Chapter 348

348.15(3)(e) (e) Notwithstanding pars. (a), (b) and (c), in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively livestock, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a), (b) and (c) by 15 percent if the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed the maximum gross weight specified for that vehicle or combination of vehicles under par. (c). This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

348.15(3)(f) (f)

348.15(3)(f)1. 1. In this paragraph:

348.15(3)(f)1.a. a. “Heavy-duty vehicle” has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (4).

348.15(3)(f)1.b. b. “Idle reduction technology” has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (5).

348.15(3)(f)2. 2. Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, and subject to subd. 3., in the case of a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 550 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less.

348.15(3)(f)3. 3. This paragraph applies only if the heavy-duty vehicle operator, upon request, proves, by written certification, the weight of the idle reduction technology and, by demonstration or certification, that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times.

348.15(3)(g) (g) Notwithstanding par. (c), if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, or is a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle to or from a farm-related destination, the gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not exceed the maximum gross weights in the following table for each of the respective distances between axles and the respective numbers of axles of a group: [See Figure 348.15 (3) (g) following]

348.15(3)(h) (h) Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, in the case of a vehicle operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 2,000 pounds, or an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, whichever is less.

348.15(4) (4) Notwithstanding the possibility of increased weight on a particular wheel or axle or group of axles due to practical operating problems, including, but not limited to, accumulation of snow, ice, mud or dirt, the use of tire chains or minor shifting of load, the maximum weights set forth in sub. (3) include absolutely all weights allowable.

348.15(5) (5) For enforcement of weight limitations specified by this chapter the gross weight, measured in pounds, imposed on the highway by any wheel or any one axle or by any group of 2 or more axles shall be determined by weighing the vehicles and load, either by single draft or multiple draft weighing on certified stationary scales or on portable scales in good working order which are tested in comparison to certified stationary scales within 180 days immediately prior to any weighing operation by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or other authorized testing agencies for accuracy to within standard accepted tolerances. The weighing operation shall be performed in accordance with and under conditions accepted as good weighing technique and practice. In multiple draft weighing the sum of the weight of respective components shall be used to establish the weight of a combination of the components. It is recognized that the weight, determined in accordance with methods prescribed in this chapter, includes all statutory weights and represents the momentary load force or reaction imposed on the scale at the time of weighing. Such weights include any variation due to the following factors:

348.15(5)(a) (a) Positioning or tilt of the vehicle on the scale platform and adjacent bearing surface;

348.15(5)(b) (b) Momentary position of axle centers with respect to wheel bearings and vehicle body;

348.15(5)(c) (c) Temporary distribution of loading on the wheel or axle; and

348.15(5)(d) (d) Miscellaneous variable factors of spring flexure, shackle friction, clutch engagement, brake pressure, tire compression and other variable factors.

348.15(5m) (5m) The distances between axles and between the foremost and rearmost of a group of axles shall be measured between axle centers to the nearest even foot, and when a fraction is exactly one-half foot, the nearest larger whole number shall be used.

348.15(5r) (5r) Irrespective of sub. (5), in determining overweight under sub. (3) the results of weighing by means of either portable scales or certified stationary scales shall be admissible as evidence.

348.15(6) (6) At any state weighing scale where a vehicle is found overloaded, the driver may request its reweighing at the same scale. Upon reweighing the state officials shall supply the tabulated weight ticket to the driver. All weight tickets for any vehicle shall be supplied to the court in case the matter goes to trial.

348.15(8) (8) Unless the department provides otherwise by rule, any axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles which does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of sub. (3) (c) and (g).

348.15(9) (9) 

348.15(9)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (c), (cm), (e), and (f), the increased weight allowance for implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles under sub. (3) (b) and (g) applies in lieu of, not in addition to, any other increased weight allowance for implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles authorized under this chapter.

348.15(9)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (e), the maximum gross weight for an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle operated on a highway without a permit may not exceed 92,000 pounds. Except as provided in par. (e), the maximum gross weight for a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle to or from a farm-related destination, and operated on a highway without a permit, may not exceed 92,000 pounds.

