Chapter 346

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.

346.935(2) (2) No person may possess on his or her person, in a privately owned motor vehicle upon a public highway, any bottle or receptacle containing alcohol beverages or nitrous oxide if the bottle or receptacle has been opened, the seal has been broken or the contents of the bottle or receptacle have been partially removed or released.

346.935(3) (3) The owner of a privately owned motor vehicle, or the driver of the vehicle if the owner is not present in the vehicle, shall not keep, or allow to be kept in the motor vehicle when it is upon a highway any bottle or receptacle containing alcohol beverages or nitrous oxide if the bottle or receptacle has been opened, the seal has been broken or the contents of the bottle or receptacle have been partially removed or released. This subsection does not apply if the bottle or receptacle is kept in the trunk of the vehicle or, if the vehicle has no trunk, in some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or passengers. A utility compartment or glove compartment is considered to be within the area normally occupied by the driver and passengers.

346.935(4) (4) 

346.935(4)(a) (a) In this subsection:

346.935(4)(a)1. 1. “Chauffeur” means a person employed full time or on a regular basis, including leased drivers, for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle.

346.935(4)(a)2. 2. “Limousine” means any motor vehicle for charter or hire which is operated by a chauffeur and designed for transporting persons rather than property.

346.935(4)(b) (b) This section does not apply to passengers in a limousine or in a motor bus who possess any bottle or receptacle containing alcohol beverages that has been opened, on which the seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed or released if the vehicle is operated by a chauffeur holding a valid license and endorsements authorizing operation of the vehicle as provided in ch. 343 and is in compliance with any local ordinance or regulation adopted under s. 349.24.

346.935(5) (5) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, any violation of this section by an operator of a commercial motor vehicle shall be punished under s. 346.65 (2u).

346.935 History History: 1975 c. 297 s. 16; Stats. 1975 s. 346.935; 1981 c. 20; 1981 c. 79 s. 17; 1983 a. 535; 1985 a. 332 s. 253; 1989 a. 105; 1997 a. 336.

346.94 346.94 Miscellaneous prohibited or restricted acts.

346.94(1) (1) Driving on sidewalk. Except as authorized in s. 23.33 (4) (f) or when the sidewalk is an all-terrain vehicle route, as defined in s. 23.33 (1) (c) or an off-highway motorcycle route, as defined in s. 23.335 (1) (u), the operator of a vehicle may not drive upon any sidewalk area except at a permanent or temporarily established driveway unless permitted to do so by the local authorities.

346.94(2) (2) Racing. No operator of a motor vehicle shall participate in any race or speed or endurance contest upon any highway.

346.94(4) (4) Missiles, circulars or pamphlets. No person shall throw any missile, circular or pamphlet at the occupants of any vehicle or throw or place any missile, circular or pamphlet in or on any vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is occupied. This subsection does not apply to any person who places on a vehicle educational material relating to the parking privileges of physically disabled persons if the person has a good faith belief that the vehicle is violating state or local law on parking for motor vehicles used by the physically disabled and the educational material has been approved by the council on physical disabilities as provided under s. 46.29 (1) (em).

346.94(5) (5) Placing injurious substance on highway. No person shall place or cause to be placed upon a highway any foreign substance which is or may be injurious to any vehicle or part thereof.

346.94(7) (7) Spilling loads of waste or foreign matter. The operator of every vehicle transporting waste or foreign matter on the highways of this state shall provide adequate facilities to prevent such waste or foreign matter from spilling on or along the highways.

346.94(8) (8) Transporting persons in mobile homes, recreational vehicles, or boats. Except as provided in sub. (8m), no person may operate a motor vehicle towing any mobile home, recreational vehicle, or boat on a trailer upon a highway when any person is in such mobile home, recreational vehicle, or boat.

346.94(8m) (8m) Transporting persons in fifth-wheel recreational vehicles.

346.94(8m)(a) (a) No person may operate a motor vehicle towing a fifth-wheel recreational vehicle upon a highway when any person under the age of 12 years is in the fifth-wheel recreational vehicle unless one person 16 years of age or older is also in the fifth-wheel recreational vehicle.

346.94(8m)(b) (b) No person may operate a motor vehicle towing a fifth-wheel recreational vehicle upon a highway with any person in such recreational vehicle unless the fifth-wheel recreational vehicle is equipped with a two-way communications system in proper working order and capable of providing voice communications between the operator of the towing vehicle and any occupant of the fifth-wheel recreational vehicle.

346.94(8s) (8s) Transporting persons in buildings. No person may operate a vehicle transporting a building, as defined in s. 348.27 (12m) (a) 1., on a highway if any person is in the building.

346.94(9) (9) Alighting from or boarding moving vehicle. No person shall alight from or board any vehicle when such vehicle is in motion.

346.94(10) (10) Clinging to moving vehicle. No person riding upon a motor bicycle, moped or motorcycle may attach the same or himself or herself to any other moving vehicle upon a highway except when the motor bicycle, moped or motorcycle is incapacitated and being towed. A tow device attached to a towed motor bicycle, moped or motorcycle shall be attached so that an operator of the towed vehicle may release the tow device at any time.

346.94(11) (11) Towing sleds, etc. No person shall operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles upon a highway when such vehicle or combination of vehicles is towing any toboggan, sled, skis, bicycle, skates or toy vehicle bearing any person.

346.94(12) (12) Driving on bicycle lane or bicycle way. No operator of a motor vehicle may drive upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way except to enter a driveway, to merge into a bicycle lane before turning at an intersection, or to enter or leave a parking space located adjacent to the bicycle lane or bicycle way. Persons operating a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles, electric scooters, and electric personal assistive mobility devices within the bicycle lane or bicycle way.

