Chapter 346

346.88(1) (1) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, or any persons so situated, as to obstruct the view of the operator to the front or to the sides or as to interfere with the operator having free use of both hands and feet to the operating mechanisms or controls of the vehicle.

346.88(2) (2) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such a position as to interfere with the operator’s view ahead or to the sides or to interfere with the operator’s control of the operating mechanism of the vehicle.

346.88(3) (3) 

346.88(3)(a) (a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, front side wings, side windows in the driver’s compartment or rear window of such vehicle other than a certificate or other sticker issued by order of a governmental agency. Such permitted sticker shall not cover more than 15 square inches of glass surface and shall be placed in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield; the left corner being on the driver’s left when seated behind the wheel.

346.88(3)(b) (b) No person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway with any object so placed or suspended in or upon the vehicle so as to obstruct the driver’s clear view through the front windshield.

346.88(3)(c) (c) No person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway so loaded or with any object so placed or suspended in or upon the vehicle so as to obstruct the driver’s clear vision through the rear window unless such vehicle is equipped with an outside rear view mirror meeting the requirements of s. 347.40.

346.88(3)(d) (d) Signal lamps used by authorized emergency vehicles shall not be considered a violation of this section.

346.88(4) (4) The windshield, side wings and side and rear windows of a motor vehicle shall be kept reasonably clean at all times.

346.88 Annotation Sub. (3) (a) creates an absolute prohibition on “any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield.” By contrast, sub. (4) states, “The windshield, side wings and side and rear windows of a motor vehicle shall be kept reasonably clean at all times.” There is no reason why the legislature would choose to ban oil change stickers, often no more than one or two square inches in size and placed in a top corner of a windshield, but require that same area of a windshield be only “reasonably” clean. Instead, sub. (3) (a) is interpreted to prohibit the attachment of signs, posters, and other items of a similar nature to the front windshield of a motor vehicle. State v. Houghton, 2015 WI 79, 364 Wis. 2d 234, 868 N.W.2d 143, 13-1581.

346.88 Annotation Sub. (3) (b), which requires that an object obstruct a driver’s clear view to be a violation, does not mean that every object in a driver’s clear view is a violation. Rather, sub. (3) (b) requires a material obstruction, even if minor, in order to be considered a violation of the statute. State v. Houghton, 2015 WI 79, 364 Wis. 2d 234, 868 N.W.2d 143, 13-1581.

346.89 346.89 Inattentive driving.

346.89(1) (1) No person while driving a motor vehicle may be engaged or occupied with an activity, other than driving the vehicle, that interferes or reasonably appears to interfere with the person’s ability to drive the vehicle safely.

346.89(3) (3) 

346.89(3)(a) (a) No person may drive, as defined in s. 343.305 (1) (b), any motor vehicle while composing or sending an electronic text message or an electronic mail message.

346.89(3)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

346.89(3)(b)1. 1. The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle.

346.89(3)(b)2. 2. The use of any device whose primary function is transmitting and receiving emergency alert messages and messages related to the operation of the vehicle or an accessory that is integrated into the electrical system of a vehicle, including a global positioning system device.

346.89(3)(b)3. 3. An amateur radio operator who holds a valid amateur radio operator’s license issued by the federal communications commission when he or she is using dedicated amateur radio 2-way radio communication equipment and observing proper amateur radio operating procedures.

346.89(3)(b)4. 4. The use of a voice-operated or hands-free device if the driver of the motor vehicle does not use his or her hands to operate the device, except to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the device.

346.89(4) (4) 

346.89(4)(a) (a) Subject to sub. (3), no person who holds a probationary license issued under s. 343.085, or an instruction permit issued under s. 343.07, may drive, as defined in s. 343.305 (1) (b), any motor vehicle while using a cellular or other wireless telephone, except to report an emergency.

346.89(4)(b) (b)

346.89(4)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph:

346.89(4)(b)1.a. a. “Commercial motor vehicle” has the meaning given in 49 CFR 390.5.

346.89(4)(b)1.b. b. “Drive” means the exercise of physical control over the speed and direction of a motor vehicle while it is in motion or is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delay.

346.89(4)(b)1.c. c. “Mobile telephone” has the meaning given in 49 CFR 390.5.

346.89(4)(b)2. 2. Subject to sub. (3), except to report an emergency to law enforcement officials or other emergency service providers, no person may drive any commercial motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone in any the following manners:

346.89(4)(b)2.a. a. Using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone or any connected accessory to conduct a voice communication.

