Chapter 341

341.21 341.21 Registration and title transactions by contractors.

341.21(1m) (1m) In this section, “contractor” means a person who has contracted with the department to provide services under this section.

341.21(2) (2) The department may contract with any person for services relating to the processing or distribution of original or renewal registrations under this chapter or certificates of title under ch. 342. The department may not compensate a contractor for services provided under this section. A contract under this section shall contain the following provisions:

341.21(2)(a) (a) The amount of fees, if any, that the contractor may charge a person for services relating to the processing or distribution of an original or renewal registration or a certificate of title.

341.21(2)(b) (b) Within 7 business days after the completion of an application, the contractor shall process the application and submit any required fees and other documentation to the department.

341.21(2)(c) (c) The contractor shall retain all records related to an application for original or renewal registration or a certificate of title for at least 5 years.

341.21(2)(d) (d) The department or its representative may, without any prior notice, conduct random inspections and audits of the contractor.

341.21 History History: 1995 a. 113.

341.21 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 156, Wis. adm. code.

subch. II of ch. 341 SUBCHAPTER II

PROVISIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION FEES

341.25 341.25 Annual and biennial registration fees.

341.25(1) (1) Unless a different fee is prescribed for a particular vehicle by par. (b) or ss. 341.26 to 341.268, the following registration fees shall be paid to the department for the annual registration of each motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer or semitrailer not exempted by s. 341.05 from registration in this state:

341.25(1)(a) (a) For each automobile, a fee of $85, except that an automobile registered in this state prior to September 1, 1947, at a fee of less than $18 shall be registered at such lesser fee plus an additional fee of $2.

341.25(1)(b) (b) For each motorcycle or moped with a curb weight of 1,499 pounds or less, except a specially designed vehicle under s. 341.067, which is designed for the transportation of persons rather than property, and for each low-speed vehicle, a biennial fee of $23.

341.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 145, Wis. adm. code.

341.25(1)(bg) (bg) For each autocycle, a fee of $45.

341.25(1)(bn) (bn) For each specially designed vehicle under s. 341.067, a fee of $5.

341.25(1)(c) (c) For each motor truck or dual purpose motor home, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. Maximum gross weight shall be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the vehicle when equipped to carry a load as a motor truck and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the vehicle when used as a motor truck.

341.25(1)(cm) (cm) For each motor truck used in combination with a semitrailer which converts to a trailer, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum combined gross weight of the motor truck and any semitrailer which the applicant proposes to combine with the motor truck. The maximum combined gross weight shall in every case be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the combination of vehicles when equipped to carry a load and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the combinations of vehicles.

341.25(1)(d) (d) For each road tractor, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle.

341.25(1)(e) (e) For each truck tractor, a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum combined gross weight of such truck tractor and any trailer and semitrailer which the applicant proposes to combine with such truck tractor. The maximum combined gross weight shall in every case be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the combination of vehicles when equipped to carry a load and the maximum load in pounds which the applicant proposes to carry on the combinations of vehicles.

341.25(1)(g) (g) For each trailer or semitrailer designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of par. (gd), (ge), or (gf) or s. 341.264, a fee which is equal to the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck.

341.25(1)(gd) (gd) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and used for hire or rental, a fee which is one-half of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck. A trailer under this paragraph which is part of a fleet of 100 or more trailers used for hire or rental may be registered under s. 341.308.

341.25(1)(ge) (ge) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds but not more than 12,000 pounds designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of s. 341.264, a fee which is one-half of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same maximum gross weight. The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck. A trailer under this paragraph having a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less and used for hire or rental and which is part of a fleet of 100 or more trailers used for hire or rental may be registered under s. 341.308.

341.25(1)(gf) (gf) For each trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight of more than 12,000 pounds but not more than 14,000 pounds designed to be hauled by a motor vehicle other than a truck tractor and not coming within the provisions of s. 341.264, a fee that is the average of the fees prescribed under sub. (2) (d) and (e). The maximum gross weight shall be determined in the same manner as for a motor truck.

