Chapter 341

341.14(12)(d)1.b. b. That, if the approval is withdrawn, the department may continue to renew the registration of vehicles previously issued plates under sub. (6r) (f) 66., without replacing those plates, but the department shall discontinue collecting the voluntary payment specified in sub. (6r) (b) 18. with respect to these renewals.

341.14(12)(d)2. 2. Notwithstanding sub. (6r) (b) 1. and (f) (intro.), if the approval specified in sub. (6r) (b) 1. for plates issued under sub. (6r) (f) 66. is withdrawn, the department shall discontinue issuing plates under sub. (6r) (f) 66. for which the approval had been provided unless additional approval, as specified in this paragraph and sub. (6r) (b) 1., is obtained by the department.

341.14(13) (13) 

341.14(13)(a) (a) Subject to par. (c), from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (fh), the department shall make payments to Whitetails Unlimited.

341.14(13)(b) (b) For each year in which the department makes payments under par. (a), Whitetails Unlimited shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a financial statement of its use of the payments received under par. (a), prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

341.14(13)(c) (c) The department shall discontinue payments to Whitetails Unlimited under par. (a) if Whitetails Unlimited dissolves, becomes insolvent, files a petition for bankruptcy, or is no longer exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

341.14(13)(d) (d)

341.14(13)(d)1. 1. If the special group plates under sub. (6r) (f) 67. will display any logo, trademark or service mark, trade name, or other commercial symbol associated with Whitetails Unlimited, the department may not issue any plates under sub. (6r) (f) 67. unless the approval specified in sub. (6r) (b) 1. for these plates provides for all of the following:

341.14(13)(d)1.a. a. That the approval is irrevocable with respect to all plates issued for vehicles after the plates are issued for these vehicles.

341.14(13)(d)1.b. b. That, if the approval is withdrawn, the department may continue to renew the registration of vehicles previously issued plates under sub. (6r) (f) 67., without replacing those plates, but the department shall discontinue collecting the voluntary payment specified in sub. (6r) (b) 19. with respect to these renewals.

341.14(13)(d)2. 2. Notwithstanding sub. (6r) (b) 1. and (f) (intro.), if the approval specified in sub. (6r) (b) 1. for plates issued under sub. (6r) (f) 67. is withdrawn, the department shall discontinue issuing plates under sub. (6r) (f) 67. unless additional approval, as specified in this paragraph and sub. (6r) (b) 1., is obtained by the department.

341.14(14) (14) 

341.14(14)(a) (a) Subject to par. (c), from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (fi), the department shall make payments to the Wisconsin Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

341.14(14)(b) (b) For each year in which the department makes payments under par. (a), the Wisconsin Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a financial statement of its use of the payments received under par. (a), prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

341.14(14)(c) (c) The department shall discontinue payments to the Wisconsin Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation under par. (a) if the Wisconsin Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation dissolves, becomes insolvent, files a petition for bankruptcy, or is no longer exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

341.14(14)(d) (d)

341.14(14)(d)1. 1. If the special group plates under sub. (6r) (f) 68. will display any logo, trademark or service mark, trade name, or other commercial symbol associated with the Wisconsin Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the department may not issue any plates under sub. (6r) (f) 68. unless the approval specified in sub. (6r) (b) 1. for these plates provides for all of the following:

341.14(14)(d)1.a. a. That the approval is irrevocable with respect to all plates issued for vehicles after the plates are issued for these vehicles.

341.14(14)(d)1.b. b. That, if the approval is withdrawn, the department may continue to renew the registration of vehicles previously issued plates under sub. (6r) (f) 68., without replacing those plates, but the department shall discontinue collecting the voluntary payment specified in sub. (6r) (b) 20. with respect to these renewals.

341.14(14)(d)2. 2. Notwithstanding sub. (6r) (b) 1. and (f) (intro.), if the approval specified in sub. (6r) (b) 1. for plates issued under sub. (6r) (f) 68. is withdrawn, the department shall discontinue issuing plates under sub. (6r) (f) 68. unless additional approval, as specified in this paragraph and sub. (6r) (b) 1., is obtained by the department.

341.14(15) (15) 

341.14(15)(a) (a) Subject to par. (c), from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (fj), the department shall make payments to the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives, which payments shall be used for purposes related to nurses’ education.

341.14(15)(b) (b) For each year in which the department makes payments under par. (a), the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a financial statement of its use of the payments under par. (a), prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

341.14(15)(c) (c) The department shall discontinue payments to the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives under par. (a) if the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives dissolves, becomes insolvent, files a petition for bankruptcy, or is no longer exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

341.14(16) (16) 

341.14(16)(a) (a)

341.14(16)(a)1. 1. Subject to par. (c) 1., from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (hi), the department shall make payments to Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc.

