Chapter 218

218.23(1r) (1r) No licensed motor vehicle salvage dealer may acquire a motor vehicle for the purpose of wrecking or junking the motor vehicle if the certificate of title for the motor vehicle identifies a holder of a security interest in the motor vehicle, unless the dealer, when obtaining the certificate of title for the vehicle, pays the outstanding amount of the obligation represented by the security interest in full to the holder of the security interest.

218.23(2) (2) Every licensed motor vehicle salvage dealer shall maintain a record of every vehicle which is bought or otherwise acquired and wrecked by the salvage dealer, which record shall state the name and address of the person from whom such vehicle was acquired and the date thereof. The record shall be in the form prescribed by the department.

218.23(3) (3) 

218.23(3)(a) (a) Any person violating sub. (1) or (2) may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 60 days or both.

218.23(3)(b) (b) Any person knowingly violating sub. (1d), (1g), or (1r) may be fined not more than $250 for a first offense, not more than $750 for a 2nd offense, and not more than $1,500 for a 3rd or subsequent offense. Each day on which a licensed motor vehicle salvage dealer knowingly violates sub. (1g) or (1r) constitutes a separate offense.

218.23 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1975 c. 288; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 170.

218.23 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 136.03, Wis. adm. code.

218.24 218.24 Salvage dealer license number displayed on trucks and truck-tractors.

218.24(1) (1) Each motor vehicle salvage dealer licensed under this subchapter shall prominently display his or her salvage dealer license number on both sides of each truck or truck-tractor owned by such dealer and operated for hauling, towing or pushing salvage vehicles.

218.24(2) (2) The letters “DMV SAL” shall be placed directly ahead of the assigned license certificate number.

218.24(3) (3) The markings required by this section shall be not less than 2 inches in height and not less than one-fourth inch brush stroke, and in sharp color contrast to the background on which it is applied. Such identification shall be maintained in such manner as to remain legible while the vehicle is in operation.

218.24(4) (4) Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 60 days or both.

218.24 History History: 1975 c. 288.

218.25 218.25 Rules. The department shall make rules under ch. 227 and establish the standards necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter and to provide for the orderly operation of motor vehicle salvage sites.

218.25 History History: 1975 c. 288; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a).

218.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 136, Wis. adm. code.

subch. VIII of ch. 218 SUBCHAPTER VIII

MOTOR VEHICLE AUCTION DEALERS

Subch. VIII of ch. 218 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 138, Wis. adm. code.

218.30 218.30 Definitions. In this subchapter:

218.30(1) (1) “Department” means the department of transportation.

218.30(2) (2) “License period” means the period during which a license issued under s. 218.32 is effective, as established by the department under s. 218.32 (2) (b) 1.

218.30 History History: 1989 a. 31.

218.305 218.305 Motor vehicle auction dealers to be licensed. No person shall carry on or conduct the business of auctioning motor vehicles at wholesale unless licensed to do so by the department. Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 60 days, or both.

218.305 History History: 1971 c. 40; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1989 a. 31 s. 2487dp; Stats. 1989 s. 218.305.

218.31 218.31 Application for auction dealer’s license.

218.31(1) (1) Application for a motor vehicle auction dealer’s license shall be made upon the form prescribed by the department and, except as provided in sub. (1f), shall contain:

218.31(1)(a) (a) The name and address of the applicant.

218.31(1)(ag) (ag) When the applicant is an individual, the social security number of the individual.

218.31(1)(am) (am) When the applicant is a person who is not an individual, the person’s federal employer identification number.

218.31(1)(b) (b) When the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner.

218.31(1)(bL) (bL) When the applicant is a limited liability company, the name and address of each member.

218.31(1)(c) (c) When the applicant is a corporation, the names of the principal officers of the corporation and the name of the state in which incorporated.

218.31(1)(d) (d) The place or places where the business is to be conducted and the nature of the business.

218.31(1)(e) (e) Such other pertinent information as may be required by the department for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the applicant to be licensed.

218.31(1f) (1f) 

218.31(1f)(a) (a) If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant, as a condition of applying for or applying to renew a motor vehicle auction dealer’s license, shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families.

218.31(1f)(b) (b) Any motor vehicle auction dealer’s license issued or renewed in reliance upon a false statement submitted by an applicant under par. (a) is invalid.

218.31(1m) (1m) 

218.31(1m)(a) (a) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license if any information required under sub. (1) (ag) or (am) is not included in the application.

218.31(1m)(b) (b) The department of transportation may not disclose any information received under sub. (1) (ag) or (am) to any person except to the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22, the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, and the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

218.31(2) (2) Every application shall be executed by the applicant, if an individual, or in the event the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, by a partner, member or officer thereof. Every such application shall be accompanied by the fee required by law.

218.31 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1993 a. 112; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1999 a. 9, 32; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 36.

218.32 218.32 When department to license auction dealer.

218.32(1) (1) The department shall issue a license certificate to the applicant for a motor vehicle auction dealer’s license upon receipt of a properly completed application form accompanied by the fee required under sub. (2) (c) or (d) and upon being satisfied that the applicant is of good character and that, so far as can be ascertained, the applicant has complied with and will comply with the laws of this state with reference to ss. 218.305 to 218.33.

218.32(2) (2) 

218.32(2)(a) (a) A motor vehicle auction dealer’s license entitles the licensee to carry on and conduct the business of a motor vehicle auction dealer during the license period.

218.32(2)(b) (b)

218.32(2)(b)1. 1. The department shall promulgate rules establishing a license period.

218.32(2)(b)2. 2. The department may promulgate rules establishing a uniform expiration date for all licenses issued under this section.

218.32(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in par. (d), the fee for a license issued under this section equals $50 multiplied by the number of years in the license period. The fee shall be prorated if the license period is not evenly divisible into years.

218.32(2)(d) (d) If the department issues a license under this section during the license period, the fee for the license shall equal $50 multiplied by the number of calendar years, including parts of calendar years, during which the license remains in effect. A fee determined under this paragraph may not exceed the license fee for the entire license period under par. (c).

218.32(3) (3) The department may deny, suspend or revoke a license on the following grounds:

218.32(3)(a) (a) Proof of unfitness.

218.32(3)(b) (b) Material misstatement in application for license.

218.32(3)(c) (c) Filing a materially false or fraudulent income or franchise tax return as certified by the department of revenue.

218.32(3)(d) (d) Willful failure to comply with any provision of this section or any rule promulgated by the department under this section.

218.32(3)(e) (e) Willfully defrauding any buyer to the buyer’s damage.

218.32(3)(f) (f) Willful failure to perform any written agreement with any buyer.

218.32(3)(g) (g) Failure or refusal to furnish and keep in force any bond required.

218.32(3)(h) (h) Having made a fraudulent sale, transaction or repossession.

218.32(3)(i) (i) Fraudulent misrepresentation, circumvention or concealment through whatsoever subterfuge or device of any of the material particulars or the nature thereof required hereunder to be stated or furnished to the buyer.

218.32(3)(k) (k) Having indulged in any unconscionable practice relating to said business.

218.32(3)(L) (L) Having charged interest in excess of 15 percent per year.

218.32(3)(n) (n) Having violated any law relating to the sale, distribution or financing of motor vehicles.

218.32(3)(o) (o) Failure to comply with ss. 218.305 to 218.33.

218.32(3m) (3m) 

218.32(3m)(a) (a) The department shall deny, restrict, limit or suspend a license if the applicant or licensee is an individual who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, or who fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857.

218.32(3m)(b) (b) The department of transportation shall suspend or revoke a license if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. A licensee whose license is suspended or revoked under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.

218.32(3m)(c) (c) The department of transportation shall suspend or revoke a license if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. A licensee whose license is suspended or revoked under this paragraph for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.

218.32(4) (4) 

218.32(4)(a) (a) The licensor may without notice deny the application for a license within 60 days after receipt thereof by written notice to the applicant, stating the grounds for such denial. Within 30 days after such notice, the applicant may petition the division of hearings and appeals to conduct a hearing to review the denial, and a hearing shall be scheduled with reasonable promptness. This paragraph does not apply to denials of applications for licenses under sub. (3m).

218.32(4)(b) (b) No license shall be suspended or revoked except after a hearing thereon. The licensor shall give the licensee at least 5 days’ notice of the time and place of such hearing. The order suspending or revoking such license shall not be effective until after 10 days’ written notice thereof to the licensee, after such hearing has been had; except that the licensor, when in its opinion the best interest of the public or the trade demands it, may suspend a license upon not less than 24 hours’ notice of hearing and with not less than 24 hours’ notice of the suspension of the license. Matters involving suspensions and revocations brought before the department shall be heard and decided upon by the division of hearings and appeals. This paragraph does not apply to licenses that are suspended or revoked under sub. (3m).

218.32(4)(c) (c) The licensor may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters and contracts of a licensee. The actual cost of each such examination shall be paid by such licensee so examined within 30 days after demand therefor by the licensor, and the licensor may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs in any court of competent jurisdiction.

218.32 History History: 1977 c. 29 ss. 1375, 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1977 c. 273; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (13); 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (2); 1983 a. 192; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1999 a. 141; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 177; 2013 a. 36.

218.32 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 138, Wis. adm. code.

218.33 218.33 Motor vehicle auction dealer to be bonded; conduct of auction business.

218.33(1) (1) Each licensee under s. 218.32 shall furnish and maintain a corporate surety bond in the amount of $25,000 in such form as the department approves, conditioned upon the licensee’s complying with the laws applicable to the licensee and as indemnity for any loss sustained by any person by reason of acts of the licensee constituting grounds for refusal or revocation of the auction dealer’s license. The bond shall run to the state of Wisconsin for the benefit of aggrieved parties, but the aggregate liability of the surety for all such parties shall not exceed the amount of said bond.

218.33(2) (2) The following rules shall govern the conduct of motor vehicle auction sales:

218.33(2)(a) (a) Sales of motor vehicles shall be confined to those offered by licensed motor vehicle dealers and shall be made only to a person who is qualified under s. 218.34 to purchase, or submit a bid for the purchase of, a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle auction.

218.33(2)(b) (b) For each motor vehicle offered for sale by a motor vehicle dealer, the transferring dealer shall provide the motor vehicle auction dealer with clear title or shall furnish title insurance at the time of the sale. For each motor vehicle sold at an auction, the motor vehicle auction dealer shall enter on the certificate of title, or on the form or in the automated format used to reassign the title, any information that the department requires to indicate that ownership of the vehicle was transferred through an auction sale.

218.33(2)(c) (c) Payment for motor vehicles bought and sold shall be made immediately after sale.

218.33(2m) (2m) Section 342.157 applies to motor vehicle auction sales under this section.

218.33(3) (3) Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 60 days, or both.

218.33 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 1993 a. 159; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 216.

218.34 218.34 Purchases from a motor vehicle auction.

218.34(1) (1) No person may purchase or submit a bid for the purchase of a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle auction unless the following conditions are satisfied:

218.34(1)(a) (a) The person holds a valid motor vehicle dealer, motor vehicle wholesaler, or motor vehicle buyer license.

218.34(1)(b) (b) If licensed as a motor vehicle buyer, the person bids on a vehicle for only one motor vehicle dealer at a time, and uses that dealer’s funds when purchasing the vehicle.