Chapter 341

Acts indifferent or unresponsive.

Other (provide brief description).”
The department shall inform the applicant that an indication under this paragraph will be available to law enforcement officers and employees of the department.

341.08(2)(am) (am) If the owner under par. (a) is a lessee, the name and birth date of the lessor.

341.08(2)(b) (b) The name of the town, city or village in which the owner resides and, if the owner resides in a city of the first or second class, the owner’s true residential or business address.

341.08(2)(bm) (bm) If applicable, the name of the town, city or village in which the lessor resides and, if the lessor resides in a 1st or 2nd class city, the lessor’s true residential or business address.

341.08(2)(c) (c) A description of the vehicle, including make, model, color, identification number and any other information which the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the vehicle. An application for a motorcycle or for a vehicle registered at a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds is not required to include the vehicle color in the description of the vehicle.

341.08(2)(cm) (cm) A place for the applicant to indicate whether the color of the vehicle being registered has changed from the color specified on the certificate of registration and, if so, the new color.

341.08(2)(d) (d) The city, village or town and the county in which the vehicle is customarily kept.

341.08(2)(e) (e) Such further information as the department may reasonably require to enable it to determine whether the vehicle is by law entitled to registration or to enable it to determine the proper applicant or registration fee for the vehicle.

341.08(2)(f) (f) If the application is for registration of a vehicle under s. 341.14 (6m), an opportunity for the applicant to identify himself or herself as a member or former member of a Wisconsin national guard unit identified by the department of military affairs under s. 341.14 (6m) (d) 5.

341.08(3) (3) The department may accept an application and complete registration of a vehicle when the evidence of ownership is held by a nonresident lienholder or for other reason is not immediately available and the department is satisfied as to ownership of the vehicle. The title fee shall be collected at the time of registration and retained even though certificate of title is not issued.

341.08(4) (4) Applications for renewal of registration shall contain the information required in sub. (2) for original applications or such parts thereof as the department deems necessary to assure the proper registration of the vehicle. The department may require that applications for renewal of registration be accompanied by the certificate of title issued for the vehicle only when the true ownership or proper registration of the vehicle is in doubt and cannot be resolved from records maintained by the department.

341.08(4m) (4m) At least 30 days prior to the expiration of a vehicle’s registration, the department shall mail to the last-known address of the registrant a notice of the date upon which the registration must be renewed and an application form for renewal of registration. The application form or an accompanying document shall include a list of any unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations or any judgments for violation of ch. 110, 194, or 341 to 350, an administrative rule of the department, or an ordinance enacted in accordance with s. 349.06, including parking violations, and of any unpaid towing and storage charges associated with nonmoving traffic violations entered against the registrant that remain unpaid. The list of unpaid citations for nonmoving traffic violations and of unpaid towing and storage charges associated with nonmoving traffic violations shall be based on information obtained under s. 345.28 (4). The list of unpaid judgments shall be based on information obtained under s. 345.47 (1) (d). If there is a citation for any nonmoving traffic violation entered against the registrant that is unpaid, he or she shall be notified that the vehicle may not be registered until the citation is paid or the registrant appears in court to respond to the citation. If there are any towing and storage charges entered against the registrant that are unpaid, he or she shall be notified that the vehicle may not be registered until such towing and storage charges are paid. If there is a judgment entered against the registrant which is unpaid, he or she shall be notified that the vehicle may not be registered until the judgment is paid.

341.08 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 128, Wis. adm. code.

341.08(5) (5) The department shall supply the several county clerks with blank application forms for original registration of vehicles.

341.08(6) (6) If the applicant for a certificate of registration is under 18 years of age, the application shall be accompanied by a statement made and signed by either of the applicant’s parents, if such parent has custody of the minor; or if neither parent has custody, then by the person having custody, stating that the applicant has the signer’s consent to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name. The signature on the statement shall not impute any liability for the negligence or misconduct of the applicant while operating such motor vehicle on the highways. Any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

341.08(7) (7) A vehicle’s registration does not expire on the date of expiration of registration under ss. 341.25 to 341.36 if, on that date of expiration, the registrant is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and is absent from this state or is a member of the U.S. foreign service appointed under 22 USC 3942 (a) (1) or 3943 who is on active duty and is absent from this state. Any registration extended under this subsection expires 30 days after the registrant returns to this state or 90 days after the registrant is discharged from active duty, whichever is earlier. If a registration is renewed after an extension under this subsection, the renewal period shall begin on the day after the date of expiration of registration.

341.08(8) (8) 

341.08(8)(a) (a) The department shall maintain a record of applicants who file a form under sub. (2) (ag). In the event of a request of a law enforcement officer or other appropriate person, as determined by the department, for application information, the department shall examine its record of applicants who have indicated a disability that may not be immediately apparent to another and shall advise the law enforcement officer or other person as to whether the applicant is recorded as a person who has indicated a disability that may not be immediately apparent to another and as to any condition that has been disclosed under sub. (2) (ag).

