Chapter 341

341.55 History History: 1971 c. 278, 319; 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 91.

341.57 341.57 Registration of finance companies and financial institutions.

341.57(1) (1) Any motor vehicle owned or being repossessed by a finance company licensed under ss. 138.09 or 218.0101 to 218.0163, by a credit union licensed under ch. 186, by a savings bank organized under ch. 214, by a savings and loan association organized under ch. 215 or by a state bank or a national bank with offices in this state, may be operated on the highways of this state for any necessary purpose in repossessing, reconditioning or reselling such vehicle without such vehicle being registered if the vehicle has displayed upon it a valid registration plate issued to such licensee pursuant to this section.

341.57(2) (2) A finance company licensed under ss. 138.09 or 218.0101 to 218.0163, a credit union licensed under ch. 186, a savings bank organized under ch. 214, a savings and loan association organized under ch. 215 or a state bank or a national bank with offices in this state may apply to the department for registration on such form as the department provides. Upon receipt of the application together with a registration fee of $75, the department shall register the applicant and shall issue one registration plate containing the registration number assigned to the applicant. The department, upon receiving a fee of $5 for each additional plate desired by the applicant, shall issue additional plates as the applicant orders. Section 341.52 applies to the design of the plates. The registration and plates are valid only during the calendar year for which issued. Notwithstanding s. 341.13 (3), the department may renew registration plates issued under this subsection without issuing new plates or insert tags, decals, or other evidence of registration. A plate is transferable from one motor vehicle to another. The department may charge a fee of $2 per plate for replacing lost, damaged or illegible plates issued under this subsection.

341.57(3) (3) Any of the following may be required to forfeit not more than $200:

341.57(3)(a) (a) Any person who makes a false statement in an application for registration under this section.

341.57(3)(b) (b) Any person who uses a plate issued pursuant to this section otherwise than as authorized by this section.

341.57(3)(c) (c) Any person other than the registered owner thereof who uses a plate issued pursuant to this section.

341.57(4) (4) Upon conviction of a licensee under sub. (3), the department may revoke or suspend the registration of the licensee and require surrender of the licensee’s registration plates issued pursuant to this section.

341.57 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1973 c. 246; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 156; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 221; 1999 a. 31; 2011 a. 32.

subch. V of ch. 341 SUBCHAPTER V

PENALTY FOR FRAUDULENT PRACTICES

341.60 341.60 Fraudulent application for registration or license. Any person who does any of the following may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both:

341.60(1) (1) Provides a false or fictitious name, address, or location where a vehicle is customarily kept in an application for license or registration.

341.60(2) (2) Applies for a license or registration in the name of a person other than the true owner, or true owner and lessee.

341.60(3) (3) Submits in an application for registration evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 (6) from an inspection that involved a violation of s. 110.20 (11) (c) if the person was aware of the violation at the time the person submitted evidence of the inspection in an application for registration.

341.60 History History: 1983 a. 180; 2013 a. 368.

341.605 341.605 Unlawful transfer of evidence of registration.

341.605(1) (1) Except as authorized by the department, no person may transfer to another person or offer for sale a registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration issued by the department. This subsection does not apply to transfers of vehicles under s. 342.15 (4) (c).

341.605(2) (2) No person may transfer to another person or offer for sale a counterfeit, forged or fictitious registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration.

341.605(3) (3) Whoever violates sub. (1) or (2) is guilty of a Class H felony.

341.605 History History: 1995 a. 128; 1997 a. 283; 2001 a. 109.

341.61 341.61 Improper use of evidence of registration. Any person who does any of the following may be required to forfeit not more than $500:

341.61(1) (1) Lends to another a registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration for display upon a vehicle for which the plate, tag, decal or other evidence of registration has not been issued.

341.61(2) (2) Displays upon a vehicle a registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration not issued for such vehicle or not otherwise authorized by law to be used thereon.

341.61(3) (3) Willfully twists, paints, alters or adds to or cuts off any portion of a registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration; or who places or deposits, or causes to be placed or deposited on such plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration any substance to hinder the normal reading of such plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration; or who defaces, disfigures, covers, obstructs, changes or attempts to change any letter or figure thereon; or who causes such plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration to appear to be a different color.

