Chapter 110

110.07(2m) (2m) In addition to the primary powers granted by subs. (1) and (2), any officer of the state traffic patrol shall have the powers of a peace officer under s. 59.28, except that the officer shall have the arrest powers of a law enforcement officer under s. 968.07, regardless of whether the violation is punishable by forfeiture or criminal penalty. A state traffic officer shall at all times be available as a witness for the state but may not conduct investigations for crimes under chs. 939 to 948 other than crimes relating to the use or operation of vehicles. The primary duty of a state traffic officer shall be the enforcement of chs. 340 to 351 or of any other law relating to the use or operation of vehicles upon the highway. No state traffic officer shall be used in or take part in any dispute or controversy between employer or employee concerning wages, hours, labor or working conditions; nor shall any such officer be required to serve civil process. The department may assign state traffic officers to safeguard state officers or other persons.

110.07(3) (3) The secretary may employ inspectors who may not wear the uniform of the state patrol, whose duties shall be to enforce and assist in administering ss. 23.33, 23.335, and 346.63, this chapter and chs. 194, 218, 340 to 345 and 347 to 351, the inspection requirements of s. 121.555 (2) (b) and the requirements under s. 346.45 (4) for vehicles being used to transport hazardous materials. Such inspectors, in the performance of these duties, shall have the powers and authority of state traffic officers. For the purpose of death, disability and retirement coverage, such inspectors shall be subject to ch. 40 as is the state traffic patrol. Subject to sub. (5), the secretary may clothe and equip inspectors as the interest of public safety and their duties require.

110.07(4) (4) In addition to the primary powers granted by sub. (3), any inspector shall have the powers of a peace officer under s. 59.28, except that the inspector shall have the arrest powers of a law enforcement officer under s. 968.07, regardless of whether the violation is punishable by forfeiture or criminal penalty. An inspector shall at all times be available as a witness for the state but may not conduct investigations for crimes under chs. 939 to 948 other than crimes relating to the use or operation of vehicles. The primary duty of an inspector shall be the enforcement of the provisions specified in sub. (3). No inspector may be used in or take part in any dispute or controversy between employer or employee concerning wages, hours, labor or working conditions; nor may an inspector be required to serve civil process. The department may assign inspectors to safeguard state officers or other persons.

110.07(5) (5) 

110.07(5)(a) (a) In this subsection, “bulletproof garment” means a vest or other garment designed, redesigned, or adapted to prevent bullets from penetrating through the garment.

110.07(5)(b) (b) Upon request of an officer of the state traffic patrol under sub. (1) or inspector under sub. (3), the department shall make available to the traffic officer or inspector a bulletproof garment that may be used in the performance of his or her duties under this section. The department shall equip a traffic officer or inspector with a bulletproof garment as soon as practicable after receipt of the request from the traffic officer or inspector under this paragraph.

110.07(6) (6) The division administrator who is counted under s. 230.08 (2) (e) 12. and whose duties include supervising the state traffic patrol shall be designated superintendent of the state traffic patrol, if he or she is certified under s. 165.85 (4) (a) 1. as qualified to be a law enforcement officer.

110.07 History History: 1971 c. 40, 125; 1973 c. 90, 146; 1975 c. 297; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1048, 1654 (7) (a), (c), 1656 (43); 1977 c. 305 s. 64; 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 221; 1979 c. 333 s. 5; 1979 c. 361 s. 113; 1981 c. 96 s. 67; 1981 c. 390; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 175 s. 33; 1983 a. 191 s. 6; 1985 a. 29, 36, 63, 332; 1987 a. 332 s. 64; 1989 a. 31, 167, 170, 240, 335, 359; 1993 a. 25; 1995 a. 201, 227, 341; 1999 a. 9, 85; 2001 a. 68, 109; 2009 a. 42; 2013 a. 214; 2015 a. 170.

110.07 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Trans 327, Wis. adm. code.

110.07 Annotation While it is clear that ss. 110.07 and 110.075 authorize the traffic officers of the state patrol and DOT to make stops and inspections and perhaps arrests for equipment violations, nothing in these statutes limits local law enforcements officers’ powers to do so. A city police officer is a traffic officer under s. 340.01 (70), and because s. 110.075 provides that any traffic officer can stop and inspect vehicles for violations of ch. 110 or rules issued pursuant to ch. 110, and because s. 349.02 (2) permits a police officer to enforce a city ordinance violation upon a reasonable basis to believe a violation has occurred, a city officer had authority to make a stop for violation of an ordinance adopting a safety rule. State v. Bailey, 2009 WI App 140, 321 Wis. 2d 350, 773 N.W.2d 488, 08-3153.

