Chapter 341

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

341.26(1)(e)2. 2. The production of agricultural lime; or

341.26(1)(e)3. 3. The clearing of land, building of dikes, or terracing and ditching for the purpose of soil erosion control, farm drainage or forestry.

341.26(1)(f) (f) A motor truck on which is mounted feed grinding and mixing equipment and used exclusively as a portable feed mill.

341.26(1)(g) (g) A motor vehicle not used for hire and used in conjunction with a trailer on which is permanently mounted equipment used for wood chipping and screening.

341.26(1)(h) (h) A trailer on which is permanently mounted equipment used exclusively for wood chipping and screening.

341.26(2) (2) Five-dollar fee for 5-year registration of certain vehicles. A registration under this subsection expires every 5th year, except that the department may specify the expiration date of initial registration under this subsection. A registration fee of $5 shall be paid to the department for the registration of each of the following vehicles:

341.26(2)(a) (a) A driver education vehicle under s. 341.267.

341.26(2)(b) (b) Any vehicle loaned to this state or to any county or municipality of this state for the duration of any war emergency and operated exclusively for civilian defense purposes by such state, county or municipality.

341.26(2)(d) (d) A school bus owned and operated by a school district and used for the transportation of pupils to or from points designated by the school, including curricular and extracurricular activities and nonpupil transportation under s. 120.13 (27).

341.26(2)(dm) (dm) A school bus which is not owned and operated by a school district and which is used to transport pupils to or from points designated by the school, including curricular and extracurricular activities.

341.26(2)(e) (e) A motor bus owned and operated by a charitable corporation and used exclusively for the purposes for which incorporated and not used for hire.

341.26(2)(em) (em) A motor bus owned and operated by a nonstock nonprofit corporation and used exclusively for transporting groups participating in parades or other entertainment, including, without limitation because of enumeration, musical marching groups, drill or baton teams or color guards.

341.26(2)(f) (f) A motor vehicle operated exclusively by a nonprofit organization, as defined in s. 108.02 (19), as a blood bank vehicle.

341.26(2)(g) (g) A motor vehicle operated exclusively by a nationally chartered war veterans organization and used only for the purpose of advertising the organization.

341.26(2)(h) (h) A motor vehicle used for the urban mass transportation of passengers as defined in s. 71.38.

341.26(2)(i) (i) A motor vehicle owned and operated exclusively by the civil air patrol.

341.26(2)(j) (j) A motor vehicle and semitrailer operated exclusively as a mobile X-ray unit owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation and used exclusively for the purposes for which incorporated and not for hire.

341.26(2)(k) (k) A fire truck or trailer owned and operated exclusively by an incorporated volunteer fire department.

341.26(2)(m) (m) A motor vehicle owned and operated by a voluntary nonprofit organization and used exclusively for rescue work. In this paragraph, “rescue work” means the rendering of first aid and emergency transportation to persons in need of immediate medical attention.

341.26(2)(n) (n) A motor vehicle owned by a nonprofit organization and used exclusively for the purpose of dispensing food and drink at the site of a disaster to emergency workers or to persons affected by the disaster.

341.26(2m) (2m) Publicly owned or leased vehicles.

341.26(2m)(a) (a) In this subsection, “municipality” has the meaning given in s. 345.05 (1) (c), except that the term does not include a county.

341.26(2m)(am) (am) A fee of $5 shall be paid to the department for the original issuance of a registration plate for any vehicle owned by this state or by any county or municipality or federally recognized Indian tribe or band in this state or leased to this state or to any county or municipality or federally recognized Indian tribe or band in this state, and operated exclusively, except for operation under s. 20.916 (7), in the public service by such state, county, municipality or Indian tribe or band. The registration shall be valid while the vehicle is owned and operated by the registrant or is leased to and operated by this state or by the county, municipality or Indian tribe or band, and the registrant complies with s. 110.20 (6).

341.26(2m)(b) (b) If a vehicle is replaced, reassignment of plate to replacement vehicle shall be made with payment of $1.

341.26(3) (3) Agricultural vehicles. In recognition of the relationship of the basic economy of the state to agriculture and the production and marketing of milk, there shall be paid to the department for the registration of the following vehicles the fees prescribed in this subsection:

341.26(3)(a) (a)

341.26(3)(a)1. 1. For each farm truck having a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less, a biennial fee of $45.