346.89(4)(b)2.b. b. Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button.

346.89(4)(b)2.c. c. Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires the driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position.

346.89(4m) (4m) No person may drive, as defined in s. 343.305 (1) (b), any motor vehicle while using a cellular or other wireless telephone, including using the telephone for a purpose other than communication, where persons engaged in work in a highway maintenance or construction area, railroad maintenance or construction area, utility work area, or emergency or roadside response area are at risk from traffic, except to report an emergency. This subsection does not apply to the use of a voice-operated or hands-free device if the driver of the motor vehicle does not use his or her hands to operate the device, except to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the device.

346.89(5) (5) Subject to subs. (3) and (6), no person while driving a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, a commercial motor vehicle described in s. 340.01 (8), or a tow truck, may operate or be in a position to directly observe any electronic device located within the vehicle that is activated and that is providing entertainment primarily by visual means. This subsection does not prohibit a person from using a cellular telephone for purposes of verbal communication.

346.89(6) (6) Subsection (5) does not apply to any of the following:

346.89(6)(a) (a) Any global positioning system device.

346.89(6)(b) (b) The display by any device of information related to the operation, navigation, condition, radio, or safety of the vehicle or that is intended to be used to enhance the driver’s view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle.

346.89(6)(c) (c) The display by any device of information related to traffic, road, or weather conditions.

346.89(6)(d) (d) Any device in a vehicle that permits the vehicle driver to monitor vehicle occupants seated rearward of the driver.

346.89(6)(e) (e) Any device installed or mounted, either permanently or temporarily, in the vehicle that, with respect to the vehicle operator, functions as provided in par. (a), (b), (c), or (d) while simultaneously providing entertainment visible only from passenger seats of the vehicle.

346.89 History History: 2009 a. 220; 2011 a. 164; 2013 a. 350; 2015 a. 123, 308; 2021 a. 115; 2023 a. 159.

346.90 346.90 Following emergency vehicle. The operator of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call or alarm closer than 500 feet or drive into or park his or her vehicle within the block where, or within 300 feet of the driveway entrance or similar point of access to a driveway or road on which, fire apparatus has stopped in response to an alarm. The personal vehicles of members of a volunteer fire department answering the alarm are considered on official business.

346.90 History History: 1975 c. 253, 421.

346.91 346.91 Crossing fire hose. No person without the consent of the fire department official in command may drive a vehicle over any unprotected hose of a fire department when such hose is laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any training exercise, scene of an emergency, or alarm of emergency.

346.91 History History: 1985 a. 187; 2005 a. 144.

346.915 346.915 Following snowplows.

346.915(1) (1) In this section, “snowplow” means a vehicle that is operated by a person employed by or on behalf of an authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway to perform highway winter maintenance snow and ice removal, including plowing, salting, and sanding, during either a storm or cleanup following a storm and which is using lamps described in s. 347.26 (7).

346.915(2) (2) 

346.915(2)(a) (a) The operator of any vehicle that is not a snowplow may not follow a snowplow closer than the following distances, if the snowplow is engaged in highway winter maintenance snow and ice removal, as described in sub. (1), and is using lamps described in s. 347.26 (7):

346.915(2)(a)1. 1. Two hundred feet upon any highway having a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.

346.915(2)(a)2. 2. Seventy-five feet upon any highway having a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.

346.915(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply when overtaking and passing a snowplow, but the fact that the operator of any vehicle follows the snowplow more closely than permitted by par. (a) for one mile or more or follows more closely than permitted by par. (a) when the snowplow is moving at the maximum speed limit is prima facie evidence that the operator of such following vehicle is violating par. (a).

346.915(2)(c) (c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a snowplow that is stopped or standing in the highway.

346.915(3) (3) The operator of any vehicle that is not a snowplow and that approaches from the rear any snowplow that is engaged in highway winter maintenance snow and ice removal, as described in sub. (1), and is using lamps described in s. 347.26 (7) and that is stopped at an intersection shall stop not less than 20 feet from the snowplow and remain stopped until the snowplow resumes motion.

346.915 History History: 2001 a. 34; 2009 a. 255; 2011 a. 260.

346.92 346.92 Illegal riding.

346.92(1) (1) No person shall drive a vehicle when any person other than an employee engaged in the necessary discharge of the employee’s duty is upon any portion thereof not designed or intended for the use of passengers.

346.92(2) (2) No person other than an employee engaged in the necessary discharge of the employee’s duty shall ride upon any portion of a vehicle not designed or intended for the use of passengers.