110.075 110.075 Motor vehicle inspection.

110.075(1) (1) No person shall drive or move, or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is not in conformity with the requirements of this section.

110.075(2) (2) When directed by any traffic officer or motor vehicle inspector, the operator of any motor vehicle shall stop and submit such motor vehicle to an inspection and such tests as are necessary to determine whether it meets the requirements of this section, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, or in violation of the equipment provisions of ss. 110.05, 110.06, 110.063 and 110.064, ch. 347, or rules issued pursuant thereto. Such inspection shall be made with respect to the brakes, lights, turn signals, steering, horns and warning devices, glass, mirrors, exhaust system, windshield wipers, tires, and other items of equipment designated by the secretary.

110.075(3) (3) Upon determining that a motor vehicle is in conformity with sub. (2), traffic officers or motor vehicle inspectors shall issue to the operator an official inspection sticker which shall be in such form as the secretary prescribes. The official inspection sticker issued following an inspection shall exempt the inspected vehicle from vehicle inspection for a period of one year.

110.075(4) (4) When any motor vehicle is found to be unsafe for operation, traffic officers or motor vehicle inspectors may order it removed from the highway and not operated, except for purposes of removal and repair, until it has been repaired pursuant to a repair order as provided in sub. (5).

110.075(5) (5) When any motor vehicle is not in compliance with sub. (2) a repair order may be issued, in such form and containing such information as the secretary prescribes, to the owner or driver of the motor vehicle. The owner or driver shall thereupon obtain such repairs as are required.

110.075(6) (6) The secretary shall set standards and adopt rules to establish a plan of inspection to implement the inspection program provided by this section. Nothing in this section shall permit the department to promulgate any rule under which the provisions of 49 CFR 393 and 396 are applicable to, or enforceable with respect to, any farm truck or dual purpose farm truck combined with any semitrailer or farm trailer, or any vehicle combined with a horse trailer, if the vehicle combination’s gross combination weight rating, registered weight, and actual gross weight do not exceed 26,000 pounds, the vehicle combination does not include a commercial motor vehicle described in s. 340.01 (8) (c) or (d), and the vehicle combination is operated solely in intrastate commerce.

110.075(7) (7) Any person producing, manufacturing or using an inspection sticker or causing the same to be done to subvert the provisions of this section shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500. Any persons otherwise violating this section, s. 110.06, ch. 347 or rules issued pursuant thereto, unless otherwise provided by statute, shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $200.

110.075 History History: 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1049, 1654 (7) (c); 1977 c. 273, 325; 1979 c. 154; 1983 a. 175; 1987 a. 235; 2005 a. 65.

110.075 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Trans 327, Wis. adm. code.

110.075 Annotation A corporate employer may be liable for violation of this section. Town of East Troy v. A-1 Service Co., Inc. 196 Wis. 2d 120, 537 N.W.2d 126 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-0610.

110.075 Annotation While it is clear that ss. 110.07 and 110.075 authorize the traffic officers of the state patrol and DOT to make stops and inspections and perhaps arrests for equipment violations, nothing in these statutes limits local law enforcements officers’ powers to do so. A city police officer is a traffic officer under s. 340.01 (70), and because s. 110.075 provides that any traffic officer can stop and inspect vehicles for violations of ch. 110 or rules issued pursuant to ch. 110, and because s. 349.02 (2) permits a police officer to enforce a city ordinance violation upon a reasonable basis to believe a violation has occurred, a city officer had authority to make a stop for violation of an ordinance adopting a safety rule. State v. Bailey, 2009 WI App 140, 321 Wis. 2d 350, 773 N.W.2d 488, 08-3153.

110.08 110.08 State operator’s license examiner system.

110.08(1) (1) The department shall employ a sufficient number of operator’s license examiners. The department may contract for specialists in driver’s license examining to augment the department’s training program for examiners.

110.08(1m) (1m) Each operator’s license examiner shall receive informational training on the powers and duties of the department relating to organ donor information under s. 343.175 once every 2 years and, for operator’s license examiners hired after January 1, 1997, prior to initial assignment to operator’s license examining activities. The informational training under this subsection shall be developed by all organ procurement organizations, as defined in s. 340.01 (41k), in cooperation with the department.

110.08(2) (2) Except as provided under sub. (5) (b) and s. 343.16 (1) (b) to (c), all examinations for operator’s licenses and permits shall be given by state examiners.