341.26(3)(a)2. 2. For each farm truck having a gross weight of more than 12,000 pounds, an annual fee which is one-fourth of the fee prescribed in s. 341.25 (2) for a motor truck having the same gross weight.

341.26(3)(am) (am) For each dual purpose farm truck having a registered gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less, an annual fee to be determined in accordance with s. 341.25 (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. A motor truck registered under this paragraph may be operated at a maximum gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds when used for the purposes of a farm truck.

341.26(3)(ar) (ar) For each farm truck tractor, an annual fee which is 25 percent of the fee under s. 341.25 (2) for a truck tractor having the same gross weight, determined on the basis of the maximum combined gross weight of the farm truck tractor and any trailer or semitrailer which the applicant proposes to combine with the farm truck tractor. Maximum combined gross weight shall 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 combination of vehicles.

341.26(3)(b) (b) For each farm trailer not coming within the provisions of s. 341.264, an annual fee which is 25 percent of the fee prescribed by s. 341.25 (2) for a motor truck having the same gross weight.

341.26(3)(c) (c) For each motor vehicle used exclusively in the transportation of milk from the point of production to the primary market, and the return of dairy supplies and dairy products from such primary market to the farm, an annual fee to be determined in accordance with par. (g) on the basis of maximum gross weight.

341.26(3)(d) (d) For each motor vehicle used exclusively in the transportation of cheese, butter and powdered milk when such cheese, butter and powdered milk are transported from plant to plant or to warehouses within this state, an annual fee to be determined in accordance with par. (g) on the basis of maximum gross weight.

341.26(3)(da) (da) For each motor vehicle used exclusively in the transportation of liquid dairy products, an annual fee to be determined in accordance with par. (g) on the basis of maximum gross weight.

341.26(3)(e) (e) A person owning and operating more truck tractors than semitrailers registered by that person within this state and used exclusively for transporting liquid dairy products may register such excess truck tractors at the annual fees specified in par. (g), provided that that person uses such excess truck tractors exclusively with such semitrailers. The fee shall be determined on the basis of weight of the truck tractor only.

341.26(3)(em) (em) For each trailer used exclusively in the transportation of liquid dairy products, an annual fee which is 25 percent of the fee prescribed by s. 341.25 (2) for a motor truck having the same gross weight.

341.26(3)(f) (f) In pars. (da), (e) and (em), “liquid dairy products” means milk and products of milk in liquid form, including without limitation because of enumeration, condensed and sweetened condensed products of milk, both in raw and pasteurized form, whey and liquid whey sugars.

341.26(3)(g) (g) The following schedule shall be used in determining fees for vehicles registered under par. (c), (d), (da) or (e) or sub. (3m), 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

341.26(3)(g)1. 1. Not more than 4,500   $ 26.00

341.26(3)(g)2. 2. Not more than 6,000   36.50

341.26(3)(g)3. 3. Not more than 8,000   43.00

341.26(3)(g)3m. 3m. Not more than 10,000   60.00

341.26(3)(g)4. 4. Not more than 12,000   77.50

341.26(3)(g)5. 5. Not more than 16,000   109.50

341.26(3)(g)6. 6. Not more than 20,000   142.00

341.26(3)(g)7. 7. Not more than 26,000   190.50

341.26(3)(g)8. 8. Not more than 32,000   245.00

341.26(3)(g)9. 9. Not more than 38,000   309.50

341.26(3)(g)10. 10. Not more than 44,000   371.00

341.26(3)(g)11. 11. Not more than 50,000   425.50

341.26(3)(g)11m. 11m. Not more than 54,000   456.00

341.26(3)(g)12. 12. Not more than 56,000   487.00

341.26(3)(g)13. 13. Not more than 62,000   551.50

341.26(3)(g)14. 14. Not more than 68,000   622.50

341.26(3)(g)15. 15. Not more than 73,000   709.50

341.26(3)(g)16. 16. Not more than 76,000   838.50

341.26(3)(g)17. 17. Not more than 80,000   1,032.00

341.26(3)(h) (h) Except as otherwise provided in par. (e), the maximum gross weight of each vehicle under this subsection shall be computed as provided in s. 341.25 for the same type of vehicle.

