Chapter Trans 141

Register April 2007 No. 616

Chapter Trans 141

ELECTRONIC PROCESSING OF MOTOR VEHICLE TITLES AND
REGISTRATIONS BY MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS

Trans 141.01   Purpose and scope.

Trans 141.02   Definitions.

Trans 141.03   Requirement to process certificates of title and registration.

Trans 141.04   Dealer participation in the APPS program.

Trans 141.05   Termination and nonrenewal of APPS dealer contracts.

Trans 141.06   Exemptions from requirement to process certificates of title and registration.

Trans 141.07   Fees.

Trans 141.08   Records.

Trans 141.01 Trans 141.01 Purpose and scope. This chapter interprets ss. 218.0116 (1) (gr), 218.0146 (4) and 342.16 (1) (a) and (am), Stats., which requires all licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealers to process motor vehicle titles and registrations electronically for vehicles they sell, unless exempted by the department.

Trans 141.01 History History: CR 06-101: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07.

Trans 141.02 Trans 141.02 Definitions. The words and phrases defined in s. 340.01, Stats., have the same meaning in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided. In this chapter:

Trans 141.02(1) (1) “APPS" means the automated processing partnership system program established by the DMV, in which DMV contracts with agents and vendors to provide vehicle registration and titling services.

Trans 141.02(2) (2) “Certificate of registration" means the certificate of registration as described in s. 341.11, Stats., which documents that the proper vehicle registration fee has been paid for the current registration period.

Trans 141.02(3) (3) “Certificate of title" means the certificate of title for a vehicle as required in ch. 342, Stats.

Trans 141.02(4) (4) “Department" means the Wisconsin department of transportation.

Trans 141.02(5) (5) “DMV" means the Wisconsin department of transportation division of motor vehicles.

Trans 141.02(6) (6) “Exempt" means that a dealer is not required or not authorized to process certificates of title or certificates of registration.

Trans 141.02(7) (7) “Motor vehicle dealer" or “dealer" means a motor vehicle dealer as defined in s. 218.0101 (23), Stats.

Trans 141.02(8) (8) “Process" means to electronically submit applications for certificates of title or certificates of registration and update the DMV vehicle record.

Trans 141.02(9) (9) “Vendor" means a person, business or organization that contracts with the DMV to provide a host computer system by which agents may obtain access to specified information services of the DMV in order to process registration and title transactions.

Trans 141.02 History History: CR 06-101: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07.

Trans 141.03 Trans 141.03 Requirement to process certificates of title and registration.

Trans 141.03(1) (1) Unless exempt under s. Trans 141.06, a licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer shall process certificates of title and registration for motor vehicles sold by the dealer. A licensed motor vehicle dealer may satisfy this requirement by contracting with the DMV under s. Trans 141.04 or by using the e-MV11 Internet-based web application. A motor vehicle dealer not previously licensed in Wisconsin shall begin processing title and registration applications within 30 days after the department approves the dealer's initial Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer license.

Trans 141.03(2) (2) A licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer who processes title and registration applications using the e-MV11 Internet-based web application shall apply to the DMV on the DMV application form and shall comply with all applicable requirements, including those related to persons who have access to information subject to the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act, 18 USC 2721-2725.

Trans 141.03 Note Note: Form MV11 can be obtained by writing to or calling GMA Printing, 136 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190--[phone] (phone), [phone] (fax); Reynolds & Reynolds, 10533 West National Avenue, Suite 205, Milwaukee, WI 53227—[phone] (phone), [phone] (fax); or WATDASI Forms, P. O. Box 5345, Madison, WI 53705—[phone] (phone), [phone] (fax).

Trans 141.03(3) (3) The motor vehicle dealer shall, if required by the department, furnish a supplemental bond in addition to the bond required for licensing as a motor vehicle dealer under s. 218.0114 (5) (a), Stats., in the following circumstances:

Trans 141.03(3)(a) (a) For a dealer that the department determines has insufficient funds to timely pay departmental registration and titling fees.

Trans 141.03(3)(b) (b) For a dealer that the department determines has a history of errors in processing certificates of title and registration, or that has a history of not processing certificates of title and registration within statutory time requirements.

Trans 141.03 History History: CR 06-101: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07.

Trans 141.04 Trans 141.04 Dealer participation in the APPS program.

Trans 141.04(1) (1) A licensed Wisconsin motor vehicle dealer may satisfy its obligations under s. 342.16 (1) (am), Stats., by contracting with the DMV as an agent in the APPS program under s. 341.21 (2), Stats. A dealer who participates in the APPS program shall comply with all of the following:

Trans 141.04(1)(a) (a) The motor vehicle dealer shall enter into an agreement with a vendor that is approved by the DMV under ch. Trans 156. A motor vehicle dealer may request service from, and enter into an agreement with, only one vendor.

Trans 141.04(1)(b) (b) The motor vehicle dealer shall submit to the DMV a letter on company letterhead requesting appointment as a provider of processing or distribution services for vehicle registration or certificates of title. The letter shall include the legal business name and address of the physical location of the business.

Trans 141.04(1)(c) (c) The motor vehicle dealer shall, if required by the department, furnish a supplemental bond in addition to the bond required for licensing as a motor vehicle dealer under s. 218.0114 (5) (a), Stats., in the following circumstances:

Trans 141.04(1)(c)1. 1. For a dealer that the department determines has insufficient funds to timely pay departmental registration and titling fees.

Trans 141.04(1)(c)2. 2. For a dealer that the department determines has a history of errors in processing certificates of title and registration, or that has a history of not processing certificates of title and registration within statutory time requirements.

