342.156(6)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000. 342.156(6)(b)(b) Any person who violates this section with intent to defraud is guilty of a Class H felony. 342.157342.157 Motor vehicle salvage pools and auction companies to maintain records. For each motor vehicle sold by a motor vehicle salvage pool or auction company, the motor vehicle salvage pool or auction company shall establish and maintain a record of each sale, including the mileage disclosure of the transferor under s. 342.155. The department shall specify by rule the information that shall be included in such records and the manner in which and the period of time for which the records shall be maintained. 342.157 HistoryHistory: 1993 a. 159. 342.16342.16 Transfer to or from dealer. 342.16(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (c), if a dealer acquires a new or used vehicle that is not a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale, or acquires a salvage vehicle that is currently titled as a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale or accepts a vehicle for sale on consignment, the dealer may not submit to the department the certificate of title or application for certificate of title naming the dealer as owner of the vehicle. Upon transferring the vehicle to another person, the dealer shall immediately give the transferee on a form prescribed by the department a receipt for all title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys paid to the dealer for transmittal to the department when required. The dealer shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title, showing the name and address of the transferee and of any secured party holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale or sale on consignment, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the department prescribes. Within 7 business days following the sale or transfer, the dealer shall process the application for certificate of title, and within the next business day after processing the application, the dealer shall mail or deliver the original application for certificate and all associated materials required by the department to the department. A nonresident who purchases a motor vehicle from a dealer in this state may not, unless otherwise authorized by rule of the department, apply for a certificate of title issued for the vehicle in this state unless the dealer determines that a title is necessary to protect the interests of a secured party. The dealer is responsible for determining whether a title and perfection of security interest is required. The dealer is liable for any damages incurred by the department or any secured party for the dealer’s failure to perfect a security interest which the dealer had knowledge of at the time of sale. 342.16(1)(am)1.1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a motor vehicle dealer, as defined in s. 218.0101 (23), who processes an application for transfer of title and registration as provided in par. (a) shall utilize an electronic process prescribed by the department under this paragraph or provided for under ss. 341.20 and 341.21. 342.16(1)(am)2.2. The department may, by rule, exempt a motor vehicle dealer from the requirements of this paragraph. A motor vehicle dealer who is exempted shall pay a fee to the department to process applications for transfer of title and registration that are submitted to the department by the exempted dealer. 342.16(1)(am)3.3. The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this paragraph. 342.16 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also ch. Trans 141, Wis. adm. code. 342.16(1)(b)(b) A dealer who assists a transferee in the registration of a vehicle as provided in par. (a) and s. 341.25 (3) shall not be liable for damages caused by operation of the vehicle at a weight in excess of the manufacturer’s maximum gross weight rating. 342.16(1)(c)(c) Except when all available spaces for a dealer’s or wholesaler’s reassignment on a certificate of title have been completed or as otherwise authorized by rules of the department, a dealer or wholesaler who acquires a new or used vehicle that is not a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale, or acquires a salvage vehicle that is currently titled as a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale or accepts a vehicle for sale on consignment may not apply for a certificate of title naming the dealer or wholesaler as owner of the vehicle. The rules may regulate the frequency of application by a dealer or wholesaler for transfer of registration or credits for registration from a previously registered vehicle to another vehicle that the dealer or wholesaler intends to register in his or her own name. 342.16(1)(d)(d) Unless exempted by rule of the department, a dealer or wholesaler who acquires a new or used vehicle that is not a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale or acquires a salvage vehicle currently titled as a salvage vehicle and holds it for resale shall make application for a certificate of title naming the dealer or wholesaler as owner of the vehicle when all of the available spaces for a dealer’s or wholesaler’s reassignment on the certificate of title for such vehicle have been completed. 342.16(1g)(1g) No transferee who, for the purpose of resale, accepts a motor vehicle on consignment or acquires ownership of a motor vehicle may accept any mileage disclosure required under s. 342.155 or rules of the department if the mileage disclosure has been altered or is incomplete. 