341.61(4) (4) Possesses a fraudulently or unlawfully obtained registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration.

341.61(5) (5) Possesses a counterfeit registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration.

341.61 History History: 1973 c. 218; 1993 a. 470; 1995 a. 128.

341.615 341.615 Reproducing evidence of registration prohibited. Except as authorized by the department, any person who reproduces, by any means whatever, a registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration shall forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $500.

341.615 History History: 1995 a. 128.

341.62 341.62 False evidence of registration. Whoever operates or possesses a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having attached thereto any plate or similar device fashioned in imitation or facsimile of or altered so as to resemble a registration plate issued by the department may be required to forfeit not more than $500.

341.62 History History: 1973 c. 218; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 1993 a. 470; 1999 a. 9.

341.625 341.625 Special registration plates.

341.625(1) (1) Any person who fraudulently procures or uses special registration plates issued under s. 341.14 (1), (1a), (1e), (1m), or (1q) shall forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $500.

341.625(2) (2) 

341.625(2)(b) (b) A member of a disabled parking enforcement assistance council under s. 349.145 who observes a violation of this section may prepare a written report indicating that a violation has occurred. The report shall contain, if applicable, the time and location at which the violation occurred, and any other relevant information relating to the violation.

341.625(2)(c) (c) Within 24 hours after observing the violation, the member may deliver the report to a traffic officer of the political subdivision in which the violation occurred. A report which does not contain all of the information in par. (b) shall nevertheless be delivered and shall be maintained by the political subdivision for statistical purposes.

341.625(2)(d) (d)

341.625(2)(d)1. 1. Within 48 hours after receiving a report containing all of the information in par. (b) and after conducting an investigation, the traffic officer may prepare a uniform traffic citation under s. 345.11 for the violation and may personally serve it upon the person.

341.625(2)(d)2. 2. If with reasonable diligence the person cannot be served under subd. 1. or if the person lives outside of the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, service may be made by certified mail addressed to the person’s last-known address.

341.625 History History: 1993 a. 256; 2009 a. 246.

341.63 341.63 When registration to be suspended.

341.63(1) (1) The department shall suspend the registration of a vehicle when:

341.63(1)(a) (a) The registration was completed through fraud or error and the person who registered the vehicle does not or cannot register the vehicle properly.

341.63(1)(b) (b) The required fee has not been paid and the same is not paid upon reasonable notice and demand.

341.63(1)(c) (c) Suspension of registration is specified by an authority under s. 345.28 (4) (a) 2.

341.63(1)(d) (d) The applicant fails, upon reasonable notice and demand, 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.

341.63(1)(e) (e) The licensee of a vehicle registered in a county identified under s. 110.20 (5) has not complied with the inspection requirements of s. 110.20 (6).

341.63(1)(f) (f) The motor vehicle is registered under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405 and the motor vehicle 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.

341.63(1m) (1m) Upon receiving notice that a motor carrier has been issued a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance, the department shall suspend the registration of each motor vehicle to which all of the following apply:

341.63(1m)(a) (a) The motor carrier is identified on the motor vehicle’s registration application as the motor carrier responsible for the safety of the vehicle.

341.63(1m)(b) (b) The motor vehicle is registered under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405.

341.63(1r) (1r) The department may suspend the registration of a motor vehicle registered under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405 if the department determines that the motor carrier identified on the motor vehicle’s registration application as the motor carrier responsible for safety of the vehicle is the same or substantially the same business, or that elements of the motor carrier operation are the same or substantially the same business elements, as a motor carrier that has been issued a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance.

341.63(2) (2) Any registration suspended under this section or ch. 344 continues to be suspended until reinstated by the department. The department shall reinstate the registration when the reason for the suspension has been removed.

341.63(3) (3) 

341.63(3)(a) (a) Whenever the registration of a vehicle is suspended under this section or ch. 344, the department may order the owner or person in possession of the registration plates to return them to the department. Any person who fails to return the plates when ordered to do so by the department may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

341.63(3)(b) (b) In addition to or in lieu of ordering the return of registration plates under par. (a), the department may seize and destroy the registration plates of any motor vehicle for which all of the following apply:

341.63(3)(b)1. 1. The motor carrier identified on the motor vehicle’s registration application as the motor carrier responsible for safety of the vehicle has been issued a federal out-of-service order for unsatisfactory safety compliance.

