341.09(8)
(8) The department may issue a temporary operation plate to a person who is eligible for the issuance of a special plate for a motorcycle under s.
341.14 (1e) if the department determines that the person's disability is temporary. The plate shall contain the information specified in sub.
(1m) and comply with s.
341.13 (2m), if applicable. The plate shall otherwise be similar to or identical to plates issued under s.
341.14 (1e). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance of a plate under this subsection.
341.09(9)
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department shall issue a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit without charge for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less upon receipt of a complete application accompanied by the required fee for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s.
110.20 when required, if the department does not immediately issue the regular registration plates for the vehicle and the department determines that the applicant has not otherwise been issued a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit under this section.
341.09 History
History: 1975 c. 32,
351;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a), (e);
1977 c. 273;
1981 c. 150,
391;
1983 a. 27,
180;
1987 a. 100 s.
3;
1987 a. 369;
1989 a. 137,
304,
359;
1991 a. 39,
81,
189;
1993 a. 16,
165,
288;
1997 a. 27;
1999 a. 80;
2001 a. 109;
2005 a. 25;
2011 a. 260 s.
81;
2011 a. 262;
2015 a. 323;
2021 a. 239 s.
74.
341.09 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Trans 132, Wis. adm. code.
341.10
341.10
Grounds for refusing registration. The department shall refuse registration of a vehicle under any of the following circumstances:
341.10(1)
(1) The required state fee and any municipal vehicle registration fee imposed by the town, village or city in which the vehicle is customarily kept has not been paid for the specific vehicle, and the department may refuse registration of a vehicle if such fees for the current period or for any previous period for which payment of a registration fee is required by law have not been paid on any other vehicles owned by the applicant for registration.
341.10(2)
(2) The applicant has failed to furnish any of the following:
341.10(2)(b)
(b) Unless exempted by rule of the department, the mileage disclosure from the most recent titled owner and of all subsequent nontitled owners of the vehicle.
341.10(2)(c)
(c) Other information or documents required by law or by the department pursuant to authority of law.
341.10(3)
(3) A certificate of title is a prerequisite to registration of the vehicle and, except for an applicant who is the lessee of a vehicle, a valid certificate of title has not been issued to the applicant for the vehicle and the applicant is not entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title.
341.10(4)
(4) The applicant's registration has been suspended or revoked and such suspension or revocation still is in effect.
341.10(5)
(5) The vehicle is exempt from registration under this chapter and voluntary registration of the vehicle is not expressly authorized.
341.10(6)
(6) The vehicle was manufactured after 1969 and does not meet manufacturer or importer certification label requirements as specified in
49 CFR 567 or the vehicle is a Kei class vehicle. This subsection does not apply to former military vehicles, historic military vehicles, as defined in s.
341.269 (1) (a), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s.
341.269, or special interest vehicles, as defined in s.
341.266 (1) (c), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s.
341.266.
341.10(7)
(7) A court has notified the department under s.
345.47 (1) (d) that a judgment has been entered against the applicant and the judgment remains unpaid.
341.10(7m)
(7m) An authority has notified the department under s.
345.28 (4) that a citation for a nonmoving traffic violation has been issued against the applicant and the applicant has not paid the citation or appeared in court to respond to the citation or that the applicant has not paid towing and storage charges associated with a citation for a nonmoving traffic violation issued against the applicant.
341.10(7r)
(7r) A city has notified the department under s.
345.285 (2) (b) 1. that one or more citations for nonmoving traffic violations have been issued against the applicant and the applicant has not paid the citations or appeared in court to respond to the citations.
341.10(10)
(10) The vehicle requires inspection under s.
110.20 (6) and any of the following applies:
341.10(11)
(11) The applicant has failed to furnish proof of payment, in the form prescribed by the U.S. secretary of the treasury, that the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed by section
4481 of the internal revenue code has been paid.
341.10(12)
(12) The vehicle is required to be inspected under s.