348.15(9)(c) (c)

348.15(9)(c)1. 1. Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles for an implement of husbandry that is an empty potato harvester if, subject to subd. 2., the potato harvester is accompanied by one or more escort vehicles operating with hazard lights activated, except that such a potato harvester is subject to any weight limitation posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1). Except as provided in par. (e), a potato harvester is subject to the maximum gross weight limitation for implements of husbandry specified in par. (b).

348.15(9)(c)2. 2. A potato harvester is not required to be accompanied by any escort vehicle under subd. 1. if the potato harvester is traveling to or from a farm-related destination and is operated on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

348.15(9)(cm) (cm)

348.15(9)(cm)1. 1. Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles for a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an empty potato harvester to or from a farm-related destination if, subject to subd. 2., the 2-vehicle combination is accompanied by one or more escort vehicles operating with hazard lights activated, except that such a 2-vehicle combination is subject to any weight limitation posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1). Except as provided in par. (e), such a 2-vehicle combination transporting a potato harvester is subject to the maximum gross weight limitation for 2-vehicle combinations transporting implements of husbandry specified in par. (b).

348.15(9)(cm)2. 2. A 2-vehicle combination transporting a potato harvester is not required to be accompanied by any escort vehicle under subd. 1. if the potato harvester is being transported to or from a farm-related destination on a highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

348.15(9)(d) (d) The increased weight allowance for implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles under sub. (3) (b) and (g) does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 41 corridor. The increased weight allowance for 2-vehicle combinations transporting implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles under sub. (3) (b) and (g) does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.15(9)(e) (e)

348.15(9)(e)1. 1. Notwithstanding par. (c) and sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), but subject to subd. 3., there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation, for an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle while being operated or transported by an implement dealer or farmer for purposes of delivery, repair, or servicing of the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle if the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle is being operated or transported under either of the following circumstances:

348.15(9)(e)1.a. a. Directly from a farmer’s owned or leased land to the business location of an implement dealer that is within a 75-mile radius of the farmer’s owned or leased land.

348.15(9)(e)1.b. b. Directly from the business location of an implement dealer to a farmer’s owned or leased land that is within a 75-mile radius of the implement dealer’s business location.

348.15(9)(e)2. 2. Notwithstanding par. (c) and sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), but subject to subd. 3., there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation, for an implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b., or for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1., that is traveling to or from a farm-related destination and is operated on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

348.15(9)(e)3. 3. Subdivisions 1., 2., and 4. do not apply on any highway that is posted with a weight limitation as provided in s. 348.17 (1). Subdivision 1. does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 41 corridor. Subdivision 2. does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for an implement of husbandry operated on the I 41 corridor. Subdivision 4. does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.15(9)(e)4. 4. Notwithstanding par. (cm) and sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), but subject to subd. 3., there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation, for a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b. or agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1. to or from a farm-related destination, on a highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

348.15(9)(f) (f)

348.15(9)(f)1. 1. Notwithstanding par. (c) and sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), and except as provided in subd. 3. and par. (e), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation other than that specified in par. (b), for an implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b., or for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1., being operated on a highway that is not designated under subd. 2. a.

348.15(9)(f)1m. 1m. Notwithstanding par. (cm) and sub. (3) (a), (b), (c), and (g), and except as provided in subd. 3. and par. (e), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation other than that specified in par. (b), for a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b. or agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1. to or from a farm-related destination, on a highway that is not designated under subd. 2. a.

348.15(9)(f)2. 2.

348.15(9)(f)2.a. a. The governing body of a municipality or county may, by resolution or ordinance, designate highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction, for maintenance purposes, on which the statutory weight limits prescribed under this section, other than this paragraph, for implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles apply to implements of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b., and to agricultural commercial motor vehicles used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1., that are operated or transported on the highway and to 2-vehicle combinations transporting them. If a resolution or ordinance is adopted under this subd. 2. a., any weight limit resulting from the resolution or ordinance is considered to be a weight limit imposed by this chapter and any violation is considered to be a violation of the applicable weight limits prescribed under this section.

348.15(9)(f)2.b. b. For a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision to be effective in any calendar year, the resolution or ordinance must be adopted on or before November 30 of the prior year. A resolution or ordinance adopted under this subdivision shall be valid for at least one calendar year. No amendment to a resolution or ordinance is effective in a calendar year unless the amendment was adopted on or before November 30 of the prior year.

