Chapter 347

347.385(1m)(d) (d) “Political subdivision” means a county, city, village, or town.

347.385(1m)(e) (e) “Snow removal vehicle” means any vehicle equipped with a snowplow or anti-icing equipment that is used by a political subdivision for snow removal and is operated by a political subdivision or the agent or lessee of a political subdivision.

347.385(1m)(f) (f) “Traffic control signal preemption device” means a device, located on or within a traffic control signal, that is designed to receive an electronic, radio, light, or sound transmission from an approaching vehicle that alters the normal sequence of the traffic control signal to provide or maintain a green signal for the vehicle to proceed through the intersection.

347.385(1m)(g) (g) “Traffic control signal priority device” means a device, located on or within a traffic control signal, that is designed to receive an electronic, radio, light, or sound transmission from an approaching vehicle to request that a green signal be provided or maintained for the vehicle to proceed through the intersection.

347.385(1m)(i) (i) “Transmitter” means a device that emits a signal for the purpose of activating a traffic control signal preemption device or a traffic control signal priority device.

347.385(2m) (2m) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped and operated with lamps designed and used, or with any other transmitter designed and used, to activate traffic control signal preemption devices.

347.385(2r) (2r) A snow removal vehicle equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights that is actively engaged in snow removal activities may be equipped and operated with lamps designed and used, or with any other transmitter designed and used, to activate traffic control signal priority devices.

347.385(3m) (3m) The lamps authorized for use under this section may be any color and may be flashing, oscillating, rotating or pulsating.

347.385(4) (4) No operator of an authorized emergency vehicle may use a transmitter, including lamps under sub. (2m), except when responding to an emergency call, when pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to, but not when returning from, a fire alarm.

347.385(5) (5) 

347.385(5)(a) (a) No person may operate upon a highway a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle or snow removal vehicle, that is equipped with a transmitter or in which a transmitter is located. This subsection does not apply to a motor carrier or person in the business of selling transmitters to authorized users who transports a transmitter in original, unopened packaging or in an inoperative condition in an enclosed storage compartment of the vehicle.

347.385(5)(b) (b) No person may sell a transmitter except for use for authorized purposes as described in sub. (2m) or (2r).

347.385(6) (6) The authority responsible for maintenance of a traffic control signal may establish procedures for resolving conflicts between multiple requests for signal preemption or priority at a traffic signal, except that a signal preemption request from an authorized emergency vehicle must be given priority over any signal priority request.

347.385 History History: 2005 a. 193 ss. 1 to 6; Stats. 2005 s. 347.385; 2023 a. 167.

347.39 347.39 Mufflers.

347.39(1) (1) No person shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle subject to registration unless such motor vehicle is equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke. This subsection also applies to motor bicycles.

347.39(2) (2) No muffler or exhaust system on any vehicle mentioned in sub. (1) shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device nor shall there be installed in the exhaust system of any such vehicle any device to ignite exhaust gases so as to produce flame within or without the exhaust system. No person shall modify the exhaust system of any such motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this section.

347.39(3) (3) In this section, “muffler” means a device consisting of a series of chambers of baffle plates or other mechanical design for receiving exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and which is effective in reducing noise.

347.39 History History: 1983 a. 243.

347.39 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Trans 305.20 and 305.39, Wis. adm. code.

347.40 347.40 Mirrors.

347.40(1) (1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon a highway unless such vehicle is equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the roadway for a distance of 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.

347.40(2) (2) No person shall operate on a highway any school bus having a passenger-carrying capacity of 10 or more persons including the operator unless such bus is equipped with at least one mirror which is 7 inches in diameter so located as to enable the operator to see a reflection of the road from the entire front bumper forward to a point where direct observation is possible.

347.40(3) (3) No person may operate or permit the operation of any motor bus on a highway unless the bus is equipped with 2 outside rearview mirrors, one to the right and one to the left of the operator. Each mirror shall have not less than 50 square inches of unobstructed reflective surface and shall be firmly supported and adjustable to give the operator a clear view past both the right and left rear of the bus.