110.063 (2) and any of the following applies:
341.10(12)(b)
(b) The most recent inspection of the vehicle indicates noncompliance with ss.
110.063 and
110.075, ch.
347 or rules promulgated under those sections or ch.
347.
341.10(14)
(14) The vehicle has a mobile air conditioner, as defined in s.
100.45 (1) (b), the distribution of which in this state would be prohibited under s.
100.45 (2).
341.10(15)
(15) The vehicle is required to be inspected under s.
110.05 and any of the following applies:
341.10(15)(b)
(b) The most recent inspection of the vehicle indicates noncompliance with ss.
110.05 and
110.075 or ch.
347 or rules promulgated under those sections or ch.
347.
341.10(16)
(16) The applicant has applied for registration under the international registration plan specified in s.
341.405 and, in the registration application, the applicant has identified as the motor carrier responsible for the safety of the motor vehicle to be registered a motor carrier for which the department has received notice that the motor carrier is subject to a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance. This subsection does not prohibit the applicant from registering the motor vehicle under any applicable provision of this chapter other than s.
341.405.
341.10(17)
(17) The applicant has applied for registration under the international registration plan specified in s.
341.405 and the motor vehicle for which application is made has been identified by the federal motor carrier safety administration as having been assigned for safety to a motor carrier whose business is operated, managed, or otherwise controlled or affiliated with a person that has been issued a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance. This subsection does not prohibit the applicant from registering the motor vehicle under any applicable provision of this chapter other than s.
341.405.
341.10 History
History: 1973 c. 131;
1975 c. 32;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a);
1979 c. 34;
1979 c. 274;
1981 c. 165;
1983 a. 27,
78,
103,
169,
330;
1987 a. 235;
1989 a. 56,
284;
1991 a. 39,
316;
1993 a. 159,
288;
1995 a. 227;
1997 a. 27,
237;
1999 a. 85;
2003 a. 201,
297;
2009 a. 135;
2011 a. 32,
235;
2013 a. 103,
151,
368.
341.11
341.11
Contents, issuance and display of certificate of registration; issuance of duplicate certificate. 341.11(1)(1)
Except as provided in sub.
(2) the department upon registering a vehicle shall issue and deliver to the owner a certificate of registration. The certificate shall contain the name, residence and address of the owner; a brief description of the vehicle, including its color; the registration number assigned; and the date of expiration of registration. The certificate shall be in such form and may contain such additional information as the department deems advisable. A certificate for a motorcycle or for a vehicle registered at a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds is not required to include the vehicle color in the description of the vehicle.
341.11(2)
(2) Whenever a certificate of registration is issued upon registration of a motor truck or truck tractor by a certificated or licensed carrier in accordance with s.
341.07, the certificate shall show that the vehicle is registered in the name of ...., owner, ...., lessee, and shall be delivered to the applicant.
341.11(3)
(3) The department shall issue a duplicate certificate of registration upon application therefor by any person in whose name the vehicle is registered and upon payment of a fee of $2.
341.11(4)
(4) In the case of a vehicle registered on the basis of gross weight for which special registration plates have been issued under s.
341.14 (2),
(6),
(6m) or
(6r) or for which personalized registration plates have been issued under s.
341.145, or any motor bus, motor home, dual purpose motor home, motor truck, truck tractor or road tractor, the certificate of registration shall be displayed in a prominent place in the driver's compartment of the vehicle to which the certificate refers. Any person who operates and any person in whose name the vehicle is registered who consents to the operation of any such vehicle without the certificate of registration being so displayed may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
341.12
341.12
Design, procurement and issuance of registration plates. 341.12(1)(1)
The department upon registering a vehicle pursuant to s.
341.25 or
341.30 shall issue and deliver prepaid to the applicant 2 registration plates for an automobile, motor truck, motor bus, school bus, motor home, or dual purpose motor home and one plate for other vehicles. The department upon registering a vehicle pursuant to any other section shall issue one plate unless the department determines that 2 plates will better serve the interests of law enforcement.
