Chapter 343

343.43(3m) (3m) Any person who violates sub. (1) (d) while operating a “Class D” or “Class M” vehicle as described in s. 343.04 (1) (d) and (e), except a school bus, may be required to forfeit not more than $200 for the first offense, may be fined not more than $300 and imprisoned for not more than 30 days for the 2nd offense occurring within 3 years, and may be fined not more than $500 and imprisoned for not more than 6 months for the 3rd or subsequent offense occurring within 3 years. A violation of a local ordinance in conformity with this section shall count as a previous offense.

343.43 History History: 1975 c. 5, 199; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1977 c. 360, 447; 1979 c. 306; 1981 c. 20 s. 1848r; 1983 a. 36, 534; 1989 a. 105; 1991 a. 189, 230; 1999 a. 9; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28.

343.43 Annotation Convictions for presenting a fraudulently altered driver license are restricted to situations having a direct bearing on the license, such as the granting of driving privileges. Changing the date of birth did not affect the owner’s driving privileges. State v. Scholwin, 57 Wis. 2d 764, 204 N.W.2d 677 (1973).

343.435 343.435 License not to be used as security.

343.435(1) (1) No person may require or accept an operator’s license, chauffeur’s license, occupational license, instructional permit or any other license or permit issued under this chapter as security.

343.435(2) (2) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $100.

343.435(3) (3) This section does not apply to the action by a state, county, city, village or town of requiring or accepting a license or permit when such action is authorized by some other provision of law.

343.435 History History: 1983 a. 355.

343.44 343.44 Operating while suspended, revoked, ordered out-of-service or disqualified.

343.44(1) (1) Operating offenses.

343.44(1)(a) (a) Operating while suspended. No person whose operating privilege has been duly suspended under the laws of this state may operate a motor vehicle upon any highway in this state during the period of suspension or in violation of any restriction on an occupational license issued to the person during the period of suspension. A person’s knowledge that his or her operating privilege is suspended is not an element of the offense under this paragraph. In this paragraph, “restriction on an occupational license” means restrictions imposed under s. 343.10 (5) (a) as to hours of the day, area, routes or purpose of travel, vehicles allowed to be operated, use of an ignition interlock device, sobriety or use of alcohol, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs.

343.44(1)(b) (b) Operating while revoked. No person whose operating privilege has been duly revoked under the laws of this state may operate a motor vehicle upon any highway in this state during the period of revocation or in violation of any restriction on an occupational license issued to the person during the period of revocation. A person’s knowledge that his or her operating privilege is revoked is not an element of the offense under this paragraph. In this paragraph, “restriction on an occupational license” means restrictions imposed under s. 343.10 (5) (a) as to hours of the day, area, routes or purpose of travel, vehicles allowed to be operated, use of an ignition interlock device, sobriety or use of alcohol, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs.

343.44(1)(c) (c) Operating while ordered out-of-service. No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle while the person or the commercial motor vehicle is ordered out-of-service under the law of this state or another jurisdiction or under federal law. No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle for which 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, while this federal out-of-service order is in effect.

343.44(1)(d) (d) Operating while disqualified. No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified under s. 343.315 or 49 CFR 383.51, under the law of another jurisdiction or Mexico that provides for disqualification of commercial drivers in a manner similar to 49 CFR 383.51, or under a determination by the federal motor carrier safety administration under the federal rules of practice for motor carrier safety contained in 49 CFR 386 that the person is no longer qualified to operate a vehicle under 49 CFR 391.

343.44(1g) (1g) Reinstatement required. Notwithstanding any specified term of suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification, the period of any suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification of an operator’s license issued under this chapter or of an operating privilege continues until the operator’s license or operating privilege is reinstated.

343.44(2) (2) Penalties.

343.44(2)(ad) (ad) In this subsection, “great bodily harm” has the meaning given in s. 939.22 (14).

343.44(2)(ag) (ag)

343.44(2)(ag)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., any person who violates sub. (1) (a) shall be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $200.

343.44(2)(ag)2. 2. Any person who violates sub. (1) (a) and, in the course of the violation, causes great bodily harm to another person is required to forfeit not less than $5,000 nor more than $7,500, except that, if the person knows at the time of the violation that his or her operating privilege has been suspended, the person is guilty of a Class I felony.

343.44(2)(ag)3. 3. Any person who violates sub. (1) (a) and, in the course of the violation, causes the death of another person is required to forfeit not less than $7,500 nor more than $10,000, except that, if the person knows at the time of the violation that his or her operating privilege has been suspended, the person is guilty of a Class H felony.