346.94(13) (13) Abandoned motor vehicles. No person may cause a motor vehicle to be abandoned, within the meaning of s. 342.40 (1m) or (4) (b) 1., on or along any highway or on any public or private property.

346.94(14) (14) Use of flashing blue lights along highways. Except as provided in ss. 346.03 (3) and 347.25 (1m) and (1s), no person may maintain or operate any device equipped with a flashing, oscillating or rotating blue light within 100 feet of a highway if the light is visible from the highway and if the department or the local authority responsible for maintaining the highway determines that motorists would believe the light was the warning light of a police vehicle. This subsection does not apply to airport lights.

346.94(15) (15) Towing by human service vehicles. No person may operate a school bus that is not equipped with a side exit or side emergency exit windows suitable to provide an exit for pupils in an emergency or a human service vehicle over any public highway of this state with any trailer or semitrailer attached.

346.94(16) (16) Radios or other electric sound amplification devices.

346.94(16)(a) (a) Except as provided in s. 347.38 (1), no person may operate or park, stop or leave standing a motor vehicle while using a radio or other electric sound amplification device emitting sound from the vehicle that is audible under normal conditions from a distance of 75 or more feet, unless the electric sound amplification device is being used to request assistance or warn against an unsafe condition.

346.94(16)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

346.94(16)(b)1. 1. The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm.

346.94(16)(b)2. 2. The operator of a vehicle of a public utility. In this paragraph, public utility means any corporation, company, individual, or association which furnishes products or services to the public, and which is regulated under ch. 195 or 196, including railroads, telecommunications, or telegraph companies and any company furnishing or producing heat, light, power, or water.

346.94(16)(b)3. 3. The operator of a vehicle that is being used for advertising purposes.

346.94(16)(b)4. 4. The operator of a vehicle that is being used in a community event or celebration, procession or assemblage.

346.94(16)(b)5. 5. The activation of a theft alarm signal device.

346.94(16)(b)6. 6. The operator of a motorcycle being operated outside of a business or residence district.

346.94(16)(b)7. 7. A local authority that has enacted an ordinance in conformity with s. 349.135.

346.94(17) (17) In-line skates on roadway.

346.94(17)(a) (a) A person riding upon in-line skates may go upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of a local authority, subject to any restrictions specified by municipal ordinance enacted under s. 349.235.

346.94(17)(b) (b) Any person riding upon in-line skates upon any roadway shall ride in a careful and prudent manner and with due regard under the circumstances for the safety of all persons using the roadway.

346.94(17)(c) (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection or s. 349.235, no person riding upon in-line skates may attach the in-line skates or himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway or, except while crossing a roadway at a crosswalk, go upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of the department.

346.94(18) (18) Electric personal assistive mobility devices on roadways and sidewalks.

346.94(18)(a) (a)

346.94(18)(a)1. 1. Except as otherwise prohibited in this chapter, a person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device upon any roadway or sidewalk that is under the jurisdiction of the department.

346.94(18)(a)2. 2. Except as provided in s. 349.236 (1) (c), the department may by rule prohibit electric personal assistive mobility devices upon any roadway under its jurisdiction for which the speed limit is more than 25 miles per hour, and may by rule prohibit such devices upon any sidewalk under its jurisdiction. This subdivision does not apply upon any sidewalk at a permanent or temporarily established driveway.

346.94(18)(b) (b) A person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of a local authority, subject to any prohibitions specified by municipal ordinance enacted under s. 349.236.

346.94(18m) (18m) Personal delivery devices on sidewalks and crosswalks.

346.94(18m)(a) (a)

346.94(18m)(a)1. 1. Except as otherwise prohibited in this chapter, a personal delivery device operator may operate a personal delivery device upon a sidewalk or crosswalk that is under the jurisdiction of the department.

346.94(18m)(a)2. 2. Except as provided in s. 349.236 (1) (c), the department may by rule prohibit personal delivery devices upon any sidewalk under its jurisdiction. This subdivision does not apply upon any sidewalk at a permanent or temporarily established driveway.

346.94(18m)(b) (b) A personal delivery device operator may operate a personal delivery device upon any sidewalk under the jurisdiction of a local authority, subject to any prohibitions specified by municipal ordinance enacted under s. 349.236.

346.94(18s) (18s) Electric scooters on roadways, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and bicycle ways.

346.94(18s)(a) (a) Except as otherwise prohibited in this chapter, a person may operate an electric scooter upon any roadway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way that is under the jurisdiction of the department or that is open to operation of bicycles.

346.94(18s)(b) (b) A person may operate an electric scooter upon any roadway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way under the jurisdiction of a local authority, subject to any restrictions or prohibitions specified by municipal ordinance enacted under s. 349.237.

346.94(18s)(c) (c) No person may operate an electric scooter upon any roadway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

346.94(19) (19) Off-road utility vehicles on roadway.

346.94(19)(a) (a) A person may operate an off-road utility vehicle upon any roadway that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. This paragraph applies only if the person operating the off-road utility vehicle is employed by, or under contract with, the state or a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 19.42 (7u), and the off-road utility vehicle is being used for the state or local governmental purpose of collecting residential or commercial solid waste, landscaping, or performing incidental street maintenance, and is operated on a highway for a distance not to exceed one half mile.

346.94(19)(b) (b) No person may operate an off-road utility vehicle upon any highway that has a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.