341.63(3)(b)2. 2. The motor vehicle is registered under the international registration plan specified in s. 341.405 or under a similar international registration plan under the law of another jurisdiction.

341.63 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1451, 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1981 c. 165; 1983 a. 78, 180, 330, 538; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27, 369; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 64, 288, 491; 1997 a. 84; 2011 a. 32.

341.64 341.64 Transfer of vehicle ownership while registration is suspended.

341.64(1) (1) No owner may transfer the ownership or registration of any vehicle whose registration is suspended under s. 341.63 (1) (c) until the registration is reinstated under s. 341.63 (2) or until the secretary is satisfied that such transfer is proposed in good faith and not for the purpose or with the effect of defeating the purposes of s. 341.63 (1) (c).

341.64(2) (2) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

341.64(3) (3) This section does not apply to or affect the registration of any vehicle sold by a person who, pursuant to the terms or conditions of any written instrument giving a right of repossession, has exercised such right and has repossessed such vehicle from a person whose registration has been suspended under s. 341.63 (1) (c).

341.64 History History: 1981 c. 165.

341.65 341.65 Unregistered motor vehicles prohibited; immobilization; removal; disposal.

341.65(1) (1) In this section:

341.65(1)(a) (a) “Immobilization device” means a device or mechanism that immobilizes a motor vehicle by doing any of the following:

341.65(1)(a)1. 1. Locking around a wheel, thereby making the motor vehicle inoperable.

341.65(1)(a)2. 2. Being placed upon the front windshield to obstruct the driver’s view through the windshield.

341.65(1)(am) (am) “Owner” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (42) and, with respect to a vehicle that is registered, or required to be registered, by a lessee of the vehicle under this chapter, includes the lessee of the vehicle.

341.65(1)(ar) (ar) “Parking enforcer” means a person who enforces nonmoving traffic violations and who is employed by any municipality or county or by the state.

341.65(1)(b) (b) “Unregistered motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is located upon a highway and that is not displaying valid registration plates, a temporary operation plate, or other evidence of registration as provided under s. 341.18 (1) for the vehicle’s current registration period or for a registration period for the vehicle that expired within the immediately preceding 31 days.

341.65(2) (2) 

341.65(2)(a) (a) Any municipality or county may enact ordinances prohibiting any unregistered motor vehicle from being located upon a highway and governing the immobilization, removal and disposal of unregistered motor vehicles and provide a forfeiture in addition to providing for the recovery by the municipality or county of the cost of immobilizing the motor vehicle with an immobilization device or impounding and disposing of the motor vehicle or both. Any ordinance permitting immobilization of a motor vehicle may prohibit any person from removing, disconnecting, tampering with or otherwise circumventing the operation of an immobilization device except upon release of the motor vehicle to the owner or to make necessary repairs to a malfunctioning immobilization device.

341.65(2)(b) (b) Any municipal or university police officer, sheriff’s deputy, county traffic patrolman, state traffic officer, conservation warden, parking enforcer, or other person authorized under par. (c) who discovers any unregistered motor vehicle located upon any highway may cause the motor vehicle to be immobilized with an immobilization device or removed to a suitable place of impoundment. Upon immobilization or removal of the motor vehicle, the officer, warden, parking enforcer, or authorized person shall notify the sheriff or chief of police of the location of the immobilized or impounded motor vehicle and the reason for the immobilization or impoundment. Upon causing the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service, the officer, warden, parking enforcer, or authorized person shall, within 24 hours of ordering the removal, notify the towing service of the name and last-known address of the registered owner and all lienholders of record of the vehicle, unless the officer or parking enforcer is employed by a municipality or county that has entered into a towing services agreement which requires the municipality or county to provide notice to such owner and lienholders of the towing.

341.65(2)(c) (c) A county, municipality, or university may enter into a contract with a person that authorizes the person to conduct placement and removal of immobilization devices as provided in par. (b). A contract entered into under this paragraph may allow for remote unlocking and removal of an immobilization device.