343.44(2)(ar) (ar)

343.44(2)(ar)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. to 4., any person who violates sub. (1) (b) shall forfeit not more than $2,500.

343.44(2)(ar)2. 2. Except as provided in subds. 2m., 3., and 4., any person who violates sub. (1) (b) shall be fined not more than $2,500 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both if the revocation identified under sub. (1) (b) resulted from an offense that may be counted under s. 343.307 (2).

343.44(2)(ar)2m. 2m. Except as provided in subds. 3. and 4., any person who violates sub. (1) (b) shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or both if the revocation identified under sub. (1) (b) is under s. 343.31 (1m) and the person has been previously convicted of a violation of sub. (1) (b) where the revocation identified under sub. (1) (b) was under s. 343.31 (1m).

343.44(2)(ar)3. 3. Any person who violates sub. (1) (b) and, in the course of the violation, causes great bodily harm to another person shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $7,500 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both, except that, if the person knows at the time of the violation that his or her operating privilege has been revoked, the person is guilty of a Class I felony.

343.44(2)(ar)4. 4. Any person who violates sub. (1) (b) and, in the course of the violation, causes the death of another person shall be fined not less than $7,500 nor more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both, except that, if the person knows at the time of the violation that his or her operating privilege has been revoked, the person is guilty of a Class H felony.

343.44(2)(b) (b) In imposing a sentence under par. (ar) or (br), the court may review the record and consider the following:

343.44(2)(b)1. 1. The aggravating and mitigating circumstances in the matter, using the guidelines described in par. (d).

343.44(2)(b)2. 2. The class of vehicle operated by the person.

343.44(2)(b)3. 3. The number of prior convictions of the person for violations of this section within the 5 years preceding the person’s arrest.

343.44(2)(b)4. 4. The reason that the person’s operating privilege was revoked, or the person was disqualified or ordered out of service, including whether the person’s operating privilege was revoked for an offense that may be counted under s. 343.307 (2).

343.44(2)(b)5. 5. Any convictions for moving violations arising out of the incident or occurrence giving rise to sentencing under this section.

343.44(2)(bm) (bm) Any person who violates sub. (1) (c) shall forfeit $2,500 for the first offense and $5,000 for the 2nd or subsequent offense within 10 years.

343.44(2)(br) (br) Any person who violates sub. (1) (d) shall be fined not more than $2,500 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both.

343.44(2)(c) (c) In addition to other penalties for violation of this section, if a person violates this section while his or her operating privilege is revoked as provided in ch. 351, the penalties may be enhanced by imprisonment and additional fines as provided in s. 351.08. For the purpose of enforcing this paragraph, in any case in which the accused is charged with operating a motor vehicle while his or her operator’s license, permit or privilege to operate is suspended or revoked or is charged with operating without a valid operator’s license, the court, before hearing the charge, shall determine whether the person is a habitual traffic offender or repeat habitual traffic offender and therefore barred from operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state.

343.44(2)(d) (d) The chief judge of each judicial administrative district shall adopt guidelines, under the chief judge’s authority to adopt local rules under SCR 70.34, for the consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors. Such guidelines shall treat operators of commercial motor vehicles at least as stringently as operators of other classes of motor vehicles.

343.44(2p) (2p) Sentencing option. The legislature intends that courts use the sentencing option under s. 973.03 (4) whenever appropriate for persons subject to sub. (2) to provide cost savings for the state and for local governments. This option shall not be used if the revocation is a permanent revocation under s. 343.31 (1m) or if the suspension or revocation was for one of the following:

343.44(2p)(a) (a) Improperly refusing to take a test under s. 343.305.

343.44(2p)(b) (b) Violating s. 346.63 (1) or (5) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith.

343.44(2p)(c) (c) Violating s. 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.09 (1) or 940.25.

343.44(2r) (2r) Prior convictions. For purposes of determining prior convictions under this section, the 5-year period shall be measured from the dates of the violations that resulted in the convictions and each conviction under sub. (2) shall be counted. Convictions of s. 343.44 (1), 1997 stats., other than for operating a commercial motor vehicle while ordered out-of-service shall be counted under this section as prior convictions.