341.14(16)(a)2. 2. Subject to par. (c) 2., from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (hj), the department shall make payments to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

341.14(16)(b) (b)

341.14(16)(b)1. 1. For each year in which the department makes payments under par. (a) 1., Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc., shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a financial statement of its use of the payments received under par. (a) 1., prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

341.14(16)(b)2. 2. For each year in which the department makes payments under par. (a) 2., the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a financial statement of its use of the payments received under par. (a) 2., prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and a statement that all funds received under par. (a) 2. have been or will be expended in the state of Wisconsin.

341.14(16)(c) (c)

341.14(16)(c)1. 1. The department shall discontinue payments to Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc., under par. (a) 1. if Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc., dissolves, becomes insolvent, files a petition for bankruptcy, or is no longer exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

341.14(16)(c)2. 2. The department shall discontinue payments to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund under par. (a) 2. if the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund dissolves, becomes insolvent, files a petition for bankruptcy, is no longer exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or expends funds received under par. (a) 2. other than in the state of Wisconsin.

341.14 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1971 c. 299; 1975 c. 384, 417; 1977 c. 16; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1417, 1418, 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1977 c. 43, 183, 292, 418, 447; 1979 c. 236; 1981 c. 255; 1983 a. 227, 430, 511; 1985 a. 29, 55; 1985 a. 87 ss. 1, 5; 1985 a. 124, 202; 1985 a. 332 ss. 191, 251 (4); 1987 a. 19, 64, 112, 145, 315, 399, 403; 1989 a. 31, 54, 56, 137, 302, 304, 312, 359; 1991 a. 2, 39, 100, 240; 1993 a. 16, 291, 303, 415, 491; 1995 a. 147, 253, 255, 445; 1997 a. 27, 67, 252, 255; 1999 a. 9, 32, 80, 92, 167, 186; 2001 a. 16, 38, 103, 109; 2003 a. 83, 184; 2005 a. 22, 25, 109, 199, 260, 319, 472; 2007 a. 38, 97, 107, 120, 160, 194; 2009 a. 28, 135, 159, 182, 195, 224, 226, 230, 246, 340; 2011 a. 32; 2011 a. 260 ss. 50 to 52, 80; 2013 a. 29, 163, 188, 266, 275; 2015 a. 117; 2015 a. 195 ss. 37 to 39, 82; 2015 a. 227, 296, 328; 2017 a. 12; 2017 a. 59 ss. 1784, 1785, 1894, 1895; 2017 a. 194, 229, 249; 2017 a. 365 ss. 68 to 70, 110; 2021 a. 178, 239; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; 2023 a. 40, 188.

341.14 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 130, Wis. adm. code.

341.142 341.142 Veterans honorary medal decals. If any person who is registering or has registered a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. submits a statement from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the person has been awarded a medal authorized under an act of congress relating to that person’s service in the U.S. armed forces, as defined in s. 40.02 (57m), the department shall, free of charge, procure, issue and deliver to that veteran one decal, similar in appearance to the medal awarded to that veteran, for each motor vehicle registered in the name of that veteran. Notwithstanding s. 341.61 (3), a decal issued under this section shall be displayed in the manner directed by the department on the rear registration plate of the vehicle registered in the name of the veteran to whom the decal was issued. The department shall specify one combination of colors and design for each medal authorized under an act of congress for which a statement has been received by the department under this section, except that the department may not specify the colors or design unless the colors and design are approved in writing by the state department of veterans affairs. Not more than one decal may be issued under this section for each motor vehicle registered in the name of a veteran.

341.142 History History: 1995 a. 445.

341.145 341.145 Personalized registration plates.

341.145(1) (1) In this section, “personalized registration plate” means any of the following:

341.145(1)(a) (a) A registration plate for an owned automobile or a motor home registered for an annual registration period under s. 341.29 or 341.295 or a motorcycle or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the applicant. Personalized registration plates under this paragraph shall be of the same color and design as regular registration plates and shall consist of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position for a plate issued for a motorcycle or not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position for all other plates.

341.145(1)(b) (b) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (6m) for a vehicle specified under s. 341.14 (6m), which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

341.145(1)(c) (c) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (6r) for a vehicle specified under s. 341.14 (6r), which displays the applicable symbol of the authorized special group to which the person belongs or supports and a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

341.145(1)(d) (d) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (1) for a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (1), which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 6 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

341.145(1)(e) (e) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (1a) for a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (1a), which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 6 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

341.145(1)(f) (f) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (6w) for a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (6w), which displays a registration number composed of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position, requested by an applicant.