347.40 History History: 1975 c. 84; 1987 a. 235.

347.40 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Trans 305.26 and 305.44, Wis. adm. code.

347.41 347.41 Speed indicators. No person shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle primarily designed for use upon a highway unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a speedometer which with reasonable accuracy registers the speed of the vehicle, except that motor trucks or truck tractors may be equipped with tachometers or any other devices that indicate speed and motor vehicles transported pursuant and in compliance with s. 341.47 (1) (b) and (c) may be equipped with a governor of speed of a type which restricts speed and which is set at a level equal to or below the limits of 55 miles per hour in lieu of a speedometer.

347.41 History History: 1983 a. 54.

347.41 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 305.18, Wis. adm. code.

347.413 347.413 Ignition interlock device tampering; failure to install.

347.413(1) (1) No person may remove, disconnect, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent the operation of an ignition interlock device installed in response to the court order under s. 346.65 (6), 1999 stats., or s. 343.301 (1), 2007 stats., or s. 343.301 (1g), or fail to have the ignition interlock device installed as ordered by the court, or violate a court order under s. 343.301 (1g) restricting the person’s operating privilege. This subsection does not apply to the removal of an ignition interlock device upon the expiration of the order requiring the motor vehicle to be so equipped or to necessary repairs to a malfunctioning ignition interlock device by a person authorized by the department.

347.413(3) (3) The department shall design a warning label which shall be affixed to each ignition interlock device upon installation. The label shall provide notice of the penalties for tampering with or circumventing the operation of the ignition interlock device under sub. (1) and s. 343.10 (5) (a) 3.

347.413 History History: 1991 a. 277; 1993 a. 213; 1999 a. 109; 2001 a. 16 ss. 3445f, 3445g, 4060hd, 4060hw, 4060hy; 2009 a. 100, 121; 2017 a. 124.

347.415 347.415 Odometer tampering.

347.415(1g) (1g) In this section, “odometer” means an instrument for measuring and recording the actual distance that a motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle has traveled while in operation, but does not include any auxiliary instrument designed to be reset to zero to measure and record the actual distance that a motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle has traveled on trips.

347.415(1m) (1m) No person may, either personally or through an agent, remove, replace, disconnect, reset, tamper with, alter, or fail to connect the odometer of any motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle with the intent to change or affect the number of miles indicated thereon.

347.415(2) (2) No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration under ch. 341 on any street or highway with knowledge that the odometer is removed, disconnected or nonfunctional. An exemption may be provided if parts are on back order to correct a nonfunctional odometer.

347.415(3) (3) No person may advertise for sale, sell, use, install, or have installed any device which causes an odometer to register any mileage other than the true mileage driven. For purposes of this subsection, “true mileage driven” means that mileage traveled by the vehicle as measured and recorded by the odometer within the manufacturer’s design tolerance.

347.415(4) (4) No person shall conspire with any other person to violate sub. (1m), (2) or (3).

347.415(5) (5) Nothing in this section shall prevent the service, repair or replacement of an odometer, provided the mileage indicated thereon remains the same as before the service, repair or replacement. Where the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement, the odometer shall be adjusted to read zero, and a written notice shall be attached, by the owner or an agent, to the left door frame of the vehicle, or other location as prescribed by the department, specifying the mileage prior to service, repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which it was serviced, repaired or replaced. No person may, with intent to defraud, remove or alter such a notice so affixed. No person who services, repairs or replaces an odometer that is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement may fail to adjust the odometer to read zero or fail to attach the notice required by this subsection.

347.415 History History: 1975 c. 121, 199; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1993 a. 159; 2003 a. 166; 2011 a. 208.

347.415 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 154, Wis. adm. code.

347.417 347.417 Immobilization device tampering.

347.417(1) (1) No person may remove, disconnect, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent the operation of any immobilization device installed in response to a court order under s. 346.65 (6), 1999 stats., or s. 343.301 (2), 2007 stats. This subsection does not apply to the removal of an immobilization device pursuant to a court order or to necessary repairs to a malfunctioning immobilization device.