348.15(9)(f)2.c. c. No later than January 20 of the year after it adopts or amends a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision, each municipality or county that designates highways under subd. 2. a. shall forward to the department a copy of the resolution or ordinance, and the department shall publish the resolution or ordinance on the department’s Internet site.

348.15(9)(f)3. 3. Subdivisions 1. and 1m. do not apply on any highway that is a state trunk highway or that is posted with a weight limitation as provided in s. 348.17 (1).

348.15(10) (10) 

348.15(10)(a) (a) Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), (b), and (c), but subject to par. (b), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation, for skidders, forwarders, harvesters, and wheeled feller bunchers operated for logging purposes at times other than hours of darkness and operated unladen on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

348.15(10)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply on any highway that is posted with a weight limitation as provided in s. 348.17 (1) or that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.15 History History: 1977 c. 29 ss. 1487p to 1487s, 1650m (4), 1654 (3); 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 326; 1981 c. 312; 1983 a. 27, 345, 486; 1985 a. 202, 332; 1987 a. 174; 1989 a. 56, 70; 1995 a. 113, 227; 1999 a. 85; 2005 a. 347, 364; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 156; 2011 a. 279; 2013 a. 377; 2015 a. 15, 55, 171, 232, 360; 2017 a. 59, 85, 299; 2023 a. 158.

348.15 Annotation If a tractor-trailer combination is too long and too wide for a scale, multiple weighing of the separate wheel groups is permissible. An overload permit is to be disregarded if the total weight exceeds that specified in the permit. State v. Trailer Service, Inc., 61 Wis. 2d 400, 212 N.W.2d 683 (1973).

348.15 Annotation Discussing sub. (3) (b) 2. [now sub. (3) (br)] and sub. (5r). 62 Atty. Gen. 100.

348.16 348.16 Weight limitations on class “B” highways.

348.16(1) (1) In this section, “class ‘B’ highway” includes those county trunk highways, town highways and city and village streets, or portions thereof, which have been designated as class “B” highways by the local authorities pursuant to s. 349.15.

348.16(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (3) and s. 348.175 and subject to any modifications made by a city of the first class pursuant to s. 349.15 (3), no person, without a permit therefor, shall operate on a class “B” highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles imposing wheel, axle, group of axles, or gross weight on the highway exceeding 60 percent of the weights authorized in s. 348.15 (3). This subsection does not apply to an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle being operated or transported, or to a 2-vehicle combination transporting an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, as described in s. 348.15 (9) (c), (cm), (e), or (f) 1. or 1m.

348.16(3) (3) 

348.16(3)(a) (a) Any motor vehicle whose operation is pickup or delivery, including operation for the purpose of moving or delivering supplies or commodities to or from any place of business or residence that has an entrance on a class “B” highway, may pick up or deliver on a class “B” highway without complying with the gross vehicle weight limitations imposed by sub. (2).

348.16(3)(b) (b) Subsection (2) does not apply to a vehicle operated by or at the direction of a public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), a telecommunications provider, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members, that is being operated for the purpose of responding to a service interruption.

348.16(3)(c) (c) Subsection (2) does not apply to the operation of any skidder, forwarder, harvester, or wheeled feller buncher under circumstances for which there is no weight limitation under s. 348.15 (10).

348.16(3)(d) (d) Subsection (2) does not apply to a motor vehicle that is being operated to deliver propane for heating purposes if the gross weight imposed on the highway by the vehicle does not exceed 30,000 pounds, for a vehicle with a single rear axle, or 40,000 pounds, for a vehicle with tandem rear axles, and, if the motor vehicle is a tank vehicle, the tank is loaded to no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the tank. A tank vehicle operated under this paragraph shall be equipped with a gauge on the tank that shows the amount of propane in the tank as a percent of the capacity of the tank and shall carry documentation of the capacity of the tank either on the cargo tank or in the cab of the vehicle.

348.16 History History: 1981 c. 312; 2001 a. 16; 2009 a. 177; 2011 a. 257; 2013 a. 377; 2015 a. 15, 44, 171; 2017 a. 59, 68.

348.17 348.17 Special or seasonal weight limitations.