346.92(3) (3) This section does not apply to persons riding within truck bodies in spaces intended for merchandise or to the operator of any such vehicle.

346.92 History History: 1991 a. 316.

346.922 346.922 Transporting children in cargo areas of motor trucks.

346.922(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 346.92, no person may operate upon a highway a motor truck having a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less when any child under the age of 16 years is in an open cargo area of the motor truck.

346.922(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:

346.922(2)(a) (a) A person operating a farm truck in conjunction with farm operations.

346.922(2)(b) (b) A person operating a motor truck in a parade sanctioned by a local municipality.

346.922(2)(c) (c) A person operating a motor truck for the purpose of transporting licensed deer hunters during the authorized deer hunting season with firearms.

346.922 History History: 1995 a. 420.

346.922 Annotation This section is a safety statute intended to prevent any and all harms that could result from a child being transported in the open cargo area of a vehicle, including those resulting from a child’s immature decision to jump from the cargo area of a moving vehicle. A destaging area of a parade falls under the exception under sub. (2) (b) for parades sanctioned by local municipalities. Nunez v. American Family Mutual Insurance, 2003 WI App 35, 260 Wis. 2d 377, 659 N.W.2d 171, 02-1041.

346.923 346.923 Human service vehicles; minimum operator qualifications. Notwithstanding ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, no person may operate a human service vehicle transporting any passenger unless all of the following apply:

346.923(1) (1) The operator possesses a valid operator’s license issued under ch. 343 or by another jurisdiction that authorizes the operation of the human service vehicle.

346.923(6) (6) The operator holds a valid school bus endorsement under s. 343.12 or the operator meets the requirements specified under s. 343.12 (7) and (8) and any rule established by the department under s. 343.12 (7) and (8).

346.923(8) (8) The operator has, within the 2 previous years, been fully trained in the proper use of all passenger restraint systems available in the human service vehicle.

346.923 History History: 2003 a. 297, 327; 2005 a. 147.

346.924 346.924 Transporting buildings on highways. No person may operate a vehicle transporting a building, as defined in s. 348.27 (12m) (a) 1., on a highway unless all of the following apply:

346.924(1) (1) The vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle and the person holds a valid commercial driver license.

346.924(2) (2) The vehicle is operated under a valid motor carrier certificate or license of authority issued under ch. 194 or under applicable federal law, and all insurance requirements applicable to the vehicle under s. 194.41 or federal law are satisfied.

346.924 History History: 2005 a. 250.

346.925 346.925 Operation of agricultural machinery by youthful operators.

346.925(1) (1) No person may direct or permit a child under the age of 16 years to operate a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry on the highway unless the child has been certified under s. 36.25 (32) (a) 2. as successfully completing a tractor and machinery operation safety training course that is equivalent to the requirements, other than age, specified under 29 CFR 570.70 to 29 CFR 570.72.

346.925(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to operation of a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry on the highway on a course that is perpendicular to the direction of the highway.

346.925 History History: 1993 a. 455; 1995 a. 194; 1997 a. 178; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

346.93 346.93 Intoxicants in vehicle; underage persons.

346.93(1) (1) No underage person, as defined under s. 125.02 (20m), may knowingly possess, transport, or have under his or her control any alcohol beverage in any motor vehicle unless the person is employed by a brewer, brewpub, alcohol beverage licensee, wholesaler, retailer, distributor, manufacturer, or rectifier and is possessing, transporting, or having such beverage in a motor vehicle under his or her control during his or her working hours and in the course of employment, as provided under s. 125.07 (4) (bm).

346.93(2) (2) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, any violation of this section by an underage person driving or operating or on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle shall be punished under s. 346.65 (2u).

346.93(2f) (2f) Except as provided in sub. (2g), any person violating this section may have his or her operating privilege suspended under s. 343.30 (6) (b) 1.

346.93(2g) (2g) Any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $400 and shall have his or her operating privilege:

346.93(2g)(a) (a) For a violation committed within 12 months of one previous violation, suspended under s. 343.30 (6) (b) 2.

346.93(2g)(b) (b) For a violation committed within 12 months of 2 or more previous violations, suspended under s. 343.30 (6) (b) 3.

346.93 History History: 1971 c. 213 s. 5; 1983 a. 74; 1985 a. 28; 1989 a. 105; 1999 a. 109; 2007 a. 20.

346.935 346.935 Intoxicants in motor vehicles.

346.935(1) (1) No person may drink alcohol beverages or inhale nitrous oxide while he or she is in any motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a highway.