341.12(2)
(2) The department shall purchase plates from the Waupun Correctional Institution unless otherwise approved by the governor. Subject to any specific requirements which may be imposed by statute, the department shall determine the size, color and design of registration plates with a view toward making them visible evidence of the period for which the vehicle is registered and the fee class into which the vehicle falls as well as making them a ready means of identifying the specific vehicle or owner for which the plates were issued.
341.12(3)
(3) All registration plates shall have displayed upon them the following:
341.12(3)(a)
(a) The registration number assigned to the vehicle or owner. The registration number shall be composed of numbers or letters or both.
341.12(3)(b)
(b) The name “Wisconsin" or abbreviation “Wis".
341.12(3)(c)
(c) An indication of the period for which the specific plate is issued or the date of expiration of registration.
341.12(4)(a)(a) Subject to par.
(am), all registration plates issued under s.
341.25 (1) (a) and for motor trucks having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds shall be treated with a reflectorized material or substance. The department shall prescribe the term for the use of reflectorized plates.
341.12(4)(am)
(am) Beginning with registrations initially effective July 1, 2022, all registration plates issued by the department shall be constructed with aluminum plates tempered to a hardness and thickness of approximately 0.027 inches and prismatic sheeting with embedded security features. Registration plate sheeting shall be of a type successfully used by the manufacturer in multiple jurisdictions and shall have an initial minimum coefficient of reflectivity of 150 candelas per lux per square meter and an initial minimum luminance factor greater than 55.
341.12(4)(b)
(b) The department, in conjunction with the department of corrections and the department of administration, shall establish the specifications for the reflectorized material and invite bids for supplying reflectorized material. The department of administration shall establish a date for the opening of such bids and shall award the contract for supplying reflectorized material to the lowest responsible bidder. The specifications shall be drawn up for each base plate year.
341.13
341.13
Additional specifications for design of certain plates. 341.13(1)(1)
In addition to the matter specified in s.
341.12 (3), registration plates for automobiles registered pursuant to the registration system under s.
341.27, except automobiles registered under s.
341.14 (6r) or
341.145 (1) (c), shall comply with the following specifications:
341.13(1)(a)
(a) The words “America's Dairyland" shall be displayed across either the lower or upper portion of the plate at the discretion of the secretary.
341.13(1)(b)
(b) A 3-letter abbreviation for the month of registration and the year of registration shall be displayed in symbols.
341.13(2)
(2) In addition to the matter specified in s.
341.12 (3), the registration plates for a vehicle registered on the basis of gross weight except a dual purpose motor home or a motor home, motor truck, farm truck, or dual purpose farm truck registered under s.
341.14 (1),
(1a),
(1m),
(1q),
(2),
(6m), or
(6r) or
341.145 (1) (a),
(b),
(c),
(d), or
(e) or a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck registered under s.
341.14 (6) shall indicate the weight class into which the vehicle falls in a manner prescribed by the department. The gross weight which determines the registration fee for a dual purpose motor home or a motor home, motor truck, farm truck, or dual purpose farm truck registered under s.
341.14 (1),
(1a),
(1m),
(1q),
(2),
(6m), or
(6r) or
341.145 (1) (a),
(b),
(c),
(d), or
(e) or a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck registered under s.
341.14 (6) shall be shown on its certificate of registration.
341.13(2m)
(2m) A registration plate issued for a motorcycle shall have a white background and black lettering and shall be 4 inches by 7 inches in size.
341.13(2r)
(2r) In addition to the matter specified in s.
341.12 (3), the registration plates for a vehicle registered under s.
341.14 (6r) (f) 32. shall display the words “combat-wounded veteran." The department shall specify one combination of colors and design for a plate issued under s.
341.14 (6r) (f) 32., except that the department may not specify the colors or design unless the colors and design are approved in writing by the department of veterans affairs.