348.17(1) (1) No person, whether operating under a permit or otherwise, shall operate a vehicle in violation of special weight limitations imposed by state or local authorities on particular highways, highway structures or portions of highways when signs have been erected as required by s. 349.16 (2) giving notice of such weight limitations, except when the vehicle is being operated under a permit expressly authorizing such weight limitations to be exceeded or is being operated as authorized under sub. (4).

348.17(2) (2) Whenever the operator of a vehicle is ordered by the officer or agency in charge of maintenance or by a traffic officer to suspend operation of such vehicle because of the damage such vehicle is causing or likely to cause to the highway or the public investment therein, the operator shall forthwith comply with such order.

348.17(3) (3) During an energy emergency, after consultation with the public service commission, the department may waive the divisible load limitation of s. 348.25 (4) and authorize for a period not to exceed 30 days the operation of overweight vehicles having a registered gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more and carrying energy resources or fuel or milk commodities designated by the governor or a designee, regardless of the highways involved, to conserve energy. Such authorization may only allow weights not more than 10 percent greater than the gross axle and axle combination weight limitations, and not more than 15 percent greater than the gross vehicle weight limitations under ss. 348.15 and 348.16. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the department to waive the requirements of ss. 348.05 to 348.07. This subsection does not apply to vehicles on highways designated as parts of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

348.17(4) (4) During an energy emergency, after consultation with the public service commission, the department may authorize motor vehicles that have a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less and that are transporting propane or heating oil for delivery to residences, businesses, or other end users to exceed any special weight limitation imposed under ss. 348.17 (1) and 349.16 (1) (a) and (2) in connection with the thawing of frozen highways. Any person operating a motor vehicle as authorized under this subsection shall, to the extent practicable, deliver propane or heating oil at times of the day when the highways used are the least vulnerable.

348.17(5) (5) 

348.17(5)(a) (a) From August 1 to December 31 of each year, no permit shall be required for the transportation of corn, soybeans, potatoes, vegetables, or cranberries from the field to storage on the grower’s owned or leased land, from the field to initial storage at a location not owned or leased by the grower, or from the field to initial processing in a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the weight limitations under s. 348.15 by not more than 15 percent and that satisfies all of the following:

348.17(5)(a)1. 1. Has a registered gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more.

348.17(5)(a)2. 2. Is a motor truck, farm truck, road tractor, truck tractor, or farm truck tractor or such a vehicle combined with a semitrailer, trailer, or farm trailer, when the vehicle or combination is a commercial motor vehicle operated on a highway.

348.17(5)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

348.17(6) (6) 

348.17(6)(a) (a) From September 1 to December 31 of each year, no permit shall be required for the transportation of manure to or from a farm in a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the weight limitations under s. 348.15 by not more than 15 percent and that satisfies any of the following:

348.17(6)(a)1. 1. Has a registered gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more.

348.17(6)(a)2. 2. Is a motor truck, farm truck, road tractor, truck tractor, or farm truck tractor or such a vehicle combined with a semitrailer, trailer, or farm trailer, when the vehicle or combination is a commercial motor vehicle operated on a highway.

348.17(6)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 41 corridor.

348.17 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 348 ss. 11, 13 to 15, 17; 2005 a. 364; 2011 a. 52, 279; 2013 a. 217, 377; 2015 a. 55, 235, 360; 2017 a. 59, 136.

348.17 Annotation Under the federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, 49 USC 31114, the traditional power of state and local governments to regulate travel over local roads remains so long as reasonable access is not denied, and nothing in 49 USC 31114 (b) suggests that all local restrictions on access to statutorily protected destinations must be based on safety considerations. The record in this case reflected that a seasonal weight limitation was a normal restriction transport companies would be aware of, that adequate notice of the restriction was provided, and that a permit to travel the road was readily available. Put together, these facts showed reasonable access was provided, and the town’s seasonal weight limitation was not preempted by the Act. Town of Delafield v. Central Transport Kriewaldt, 2020 WI 61, 392 Wis. 2d 427, 944 N.W.2d 819, 17-2525.