347.417(2) (2) The department shall design a warning label which shall be affixed by the owner of each immobilization device before the device is used to immobilize any motor vehicle under s. 346.65 (6), 1999 stats., or s. 343.301 (2), 2007 stats. The label shall provide notice of the penalties for removing, disconnecting, tampering with, or otherwise circumventing the operation of the immobilization device.

347.417 History History: 1991 a. 277; 1999 a. 109; 2001 a. 16 ss. 3445h to 3445m, 4060hg, 4060hj, 4060hw, 4060hy; 2009 a. 100.

347.42 347.42 Windshield wipers. No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle equipped with a windshield, except a moped or motorcycle, unless the motor vehicle also is equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the operator of the vehicle and shall at all times be maintained in good working order.

347.42 History History: 1979 c. 163; 1983 a. 243; 1985 a. 65; 2019 a. 50.

347.42 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 305.35, Wis. adm. code.

347.43 347.43 Safety glass.

347.43(1g) (1g) In this section, “safety glass” means glass so treated or combined with other materials as to reduce, in comparison with ordinary sheet glass or plate glass, the likelihood of injury to persons by objects from external sources or by such glass when it is struck, cracked or broken.

347.43(1s) (1s) No person may operate upon a highway any motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1936, except a recreational vehicle other than a 5th-wheel recreational vehicle, unless the motor vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used on the motor vehicle in partitions, doors, windows or windshields.

347.43(2) (2) No person may sell any new motor vehicle unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glass in accordance with the requirements of sub. (1s).

347.43(4) (4) If a common carrier or person operating under a permit or certificate issued by the department is convicted of operating a vehicle in violation of this section, the department may suspend or revoke the permit or certificate until such time as the vehicle has been equipped with safety glass as required by this section.

347.43 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (9) (f); 1981 c. 347; 1985 a. 187; 1993 a. 16; 1999 a. 85; 2007 a. 60.

347.43 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Trans 305.32 and 305.34, Wis. adm. code.

347.43 Annotation Sub. (1) [now sub. (1s)] requires that whenever broken glass is replaced in a vehicle it must be replaced with safety glass. Replacing glass with plastic violated this section, and an officer observing a vehicle with replacement plastic had probable cause to stop the vehicle for a violation of this section. State v. Longcore, 2001 WI App 15, 240 Wis. 2d 429, 623 N.W.2d 201, 00-1171.

347.435 347.435 Vehicle monitoring and feedback. Notwithstanding s. 346.88, a person may operate a vehicle that has a device mounted to the front windshield if all of the following apply:

347.435(1) (1) The device is designed to monitor the vehicle and provide feedback to the operator for the purpose of safety or improving vehicle operation.

347.435(2) (2) The device is mounted directly above, behind, or below the mirror required in s. 347.40 (1) or, if no mirror is present, at the location where the mirror would typically be mounted.

347.435(3) (3) The device is mounted in a manner consistent with applicable federal requirements if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle as defined in 49 CFR 390.5.

347.435 History History: 2015 a. 160.

347.44 347.44 Painting requirements for school buses; restrictions as to painting of other vehicles.

347.44(1) (1) All school buses shall be painted as follows:

347.44(1)(a) (a) With the exception of trim, the body, including hood, fenders, cowl and roof shall be painted a uniform color, national school bus glossy yellow, according to national institute of standards and technology specifications;

347.44(1)(b) (b) The body trim, if used, shall be black; and

347.44(1)(c) (c) The words, “SCHOOL BUS”, in black letters at least 8 inches high shall appear on both the front and rear of the upper body area or on a sign attached thereto.

347.44(2) (2) A motor vehicle described in s. 340.01 (56) (b) may, but need not, comply with sub. (1). If the motor vehicle complies with sub. (1), the vehicle shall comply with other regulations relating to school buses prescribed by the department by rule.

