Chapter 341

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.

341.16(1)(b) (b) Upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction of a special plate issued under s. 341.14 (6m) (a), (6r) (b), or (6w) or a special personalized plate issued under s. 341.145 (1) (b), (c), or (f) and upon payment of a fee of $5 for each plate or, if the plate is for a special group specified under s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 35. to 47. or 53., $6 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement.

341.16(2) (2) Whenever a current registration plate becomes illegible, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate is attached shall apply to the department for a replacement. Except as provided in sub. (2m), upon receipt of satisfactory proof of illegibility, and upon payment of a fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue a replacement. Upon receipt of a replacement plate, the applicant shall destroy the illegible plate.

341.16(2e) (2e) The owner of a vehicle to which special group plates under s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 33. or 48. are attached may apply to the department for replacement special group plates under s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 33m. or 48m., respectively. Upon receipt of the application and payment of a fee of $40, the department shall issue the replacement special group plates. Upon receipt of replacement plates, the applicant shall destroy the replaced plates.

341.16(2m) (2m) Upon request therefor and payment of a fee of $10, the department may issue an applicant for replacement plates for an automobile registered pursuant to the registration system under s. 341.27 registration plates of the design specified in s. 341.13 for the plate issuance cycle next succeeding the cycle under which the original plates were issued. The department may limit the receipt of requests under this subsection to applicants for a renewal registration of a motor vehicle.

341.16(2s) (2s) When the owner of a vehicle applies to the department to renew the registration of a vehicle for which new plates are required under s. 341.135 (2), and upon payment of a fee of $4 for each plate, the department shall issue new replacement plates. Upon receipt of replacement plates, the applicant shall destroy the replaced plates.

341.16(3) (3) When issuing a replacement plate, the department may assign a new number and issue a new plate rather than a duplicate of the original if in its judgment that is in the best interests of economy or prevention of fraud. Upon receipt of a replacement plate, the applicant shall destroy all plates replaced.

341.16(4) (4) Any person issued replacement plates who fails to destroy the original plates as required by sub. (2), (2e), or (3) may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

341.16(5) (5) This section does not apply to plates issued pursuant to the law pertaining to the registration of dealers, distributors, manufacturers or transporters.

341.16 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1421, 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 1983 a. 511; 1985 a. 202 s. 37; 1985 a. 310; 1987 a. 112; 1989 a. 302; 1995 a. 445; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2011 a. 32; 2021 a. 163; s. 35.17 correction in (1) (a), (2), (2s).

341.17 341.17 Department to compile registration lists.

341.17(1) (1) At intervals selected by the department, the department shall compile a list of registrations made during that interval pursuant to the system of registering automobiles under s. 341.27. The list shall give the name and address of each registrant, the registration number assigned, and other identifying information as the department deems necessary.

341.17(2) (2) The department shall compile a list by counties of new automobile and motor truck registrations. Registrations for other new vehicles may be included if deemed necessary by the department. Such lists shall be compiled at such intervals during the month as is deemed necessary by the department but the final list compiled each month shall include the listing of the last day of the month. Such list shall contain only those vehicles being registered for the first time after sale by a dealer. Such list shall contain the name and address of the owner, the make, body type, identification number of the vehicle, the dealer license number, if such dealer is registered in this state, and the date of sale.

341.17(4) (4) Upon request, the department shall distribute free of charge registration lists compiled under this section as follows:

341.17(4)(a) (a) To each county clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

341.17(4)(c) (c) To the sheriff of each county, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

341.17(4)(d) (d) To each chief of police, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

341.17(4)(e) (e) To each village clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

341.17(4)(g) (g) To the department of revenue, the number of copies of each automobile registration list under sub. (1) as requested.

341.17(4)(h) (h) To the commission, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

341.17(5) (5) Except as provided in sub. (9) (e), public officers and agencies receiving free copies of registration lists under sub. (4) shall keep such lists current and open to public inspection.

341.17(6) (6) The department shall sell subscriptions to the registration lists compiled under this section and may sell other registration information. In computing the charge to be made for subscriptions to the registration lists and for other registration information, the department shall determine the costs of compiling the lists and other information and shall fairly apportion the major share of those costs among the subscribers and other purchasers.

341.17(7) (7) The department may suspend the compilation and distribution of the registration lists during a period of national war emergency and while new registration numbers are not being issued annually, but shall continue to transmit from time to time to the persons under sub. (4) who request free copies of the lists any additions to or changes in the lists issued during the year preceding suspension which are caused by the registration of vehicles not previously registered in the state or by the issuance of new registration numbers for vehicles previously registered.

341.17(8) (8) The department shall charge a fee of not less than $2 for conducting a file search of vehicle registration records.

341.17(9) (9) 

341.17(9)(a) (a) In this subsection:

341.17(9)(a)1. 1. “Agent” means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of another person.

341.17(9)(a)2. 2. “Insurer” has the meaning given in s. 600.03 (27).

341.17(9)(a)3. 3. “Personal identifier” has the meaning given in s. 85.103 (1) and includes a birth date submitted under s. 341.08.

341.17(9)(a)4. 4. “State authority” has the meaning given in s. 19.62 (8).

341.17(9)(b) (b) In providing copies under this section or s. 19.35 (1) (a) of any written information collected or prepared under this chapter or ch. 342 which consists in whole or in part of the personal identifiers of 10 or more persons, the department may not disclose a personal identifier of any person who has made a designation under s. 85.103 (2) or (3).

341.17(9)(c) (c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to any of the following:

341.17(9)(c)1. 1. A person receiving a registration list under sub. (4) to perform a legally authorized function.

341.17(9)(c)2. 2. A law enforcement agency, a state authority, a federal governmental agency, or the commission to perform a legally authorized function.

341.17(9)(c)3. 3. An insurer authorized to write property and casualty or life, disability or long-term care insurance in this state or an agent of the insurer, if the insurer or agent uses the personal identifiers designated for nondisclosure under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) for purposes of issuing or renewing a policy and related underwriting, billing or processing or paying a claim. Notwithstanding par. (e), no insurer, or agent of an insurer, may disclose to another person for marketing purposes any personal identifier received under this subdivision.

341.17(9)(c)4. 4. A person obtaining registration or title information for use in the conduct of a vehicle recall by the manufacturer of the vehicle or an agent of the manufacturer, if the person uses the personal identifiers designated for nondisclosure under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) for vehicle recalls. Notwithstanding par. (e), no person receiving a personal identifier under this subdivision may disclose the personal identifier to another person for marketing purposes.