343.44(2s) (2s) Citations. Within 30 days after receipt by the department of a report from a law enforcement officer under s. 343.305 (7) or a court order under s. 343.28 of a violation committed by a person operating a commercial motor vehicle while subject to an out-of-service order under s. 343.305 (7) (b) or (9) (am), a traffic officer employed under s. 110.07 may prepare a uniform traffic citation under s. 345.11 for a violation of sub. (1) (c) or (d) and serve it on the person. The citation may be served anywhere in this state and shall be served by delivering a copy to the person personally or by leaving a copy at the person’s usual place of abode with a person of discretion residing therein or by mailing a copy to the person’s last-known residence address. The venue for prosecution may be the county where the alleged offense occurred or in the person’s county of residence.

343.44(3) (3) Failure to receive notice. Refusal to accept or failure to receive an order of revocation, suspension or disqualification mailed by 1st class mail to such person’s last-known address shall not be a defense to the charge of driving after revocation, suspension or disqualification. If the person has changed his or her address and fails to notify the department as required in s. 343.22 then failure to receive notice of revocation, suspension or disqualification shall not be a defense to the charge of driving after revocation, suspension or disqualification.

343.44(4) (4) Impoundment. In addition to other penalties for violation of this section, if a person has violated this section with respect to a motor vehicle which he or she is the owner, the court may order the vehicle impounded. The court may determine the manner and period of impoundment. The cost of keeping the vehicle constitutes a lien on the vehicle.

343.44(4r) (4r) Violation of out-of-service order. In addition to other penalties for violation of this section, if a person has violated this section after the person or the commercial motor vehicle operated by the person was ordered out-of-service under the law of this state or another jurisdiction or under federal law, the violation shall result in disqualification under s. 343.315 (2) (h) or (i).

343.44(5) (5) Vehicle impoundment; lessors and secured creditors. If a motor vehicle impounded under sub. (4) is subject to a security agreement or lease contract, the vehicle shall be released by the court to the lessor or secured creditor upon the filing of an affidavit by the lessor or secured creditor that the security agreement or lease contract is in default and shall be delivered to the lessor or secured creditor upon payment of the accrued cost of keeping the motor vehicle.

343.44 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1971 c. 280, 307; 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 165, 272; 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 535; 1989 a. 12, 105, 336; 1991 a. 39, 64, 189, 277; 1995 a. 113; 1997 a. 84; 1999 a. 9, 32, 143; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25, 254, 412; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32, 113, 258; 2013 a. 165; 2017 a. 127, 172.

343.44 Annotation A certified copy of the Department of Transportation order revoking the defendant’s driver license was admissible under s. 889.18 (2). State v. Mullis, 81 Wis. 2d 454, 260 N.W.2d 696 (1978).

343.44 Annotation The time between the violations underlying convictions, not the time between convictions, determines whether penalty enhancers apply. State v. Walczak, 157 Wis. 2d 661, 460 N.W.2d 797 (Ct. App. 1990).

343.44 Annotation The general requirements for establishing prior criminal offenses in s. 973.12 are not applicable to the penalty enhancement provisions for offenses under sub. (2). The convictions must be established by defendant’s admission, copies of prior judgments, or a teletype of the Department of Transportation driving record. State v. Spaeth, 206 Wis. 2d 135, 556 N.W.2d 728 (1996), 95-1827.

343.44 Annotation A circuit court may not determine the validity of a prior conviction during an enhanced sentencing proceeding predicated on the prior conviction unless the offender alleges that a violation of the right to a lawyer occurred in the prior conviction. The offender may use whatever means are available to challenge the other conviction in another forum, and if successful, seek to reopen the enhanced sentence. State v. Hahn, 2000 WI 118, 238 Wis. 2d 889, 618 N.W.2d 528, 99-0554.

343.44 Annotation A person has a privilege, but not a right, to drive a motor vehicle upon a public highway. To exercise that privilege, the person must satisfy the licensing requirements of the state. Failing that, the person may be properly prosecuted and convicted of operating after suspension of the person’s operating privileges. County of Fond du Lac v. Derksen, 2002 WI App 160, 256 Wis. 2d 490, 647 N.W.2d 922, 01-2870.

343.44 Annotation A defendant may collaterally attack a prior conviction in an enhanced sentence proceeding on the ground that the defendant was denied the constitutional right to counsel in the earlier case. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized that the information a defendant must possess to execute a valid waiver of counsel depends on a range of case-specific factors, including the defendant’s education or sophistication. The Supreme Court’s reference to a defendant’s “education or sophistication” suggests that a court may take the defendant’s cognitive limitations into account when determining the validity of the defendant’s waiver. State v. Bohlinger, 2013 WI App 39, 346 Wis. 2d 549, 828 N.W.2d 900, 12-1060.