110.08(3) (3) The department shall employ state examiners, driver improvement personnel and clerical personnel at local examining centers, under the classified service.

110.08(4) (4) The department shall employ, train and assign sufficient driver improvement personnel to carry out an intensive driver improvement program including the reexamination and personal interview of problem drivers.

110.08(5) (5) 

110.08(5)(a) (a) The department shall provide in each county, directly or by contract as described in par. (b), at least 20 hours per week of services relating to operator’s licenses and identification cards.

110.08(5)(b) (b) The department shall provide the services required under par. (a) by the most cost-effective means possible, which may include contracting with counties or other local governments to provide these services. Notwithstanding any provision of ss. 343.14 and 343.16, a contract between the department and a county or other local government under this paragraph may authorize an employee of the county or local government to conduct any examination for an operator’s license except a driving skills test. The department may require any employee of a county or local government who provides services under a contract entered into under this paragraph to satisfy any requirement under s. 110.09 that would be required of an employee of the department.

110.08 History History: 1971 c. 164; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1050, 1654 (7) (a); 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 32; 1995 a. 113, 446; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32.

110.09 110.09 Background investigations of certain persons.

110.09(1) (1) 

110.09(1)(a) (a) Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the department of transportation, with the assistance of the department of justice, shall conduct a background investigation of any person who has been selected to fill a position within the division of the department of transportation responsible for issuing operator’s licenses and identification cards. This background investigation may include requiring the person to be fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards each bearing a complete set of the person’s fingerprints, or by other technologies approved by law enforcement agencies. The department of justice shall submit any such fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining records of his or her criminal arrests and convictions.

110.09(1)(b) (b) Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, at any interval determined appropriate by the department, the department may conduct, in the manner specified in par. (a), additional background investigations of any person for whom an initial background investigation has been conducted under par. (a) and background investigations of other persons employed by the department within the division of the department responsible for issuing operator’s licenses and identification cards.

110.09(1)(c) (c) The department shall promulgate rules governing confidentiality of information obtained under this subsection.

110.09(2) (2) Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the department shall require, as a precondition to allowing access to any information system in which is stored information maintained by the division of the department responsible for issuing operator’s licenses and identification cards, that any person to whom access is granted submit to a background investigation as provided in this subsection. Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the department shall require the employer, including any state agency, of any person to whom the information will be made available to conduct the background investigation in a manner prescribed by the department. The department may require, as part of this background investigation, that the person be fingerprinted in the manner described in sub. (1) (a) and that these fingerprints be provided to the department of justice for submission to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining records of his or her criminal arrests and convictions. Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the department shall require that the employer certify the results of the background investigation and, based upon these results, may deny or restrict access to any information requested. In addition to the initial background investigation required under this subsection, the department may require on a periodic basis subsequent background investigations consistent with this subsection for persons with ongoing access to information. Any cost associated with the requirements under this subsection is the responsibility of the employer. For purposes of this subsection, “employer” includes a self-employed person. The department shall promulgate rules governing background investigations, and confidentiality of information obtained, under this subsection.

110.09 History History: 2007 a. 20.

110.10 110.10 Ignition interlock device program. The department shall promulgate rules providing for the implementation of an ignition interlock device program that will be conveniently available to persons throughout this state. The rules shall include provisions regarding all of the following:

110.10(1) (1) The selection of persons to install, service and remove ignition interlock devices from motor vehicles.

110.10(2) (2) The periodic review of the fees charged to the owner of a vehicle for the installation, service and removal of an ignition interlock device.

110.10(3) (3) Requiring ignition interlock device providers operating in this state to establish pilot programs involving the voluntary use of ignition interlock devices.

110.10(4) (4) Requiring ignition interlock device providers operating in this state to provide the department and law enforcement agencies designated by the department with installation, service, tampering and failure reports in a timely manner.

110.10(4m) (4m) Requiring ignition interlock device providers operating in this state to accept, as payment in full for equipping a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device and for maintaining the ignition interlock device, the amount ordered by the court under s. 343.301 (3) (b), if applicable.

110.10(5) (5) Requiring ignition interlock device providers to notify the department of any ignition interlock device tampering, circumvention, bypass or violation resets, including all relevant data recorded in the device’s memory. Upon receiving notice described in this subsection, the department shall immediately provide the notice and data to the assessment agency that is administering the violator’s driver safety plan.

110.10 History History: 1999 a. 109, 186; 2009 a. 100.

110.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 313, Wis. adm. code.