341.65(2)(d) (d) The owner of any unregistered motor vehicle is responsible for all costs of immobilizing, impounding and disposing of the motor vehicle. Costs not recovered from the sale of the motor vehicle may be recovered in a civil action by the municipality against the owner. Whether or not the municipality recovers the cost of towing and enforcement, the municipality shall be responsible to the towing service for requisitional towing service and reasonable charges for impoundment.

341.65(2)(e) (e) Notwithstanding par. (g), the owner of an unregistered motor vehicle that is immobilized with an immobilization device or impounded under this subsection may secure release of the motor vehicle by paying any forfeiture imposed for violation of the municipal or county ordinance and the reasonable costs of immobilizing or impounding the motor vehicle or both, and providing satisfactory evidence of one of the following:

341.65(2)(e)1m. 1m. That the motor vehicle is currently registered in this state.

341.65(2)(e)2m. 2m. That a complete application for registration for the motor vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 when required, accompanied by the required fee has been delivered to the department or deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid.

341.65(2)(e)3m. 3m. That the motor vehicle is exempt from registration under this chapter.

341.65(2)(f) (f) Any motor vehicle in violation of this section may be immobilized with an immobilization device or impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of under par. (g) except that if it is deemed by a duly authorized municipal or county representative that the cost of towing and storage charges for the impoundment would exceed the value of the vehicle, the motor vehicle may be junked or sold by the municipality or county prior to expiration of the impoundment period upon determination by the chief of police or sheriff having jurisdiction that the motor vehicle is not stolen or otherwise wanted for evidence or other reason. All substantially complete motor vehicles in excess of 19 model years of age shall be disposed of in accordance with par. (g).

341.65(2)(g) (g) Any motor vehicle which is impounded and not disposed of under par. (f) shall be retained in storage for a minimum period of 10 days after certified mail notice has been sent to the owner and lienholders of record, if known or readily ascertainable, to permit reclamation of the motor vehicle after payment of accrued charges and, for reclamation of the motor vehicle by the owner, compliance with par. (e). Such notice shall set forth the year, make, model, and serial number of the motor vehicle and the place where the motor vehicle is being held, and shall inform the owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the motor vehicle. The notice shall state that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their rights to reclaim the motor vehicle under this section shall be considered a waiver of all right, title and interest in the motor vehicle and a consent to the sale of the motor vehicle. Each retained motor vehicle not reclaimed by its owner or lienholder may be sold. The municipality or county may dispose of the motor vehicle by sealed bid or auction sale as provided by ordinance. At such sale the highest bid for any such motor vehicle shall be accepted unless the same is considered inadequate by a duly authorized municipal or county representative, in which event all bids may be rejected. If all bids are rejected or no bid is received, the municipality or county may either readvertise the sale, adjourn the sale to a definite date, sell the motor vehicle at a private sale or junk the motor vehicle. Any interested person may offer bids on each motor vehicle to be sold. If municipal or county ordinances do not state the procedure to be followed in advertising or providing public notice of the sale, a public notice shall be posted at the office of the municipal police department or the office of the county sheriff. The posting of the notice at the police or sheriff’s department shall be in the same form as the certified mail notice sent to the owner or lienholders of record. Upon sale of a motor vehicle, the municipality or county shall supply the purchaser with a completed form designed by the department enabling the purchaser to obtain a regular certificate of title for the motor vehicle. The purchaser shall have 10 days to remove the motor vehicle from the storage area, but shall pay a reasonable storage fee established by the municipality or county for each day that the motor vehicle remains in storage after the 2nd business day subsequent to the sale date. Ten days after the sale, the purchaser shall forfeit all interest in the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle shall be considered to be abandoned and may be sold again. Any listing of motor vehicles to be sold by any municipality or county shall be made available to any interested person or organization which makes a written request for such list. The municipality or county may charge a fee for the list.

341.65(2)(h) (h) Within 5 days after the sale or disposal of a motor vehicle as provided in this subsection, the municipality or county shall advise the department of the sale or disposition on a form supplied by the department.

341.65 History History: 1991 a. 233; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 142, 321; 2005 a. 185; 2019 a. 5.