from intermittently flashing the vehicle's high-beam headlamps as provided under
par. (a).
347.12 Annotation
Sub. (1) (b) does not require proof that the headlights reflected into the eyes of another driver. The statute directs drivers operating within 500 feet to dim their headlights and concludes by describing the purpose of this requirement: to prevent the glaring rays from reflecting into another driver's eyes. An interpretation that would require an ordinary driver using high beams to know whether his or her headlights will impair another driver's vision is absurd. State v. Tomaszewski,
2010 WI App 51,
324 Wis. 2d 433,
782 N.W.2d 725,
09-0385.
347.13
347.13
Tail lamps and registration plate lamps. 347.13(1)
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, mobile home or trailer or semitrailer upon a highway during hours of darkness unless such motor vehicle, mobile home or trailer or semitrailer is equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear which, when lighted during hours of darkness, emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. No tail lamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the tail lamp is in use. No vehicle originally equipped at the time of manufacture and sale with 2 tail lamps shall be operated upon a highway during hours of darkness unless both such lamps are in good working order. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
347.13(2)
(2) Every tail lamp on a vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches.
347.13(3)
(3) No person shall operate on a highway during hours of darkness any motor vehicle upon the rear of which a registration plate is required to be displayed unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a lamp so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. Such lamp may be incorporated as part of a tail lamp or may be a separate lamp.
347.13(4)
(4) Tail lamps and registration plate lamps shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted. In a tractor-semitrailer combination, 2 switches may be employed, one to activate semitrailer lamps and one to activate tractor lamps.
347.13 History
History: 1973 c. 252;
1995 a. 346.
347.13 Annotation
A tail lamp is functioning for its intended use and thus in good working order when during hours of darkness it emits a red warning light that is visible to another vehicle traveling 500 feet behind it. Sub.(1) does not requires all light bulbs in a tail lamp to be lit. Although s. 347.06 (3) and administrative rules require tail lamps to be kept in "proper working condition," "proper" is not a synonym for "perfect." Rather it is more akin to "good" or "suitable." State v. Brown,
2014 WI 69, ___ Wis. 2d ___, ___ N.W.2d ___,
11-2907.
347.14(1)(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, lightweight utility vehicle as defined in
s. 346.94 (21) (a) 2., mobile home, or trailer or semitrailer upon a highway unless such motor vehicle, lightweight utility vehicle, mobile home, or trailer or semitrailer is equipped with at least one stop lamp mounted on the rear and meeting the specifications set forth in this section. The stop lamp on a mobile home or trailer or semitrailer shall be controlled and operated from the driver's seat of the propelling vehicle. A stop lamp may be incorporated with a tail lamp. No vehicle originally equipped at the time of manufacture and sale with 2 stop lamps shall be operated upon a highway unless both such lamps are in good working order.
347.14(2)
(2) A stop lamp shall be so constructed as to be actuated upon application of the service or foot brake or separate trailer brake and shall emit a red or amber light plainly visible and understandable from all distances up to 300 feet to the rear during normal sunlight when viewed from the driver's seat of the vehicle following.
347.14 History
History: 2009 a. 157.
347.145
347.145
Deceleration warning lights for motorcycles, motor bicycles, mopeds or motor buses. 347.145(1)
(1) A motorcycle, motor bicycle or moped may be equipped with and use a system in which an amber light which pulses in a controlled fashion at a rate which varies exponentially with deceleration is center mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
347.145(2)
(2) A motor bus may be equipped with amber lights that shine with a steady beam or that pulse during deceleration, braking, or standing and idling. The lights shall be mounted symmetrically with respect to the vertical center line of the motor bus in a horizontal alignment on the rear of the motor bus. The lights may be mounted no higher than the lower edge of the rear window, or no higher than 72 inches if the motor bus does not have a rear window.
347.145 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
Trans 305.43, Wis. adm. code.
347.15
347.15
Direction signal lamps or devices. 347.15(1)
(1) No person may sell any new motor vehicle, other than a moped or Type 1 motorcycle, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with direction signal lamps meeting the requirements of this section. No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle sold new after January 1, 1955, or any mobile home, or trailer or semitrailer sold new after January 1, 1968, other than a vehicle which is operated pursuant to
s. 341.47 (1) (b) or a moped or Type 1 motorcycle, unless such vehicle is equipped with direction signal lamps meeting the requirements of this section. Any other vehicle may be equipped with such lamps.
Subsection (3m) notwithstanding direction signals are not required on trailers when the rear direction signals on the towing vehicle are fully visible from all distances to the rear to 300 feet during normal sunlight when viewed from the driver's seat of the vehicle following.
347.15(2)
(2) Except as provided in
sub. (1), there shall be at least 2 direction signal lamps showing to the front on motor vehicles and at least 2 showing to the rear on motor vehicles, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, trailers and semitrailers, so as to indicate intention to turn right or left. Lamps showing to the front shall be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and lamps showing to the rear shall be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Such lamps shall project a flashing white or amber light visible to the front and a flashing red or amber light visible to the rear. Direction signal lamps when in use shall be plainly visible and understandable from all distances to 300 feet during normal sunlight. No direction signal lamp shall have any type of decorative covering that restricts the amount of light emitted when the direction signal lamp is in use. When actuated, such lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the lights showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made. This subsection does not apply to any type of decorative covering originally equipped on the vehicle at the time of manufacture and sale.
347.15(3)
(3) Vehicles equipped with direction signal lamps shall be equipped with a signal visible to the signaling driver when the signaling driver's signal lamps are operating.
347.15(3m)
(3m) Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in use on a highway shall be equipped with direction signals meeting the requirements of this section when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet.
