Chapter 350

350.035 History History: 2003 a. 166.

350.04 350.04 Snowmobile races, derbies and routes.

350.04(1) (1) Any county, town, city or village may block off the highways under its jurisdiction for the purpose of allowing special snowmobile events. No state trunk highway or connecting highway or part thereof, shall be blocked off by any county, town, city or village for any snowmobile race or derby. Every county, town, city or village shall notify the local police department and the county sheriff’s office at least one week in advance of the time and place of any snowmobile race or derby which may result in any street or part thereof, of the county, town, city or village being blocked off. Upon such notice, the local police department shall take such measures as it deems appropriate to protect persons and property and to regulate traffic in the designated area and its vicinity on the day of such race or derby.

350.04(2) (2) On state trunk bridges a sidewalk or, if no sidewalk exists, one lane of the bridge may be designated by the town, city or village as a snowmobile route. Towns, cities or villages may adopt ordinances designating highways as snowmobile routes for snowmobile operation, subject to the following limitations:

350.04(2)(a) (a) Snowmobiles shall be operated on the extreme right side of the roadway.

350.04(2)(b) (b) Left turns shall be made as safely as possible from any position depending on snow cover and other prevailing conditions.

350.04(2)(c) (c) Snowmobile operators shall yield right-of-way to other vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

350.04(2)(d) (d) Highways designated for snowmobile operation shall be marked in accordance with s. 350.13.

350.04(2)(e) (e) Snowmobile operation is not permitted on state trunk highways or connecting highways except as provided under s. 350.02.

350.04(3) (3) 

350.04(3)(a) (a) No county, town, city or village shall be liable for any injury suffered in connection with a race or derby under this section, unless the injury is caused by the negligence of the county, town, city or village.

350.04(3)(b) (b) The county, town, city or village shall post the provisions of par. (a) in a conspicuous place, readily accessible to all contestants and spectators, and shall assist in locating and identifying persons responsible for injuries that may occur.

350.04 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3); 1981 c. 295.

350.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 6.09, Wis. adm. code.

350.045 350.045 Public utility exemption. So that public utilities may effectively carry out their obligations to the public, the restrictions imposed by this chapter relating to use on, near or adjacent to highways shall not apply to snowmobiles operated to fulfill the corporate function of the public utility in those cases where safety does not require strict adherence to the regulations related to snowmobiles in general. However, snowmobiles operated by public utilities must be operated in a safe manner at all times.

350.045 History History: 1971 c. 277.

350.047 350.047 Local ordinance to be filed. Whenever a town, city or village adopts an ordinance designating a highway as a snowmobile route, and whenever a county, town, city or village adopts an ordinance regulating snowmobiles, its clerk shall immediately send a copy of the ordinance to the department and to the office of the law enforcement agency of the municipality and county having jurisdiction over such street or highway.

350.047 History History: 1971 c. 277.

350.05 350.05 Operation by youthful operators restricted.

350.05(1) (1) Persons under 12. No person under the age of 12 years may operate a snowmobile unless the person is accompanied either by a parent or guardian or by a person over 18 years of age.

350.05(2) (2) Persons aged 12 and older; snowmobile safety certificates and program.

350.05(2)(a) (a) No person who is at least 12 years of age and who is born on or after January 1, 1985, may operate a snowmobile unless he or she holds a valid snowmobile safety certificate.

350.05(2)(b) (b) Any person who is required to hold a snowmobile safety certificate while operating a snowmobile shall carry proof that the person holds a valid safety certificate and shall display such proof to a law enforcement officer on request.

350.05(2)(c) (c) Persons enrolled in a safety certification program approved by the department may operate a snowmobile in an area designated by the instructor.

350.05(3) (3) Exceptions. This section does not apply to the operation of snowmobiles upon lands owned or leased by the operator’s parent or guardian. As used in this section, “leased lands” does not include lands leased by an organization of which said operator or the operator’s parent or guardian is a member.

350.05(4) (4) Definition. For purposes of this section, “accompany” means to be on the same snowmobile as the operator.

350.05 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1973 c. 298; 1977 c. 402; 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 9; 2015 a. 89.

350.055 350.055 Safety certification program established.

350.055(1) (1) The department shall establish a program of instruction on snowmobile laws, including the intoxicated snowmobiling law, regulations, safety and related subjects. The program shall be conducted by instructors certified by the department. The department may procure liability insurance coverage for certified instructors for work within the scope of their duties under this section. For each person who is under the age of 16 years, the program shall include 6 hours of classroom instruction, and the instructor may provide to the person up to 2 additional hours of instruction on a snowmobile as to how it is actually operated. Each person satisfactorily completing this program shall receive a snowmobile safety certificate from the department. The department shall establish by rule an instruction fee for this program. An instructor conducting a program of instruction under this section shall collect the instruction fee from each person who receives instruction. The department may determine the portion of this fee, which may not exceed 50 percent, that the instructor may retain to defray expenses incurred by the instructor in conducting the program. The instructor shall remit the remainder of the fee or, if nothing is retained, the entire fee to the department. The department shall issue a duplicate certificate of accomplishment to a person who is entitled to a duplicate certificate of accomplishment and who pays a fee of $2.75.