341.26(3m) (3m) Forest products vehicles. In recognition of the relationship of the basic economy of the state to the forest products industry, there shall be paid to the department for the annual registration of a road tractor, motor truck, or truck tractor used exclusively in connection with the transportation of raw forest products, as defined in s. 26.05 (1), or equipment that is owned or leased by the owner of the road tractor, motor truck, or truck tractor and used exclusively in the production of raw forest products, a fee determined in accordance with sub. (3) (g) on the basis of maximum gross weight, except that a trailer used exclusively in connection with the transportation of raw forest products or equipment that is owned or leased by the owner of the trailer and used exclusively in the production of raw forest products may be registered upon payment of a fee that is 25 percent of the fee prescribed by s. 341.25 (2) for a motor truck having the same gross weight. The maximum gross weight of each vehicle registered under this subsection shall be computed in the manner specified in s. 341.25 for the same type of vehicle, except that a person who owns and operates more truck tractors than semitrailers registered by him or her within this state and used exclusively as provided in this subsection may register such an excess truck tractor at a fee specified under sub. (3) (g) determined on the basis of the weight of the truck tractor only.

341.26(4) (4) Grading, ditching, excavating or hauling vehicles. Except for those vehicles that qualify for registration under sub. (1) (a) to (e), any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, if operated empty, or used exclusively in transporting the equipment of the owner to or from a certain location over the highways, when such operation at the location is exclusively for grading, ditching or excavating or when such equipment is used exclusively for seasonal hauling of carnival rides and equipment, shall be registered at one-fourth of the fee specified in s. 341.25 (2) for vehicles or combinations of vehicles of the same gross weight.

341.26(5) (5) Tour trains. For each tour train, the operation of which is limited in s. 348.08 (1) (c), a single fee for the 3 or less units thereof equal to one-half of the fee prescribed in s. 341.25 (1) (h) for a motor bus of the same maximum gross weight as the aggregate maximum gross weight of all units of the tour train, excluding the propelling motor vehicle, when such gross weight is computed as prescribed in s. 341.25 (1) (h).

341.26(7) (7) Transportation by school buses.

341.26(7)(a) (a) A person who uses any school bus, except a school bus registered under sub. (2) (d), a school bus registered under sub. (2) (dm) and used by the owner for private carriage and not for hire or a school bus registered as provided in par. (b), to transport persons who are not pupils shall obtain a permit from the department for such transportation. The department shall issue a permit which shall be valid for a period of not more than 72 hours upon application and payment of a $10 permit issuance fee.

341.26 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 127, Wis. adm. code.

341.26(7)(b) (b) When engaged in passenger-carrying operations other than as provided in par. (a) or sub. (2) (d), a school bus shall be registered as a motor bus at a fee determined under s. 341.25 (2), or as an automobile at the fee provided in s. 341.25 (1) (a). Fees for registration under s. 341.25 (2) may be paid in accordance with ss. 341.30 and 341.31. Fees for part-quarterly registration shall be computed on the basis of one-twelfth of the annual fee multiplied by the number of months of the current quarter which have not fully expired on the date of the application. If a vehicle was not operated in other than school bus service, a statement of nonoperation satisfactory to the department shall be filed with the application.

341.26 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1971 c. 250; 1973 c. 200, 325, 333; 1975 c. 429; 1977 c. 23; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1431 to 1434, 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 145, 292, 418, 447; 1979 c. 32 ss. 69, 92 (1); 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 152, 175, 180, 192, 227, 270, 538; 1985 a. 120, 187; 1987 a. 106, 154, 216; 1987 a. 312 s. 17; 1987 a. 399, 403; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39, 316; 1993 a. 64, 350; 1995 a. 338; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1999 a. 9, 80, 85, 142, 159; 2003 a. 321; 2005 a. 22, 143.

341.264 341.264 Permanent semitrailer registration.

341.264(1) (1) Upon application and payment of a fee of $50, the department shall register a semitrailer which is operated in connection with a truck tractor or hauled by a motor vehicle and used with a device which converts the semitrailer to a trailer. Registration under this section is valid without the payment of any additional fee while the registrant is the owner of the semitrailer and, with respect to the sale of a leased semitrailer to the lessee of the semitrailer, while the former lessee is the owner of the semitrailer if the lessee reimbursed the lessor of the semitrailer at the time of registration of the semitrailer for payment of the registration fee under this subsection. The department shall issue a permanent semitrailer registration plate to evidence registration under this subsection.