110.20 110.20 Motor vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.

110.20(1) (1) Definitions. In this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

110.20(1)(ac) (ac) “Air pollution control equipment” has the meaning given in s. 285.30 (6) (a) 1.

110.20(1)(am) (am) “Federal act” means the federal clean air act, 42 USC 7401 et seq., and regulations issued by the federal environmental protection agency under that act.

110.20(1)(b) (b) “Nonexempt vehicle” means any motor vehicle as defined under s. 340.01 (35) which is owned by the United States or which is required to be registered in this state and to which one or more emission limitations adopted under s. 285.30 (2) applies.

110.20(1)(c) (c) “Nontransient emissions inspection” means an emissions inspection conducted on a vehicle without the use of a chassis dynamometer to vary vehicle engine loads.

110.20(2) (2) Program established. The department shall establish an inspection and maintenance program as provided in this section.

110.20(3) (3) Purpose.

110.20(3)(a) (a) The inspection and maintenance program shall be designed to determine compliance with the emission limitations promulgated under s. 285.30 (2) and compliance with s. 285.30 (6).

110.20(3)(c) (c) The inspection and maintenance program may be designed to provide information on the fuel efficiency of nonexempt vehicles.

110.20(3)(d) (d) The inspection and maintenance program shall be designed and operated to comply with the requirements of the federal act.

110.20(4) (4) Departmental cooperation. The department shall consult and cooperate with the department of natural resources in order to efficiently and fairly establish and administer the program established under this section.

110.20(5) (5) Counties. The department shall operate the inspection and maintenance program in each of the following counties:

110.20(5)(a) (a) Any county identified in a certification under s. 285.30 (3). The department shall terminate the program in the county when the county is withdrawn under s. 285.30 (4). If the program is being operated under contract, termination shall occur at the end of the contractual period in effect.

110.20(5)(b) (b) Any county whose board of supervisors has adopted a resolution requesting the department to establish an inspection and maintenance program in the county for the purpose of improving ambient air quality beyond the standards mandated by section 7409 of the federal act. The department shall terminate the program in the county when the county board adopts a resolution requesting termination of the program. If the program is being operated under contract, termination shall occur at the end of the contractual period in effect.

110.20(6) (6) Mandatory inspection.

110.20(6)(a) (a) The program shall require an emissions inspection under sub. (11) of any nonexempt vehicle customarily kept in a county identified in sub. (5) as follows:

110.20(6)(a)1. 1. For a nonexempt vehicle required to be registered on an annual or other periodic basis in this state, within the period of time specified by the department under sub. (9) (d) prior to renewal of registration in the 4th year after the nonexempt vehicle’s model year and every 2 years thereafter, except as provided in sub. (9) (j).

110.20(6)(a)2. 2. For a nonexempt vehicle required to be registered on an annual or other periodic basis in this state, within the period of time specified by the department under sub. (9) (d) of registration other than renewal if the year of registration is at least 6 years after the nonexempt vehicle’s model year.

110.20(6)(a)3. 3. For a nonexempt vehicle that is registered under s. 341.26 (2m), owned by the United States or subject to one-time registration, at any time during the 4th year following the nonexempt vehicle’s model year and every 2 years thereafter.

110.20(6)(a)4. 4. For a nonexempt vehicle, whenever the owner of the vehicle is notified under sub. (9) (g) that an emissions inspection must be performed.

110.20(6)(b) (b) The program shall require an air pollution control equipment inspection to determine compliance with s. 285.30 (6) of any nonexempt vehicle customarily kept in a county identified in sub. (5) whenever a nontransient emissions inspection is performed or at the time of application for a waiver under sub. (13).

110.20(6m) (6m) Prohibited inspections. The department may not require an emissions inspection of any vehicle prior to the inspection of the vehicle scheduled under sub. (6) (a) 1. or (9) (d) or (j) if an interest in the vehicle is transferred to a surviving spouse under s. 342.17 (4).

110.20(7) (7) Voluntary inspections. The inspection and maintenance program shall require inspection of any nonexempt vehicle which a person presents for inspection at an inspection station or at any other location where, as established under sub. (8) (bm), the vehicle may be inspected.

110.20(8) (8) Contractors and other inspection methods.

