Chapter 341

341.18(1) (1) A vehicle registered under s. 341.30 or 341.305 may not be operated on the highway without evidence of registration in the form required by the department displayed on or in the vehicle as required by the department, unless the vehicle has been authorized to operate under s. 341.19.

341.18(2) (2) If a person claims as a defense to a citation for failure to display evidence of registration that the person has made application for annual registration as provided in s. 341.04 (1) (bm) 2. and no such application was submitted to the department and the person is convicted of operating the vehicle without registration, the person shall be required to pay the full annual fee upon registration of the vehicle, notwithstanding the eligibility of the vehicle for registration under s. 341.30 or 341.305. The court or the department shall order the annual registration under s. 341.04 (3) (c).

341.18 History History: 1983 a. 469; 2021 a. 108.

341.185 341.185 Application for quarterly or consecutive monthly registration.

341.185(1) (1) Renewal application.

341.185(1)(a) (a) Application for renewal of quarterly or consecutive monthly registration shall be made to the department upon forms prescribed by the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. An applicant may obtain evidence of registration before the beginning of the registration period for which application is made by submitting for receipt by the department on or before the 15th day of the month preceding the registration period a complete application accompanied by the required fee.

341.185(1)(b) (b) If the applicant complies with par. (a) and does not receive evidence of registration before the beginning of the registration period, the applicant may, before the beginning of the registration period, utilize the telephone authorization procedure in s. 341.19 without charge.

341.185(1)(c) (c) If the application for renewal of a quarterly or consecutive monthly registration is submitted after the 15th day of the month preceding the beginning of the registration period, and evidence of registration is not received before the beginning of the registration period, the applicant may not operate the vehicle on a highway unless the applicant utilizes the telephone authorization procedure in s. 341.19.

341.185(2) (2) Original application. An applicant for original registration of a vehicle under the quarterly or consecutive monthly registration system may not operate the vehicle on a highway without evidence of registration as determined by the department or a permit under s. 341.09 (6) displayed in or on the vehicle, unless the applicant obtains authorization to operate the vehicle as provided in s. 341.19.

341.185 History History: 1983 a. 469; 1987 a. 369.

341.19 341.19 Telephone authorization for quarterly and consecutive monthly registration.

341.19(1) (1) The department shall establish a telephone call-in procedure to authorize the operation of vehicles under the quarterly registration system in s. 341.30 or consecutive monthly registration system in s. 341.305. In addition to the registration fee required under s. 341.30 or 341.305, for authorizing the operation of a vehicle under this section, a fee shall be paid to the department of the lesser of $10 per vehicle or the actual cost of the telephone authorization per vehicle as determined by the department.

341.19(2) (2) 

341.19(2)(a) (a) The department may require that cancellation of telephone authorization be made by telephone.

341.19(2)(c) (c) Telephone authorization to operate a vehicle may be canceled by the applicant within 36 hours after making the request for telephone authorization, and the applicant shall not be required to pay the registration fee. The applicant shall pay to the department the authorization fee under sub. (1) and may be charged a cancellation fee established by the department.

341.19(3) (3) The department may refuse telephone authorization to an applicant who does not comply with this section or whose registration has been suspended under s. 341.195.

341.19(4) (4) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

341.19 History History: 1983 a. 469; 1999 a. 9; 2013 a. 363.

341.19 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 133, Wis. adm. code.

341.195 341.195 Suspension for failure to pay fees for telephone authorization. The department may suspend any or all registrations of a person who obtains authorization to operate under s. 341.19 and fails to pay the required authorization and registration fees within the time period established by the department under s. 341.19. A registration suspended under this section shall remain suspended until the fees required in s. 341.19 are paid.

341.195 History History: 1983 a. 469.

341.195 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 132, Wis. adm. code.

341.20 341.20 Alternative vehicle registration and title pilot projects. The department may conduct one or more pilot projects to test and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative methods of processing and distributing vehicle registration renewals under this chapter or certificates of title under ch. 342. In implementing any pilot project under this section, the department may exempt certain persons from one or more of the mandatory requirements of this chapter or ch. 342 to establish a test group in order to compare this group with a group of persons not exempted from any of the mandatory requirements of this chapter or ch. 342. The department may contract for services relating to pilot projects under this section. The department shall submit an evaluation of any pilot project implemented under this section to the secretary who shall include them in the report required under s. 15.04 (1) (d).

341.20 History History: 1993 a. 16.

341.21 341.21 Registration and title transactions by contractors.

341.21(1m) (1m) In this section, “contractor” means a person who has contracted with the department to provide services under this section.

341.21(2) (2) The department may contract with any person for services relating to the processing or distribution of original or renewal registrations under this chapter or certificates of title under ch. 342. The department may not compensate a contractor for services provided under this section. A contract under this section shall contain the following provisions:

341.21(2)(a) (a) The amount of fees, if any, that the contractor may charge a person for services relating to the processing or distribution of an original or renewal registration or a certificate of title.

341.21(2)(b) (b) Within 7 business days after the completion of an application, the contractor shall process the application and submit any required fees and other documentation to the department.

341.21(2)(c) (c) The contractor shall retain all records related to an application for original or renewal registration or a certificate of title for at least 5 years.

341.21(2)(d) (d) The department or its representative may, without any prior notice, conduct random inspections and audits of the contractor.

341.21 History History: 1995 a. 113.

341.21 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 156, Wis. adm. code.

subch. II of ch. 341 SUBCHAPTER II

PROVISIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION FEES

341.25 341.25 Annual and biennial registration fees.

341.25(1) (1) Unless a different fee is prescribed for a particular vehicle by par. (b) or ss. 341.26 to 341.268, the following registration fees shall be paid to the department for the annual registration of each motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer or semitrailer not exempted by s. 341.05 from registration in this state:

341.25(1)(a) (a) For each automobile, a fee of $85, except that an automobile registered in this state prior to September 1, 1947, at a fee of less than $18 shall be registered at such lesser fee plus an additional fee of $2.

341.25(1)(b) (b) For each motorcycle or moped with a curb weight of 1,499 pounds or less, except a specially designed vehicle under s. 341.067, which is designed for the transportation of persons rather than property, and for each low-speed vehicle, a biennial fee of $23.

341.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 145, Wis. adm. code.

341.25(1)(bg) (bg) For each autocycle, a fee of $45.

341.25(1)(bn) (bn) For each specially designed vehicle under s. 341.067, a fee of $5.

341.25(1)(c) (c) For each motor truck or dual purpose motor home, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. Maximum gross weight shall be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the vehicle when equipped to carry a load as a motor truck and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the vehicle when used as a motor truck.

341.25(1)(cm) (cm) For each motor truck used in combination with a semitrailer which converts to a trailer, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum combined gross weight of the motor truck and any semitrailer which the applicant proposes to combine with the motor truck. The maximum combined gross weight shall in every case be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the combination of vehicles when equipped to carry a load and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the combinations of vehicles.

341.25(1)(d) (d) For each road tractor, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle.

341.25(1)(e) (e) For each truck tractor, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum combined gross weight of such truck tractor and any trailer and semitrailer which the applicant proposes to combine with such truck tractor. The maximum combined gross weight shall in every case be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the combination of vehicles when equipped to carry a load and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the combinations of vehicles.

341.25(1)(g) (g) For each trailer or semitrailer designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of par. (gd), (ge), or (gf) or s. 341.264, a fee which is equal to the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck.

341.25(1)(gd) (gd) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and used for hire or rental, a fee which is one-half of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck. A trailer under this paragraph which is part of a fleet of 100 or more trailers used for hire or rental may be registered under s. 341.308.

341.25(1)(ge) (ge) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds but not more than 12,000 pounds designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of s. 341.264, a fee which is one-half of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck. A trailer under this paragraph having a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less and used for hire or rental and which is part of a fleet of 100 or more trailers used for hire or rental may be registered under s. 341.308.

341.25(1)(gf) (gf) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of more than 12,000 pounds but not more than 14,000 pounds designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of s. 341.264, a fee that is the average of the fees prescribed under sub. (2) (d) and (e). The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck.

341.25(1)(gm) (gm)

341.25(1)(gm)1. 1. Each trailer or temporary undercarriage towed by a motor vehicle registered pursuant to sub. (2) and used solely for transporting a modular housing unit or other portable building used or intended to be used for human occupancy may be operated on the highways of this state without such trailer or temporary undercarriage being registered if it has displayed upon it a valid registration plate issued under this section.