343.44 Annotation Section 351.08 authorizes enhancements to penalties under this section; it does not create a separate substantive offense. 75 Atty. Gen. 106.

343.45 343.45 Permitting unauthorized person to drive.

343.45(1) (1) No person shall cause or knowingly permit the person’s child or ward under 18 years of age to operate a motor vehicle upon any highway in violation of this chapter or when such minor is not authorized under this chapter to operate a motor vehicle.

343.45(2) (2) No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by the person or under the person’s control to be operated upon any highway in violation of this chapter or by a person who is not authorized under this chapter to operate a motor vehicle. No dealer as defined in s. 340.01 (11) (intro.) but including the persons specified in s. 340.01 (11) (a), (b), (c) and (d), shall permit any person to operate any motor vehicle owned by the dealer or in the dealer’s possession or control on a trial run unless the dealer has been shown the person’s valid operator’s license, issued by this state or other jurisdiction, before permitting the trial run.

343.45(3) (3) Except as another penalty is provided by s. 343.245 (4) (b), any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not more than $100.

343.45 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1989 a. 105, 359.

343.45 Annotation A parent’s unrestricted entrustment of a motorcycle to minor child in violation of this section constituted negligence per se. Kempf v. Boehrig, 95 Wis. 2d 435, 290 N.W.2d 563 (Ct. App. 1980).

343.46 343.46 Duty of persons renting vehicles to another.

343.46(1) (1) No person shall rent a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer to another unless the person who is to operate such rented vehicle is duly licensed under this chapter or, in the case of a nonresident, is duly licensed under the laws of the jurisdiction of the nonresident’s residence.

343.46(2) (2) No person shall rent a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer to another until that person has inspected the license of the person who is to operate the vehicle and has compared and verified the signature thereon with the signature of such person written in his or her presence.

343.46(3) (3) Every person renting a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented or, in the case of a trailer or semitrailer, the registration number of the motor vehicle to which such trailer or semitrailer is to be attached, the name and address of the person who is to operate such rented vehicle, the number of the license of such person and the date when and place where such license was issued. Such record shall be open to inspection by any traffic officer or employee of the department.

343.46(4) (4) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not more than $100.

343.46 History History: 1971 c. 278; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1991 a. 316.

subch. V of ch. 343 SUBCHAPTER V

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

343.50 343.50 Identification cards.

343.50(1) (1) Issuance.

343.50(1)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b) and s. 343.165, the department shall issue to every qualified applicant, who has paid all required fees, an identification card as provided in this section.

343.50(1)(b) (b) The department may not issue an identification card to a person previously issued an operator’s license in another jurisdiction unless the person surrenders to the department any valid operator’s license possessed by the person issued by another jurisdiction, which surrender operates as a cancellation of the license insofar as the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state is concerned. Within 30 days following issuance of the identification card under this section, the department shall destroy any operator’s license surrendered under this paragraph and report to the jurisdiction that issued the surrendered operator’s license that the license has been destroyed and the person has been issued an identification card in this state.

343.50(1)(c) (c)

343.50(1)(c)1. 1. The department may issue a receipt to any applicant for an identification card, and shall issue a receipt to an applicant requesting an identification card under sub. (5) (a) 3., which receipt shall constitute a temporary identification card while the application is being processed and shall be valid for a period not to exceed 60 days. If the application for an identification card is processed under the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7) or (8), the receipt shall include the marking specified in sub. (3) (b).

343.50(1)(c)2. 2. If the department issues a receipt to an applicant petitioning the department under s. 343.165 (8), all of the following apply:

343.50(1)(c)2.a. a. The department shall issue the receipt not later than the 6th working day after the person made the petition and shall deliver the receipt by 1st class mail, except that if a petition is filed or revived within 7 days before or 2 days after a statewide election the department shall issue a receipt not later than 24 hours after the petition is filed or revived and shall deliver the receipt by overnight or next-day mail. The department shall issue a new receipt to the person not later than 10 days before the expiration date of the prior receipt, and having a date of issuance that is the same as the expiration date of the prior receipt. The department shall issue no receipt to a person after the denial of a petition under s. 343.165 (8), unless the person revives an investigation. The department shall continue to reissue identification card receipts to a person unless the department cancels the identification card receipt upon the circumstances specified in sub. (10), upon the issuance of an operator’s license or identification card to the person, upon the person’s request, upon the denial of the application, upon return to the department of a receipt as nondeliverable, upon the person’s failure to contact the department to discuss the petition for a period of 180 days or more, or whenever the department receives information that prohibits issuance of an identification card under sub. (1) (c). The department shall require the person to take a photograph prior to reissuing an identification card receipt if the photograph of the person on file with the department is 8 or more years old.