110.20(8)(am) (am)

110.20(8)(am)1. 1. The emissions test and equipment inspection of nonexempt vehicles may be performed by persons under contract with the department. Each such contract shall require the contractor to operate inspection stations, which may be permanent or mobile, for a minimum of 3 years and shall provide for equitable compensation to the contractor if the operation of an inspection and maintenance program within any county is terminated within 3 years after the inspection and maintenance program in the county is begun. No officer, director or employee of the contractor may be an employee of the department. The department may contract with any person, including any person engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, or repairing motor vehicles or of selling motor vehicle replacement or repair parts. The department shall require the contractor to operate a sufficient number of inspection stations, permanent or mobile, to ensure public convenience in those counties identified under sub. (5).

110.20(8)(am)1m. 1m. Each contract under subd. 1. may authorize or require the contractor to install and operate self-service inspection stations and may allow the use of different methods for emissions testing and equipment inspection, consistent with methods established under par. (bm), than those used at inspection stations that are not self-service.

110.20(8)(am)2. 2. The department may require the contractor to test the fuel efficiency of nonexempt vehicles during emission inspections.

110.20(8)(am)3. 3. The department may delegate to the contractor specified registration functions of the department under ch. 341. The department may direct the contractor to perform specified registration functions under ch. 341.

110.20(8)(am)4. 4. The department may delegate to the contractor functions associated with the issuance of a temporary operating permit under sub. (10) (b) or the waiver of compliance under sub. (13) (a) or both.

110.20(8)(am)6. 6. The contractor shall collect, maintain and report data as the department requires. The department shall reserve the right to enter and inspect test station premises, equipment and records at all reasonable times in the discharge of its administrative duties.

110.20(8)(am)7. 7. Each contract under subd. 1. may authorize the contractor to enter into subcontracts for the performance of any of the contractor’s functions or duties under the contract. In performing any such function or duty, a subcontractor shall comply with all requirements applicable to the contractor. With the department’s approval, the contractor may subcontract with any person engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, or repairing motor vehicles or of selling motor vehicle replacement or repair parts.

110.20(8)(am)8. 8. Each contract under subd. 1. shall require that, if an emissions inspection is performed by a contractor or subcontractor engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, or repairing motor vehicles or of selling motor vehicle replacement or repair parts and the inspection shows that the vehicle does not comply with applicable emission limitations, the contractor or subcontractor shall advise the vehicle owner as specified in sub. (12).

110.20(8)(bm) (bm) The emissions test and equipment inspection of nonexempt vehicles may be performed by the department or by persons who are not under contract with the department but who are otherwise authorized by the department to perform such testing and inspection. The department may establish methods for emissions testing and equipment inspection by the department or other authorized persons of nonexempt vehicles, in addition to testing and inspection by contractors. These methods may include the installation and operation by the department or other authorized persons of self-service inspection stations and the utilization of any technology related to emissions or data transmission with which motor vehicles may be equipped, including reading and reporting diagnostic codes stored in any on-board diagnostic system capable of monitoring all emission-related engine systems or components. The department may establish methods for emissions testing and equipment inspection specifically applicable to self-service inspection stations, which methods shall apply equally to self-service inspection stations operated by contractors under par. (am) 1m. and self-service inspection stations operated under this paragraph.

110.20(8)(c) (c)

110.20(8)(c)1. 1. Notwithstanding subs. (5), (6), and (9) (d), the department of transportation may, with concurrence of the department of natural resources, grant a temporary exemption for nonexempt vehicles during any period in which the department of transportation is unable to operate an inspection and maintenance program. An exemption granted under this subdivision is valid until the next required inspection of the vehicle required under sub. (6), or until the time given by the department of transportation to complete inspection of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding subs. (7) and (10m), the department of transportation may deny requests for inspection during any period in which exemptions are granted under this subdivision.

110.20(8)(c)2. 2. For purposes of ss. 341.04 (1), 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. and 2. and (9), and 341.65 (2) (e) 2m., an inspection under this section is not required during any period in which a temporary exemption is granted under subd. 1. For purposes of ss. 341.09 (5), 341.10 (10) (intro.), 341.26 (2m) (am), and 341.63 (1) (e), a vehicle does not require inspection under sub. (6) during any period in which a temporary exemption is granted under subd. 1.

110.20(9) (9) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules which:

110.20(9)(a) (a) Specify procedures for the inspection of vehicles, including the method of measuring emissions, the types of equipment which may be used in performing the measurements and the calibration requirements for the equipment. The procedures and methods shall be capable of being correlated with the federal test procedures established under section 7525 of the federal act.

110.20(9)(b) (b) Prescribe a procedure for determining whether the cost of necessary repairs and adjustments exceeds the limit under sub. (13).