341.13(3)
(3) In lieu of issuing a new plate upon each renewal of registration of a vehicle, the department may issue one insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration per vehicle to indicate the period of registration. The tag, decal or other evidence of registration shall be provided by the department and used only if the outstanding plate is in suitable condition for further usage. A decal shall be displayed as provided in s.
341.15 (1m).
341.13(4)
(4) A specially designed vehicle which is authorized for operation under s.
343.135 (2) (a) 2. shall bear a tag, decal or other identification issued by the department to indicate that the vehicle may be subject to special equipment standards under s.
347.02 (6) and that the vehicle may be operated only by a person authorized to do so under s.
343.135 (2) (b).
341.135
341.135
Rebasing registration plates. 341.135(1)(1)
Design. At intervals determined by the department, the department shall establish new designs of registration plates to be issued under ss.
341.14 (1),
(1a),
(1m),
(1q),
(2),
(2m),
(6m), and
(6r),
341.25 (1) (a),
(c),
(h), and
(j) and
(2) (a),
(b), and
(c), and
341.26 (2) and
(3) (a) 1. and
(am). Any design for registration plates issued for automobiles and for vehicles registered on the basis of gross weight shall comply with the applicable design requirements of ss.
341.12 (3),
341.13, and
341.14 (6r) (c). The designs for registration plates specified in this subsection shall be as similar in appearance as practicable during each design interval. Except as provided in ss.
341.13 (2r) and
341.14 (1), each registration plate issued under s.
341.14 (1),
(1a),
(1m),
(1q),
(2),
(2m),
(6m), or
(6r),
341.25 (1) (a),
(c),
(h), or
(j) or
(2) (a),
(b), or
(c), or
341.26 (2) or
(3) (a) 1. or
(am) during each design interval shall be of the design established under this subsection. The department may not redesign registration plates for the special groups under s.
341.14 (6r) (f) 53.,
54., or
55. until July 1, 2010.
341.135(2)(a)(a) Notwithstanding s.
341.13 (3) and subject to par.
(b), beginning with registrations initially effective July 1, 2022, upon receipt of a completed application to renew the registration of a vehicle under s.
341.25 (1) (a) or
(c) or
(2) (a),
(b), or
(c) for which a registration plate has not been issued during the previous 10 years, the department shall issue and deliver prepaid to the applicant 2 new registration plates of the design established under sub.
(1).
341.135(2)(b)
(b) The department may issue new registration plates under par.
(a) in a time frame determined by the department, but the department shall complete the issuance of new registration plates under par.
(a) no later than July 1, 2032.
341.14
341.14
Application for and issuance of special plates. The department shall issue special plates as specified in this section under the following circumstances:
341.14(1)
(1) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the resident is, by reason of injuries sustained while in the active U.S. military service, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the veteran, plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be colored red, white, and blue and the department shall consult the department of veterans affairs before specifying the design of the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s.
346.50 (2). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.
341.14(1a)
(1a) If any resident of this state, who is registering or has registered an automobile, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a public health nurse certified or licensed to practice in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a podiatrist licensed to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state, or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying to the department that the resident is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the disabled person plates of a special design in lieu of plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a nonveteran disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s.
346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.
341.14(1e)(a)(a) If any resident of this state, who is registering or has registered a motorcycle, submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a public health nurse certified or licensed to practice in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a podiatrist licensed to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state, from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal, or from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the resident is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the disabled person a plate of a special design in lieu of the plate which ordinarily would be issued for the motorcycle, and shall renew the plate. The statement shall state whether the disability is permanent or temporary and, if temporary, the opinion of the physician, advanced practice nurse, public health nurse, physician assistant, podiatrist, chiropractor, practitioner, or U.S. department of veterans affairs as to the duration of the disability. The plate shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the motorcycle is owned by a disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s.
346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plate.
341.14(1m)
(1m) If any licensed driver submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from a public health nurse certified or licensed to practice in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a podiatrist licensed to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state, or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that another person who is regularly dependent on the licensed driver for transportation is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to the licensed driver plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the automobile or motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or motor home, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a licensed driver on whom a disabled person is regularly dependent and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s.