343.50(1)(c)2.b. b. An identification card receipt issued under this subdivision shall constitute a temporary identification card while the application is being processed under s. 343.165 (8) and shall be valid for a period not to exceed the period specified in sub. (1) (c). The department shall clearly mark the receipt “FOR VOTING PURPOSES ONLY” as validated for use for voting as provided in ss. 5.02 (6m) (d) and 6.79 (2) (a). A receipt issued under this subsection shall contain the information specified under s. 343.17 (3), including the date of issuance, the expiration date, the name and signature of the person to whom it was issued, and, except as authorized in sub. (4g), a photograph of the individual to whom it was issued, and may contain such further information as the department deems necessary.

343.50(1)(c)2.c. c. The department shall issue a replacement identification card receipt under subd. 2. a. upon request of the person to whom it is issued if the receipt is lost or destroyed.

343.50(1)(c)2.d. d. Notwithstanding subd. 2. a., the department shall cancel or refuse to issue an identification card receipt under this subsection upon the circumstances specified in sub. (10), upon the issuance of an operator’s license or identification card to the person, upon the person’s request, upon the denial of the application, upon return to the department of a receipt as nondeliverable, or whenever the department receives information that prohibits issuance of an identification card under subd. 1.

343.50(1)(c)2.e. e. Whenever any person, after receiving an identification card receipt under this subdivision, moves from the address named in the application or in the receipt issued to him or her or is notified by the local authorities or by the postal authorities that the address so named has been changed, the person shall, within 30 days, notify the department of his or her change of address. Upon receiving a notice of change of address, the department shall promptly issue a new receipt under subd. 2. a. showing the correct address and having the expiration date of the prior receipt.

343.50(2) (2) Who may apply. Any resident of this state who does not possess a valid operator’s license issued under this chapter may apply to the department for an identification card pursuant to this section. The card is not a license for purposes of this chapter and is to be used for identification purposes only.

343.50(3) (3) Design and contents of card.

343.50(3)(a) (a) The card shall be the same size as an operator’s license but shall be of a design which is readily distinguishable from the design of an operator’s license and bear upon it the words “IDENTIFICATION CARD ONLY.” The information on the card shall be the same as specified under s. 343.17 (3). If the issuance of the card requires the applicant to present any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the card shall display, on the front side of the card, a legend identifying the card as temporary. The card shall contain physical security features consistent with any requirement under federal law. The card may serve as a record of gift under s. 157.06 (2) (t) and the holder may affix a sticker thereto as provided in s. 343.175 (3). The card may also serve as a record of refusal under s. 157.06 (2) (u). Except as provided in sub. (4g), the card shall contain the holder’s photograph and, if applicable, shall be of the design specified under s. 343.17 (3) (a) 12.

343.50(3)(b) (b) If an identification card is issued based upon the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7) or (8), the card shall, in addition to any other required legend or design, be of the design specified under s. 343.17 (3) (a) 14. and include a marking similar or identical to the marking described in s. 343.03 (3r).

343.50(3)(c) (c)

343.50(3)(c)1. 1. Notwithstanding par. (a), the department may issue an identification card bearing a name other than the name that appears on a supporting document if the person provides evidence acceptable to the department that the person has used the name in a manner that qualifies the name as being legally changed under the common law of Wisconsin, including evidence of the person’s prior name, changed name, the length of time the person has consistently and continuously used the changed name, an affirmation that the person no longer uses the prior name, and an affirmation that the person did not change his or her name for a dishonest or fraudulent purpose or to the injury of any other person. The department shall mark an identification card issued under this subdivision in the manner described in s. 343.03 (3r).

343.50(3)(c)2. 2. Notwithstanding par. (a), the department shall approve a name change requested by a person who cannot provide supporting documentation of a lawful change of name but who does one of the following:

343.50(3)(c)2.a. a. Provides proof of identity in the new name, and the department receives from the federal social security administration evidence or confirmation of the name change.