348.175 348.175 Seasonal operation of vehicles hauling peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance. The transportation of peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or of abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance in excess of gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 shall be permitted during the winter months when the highways are so frozen that no damage may result thereto by reason of such transportation. If at any time any person is so transporting such products or abrasives or salt upon a class “A” highway in such frozen condition then that person may likewise use a class “B” highway without other limitation, except that chains and other traction devices are prohibited on class “A” highways but such chains and devices may be used in cases of necessity. On the first day that conditions warrant their determination of such frozen condition and freedom of damage to such highways by transportation, the officers or agencies in charge of maintenance of highways shall declare particular highways, or highways within areas of the state, as eligible for increased weight limitations, and each declaration shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the 2nd day following the declaration. Such declaration shall include the maximum weight on each axle, combination of axles and the gross weight allowed. Any person transporting any such product over any highway of this state under this section is liable to the maintaining authority for any damage caused to such highway. This section does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

348.175 History History: 1983 a. 531; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 113; 2005 a. 167; 2009 a. 28; 2015 a. 55, 360.

348.175 Annotation The phrase “peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise” does not encompass wood chips. The phrase instead invokes images of logs, posts, poles, or similar pieces of timber, with or without bark, and cut to length. State v. T.P. Trucking, 2006 WI App 98, 293 Wis. 2d 273, 715 N.W.2d 736, 05-2496.

348.18 348.18 Weight limitations apply to publicly-owned vehicles; exceptions. Sections 348.15 to 348.17 and the penalties for violations thereof also apply to vehicles owned by the state, a county or municipality, except when such vehicles are being used for the removal, treatment or sanding of snow or ice or when such vehicles are authorized emergency vehicles.

348.19 348.19 Traffic officers may weigh vehicles and require removal of excess load.

348.19(1) (1) 

348.19(1)(a) (a) Any traffic officer having reason to believe that the gross weight of a vehicle is unlawful or in excess of the gross weight for which the vehicle is registered may require the operator of such vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle and any load it may be carrying to a weighing by means of either portable or certified stationary scales and may require that such vehicle be driven to the nearest usable portable or certified stationary scale except as provided in par. (b).

348.19(1)(b) (b) Any other provision of the statutes notwithstanding, a vehicle transporting peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise shall not be required to proceed to a scale more than one mile from the point of apprehension if the estimated gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed the lawful limit. The gross weight of the vehicle shall be estimated by multiplying the average length of the load by the average height of the load in feet and then multiplying by the average weight per square foot of load measurement and adding this computed weight to the empty weight of the vehicle. The average weights per square foot of load measurement to be used in computing the estimated load weight are given in the following table: [See Figure 348.19 (1) (b) following]

348.19(2) (2) 

348.19(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), whenever after a weighing of a vehicle and load as provided in sub. (1) a traffic officer determines that the weight exceeds the limitations imposed by s. 348.15, 348.16, or 348.17 (3), (5), or (6) or any limitations posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1), the operator of such vehicle shall not proceed, except to drive to such place as directed by the traffic officer for the purpose of reloading or unloading, until such portion of the load has been reloaded or unloaded as may be necessary to reduce the weight of the vehicle and load to comply with the limitations imposed by s. 348.15, 348.16, or 348.17 (3), (5), or (6) and any limitations posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1). All material so reloaded or unloaded shall be reloaded or unloaded and cared for by and at the risk of the owner or operator of the vehicle.

348.19(2)(b) (b) If upon weighing a vehicle transporting livestock a traffic officer determines that the gross weight of the vehicle exceeds the limitations imposed by s. 348.15, 348.16 or 348.17 (3) or a limitation posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1), and if the point of apprehension is 15 miles or less from the destination of the vehicle, the traffic officer shall permit the operator of the vehicle to proceed to such destination without requiring the vehicle to be reloaded or unloaded as provided in par. (a). This paragraph does not apply to vehicles transporting livestock on the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.

348.19(3) (3) No operator of a vehicle shall fail or refuse to stop and submit the vehicle and load to a weighing or to drive the vehicle to a scale when directed to do so by a traffic officer except that a dual purpose motor home is not required to stop at weighing stations when it is being used as a motor home. No operator of a vehicle shall fail or refuse after a weighing to reload or unload as provided in this section or to comply with the directions of a traffic officer relative to such reloading or unloading.