341.25(1)(gm) (gm)

341.25(1)(gm)1. 1. Each trailer or temporary undercarriage towed by a motor vehicle registered pursuant to sub. (2) and used solely for transporting a modular housing unit or other portable building used or intended to be used for human occupancy may be operated on the highways of this state without such trailer or temporary undercarriage being registered if it has displayed upon it a valid registration plate issued under this section.

341.25(1)(gm)2. 2. Any person may apply to the department for registration as a transporter under this paragraph on such form as the department provides. If the department determines that the person is entitled to be registered, the department shall register the person upon payment of the same fee as prescribed in par. (g), based on the maximum combined gross weight of the building and trailer or temporary undercarriage upon which the plate is displayed. The registration and plate are valid only during the calendar year in which they were issued and shall be subject to s. 341.30 (1) (c). Such plate may be used on any trailer or temporary undercarriage owned by the same person and used solely for transporting a modular housing unit or other portable building as referred to above and the return of empty trailers or temporary undercarriages.

341.25(1)(h) (h) For each motor bus a fee to be determined in accordance with sub. (2) on the basis of the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. The maximum gross weight shall be determined by adding together the weight in pounds of the vehicle when equipped ready to carry passengers and the total passenger weight capacity in pounds. The total passenger weight capacity in pounds shall be determined by dividing by 20 the total length in inches of seating space in or on the vehicle, including the driver’s seat, and multiplying this result by 150.

341.25(1)(i) (i) For each recreational vehicle, a fee of $15.

341.25(1)(j) (j) For each motor home, including any vehicle which is converted to be used as a motor home, an annual fee based on gross weight, as follows:

Gross weight in pounds   Annual fee

341.25(1)(j)1. 1. Not more than 5,000   $ 48.50

341.25(1)(j)2. 2. Not more than 8,000   55.00

341.25(1)(j)3. 3. Not more than 12,000   67.50

341.25(1)(j)4. 4. Not more than 16,000   80.50

341.25(1)(j)5. 5. Not more than 20,000   93.50

341.25(1)(j)6. 6. Not more than 26,000   106.50

341.25(1)(j)7. 7. More than 26,000   119.50

341.25(1)(k) (k) For each human service vehicle, a fee equal to the fee for an automobile under par. (a).

341.25(1)(L) (L)

341.25(1)(L)1. 1. In this paragraph:

341.25(1)(L)1.a. a. “Alternative fuel” means a gas, liquid, or other fuel that, with or without adjustment or manipulation such as adjustment or manipulation of pressure or temperature, is capable of being used for the generation of power to propel a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, hydrogen compressed natural gas, or hythane. Alternative fuel does not include motor fuel, electricity, leaded racing fuel, or an excluded liquid, as defined in 26 CFR 48.4081-1.

341.25(1)(L)1.b. b. “Hybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is capable of using both electricity and gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

341.25(1)(L)1.c. c. “Nonhybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is propelled solely by electrical energy and that is not capable of using gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

341.25(1)(L)2. 2. If a motor truck or automobile is a hybrid electric vehicle, in addition to the fee under par. (a) or (c), a surcharge of $75 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each automobile and for each motor truck registered under par. (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds.

341.25(1)(L)3. 3. If a motor truck or automobile is a nonhybrid electric vehicle, in addition to the fee under par. (a) or (c), a surcharge of $100 and an additional $75 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each automobile and for each motor truck registered under par. (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds.

341.25(2) (2) The following schedule shall be used in determining fees based on gross weight, provided that a surcharge of $18 shall be added to and collected with the fee for each truck tractor:

Maximum gross weight in pounds   Annual fee

341.25(2)(a) (a) Not more than 4,500   $  100.00

341.25(2)(b) (b) Not more than 6,000   100.00

341.25(2)(c) (c) Not more than 8,000   106.00

341.25(2)(cm) (cm) Not more than 10,000   155.00

341.25(2)(d) (d) Not more than 12,000   209.00

341.25(2)(e) (e) Not more than 16,000   283.00

341.25(2)(f) (f) Not more than 20,000   356.00

341.25(2)(g) (g) Not more than 26,000   475.00

341.25(2)(h) (h) Not more than 32,000   609.00

341.25(2)(i) (i) Not more than 38,000   772.00

341.25(2)(j) (j) Not more than 44,000   921.00

341.25(2)(k) (k) Not more than 50,000   1,063.00

341.25(2)(km) (km) Not more than 54,000   1,135.00

341.25(2)(L) (L) Not more than 56,000   1,209.00

341.25(2)(m) (m) Not more than 62,000   1,367.00

341.25(2)(n) (n) Not more than 68,000   1,543.00

341.25(2)(o) (o) Not more than 73,000   1,755.00

341.25(2)(p) (p) Not more than 76,000   2,081.00

341.25(2)(q) (q) Not more than 80,000   2,560.00

341.25(3) (3) Upon payment of the fee prescribed by law, a vehicle subject to registration on the basis of gross weight may be registered at a weight in excess of the manufacturer’s maximum gross weight rating, but such registration does not exempt such vehicle from compliance with weight limitations imposed by law or by state or local authorities pursuant to authority of law.

341.25(4) (4) Registration fees apportioned to this state under the international registration plan under s. 341.405 are derived under this section.

341.25 History History: 1973 c. 67, 90, 270, 333; 1975 c. 39 s. 734; 1975 c. 136; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1422m to 1430, 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 288, 418; 1979 c. 34, 221; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 175, 243; 1985 a. 65; 1985 a. 208 ss. 7, 8, 11; 1987 a. 212, 403; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9, 80, 142; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20, 33; 2009 a. 311; 2011 a. 60; 2017 a. 59; 2019 a. 9, 50; 2023 a. 19, 164.

341.255 341.255 Special transaction fees.

341.255(1) (1) The department shall charge a fee to be established by rule for processing applications for registration which have a special handling request for fast service. The fee shall approximate the cost to the department for providing this special handling service to persons so requesting.

341.255(2) (2) The department shall charge the following fees for counter services:

341.255(2)(a) (a) For each transaction relating to a certificate of title, $5.

341.255(2)(b) (b) For each transaction relating to a registration not involving a certificate of title, $5; except that if the registration is solely a renewal of the previous year’s registration the fee shall be $3.

341.255(2)(c) (c) For each transaction which is a combination of a certificate of title and registration for the same vehicle, $5.

341.255(5) (5) In addition to the regular registration fee specified in s. 341.25 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) to (c), the department shall charge a late fee of $10 for each transaction relating to the renewal of a registration under s. 341.25 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (a) to (c) that is filed after the date of expiration of registration.

341.255 History History: 1975 c. 39; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 418; 1981 c. 20; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 27; 2009 a. 28.

341.255 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 196, Wis. adm. code.

341.26 341.26 Special registration fees for certain vehicles.

341.26(1) (1) Special mobile equipment fee. Unless exempted under s. 341.05, a fee of $18 or a fee which is 10 percent of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same weight under s. 341.25 (2), whichever is greater, shall be paid to the department for annual registration of the following types of special mobile equipment:

341.26(1)(a) (a) A motor truck or traction well-drilling rig permanently equipped with a well-drilling outfit and used exclusively for well-drilling purposes.

341.26(1)(b) (b) A motor truck or traction sawmill or corn sheller rig permanently equipped with a portable sawmill or corn sheller outfit and used exclusively for sawmill or corn sheller purposes.

341.26(1)(c) (c) A trailer not used for hire and used for transporting any ditching machine which is used exclusively for farm ditching or for the loading of gravel or other road material and which has a dipper capacity of not to exceed five-eighths of a yard.

341.26(1)(d) (d) A mobile crane or trench hoe used for bridge or building construction, for ditching and excavating, for heavy machinery removal or installation or for loading and handling of heavy articles.

341.26(1)(e) (e) A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, if operated empty or transporting the equipment of the owner to or from a certain location, when such operation at the location is any of the following:

341.26(1)(e)1. 1. The performance of work on a contract for the construction or maintenance of highways or airports for the United States, the state or any political subdivision thereof; or