341.25(1)(gm)2. 2. Any person may apply to the department for registration as a transporter under this paragraph on such form as the department provides. If the department determines that the person is entitled to be registered, the department shall register the person upon payment of the same fee as prescribed in par. (g), based on the maximum combined gross weight of the building and trailer or temporary undercarriage upon which the plate is displayed. The registration and plate are valid only during the calendar year in which they were issued and shall be subject to s. 341.30 (1) (c). Such plate may be used on any trailer or temporary undercarriage owned by the same person and used solely for transporting a modular housing unit or other portable building as referred to above and the return of empty trailers or temporary undercarriages.

341.25(1)(h) (h) For each motor bus a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. The maximum gross weight shall be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the vehicle when equipped ready to carry passengers and the total passenger weight capacity in pounds. The total passenger weight capacity in pounds shall be determined by dividing by 20 the total length in inches of seating space in or on the vehicle, including the driver’s seat, and multiplying this result by 150.

341.25(1)(i) (i) For each recreational vehicle, a fee of $15.

341.25(1)(j) (j) For each motor home, including any vehicle which is converted to be used as a motor home, an annual fee based on gross weight, as follows:

Gross weight in pounds   Annual fee

341.25(1)(j)1. 1. Not more than 5,000   $ 48.50

341.25(1)(j)2. 2. Not more than 8,000   55.00

341.25(1)(j)3. 3. Not more than 12,000   67.50

341.25(1)(j)4. 4. Not more than 16,000   80.50

341.25(1)(j)5. 5. Not more than 20,000   93.50

341.25(1)(j)6. 6. Not more than 26,000   106.50

341.25(1)(j)7. 7. More than 26,000   119.50

341.25(1)(k) (k) For each human service vehicle, a fee equal to the fee for an automobile under par. (a).

341.25(1)(L) (L)

341.25(1)(L)1. 1. In this paragraph:

341.25(1)(L)1.a. a. “Alternative fuel” means a gas, liquid, or other fuel that, with or without adjustment or manipulation such as adjustment or manipulation of pressure or temperature, is capable of being used for the generation of power to propel a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, hydrogen compressed natural gas, or hythane. Alternative fuel does not include motor fuel, electricity, leaded racing fuel, or an excluded liquid, as defined in 26 CFR 48.4081-1.

341.25(1)(L)1.b. b. “Hybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is capable of using both electricity and gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

341.25(1)(L)1.c. c. “Nonhybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is propelled solely by electrical energy and that is not capable of using gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

341.25(1)(L)2. 2. If a motor truck or automobile is a hybrid electric vehicle, in addition to the fee under par. (a) or (c), a surcharge of $75 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each automobile and for each motor truck registered under par. (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds.

341.25(1)(L)3. 3. If a motor truck or automobile is a nonhybrid electric vehicle, in addition to the fee under par. (a) or (c), a surcharge of $100 and an additional $75 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each automobile and for each motor truck registered under par. (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds.

341.25(2) (2) The following schedule shall be used in determining fees based on gross weight, provided that a surcharge of $18 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each truck tractor:

Maximum gross weight in pounds   Annual fee

341.25(2)(a) (a) Not more than 4,500   $  100.00

341.25(2)(b) (b) Not more than 6,000   100.00

341.25(2)(c) (c) Not more than 8,000   106.00

341.25(2)(cm) (cm) Not more than 10,000   155.00

341.25(2)(d) (d) Not more than 12,000   209.00

341.25(2)(e) (e) Not more than 16,000   283.00

341.25(2)(f) (f) Not more than 20,000   356.00

341.25(2)(g) (g) Not more than 26,000   475.00

341.25(2)(h) (h) Not more than 32,000   609.00

341.25(2)(i) (i) Not more than 38,000   772.00

341.25(2)(j) (j) Not more than 44,000   921.00

341.25(2)(k) (k) Not more than 50,000   1,063.00

341.25(2)(km) (km) Not more than 54,000   1,135.00

341.25(2)(L) (L) Not more than 56,000   1,209.00

341.25(2)(m) (m) Not more than 62,000   1,367.00