346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub.
(1a).
341.14(1q)
(1q) If any employer who provides an automobile, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, for an employee's use submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a public health nurse certified or licensed to practice in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a podiatrist licensed to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state, or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that the employee is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to such employer plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s.
346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub.
(1a).
341.14(2)
(2) Upon compliance with the laws relating to registration of automobiles and motor homes; motor trucks, dual purpose motor homes, and dual purpose farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds; and farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, including payment of the prescribed registration fees therefor plus an additional fee of $15 when registration plates are issued accompanied by an application showing satisfactory proof that the applicant is the holder of an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the federal communications commission, the department shall issue registration plates on which, in lieu of the usual registration number, shall be inscribed in large legible form the call letters of such applicant as assigned by the federal communications commission. The fee for reissuance of a plate under this subsection shall be $15.
341.14(2m)
(2m) Upon compliance with laws relating to registration of motor vehicles, including payment of the prescribed fee, and an additional fee of $15 when the original or new registration plates are issued and accompanied by an application showing satisfactory proof that the applicant has a collector's identification number as provided in s.
341.266 (2) (d), the department shall issue registration plates on which, in lieu of the usual registration number, shall be inscribed the collector's identification number issued under s.
341.266 (2) (d). The words “VEHICLE COLLECTOR" shall be inscribed across the lower or upper portion of the plate at the discretion of the department. Additional registrations under this subsection by the same collector shall bear the same collector's identification number followed by a suffix letter for vehicle identification. Registration plates issued under this subsection shall expire annually.
341.14(3)
(3) Upon request therefor by the state or a county or municipality or federally recognized Indian tribe or band which is registering a vehicle owned by it and to be used in law enforcement work, to be used by investigators for the office of the state public defender or to be used for operation under s.
20.916 (7), the department shall issue the same type of registration plate as it would issue for a privately owned vehicle of the same type in lieu of the type of plate it ordinarily would issue for a vehicle owned by the state or by a county or municipality or Indian tribe or band. This subsection does not affect the registration fee to be charged.
341.14(4)
(4) For antique motor vehicles as specified in s.
341.265. The special plate for an antique motorcycle under this subsection shall be the same size as the usual registration plate for a motorcycle that is not an antique motorcycle.
341.14(4r)
(4r) For reconstructed, replica, street modified, and homemade vehicles as specified in s.
341.268.
341.14(4u)
(4u) For historic military vehicles as specified in s.
341.269. The special plate for a historic military vehicle that is a motorcycle shall be the same size as the usual registration plate for a motorcycle that is not a historic military vehicle.
341.14(5)
(5) Upon application by any person awarded the congressional medal of honor and submission of proper proof thereof, the department shall issue special plates so designed as to indicate such award. No charge whatever shall be made for the issuance of such plates.
341.14(6)(a)(a) Upon application to register an automobile or a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck that has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds by any person who was a member of any of the U.S. armed services and who was held as a prisoner of war during a war period, as defined in s.
45.01 (13), or while in service in a crisis zone, as defined in s.
45.01 (11), and upon submission of a statement from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying that the person was a prisoner of war during a war period, as defined in s.
45.01 (13), or while in service in a crisis zone, as defined in s.
45.01 (11), the department shall issue to the person a special plate that is colored red, white, and blue and that has the words “ex-prisoner of war" placed on the plate in the manner designated by the department.
341.14(6)(c)
(c) A person who maintains no more than one registration under this subsection at one time shall not be charged a fee for registration of the vehicle or issuance of the plates.
341.14(6)(d)
(d) For each additional vehicle, a person who maintains more than one registration under this subsection at one time shall be charged a fee of $15 for issuance or reissuance of the plates in addition to the annual registration fee for the vehicle. Except as provided in par.
(c), a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck registered under this subsection shall be registered under this paragraph.
