350.03(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:

350.03(2)(a) (a) The operator of a snowmobile on a privately owned raceway facility.

350.03(2)(b) (b) The operator of a snowmobile in a sanctioned race or derby on public land, a highway or a snowmobile trail if the sponsor of the sanctioned race or derby marks the race or derby route or track to warn spectators from entering the route or track. In this paragraph, “public land” does not include the frozen surface of public waters.

350.03 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 267.

350.035 350.035 Meeting of snowmobiles. Operators of snowmobiles proceeding in opposite directions shall proceed with caution and pass each other to the right.

350.035 History History: 2003 a. 166.

350.04 350.04 Snowmobile races, derbies and routes.

350.04(1) (1) Any county, town, city or village may block off the highways under its jurisdiction for the purpose of allowing special snowmobile events. No state trunk highway or connecting highway or part thereof, shall be blocked off by any county, town, city or village for any snowmobile race or derby. Every county, town, city or village shall notify the local police department and the county sheriff’s office at least one week in advance of the time and place of any snowmobile race or derby which may result in any street or part thereof, of the county, town, city or village being blocked off. Upon such notice, the local police department shall take such measures as it deems appropriate to protect persons and property and to regulate traffic in the designated area and its vicinity on the day of such race or derby.

350.04(2) (2) On state trunk bridges a sidewalk or, if no sidewalk exists, one lane of the bridge may be designated by the town, city or village as a snowmobile route. Towns, cities or villages may adopt ordinances designating highways as snowmobile routes for snowmobile operation, subject to the following limitations:

350.04(2)(a) (a) Snowmobiles shall be operated on the extreme right side of the roadway.

350.04(2)(b) (b) Left turns shall be made as safely as possible from any position depending on snow cover and other prevailing conditions.

350.04(2)(c) (c) Snowmobile operators shall yield right-of-way to other vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

350.04(2)(d) (d) Highways designated for snowmobile operation shall be marked in accordance with s. 350.13.

350.04(2)(e) (e) Snowmobile operation is not permitted on state trunk highways or connecting highways except as provided under s. 350.02.

350.04(3) (3) 

350.04(3)(a) (a) No county, town, city or village shall be liable for any injury suffered in connection with a race or derby under this section, unless the injury is caused by the negligence of the county, town, city or village.

350.04(3)(b) (b) The county, town, city or village shall post the provisions of par. (a) in a conspicuous place, readily accessible to all contestants and spectators, and shall assist in locating and identifying persons responsible for injuries that may occur.

350.04 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3); 1981 c. 295.

350.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 6.09, Wis. adm. code.

350.045 350.045 Public utility exemption. So that public utilities may effectively carry out their obligations to the public, the restrictions imposed by this chapter relating to use on, near or adjacent to highways shall not apply to snowmobiles operated to fulfill the corporate function of the public utility in those cases where safety does not require strict adherence to the regulations related to snowmobiles in general. However, snowmobiles operated by public utilities must be operated in a safe manner at all times.

350.045 History History: 1971 c. 277.

350.047 350.047 Local ordinance to be filed. Whenever a town, city or village adopts an ordinance designating a highway as a snowmobile route, and whenever a county, town, city or village adopts an ordinance regulating snowmobiles, its clerk shall immediately send a copy of the ordinance to the department and to the office of the law enforcement agency of the municipality and county having jurisdiction over such street or highway.

350.047 History History: 1971 c. 277.

350.05 350.05 Operation by youthful operators restricted.

350.05(1) (1) Persons under 12. No person under the age of 12 years may operate a snowmobile unless the person is accompanied either by a parent or guardian or by a person over 18 years of age.

350.05(2) (2) Persons aged 12 and older; snowmobile safety certificates and program.

350.05(2)(a) (a) No person who is at least 12 years of age and who is born on or after January 1, 1985, may operate a snowmobile unless he or she holds a valid snowmobile safety certificate.

350.05(2)(b) (b) Any person who is required to hold a snowmobile safety certificate while operating a snowmobile shall carry proof that the person holds a valid safety certificate and shall display such proof to a law enforcement officer on request.

350.05(2)(c) (c) Persons enrolled in a safety certification program approved by the department may operate a snowmobile in an area designated by the instructor.