341.145(1g) (1g) 

341.145(1g)(a) (a) The department may issue personalized registration plates under sub. (1) (b) to a person who qualifies for special plates under s. 341.14 (6m).

341.145(1g)(b) (b) The department may issue personalized registration plates under sub. (1) (c) to a person who qualifies for special plates under s. 341.14 (6r).

341.145(1g)(c) (c) The department may issue personalized registration plates under sub. (1) (d) to a person who qualifies for special plates under s. 341.14 (1).

341.145(1g)(d) (d) The department may issue personalized registration plates under sub. (1) (e) to a person who qualifies for special plates under s. 341.14 (1a), (1m) or (1q).

341.145(1g)(e) (e) The department may issue personalized registration plates under sub. (1) (f) to a person who qualifies for special plates under s. 341.14 (6w).

341.145(1r) (1r) In lieu of the procedure under s. 341.13 (2), the department may issue distinguishing tags or decals for personalized registration plates for a vehicle registered on the basis of gross weight.

341.145(2) (2) The department shall issue personalized registration plates only upon request and if:

341.145(2)(a) (a) The request and alternative thereto is received by the department in writing by the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle is to be registered;

341.145(2)(b) (b) The request is accompanied by the proper fee, an application for original or renewal vehicle registration and the proper registration fee;

341.145(2)(c) (c) The requested combination of numbers or letters has not already been issued.

341.145(3) (3) In addition to the regular application fee provided under s. 341.25 (1) (a), (c) or (j) or (2) or 341.26 (3) (a) 2. or (am), the applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on an annual basis shall pay a fee of $15 for the issuance of the plate and $15 in each succeeding year to maintain the plate. In addition to the regular application fee provided under s. 341.25 (1) (b) or 341.26 (3) (a) 1., the applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on a biennial basis shall pay a fee of $30 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued during the first year of the biennial registration period or $15 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued during the 2nd year of the biennial registration period. The fee to maintain a personalized plate issued on a biennial basis is $30. The fee for reissuance of a personalized plate shall be $15 for an annual registration and $30 for a biennial registration. An applicant for personalized plates issued under sub. (1) (b) or (c) shall not be required to pay the fee for initial issuance of the plates.

341.145(4) (4) Each personalized registration plate issued shall be reserved for the recipient in succeeding registration periods and shall not be duplicated for issuance to any other person if the recipient maintains the plate, unless the recipient authorizes the issuance of the plate to another person. If the recipient does not maintain the plate for 2 successive years which are not plate issuance years or if the recipient does not specifically request reissuance of the personalized registration plate by the date on which the plate expires in a plate issuance year, the department may issue the personalized registration plate to another applicant.

341.145(5) (5) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate under sub. (3) during a year that is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department.

341.145(6) (6) Any registration plate issued sequentially to an applicant for original or renewal registration shall be available for issuance as a personalized registration plate if the plate has not been maintained for 2 successive years or if the recipient of the plate authorizes the issuance of the plate to another person.

341.145(7) (7) The department may refuse to issue any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which may carry connotations offensive to good taste or decency, or which would be misleading, or in conflict with the issuance of any other registration plates. All decisions of the department with respect to personalized registration plate applications shall be final and not subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

341.145(8) (8) The department may cancel and order the return of any personalized registration plates issued which contain any combination of letters or numbers, or both, which the department determines may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency or which may be misleading. Any person ordered to return such plates shall either be reimbursed for any additional fees they paid for the plates for the registration year in which they are recalled, or be given at no additional cost replacement personalized registration plates, the issuance of which is in compliance with the statutes. A person who fails to return personalized registration plates upon request of the department may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

341.145 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1419, 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 129, 418; 1983 a. 126, 270, 511, 538; 1985 a. 120 ss. 223m, 3200; 1985 a. 202 ss. 10 to 14, 37; 1985 a. 210, 332; 1987 a. 112; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 329, 350; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 80; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 184; 2011 a. 264; 2015 a. 227, 328; 2017 a. 365.

341.147 341.147 Fleet registration plates.

341.147(1) (1) The owner of a fleet of 10 or more vehicles that are automobiles or motor trucks with a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds may upon application register the vehicles under this section.