342.16(1r)(1r) No motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle salesperson may transfer a motor vehicle without disclosing in writing to the transferee whether any of the information specified in s. 342.10 (3) is applicable to the vehicle. No motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle salesperson may knowingly give a false statement to a transferee in making the disclosure. The department shall prescribe the manner in which the written disclosure shall be made and retained. 342.16(2)(2) Every dealer shall maintain for 5 years a record in the form the department prescribes of every vehicle bought, sold or exchanged, or received for sale or exchange, which shall be open to inspection by a representative of the department or a peace officer during reasonable business hours. 342.16(3)(3) Except as provided in sub. (4), any dealer who fails to comply with this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200. 342.16(4)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), any dealer who violates sub. (1r) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000. 342.16(4)(b)(b) Any dealer who violates sub. (1r) with intent to defraud may be fined not more than $5,000. 342.16 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 218; 1975 c. 121, 286, 351, 421; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273, 418; 1981 c. 150, 151, 391; 1985 a. 29, 202, 332; 1987 a. 100, 349; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 239; 1993 a. 63, 159; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 25; 2009 a. 180. 342.17342.17 Involuntary transfers. 342.17(1)(1) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in sub. (2), promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, if available, and the documents required by the department to legally effect such transfer, and an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes. 342.17(2)(2) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security agreement by a secured party named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes, and a statement made by or on behalf of the secured party that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement. 342.17(3)(3) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the department upon request of the department. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the department does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the department in issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or secured party named in the old certificate. 342.17(4)(a)(a) In all cases of the transfer of a vehicle owned by a decedent, except under par. (b), ward, trustee or bankrupt, the department shall accept as sufficient evidence of the transfer of ownership the following: 342.17(4)(a)1.1. Evidence satisfactory to the department of the appointment of a trustee in bankruptcy, of a certification of trust under s. 701.1013 or the appointment of a testamentary trustee, or of the issuance of domiciliary letters or other letters authorizing the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianship, conservatorship, special administration, or trust; 342.17(4)(a)2.2. The title executed by the personal representative, guardian, or trustee; and 342.17(4)(a)3.3. The evidence concerning payment of sales or use taxes required by s. 77.61 (1) or evidence that the transfer is exempt from such taxes. 342.17(4)(b)1.1. The department shall transfer the decedent’s interest in any vehicle to his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner under ch. 770 upon receipt of the title executed by the surviving spouse or domestic partner and a statement by the spouse or domestic partner which shall state: 342.17(4)(b)1.c.c. That the spouse or domestic partner is personally liable for the decedent’s debts and charges to the extent of the value of the vehicle, subject to s. 859.25. 342.17(4)(b)2.2. The transfer shall not affect any liens upon the vehicle. 342.17(4)(b)3.3. Except as provided in subd. 4., this paragraph is limited to no more than 5 vehicles titled in this state that are less than 20 years old at the time of the transfer under this paragraph. There is no limit on transfer under this paragraph of vehicles titled in this state that are 20 or more years old at the time of transfer under this paragraph. 342.17(4)(b)4.4. The limit in subd. 3. does not apply if the surviving spouse or domestic partner is proceeding under s. 867.03 (1g) and the total value of the decedent’s property subject to administration in the state, including the vehicles transferred under this paragraph, does not exceed $50,000. 342.17(4)(c)(c) Upon compliance with this subsection neither the secretary nor the department shall bear any liability or responsibility for the transfer of such vehicles in accordance with this section. 342.18342.18 When department to issue a new certificate. 342.18(1)(1) The department, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other transfer documents required by law, to support the transfer, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. 342.18(2)(2) The department, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the transfer constituted a termination of the owner’s interest or a sale under a security agreement by a secured party named in the certificate, under s. 342.17 (2), the new certificate shall be issued free of the names and addresses of the secured party who terminated the owner’s interest and of all secured parties subordinate under s. 342.19 to such secured party. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to it, the department shall make demand therefor from the holder of such certificate. 342.18(3)(3) The department shall retain for 5 years a record of every surrendered certificate of title, the record to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the vehicle designated therein. 342.18(4)(4) Under each of the following circumstances only, the department shall issue a certificate of title for a transferred vehicle without requiring registration of the vehicle: 342.18(4)(a)(a) Whenever application therefor accompanied by the required fee is made by a finance company licensed under ss. 138.09 or 218.0101 to 218.0163, a bank organized under the laws of this state, or a national bank located in this state, and the vehicle in question is a used vehicle for which the department had issued a certificate of title to the previous owner or a vehicle previously registered in another jurisdiction or is a recreational vehicle. 342.18(4)(b)(b) Whenever application therefor accompanied by the required fee is made by any other person and the vehicle in question is a vehicle for which the department had issued a certificate of title to the previous owner or is a vehicle previously registered in another jurisdiction or is a recreational vehicle and the department is satisfied that the present owner has not operated or consented to the operation of the vehicle since it was transferred to that owner and that he or she understands that the certificate of title merely is evidence of ownership of the vehicle and does not authorize operation of the vehicle on the highways of this state. 342.18(4)(c)(c) Whenever application therefor accompanied by the required fee is made by a dealer or wholesaler to comply with the requirements of s. 342.16 (1) (d). 342.19342.19 Perfection of security interests. 342.19(1)(1) Unless excepted by s. 342.02, a security interest in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required is not valid against creditors of the owner or subsequent transferees or secured parties of the vehicle unless perfected as provided in this chapter. 342.19(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in sub. (2m), a security interest is perfected in one of the following ways: 342.19(2)(a)1.1. If the secured party is an individual or a person exempted by rule under s. 342.245 (3), by the delivery to the department of the existing certificate of title, if any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the secured party, and the required fee. 342.19(2)(a)2.2. Except as provided in s. 342.245 (3), if the secured party is not an individual, by the filing of a security interest statement containing the name and address of the secured party, and payment of the required fee, in the manner specified in s. 342.245 (1). 342.19(2)(b)(b) A security interest is perfected as of the later of the following: 342.19(2)(b)1.1. The time of delivery to the department of the certificate of title if perfection occurs under par. (a) 1. or of the application if perfection occurs under par. (a) 2. 342.19(2m)(2m) If a secured party whose name and address is contained on the certificate of title for a vehicle acquires a new or additional security interest in the vehicle, such security interest is perfected at the time of its attachment under s. 409.203. 342.19(3)(3) An unperfected security interest is subordinate to the rights of persons described in ss. 409.317 and 409.323. 342.19(4)(4) The rules of priority stated in s. 409.322, the other sections therein referred to, and subch. III of ch. 409 shall, to the extent appropriate, apply to conflicting security interests in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required. A security interest perfected under this section is a security interest perfected otherwise than by filing for purposes of subch. III of ch. 409. 342.19(5)(5) The rules stated in subch. VI of ch. 409 governing the rights and duties of secured parties and debtors and the requirements for, and effect of, disposition of a vehicle by a secured party, upon default shall, to the extent appropriate, govern the rights of secured parties and owners with respect to security interests in vehicles perfected under this chapter. 342.19(6)(6) If a vehicle is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, s. 409.316 states the rules which apply to determine the validity and perfection of the security interest in this state. 342.19 AnnotationThis chapter, not ch. 409, governs the perfection of security interests in motor vehicles, but the creation of security interests is governed by ch. 409. Milwaukee Mack Sales, Inc. v. First Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee, 93 Wis. 2d 589, 287 N.W.2d 708 (1980). 342.19 AnnotationRegistration of goods under commercial law is conceptually distinct from registration of vehicles under vehicle registration laws. For a security interest perfected in another state to become unperfected, the requirement of “registration” in s. 409.103 (2) (b) requires both registration and issuance of a certificate of title. Dubis v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 2000 WI App 209, 238 Wis. 2d 608, 618 N.W.2d 266, 99-2638. 342.195342.195 Notification of person who has perfected security interest. Upon request of a person who has perfected a security interest under s. 342.19, as shown by the records of the department, in a vehicle titled in this state, whenever the department receives information from another state that the vehicle is being titled in the other state and the information does not show that the security interest has been satisfied, the department shall notify the person. The person shall pay the department a $2 fee for each notification. 342.195 HistoryHistory: 1983 a. 155; 1985 a. 202. 342.20342.20 Duties on creation of security interest. If an owner creates a security interest in a vehicle, unless the name and address of the secured party already is contained on the certificate of title for the vehicle: 342.20(1)(1) The owner shall immediately execute, in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form or in an automated format prescribed by the department, an application to name the secured party on the certificate, showing the name and address of the secured party, and the owner or person in possession of the owner’s certificate, as shown by the records of the department, shall cause the certificate, application and the required fee to be delivered to the secured party. 342.20(2)(2) The secured party shall immediately cause the certificate, application, and the required fee to be mailed or delivered to the department, except that if the secured party is not an individual or a person exempted by rule under s. 342.245 (3), the secured party shall follow the procedure specified in ss. 342.19 (2) (a) 2. and 342.245 (1) and (2). 342.20(3)(3) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, application, and the required fee, or upon receipt of the security interest statement and required fee if the secured party has utilized the process specified in s. 342.245 (1), the department shall issue to the owner a new certificate containing the name and address of the new secured party. The department shall deliver to such new secured party, unless the secured party utilized the process specified in s. 342.245 (1), memoranda, in such form as the department prescribes, evidencing the notation of the security interest upon the certificate; and thereafter, upon any assignment, termination or release of the security interest, additional memoranda evidencing such action. 342.21342.21 Assignment of security interest. 342.21(1)(1) Except as otherwise provided in s. 409.308 (5), a secured party may assign, absolutely or otherwise, the party’s security interest in the vehicle to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the secured party as the holder of the security interest and the secured party remains liable for any obligations as a secured party until the assignee is named as secured party on the certificate. 342.21(2)(2) Subject to s. 409.308 (5), the assignee may but need not, to perfect the assignment, have the certificate of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as secured party, upon delivering to the department the certificate and an assignment by the secured party named in the certificate in the form the department prescribes. 342.22342.22 Release of security interest. 342.22(1)(1) Within one month or within 10 days following written demand by the debtor after there is no outstanding obligation and no commitment to make advances, incur obligations or otherwise give value, secured by the security interest in a vehicle under any security agreement between the owner and the secured party, the secured party shall mail or deliver the certificate of title for the vehicle to the department if the secured party is in possession of the certificate and shall also do one of the following: 342.22(1)(a)(a) If the secured party is an individual or a person exempted by rule under s. 342.245 (3), execute and deliver to the owner, as the department prescribes, a release of the security interest in the form and manner prescribed by the department and a notice to the owner stating in no less than 10-point boldface type the owner’s obligation under sub. (2). If the secured party fails to execute and deliver the release and notice of the owner’s obligation as required by this paragraph, the secured party is liable to the owner for $25 and for any loss caused to the owner by the failure. 342.22(1)(b)(b) If the secured party is not described in par. (a), deliver to the department a release of the security interest in the manner specified in s. 342.245 (1) and deliver to the owner a notice stating that the release has been provided to the department. 342.22(2)(2) If an owner, other than a dealer holding the vehicle for resale, is in possession of the owner’s certificate of title, the owner, upon receipt of the release and notice of obligation delivered under sub. (1) (a), shall promptly cause the certificate and release to be mailed or delivered to the department, which shall release the secured party’s rights on the certificate and issue a new certificate. Upon receipt of the notice under sub. (1) (b), the owner may, in the form and manner prescribed by the department and without additional fee, deliver an application and the certificate of title to the department and the department shall issue a new certificate of title free of the security interest notation. 342.22(3)(3) The department may remove information pertaining to a security interest perfected under s. 342.19 from its computerized records when the following applicable period of time after the original perfection has elapsed unless the security interest is renewed in the same manner as provided in s. 342.19 (2) for perfection of a security interest:
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Chs. 340-351, Vehicles
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