341.08(8)(b) (b) Upon request by a person, the department shall remove any information related to that person from the record under par. (a).

341.08 History History: 1971 c. 164; 1973 c. 218; 1975 c. 94; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1414, 1654 (7) (a); 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 165; 1983 a. 180; 1987 a. 349; 1991 a. 13, 269, 316; 1995 a. 255, 338; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 88, 90, 110; 2003 a. 201; 2009 a. 195; 2015 a. 323; 2017 a. 244.

341.08 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 157, Wis. adm. code.

341.085 341.085 Registration of ambulances.

341.085(1) (1) The department shall inspect all ambulances prior to issuing an original or renewal registration to determine that the vehicles meet requirements specified by law or administrative rule as to specifications, medical equipment, supplies and sanitation.

341.085(2) (2) The department may adopt rules necessary for administration of this section and prescribe ambulance service equipment and standards therefor, except that any ambulance which does not conform to rules adopted by the department may be used until December 30, 1979.

341.085 History History: 1977 c. 29.

341.085 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 309, Wis. adm. code.

341.09 341.09 Temporary operation permits and plates.

341.09(1) (1) 

341.09(1)(a) (a) The department shall issue temporary operation plates as provided under subs. (2), (2m) and (9) and may issue a temporary operation permit or plate for an unregistered vehicle as otherwise provided under this section. Except as provided in par. (b), the permits or plates shall contain the date of expiration and sufficient information to identify the vehicle for which and the person to whom it is issued. The department may place the information identifying the vehicle and the person to whom the permit or plate is issued on a separate form. Except as provided in subs. (3) to (5), a temporary operation plate issued under this section is valid for a period of 90 days or until the applicant receives the regular registration plates, whichever occurs first.

341.09(1)(b) (b) The department shall specify by rule the size, color, design, form and specifications of temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, and the system to be used to identify the date of issuance of such plates. All temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less shall contain a registration number composed of letters or numbers.

341.09(1)(c) (c) Notwithstanding sub. (2m) (a) 1. b., a dealer may collect a special handling fee of not more than $5 if the dealer provides special assistance to a person who is applying for a temporary operation plate under sub. (2m) (a) 1. b.

341.09(1m) (1m) The department may issue a temporary operation plate for a motorcycle under sub. (8). The plate shall contain the date of expiration and sufficient information to identify the motorcycle for which and the person to whom it is issued.

341.09(2) (2) 

341.09(2)(a) (a) Upon request therefor by a person who has made a verifiable application for registration and paid the registration fee, the department shall issue a temporary operation permit or plate if it appears that the person would otherwise be unable to lawfully operate the vehicle pending receipt of the registration plates.

341.09(2)(b) (b) If the department is not able to verify that an application has been submitted, the department may issue a temporary operation permit or plate if it is satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle and the applicant submits another application with all fees normally required to title and register the vehicle. The fee paid under this paragraph shall be refunded upon completion of processing of the original application.

341.09(2)(d) (d) The department may issue temporary operation plates for use on any vehicle except buses, for-hire vehicles and vehicles which are subject to registration under the international registration plan if the state is a party to such plan. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specifications of the plate. The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each temporary operation plate issued under this subsection.

341.09(2)(e) (e) Sections 341.13 and 341.14 do not apply to plates issued under this subsection.

341.09(2)(f) (f) Nothing in this subsection requires a person who has complied with s. 341.04 (1) to obtain a temporary operation plate under this subsection.

341.09(2)(g) (g) A temporary operation plate may not be issued under this subsection to a state resident for use on an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less.

341.09(2m) (2m) 

341.09(2m)(a) (a)

341.09(2m)(a)1. 1. Upon request by a dealer licensed in this state, the department may issue any number of temporary operation plates and temporary permits to a dealer under sub. (2) at a fee of $3 per item. The dealer may issue the temporary operation plate or permit at a fee of $3 to any of the following:

341.09(2m)(a)1.a. a. Except as provided in subd. 2., a state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer any type of vehicle except buses, for-hire vehicles and vehicles which are subject to registration under the international registration plan if the state is a party to such plan, for use on such vehicle.

341.09(2m)(a)1.b. b. A state resident who purchases or leases an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less from a person other than the dealer for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

341.09(2m)(a)1m. 1m. The department shall issue temporary operation plates and temporary permits to a dealer under this subsection solely in an electronic format.

341.09(2m)(a)2. 2. Each dealer shall issue a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit without charge to any state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest, and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

341.09(2m)(a)3. 3. The department shall prescribe the manner in which a dealer shall keep records of temporary operation plates and temporary permits issued by the dealer.