Trans 141.04(1)(d) (d) The motor vehicle dealer shall submit a signed agent contract to the DMV.

Trans 141.04(1)(e) (e) The motor vehicle dealer shall be in compliance with all applicable laws governing the applicant's industry and not be under investigation by any regulatory or enforcement agency for suspected violations of applicable laws or regulations.

Trans 141.04(1)(f) (f) The motor vehicle dealer shall employ at least one primary processing person and have at least one other employee trained as a back–up in order to ensure adequate service during business hours and the timely submission to DMV of reports and documentation of registration and titling transactions.

Trans 141.04 Note Note: Participation in the APPS program allows a dealer to issue license plates to customers as well as process certificates of title and registration.

Trans 141.04(2) (2) The maximum fees that an agent who is a motor vehicle dealer participating in the APPS program may charge a customer shall be specified in the contract under sub. (1) (d). A motor vehicle dealer may charge a customer any amount less than the maximum fee.

Trans 141.04 History History: CR 06-101: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07.

Trans 141.05 Trans 141.05 Termination and nonrenewal of APPS dealer contracts.

Trans 141.05(1) (1) DMV may terminate or refuse to renew an APPS dealer contract on any of the following grounds:

Trans 141.05(1)(a) (a) Failure to provide information requested by DMV relating to the motor vehicle dealer's financial standing, solvency or compliance with motor vehicle related laws.

Trans 141.05(1)(b) (b) DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the financial responsibility of the dealer licensee as prescribed in ch. Trans 140 is insufficient.

Trans 141.05(1)(c) (c) DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the dealer is not in compliance with ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163, Stats., or rules interpreting ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163, Stats., if the violation constitutes grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of the dealer's license, stipulation to a conditional license or special order, the assessment of civil forfeitures or fines, or criminal prosecution.

Trans 141.05(2) (2) Reasonable cause under sub. (1) includes situations in which any dealer licensee has been found by the department, the division of hearings and appeals, or a court of law, to have violated ch. 218, Stats., or rules interpreting ch. 218, Stats., during the current or immediately preceding licensing period, or when the dealership has not given sufficient assurance that it has taken reasonable steps to prevent the recurrence of similar violations in future licensing periods.

Trans 141.05(3) (3) If a dealer's actions warrant termination of the agent or vendor from the APPS program, DMV shall invoke termination provisions which are stated in the APPS contract between DMV and the agent or vendor. If a dealer is terminated, the dealer may not process certificates of title and registration. The dealer shall pay to the department the surcharge specified in s. Trans 141.07 (2) (b), and shall be subject to sanctions specified in s. Trans 141.06 (1) (c).

Trans 141.05(4) (4) If a dealer terminates the dealer's APPS contract, the dealer remains subject to the requirement of the law to process title and registration applications using the e-MV11 Internet-based web application offered by the department, and to all requirements of this chapter.

Trans 141.05 History History: CR 06-101: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07.

Trans 141.06 Trans 141.06 Exemptions from requirement to process certificates of title and registration.

Trans 141.06(1) (1)  Exempt motor vehicle dealers.

Trans 141.06(1)(a) (a) A motor vehicle dealer is not required to process certificates of title and registration if the motor vehicle dealer sells an average of 48 or fewer vehicles per year.

Trans 141.06(1)(b) (b) The department shall deny a motor vehicle dealer the authority to process certificates of title and registration for any of the following reasons:

Trans 141.06(1)(b)1. 1. DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the financial responsibility of the motor vehicle dealer as prescribed in ch. Trans 140, or the dealer's financial situation, as determined by the department in connection with the department review of dealer licensing requirements is insufficient.

Trans 141.06(1)(b)2. 2. DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the accuracy or timeliness of the certificate of title and registration transactions performed by the motor vehicle dealer are insufficient.

Trans 141.06(1)(b)3. 3. Failure or refusal of the motor vehicle dealer to provide DMV with any documents or information required for completion of a motor vehicle sales transaction.

Trans 141.06(1)(b)4. 4. DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the motor vehicle dealer is not in compliance with any provision of written policies and procedures regarding electronic processing, including failure to successfully complete departmental training and technical assistance provided or approved by the department.

Trans 141.06(1)(b)5. 5. Failure to provide information requested by DMV relating to a motor vehicle dealer's financial standing, solvency or compliance with motor vehicle related laws.

Trans 141.06(1)(b)6. 6. DMV has reasonable cause to conclude that the dealer is not in compliance with ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163, Stats., or rules interpreting ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163, Stats., where the violation constitutes grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of the dealer's license, stipulation to a conditional license or special order, the assessment of civil forfeitures or fines, or criminal prosecution, including insufficient funds. Reasonable cause includes situations in which any dealer licensee has been found by the department, the division of hearings and appeals, or a court of law, to have violated ch. 218, Stats., or rules interpreting ch. 218, Stats., during the current or immediately preceding licensing period, or when the dealership has not given sufficient assurance that it has taken reasonable steps to prevent the recurrence of similar violations in future licensing periods.

Trans 141.06(1)(c) (c) If the department determines that any of the conditions in par. (b) are persistent and present after a reasonable time to cure, the department shall invoke sanctions against the dealer. Sanctions include any of the possible sanctions in s. 218.0116, Stats. A continuum of disciplinary actions may be taken beginning with informal advice, verbal warnings, advisory and warning letters, civil forfeitures, citations, special orders including suspension, denial, or revocation of the dealer's license to operate as a motor vehicle dealer.