347.44(3) (3) No person may paint or in any way designate a motor vehicle in the manner described in sub. (1) except as expressly authorized by this section.

347.44(4) (4) When a motor vehicle in compliance with sub. (1), s. 347.25 (2), and the rules of the department relating to school bus equipment is no longer operated as a school bus, the registration of the motor vehicle for another purpose may not be permitted until the owner:

347.44(4)(a) (a) Physically removes the signs identifying the vehicle as a school bus, the lights required by s. 347.25 (2) and such other equipment as the department may specify by rule; and

347.44(4)(b) (b) Repaints the entire vehicle to a color other than national school bus glossy yellow or any color commonly referred to as yellow.

347.44 History History: 1975 c. 121, 199, 224, 429; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (e); 1977 c. 228; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 175; 1985 a. 287; 1989 a. 165.

347.44 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 300, Wis. adm. code.

347.445 347.445 Crossing gates for school buses. No person may operate a school bus that is painted as provided in s. 347.44 unless it is equipped with a retractable crossing gate on the front of the bus that, when in use, prevents children from crossing in front of the school bus in such proximity that they are not visible to the operator of the school bus from the operator’s seat. The secretary shall prescribe rules for the specifications, installation, and operation of crossing gates required under this section.

347.445 History History: 2001 a. 58.

347.447 347.447 Additional safety mirrors on school buses. A school bus that is painted as provided in s. 347.44 may be equipped with a supplemental mirror system, mounted on the passenger side of the school bus and designed to enhance operator visibility of children near the passenger side of the school bus, if the supplemental mirror system does not make inoperative or diminish the performance of any other mirror or safety device required on the school bus.

347.447 History History: 2011 a. 223.

347.45 347.45 Tire equipment.

347.45(1) (1) All automobiles, motor trucks, motor buses, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers, recreational vehicles, and mobile homes when operated upon a highway shall be completely equipped with tires inflated with compressed air and all other motor vehicles when operated on a highway shall be equipped with tires of rubber or of some material or construction of equal resiliency. No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, or mobile home having any metal tire in contact with the roadway, except that tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and except as provided in sub. (2) (c).

347.45(2) (2) No person shall operate on a highway any vehicle, including farm tractors, implements of husbandry, animal-drawn vehicles and road machinery, if such vehicle has on the periphery of any of its tires any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that:

347.45(2)(a) (a) Farm tractors, implements of husbandry, bicycles, animal-drawn vehicles, and road machinery may be operated with metal tires or tires having protuberances that will not injure the highway.

347.45(2)(b) (b) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

347.45(2)(c) (c) A pneumatic tire may have embedded in it wire or wire coils for improving traction on ice and snow, but such tire shall be so constructed that the percentage of wire or wire coils in contact with the roadway does not exceed, after the first 1,000 miles of use or operation, 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. During the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of any such tire the wire or wire coils in contact with the roadway shall not exceed 20 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. Tires equipped with tungsten carbide studs shall be limited in usage and design as follows:

347.45(2)(c)1. 1. The department shall, by rule, designate the times of year during which any type of tire described in this paragraph may be used.

347.45(2)(c)2. 2. Such tires may be used only on authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, vehicles used to deliver mail and automobiles with out-of-state registrations and then only if such automobile is in the course of passing through this state for a period of not more than 30 days.

347.45(2)(c)3. 3. Such studs shall not project more than one-eighth inch beyond the tread surface of the tire.

347.45(3) (3) The authority in charge of maintenance of the highway in question may, in its discretion, issue a special permit authorizing operation upon such highway of a vehicle the operation of which would otherwise be prohibited under this section.

347.45(4) (4) No person shall knowingly operate on any highway any vehicle on which any tire has been regrooved or recut or offer such tire for sale or exchange. This subsection shall not apply to regrooved or recut commercial vehicle tires which are designed and constructed in such a manner that regrooving or recutting is an acceptable and safe practice, nor does this subsection apply to regrooving or recutting done in a tire recapping process.