341.09(2m)(d) (d) If the department determines that a dealer has misused temporary operation plates or permits issued under this subsection or sub. (4) or has failed to comply with the requirements of this section or rules issued under this section, the department may issue an order prohibiting the dealer from issuing temporary operation plates or permits. Within 30 days after the issuance of the order, the dealer may request a hearing before the division of hearings and appeals. The division of hearings and appeals shall schedule a hearing with reasonable promptness. The dealer may not issue any temporary operation plates or permits until after the division of hearings and appeals holds its scheduled hearing and issues its findings.

341.09(3) (3) Upon application to the department by a person engaged in the active military service of the United States or its allies or who is a member of the U.S. foreign service appointed under 22 USC 3942 (a) (1) or 3943 who is on active duty and upon satisfactory proof of the active military or foreign service status of the applicant and of being granted a furlough, the department shall issue to the applicant without charge a temporary operation plate that authorizes the applicant to operate any vehicle owned or designated by the applicant without registration of the vehicle. The plate is valid only while the applicant is on furlough and for a period not to exceed 30 days. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form, and specifications of a plate issued under this subsection. The plate may be similar or identical to a plate issued under sub. (2).

341.09(4) (4) Upon receipt of an application and a fee of $3, the department shall register a vehicle purchased or leased in this state by a nonresident for a period not to exceed 30 days. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specifications of a plate issued under this subsection. The plate may be similar or identical to a plate issued under sub. (2). The department may issue the plates to dealers at a fee of $3 per plate in the manner and for the purpose provided in sub. (2m).

341.09(5) (5) The department may issue a temporary operation permit or plate which is valid for a period of 30 days upon request of the owner of a vehicle which is subject to the inspection required by s. 110.20 (6). The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each temporary operation permit or plate issued under this subsection. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specification of the plate.

341.09(6) (6) The department may, in instances of special transportation need as determined by the department, issue a trip permit which is valid for a 72-hour period to the owner or operator of a vehicle which is eligible for quarterly registration under s. 341.30 or consecutive monthly registration under s. 341.305. The fee for the trip permit shall be not less than $15. The secretary may waive the fee for the trip permit if the secretary determines that waiver is appropriate under the circumstances.

341.09(7) (7) The owner of a special interest vehicle registered under s. 341.266 (2) (a) or a reconstructed, replica, street modified or homemade vehicle registered under s. 341.268 (2) (a) may, upon payment of a fee of $5 and application to the department, be issued a permit for operation of the vehicle for a period not to exceed 5 successive days during the month of January. The permit shall be valid only in the calendar year for which the permit is issued. The department shall prescribe the form of the application and permit and the manner in which the permit shall be displayed. The owner may be issued additional permits in subsequent years upon application and payment of the required fee.

341.09(8) (8) The department may issue a temporary operation plate to a person who is eligible for the issuance of a special plate for a motorcycle under s. 341.14 (1e) if the department determines that the person’s disability is temporary. The plate shall contain the information specified in sub. (1m) and comply with s. 341.13 (2m), if applicable. The plate shall otherwise be similar to or identical to plates issued under s. 341.14 (1e). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance of a plate under this subsection.

341.09(9) (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department shall issue a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit without charge for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less upon receipt of a complete application accompanied by the required fee for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, if the department does not immediately issue the regular registration plates for the vehicle and the department determines that the applicant has not otherwise been issued a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit under this section.

341.09(10) (10) A dealer that violates sub. (2m) (a) or any rule promulgated under this section or that misuses temporary operation plates or permits issued under sub. (2m) (a) may be required to forfeit not less than $500 nor more than $5,000.

341.09 History History: 1975 c. 32, 351; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1977 c. 273; 1981 c. 150, 391; 1983 a. 27, 180; 1987 a. 100 s. 3; 1987 a. 369; 1989 a. 137, 304, 359; 1991 a. 39, 81, 189; 1993 a. 16, 165, 288; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 80; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 25; 2011 a. 260 s. 81; 2011 a. 262; 2015 a. 323; 2021 a. 239 s. 74; 2023 a. 45.

341.09 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 132, Wis. adm. code.

341.10 341.10 Grounds for refusing registration. The department shall refuse registration of a vehicle under any of the following circumstances:

341.10(1) (1) The required state fee and any municipal vehicle registration fee imposed by the town, village or city in which the vehicle is customarily kept has not been paid for the specific vehicle, and the department may refuse registration of a vehicle if such fees for the current period or for any previous period for which payment of a registration fee is required by law have not been paid on any other vehicles owned by the applicant for registration.

341.10(2) (2) The applicant has failed to furnish any of the following:

341.10(2)(a) (a) If applicable, the power of attorney required under 15 USC 1988 or rules of the department.

341.10(2)(b) (b) Unless exempted by rule of the department, the mileage disclosure from the most recent titled owner and of all subsequent nontitled owners of the vehicle.

341.10(2)(c) (c) Other information or documents required by law or by the department pursuant to authority of law.

341.10(3) (3) A certificate of title is a prerequisite to registration of the vehicle and, except for an applicant who is the lessee of a vehicle, a valid certificate of title has not been issued to the applicant for the vehicle and the applicant is not entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title.

341.10(4) (4) The applicant’s registration has been suspended or revoked and such suspension or revocation still is in effect.

341.10(5) (5) The vehicle is exempt from registration under this chapter and voluntary registration of the vehicle is not expressly authorized.

341.10(6) (6) The vehicle was manufactured after 1969 and does not meet manufacturer or importer certification label requirements as specified in 49 CFR 567 or the vehicle is a Kei class vehicle. This subsection does not apply to former military vehicles, historic military vehicles, as defined in s. 341.269 (1) (a), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.269, or special interest vehicles, as defined in s. 341.266 (1) (c), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.266.

341.10(7) (7) A court has notified the department under s. 345.47 (1) (d) that a judgment has been entered against the applicant and the judgment remains unpaid.

341.10(7m) (7m) An authority has notified the department under s. 345.28 (4) that a citation for a nonmoving traffic violation has been issued against the applicant and the applicant has not paid the citation or appeared in court to respond to the citation or that the applicant has not paid towing and storage charges associated with a citation for a nonmoving traffic violation issued against the applicant.

341.10(7r) (7r) A city has notified the department under s. 345.285 (2) (b) 1. that one or more citations for nonmoving traffic violations have been issued against the applicant and the applicant has not paid the citations or appeared in court to respond to the citations.

341.10(8) (8) The vehicle is not eligible for registration under s. 285.30 (6).

341.10(10) (10) The vehicle requires inspection under s. 110.20 (6) and any of the following applies:

341.10(10)(a) (a) The vehicle has not been inspected.

341.10(10)(b) (b) The most recent inspection of the vehicle under s. 110.20 (6) indicates noncompliance unless the department has issued a temporary operating permit under s. 110.20 (10) (b) or a waiver of compliance under s. 110.20 (13).

341.10(10)(c) (c) The most recent inspection of the vehicle under s. 110.20 (6) involved a violation of s. 110.20 (11) (c).

341.10(11) (11) The applicant has failed to furnish proof of payment, in the form prescribed by the U.S. secretary of the treasury, that the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed by section 4481 of the internal revenue code has been paid.

341.10(12) (12) The vehicle is required to be inspected under s. 110.063 (2) and any of the following applies:

341.10(12)(a) (a) The vehicle has not been inspected.

341.10(12)(b) (b) The most recent inspection of the vehicle indicates noncompliance with ss. 110.063 and 110.075, ch. 347 or rules promulgated under those sections or ch. 347.

341.10(14) (14) The vehicle has a mobile air conditioner, as defined in s. 100.45 (1) (b), the distribution of which in this state would be prohibited under s. 100.45 (2).

341.10(15) (15) The vehicle is required to be inspected under s. 110.05 and any of the following applies:

341.10(15)(a) (a) The vehicle has not been inspected.

341.10(15)(b) (b) The most recent inspection of the vehicle indicates noncompliance with ss. 110.05 and 110.075 or ch. 347 or rules promulgated under those sections or ch. 347.

341.10(16) (16) The applicant has applied for registration under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405 and, in the registration application, the applicant has identified as the motor carrier responsible for the safety of the motor vehicle to be registered a motor carrier for which the department has received notice that the motor carrier is subject to a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance. This subsection does not prohibit the applicant from registering the motor vehicle under any applicable provision of this chapter other than s. 341.405.

341.10(17) (17) The applicant has applied for registration under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405 and the motor vehicle for which application is made has been identified by the federal motor carrier safety administration as having been assigned for safety to a motor carrier whose business is operated, managed, or otherwise controlled or affiliated with a person that has been issued a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance. This subsection does not prohibit the applicant from registering the motor vehicle under any applicable provision of this chapter other than s. 341.405.

341.10 History History: 1973 c. 131; 1975 c. 32; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1979 c. 34; 1979 c. 274; 1981 c. 165; 1983 a. 27, 78, 103, 169, 330; 1987 a. 235; 1989 a. 56, 284; 1991 a. 39, 316; 1993 a. 159, 288; 1995 a. 227; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1999 a. 85; 2003 a. 201, 297; 2009 a. 135; 2011 a. 32, 235; 2013 a. 103, 151, 368.

341.11 341.11 Contents, issuance and display of certificate of registration; issuance of duplicate certificate.