341.147(2) (2) Upon receipt of an application and the initial registration fees, the department shall issue registration plates of a distinctive design with the word “Fleet” embossed on the plate for all of the vehicles in the fleet. Notwithstanding s. 341.13 (1), the department may not require the placement of an annual registration decal on a registration plate under this subsection. The department shall provide, to the extent feasible, the same registration expiration date for each vehicle in a fleet. A vehicle may be registered as part of a fleet under this section regardless of whether, at the time of application for the initial registration of the fleet, the vehicle is currently registered with the department.

341.147(3) (3) A vehicle under this section shall be registered annually at the regular annual fee under s. 341.25 for the type of vehicle. In addition to the annual registration fee, the department shall charge an initial issuance fee of $8.50 for the initial registration of each vehicle registered as part of a fleet under this section.

341.147(4) (4) The department shall establish a system by which the registration of a fleet of vehicles under this section may be renewed by electronic means. A fleet owner who registers a fleet of vehicles under this section shall renew the registration of the fleet of vehicles using the system established under this subsection.

341.147 History History: 2021 a. 178.

341.15 341.15 Display of registration plates.

341.15(1) (1) Whenever 2 registration plates are issued for a vehicle, one plate shall be attached to the front and one to the rear of the vehicle. Whenever only one registration plate is issued for a vehicle, the plate shall be attached as follows:

341.15(1)(a) (a) If the vehicle is a truck tractor or road tractor or a motor truck issued the plate under s. 341.405 (2), to the front.

341.15(1)(b) (b) For any other vehicle for which only one plate is issued, to the rear, except that a plate issued to or for a municipality under s. 341.26 (2m) may be attached to the front of the vehicle if the design or use of the vehicle is such as to make a plate attached to the rear difficult to see and read.

341.15(1m) (1m) 

341.15(1m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), any registration decal or tag issued by the department shall be placed on the rear registration plate of the vehicle in the manner directed by the department.

341.15(1m)(b) (b) Any registration decal or tag issued by the department for a truck tractor, road tractor or motor truck under sub. (1) (a) or for any other vehicle which may bear a registration plate attached to the front as provided in sub. (1) (b) shall be placed on the front registration plate of the vehicle in the manner directed by the department.

341.15(1m)(c) (c) Decals issued by the department to indicate that a vehicle is an electric vehicle shall be displayed on the registration plates attached to the front and the rear of the vehicle.

341.15(2) (2) Registration plates shall be attached firmly and rigidly in a horizontal position and conspicuous place. The plates shall at all times be maintained in a legible condition and shall be so displayed that they can be readily and distinctly seen and read. Any peace officer may require the operator of any vehicle on which plates are not properly displayed to display such plates as required by this section.

341.15(3) (3) Any of the following may be required to forfeit not more than $200:

341.15(3)(a) (a) A person who operates a vehicle for which a current registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration has been issued without such plate, tag, decal or other evidence of registration being attached to the vehicle, except when such vehicle is being operated pursuant to a temporary operation permit or plate or displays a historical plate under s. 341.265 (1m) or 341.266 (2) (dm);

341.15(3)(b) (b) A person who operates a vehicle with a registration plate attached in a non-rigid or non-horizontal manner or in an inconspicuous place so as to make it difficult to see and read the plate;

341.15(3)(c) (c) A person who operates a vehicle with a registration plate in an illegible condition due to the accumulation of dirt or other foreign matter.

341.15 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1981 c. 150; 1983 a. 258; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 239; 1993 a. 64; 1995 a. 128; 2013 a. 221; 2023 a. 19.

341.15 Annotation The language referencing a single plate in s. 341.40 (1) (a) is the first of a list of criteria that vehicles registered in a jurisdiction other than Wisconsin must meet in order to be exempt from the registration laws of this state. Having been issued at least one plate is a condition precedent for exemption, not a display requirement. Since s. 341.40 (1) (a) does not address how nonresidents are to display license plates, there is no conflict with sub. (1). Given the legislature’s use of the word “whenever,” sub. (1) unambiguously applies to all vehicles operated in Wisconsin, not just those that are also registered in Wisconsin. State v. Boyd, 2012 WI App 39, 340 Wis. 2d 168, 811 N.W.2d 853, 11-1056.

341.15 Annotation This section is applicable to temporary plates under s. 341.09. United States v. Dexter, 165 F.3d 1120 (1999).

341.16 341.16 Issuance of replacement plate.

341.16(1) (1) 

341.16(1)(a) (a) Whenever a current registration plate is lost or destroyed, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate was attached shall immediately apply to the department for replacement. Except as provided in par. (b) and sub. (2m), upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction of the plate and upon payment of a fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement.