Chapter 342

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 History History: 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.

342.17 342.17 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) (4) 

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) (b)

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.a. a. The date of death of the decedent;

342.17(4)(b)1.b. b. The approximate value and description of the vehicle; and

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.

342.17(4)(d) (d) This subsection does not apply to transfer of interest in a vehicle under s. 342.15 (1) (d).

342.17 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 82; 1973 c. 40, 243; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1977 c. 273; 1985 a. 141; 1991 a. 125, 239; 1995 a. 338, 421; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 94; 2001 a. 102; 2005 a. 216; 2009 a. 28; 2023 a. 127; s. 35.17 correction in (4) (a) 1.

342.18 342.18 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).

342.18 History History: 1973 c. 116 s. 6; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 159; 1999 a. 9, 31, 186.

342.19 342.19 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) (2) 

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(2)(b)2. 2. The time of the attachment of the security interest.

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 History History: 1973 c. 336 s. 79; 1975 c. 286, 422; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1999 a. 179; 2001 a. 10; 2009 a. 28.

342.19 Annotation This 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 Annotation Registration 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.

342.195 342.195 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 History History: 1983 a. 155; 1985 a. 202.

342.20 342.20 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.

342.20 History History: 1975 c. 286; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1981 c. 20; 1985 a. 202 s. 37; 1993 a. 301; 1995 a. 338; 1997 a. 27; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 163.

342.21 342.21 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.

342.21 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1991 a. 316; 2001 a. 10.

342.22 342.22 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:

342.22(3)(a) (a) For a recreational vehicle, 20 years.

342.22(3)(b) (b) For a truck tractor, 8 years.

342.22(3)(c) (c) For any other vehicle, 10 years.

342.22(4) (4) Removal of information pertaining to a security interest from the records of the department under sub. (3) does not affect any security agreement between the owner of a vehicle and the holder of security interest in the vehicle.

342.22 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 217, 447; 1985 a. 202; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32.

342.23 342.23 Secured party’s and owner’s duties.

342.23(1) (1) A secured party named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of the owner or of another secured party named on the certificate, disclose any pertinent information as to the party’s security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it.

342.23(2) (2) An owner or person in possession of the owner’s certificate of title, as shown by the records of the department, shall promptly deliver the certificate of title to any secured party who is named on it or who has a security interest in the vehicle described in it under any other applicable prior law of this state, upon receipt of a notice from such secured party that the security interest is to be assigned, extended or perfected.

342.23(3) (3) Any secured party who fails to disclose information pursuant to sub. (1) shall be liable for any loss caused to owner thereby.

342.23(4) (4) Any owner or other person in possession of the owner’s certificate of title who fails to deliver the certificate of title to a secured party requesting it pursuant to sub. (2) shall be liable to such secured party for any loss caused to the secured party thereby and may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

342.23 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 159; 2011 a. 32.

342.24 342.24 Method of perfecting exclusive. Subject to s. 409.311 (4), the method provided in this chapter of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to this chapter is exclusive. Security interests subject to this chapter are hereby exempted from the provisions of law which otherwise require or relate to the filing of instruments creating or evidencing security interests.

342.24 History History: 2001 a. 10.

342.24 Annotation Motor vehicle law provisions relating to security do not apply to a mobile home that has become a fixture. George v. Commercial Credit Corp., 440 F.2d 551 (1971).

342.245 342.245 Electronic processing of certain applications.

342.245(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (3), a secured party shall file a security interest statement and pay the fee under s. 342.19 (2) (a) 2. and deliver a release of a security interest under s. 342.22 (1) (b) utilizing an electronic process prescribed by the department under sub. (4).

342.245(2) (2) Upon receipt of a certificate of title as provided in s. 342.20 (1), a person required to file a security interest statement under sub. (1) shall destroy the certificate of title.

342.245(3) (3) The department may, by rule, exempt a person or a type of transaction from the requirements of sub. (1). Any person who is exempted under this subsection shall pay a fee to the department for processing applications submitted by the person under s. 342.19 (2) (a) 1. and releases submitted under s. 342.22, utilizing a process other than an electronic process.

342.245(4) (4) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this section.

342.245 History History: 2009 a. 28.

342.245 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 148, Wis. adm. code.

342.25 342.25 Suspension or revocation of certificate.

342.25(1) (1) The department shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title if it finds any of the following:

342.25(1)(a) (a) The certificate of title was fraudulently procured, erroneously issued or prohibited by law.