350.055(1m) (1m) An instructor certified by the department under sub. (1) who conducts a snowmobile program of instruction may not allow a person enrolled in that program to operate a snowmobile as part of a field training exercise unless the snowmobile, in addition to meeting the requirements that apply to snowmobiles under this chapter, is in good working order and is equipped with a device that limits the speed of the snowmobile to 15 miles per hour.

350.055(2) (2) A person who is required to hold a valid snowmobile safety certificate may operate a snowmobile in this state if the person holds a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by another state or province of the Dominion of Canada and if the course content of the program in such other state or province substantially meets that established by the department under this section.

350.055 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1973 c. 298; 1987 a. 27, 399; 1991 a. 39; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 253; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 353.

350.055 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.50, Wis. adm. code.

350.07 350.07 Driving animals. No person shall drive or pursue any animal with a snowmobile, except as a part of normal farming operations involving the driving of livestock.

350.07 History History: 1971 c. 277.

350.08 350.08 Owner permitting operation. No owner or other person having charge or control of a snowmobile may knowingly authorize or permit any person to operate the snowmobile if the person is prohibited from operating a snowmobile under s. 350.05, if the person is incapable of operating a snowmobile because of physical or mental disability or if the person is under the influence of an intoxicant.

350.08 History History: 1971 c. 219; 1981 c. 79 s. 17; 1981 c. 295, 391; 1983 a. 459; 1987 a. 399.

350.09 350.09 Head lamps, tail lamps and brakes, etc.

350.09(1) (1) Any snowmobile operated during the hours of darkness or operated during daylight hours on any highway right-of-way shall display a lighted head lamp and tail lamp. A person operating a snowmobile during the hours of darkness or adjacent to a roadway shall dim the snowmobile’s head lamp when an oncoming snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, or motor vehicle is within 500 feet.

350.09(2) (2) After February 12, 1970, the head lamp on a snowmobile may be of the single beam or multiple beam type, but in either case shall comply with the following requirements and limitations:

350.09(2)(a) (a) The head lamp shall be an electric head lamp and the current shall be supplied by a wet battery and electric generator, by a current-generating coil incorporated into the magneto or by a generator driven directly by the motor by means of gears, friction wheel, chain or belt.

350.09(2)(b) (b) The head lamp shall display a white light of sufficient illuminating power to reveal any person, vehicle or substantial object at a distance of 200 feet ahead.

350.09(2)(c) (c) If the snowmobile is equipped with a multiple beam head lamp, the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in par. (b) and the lower most beam shall be so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead.

350.09(2)(d) (d) If the snowmobile is equipped with a single beam lamp, such lamp shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light, at a distance of 25 feet ahead, projects higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.

350.09(3) (3) After February 12, 1970, the tail lamp on a snowmobile must display a red light plainly visible during darkness from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

350.09(4) (4) Every snowmobile shall be equipped with at least one brake operated either by hand or by foot, capable of bringing the snowmobile to a stop, under normal conditions, within 40 feet when traveling at a speed of 20 miles per hour with a 150 pound driver on a level, hard-packed snow surface, or capable of locking the track on a level, hard-packed snow surface. The design shall permit simple and easy adjustment to compensate for wear. There shall be no other control linked to the brake which impairs braking operation.

350.09(5) (5) All snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1972, and offered for sale or sold in this state shall be equipped with side marker reflectors meeting the visibility requirements of society of automotive engineers standards or reflex material standards in compliance with federal specifications.

350.09(8) (8) Section 350.095 does not apply to snowmobiles competing in a sanctioned race or derby or to snowmobiles being tested by manufacturers, distributors or dealers on lands under their control.

350.09(8m) (8m) No person may operate, offer for sale or sell a snowmobile that is manufactured after May 7, 1994, if the width of the snowmobile exceeds 48 inches.

350.09(9) (9) All snowmobiles competing in a sanctioned race or derby shall be equipped with a device wired into the motor’s electrical system that will shut off the motor if the operator falls from the snowmobile or otherwise leaves the operator’s position. The device shall be capable of being attached to the body of the operator, and shall be so attached when the snowmobile is being operated.

350.09 History History: 1971 c. 277; 1981 c. 295; 1993 a. 436; 2005 a. 210; 2021 a. 103.

350.09 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 6.01, Wis. adm. code.

350.09 Annotation Operation does not include the act of sitting on a parked snowmobile with its engine off. A person was not negligent per se for failing to have the head and tail lamps illuminated on a snowmobile that was not running at the time of an accident. Burg v. Cincinnati Casualty Insurance Co. 2002 WI 76, 254 Wis. 2d 36, 645 N.W.2d 880, 00-3258.

350.095 350.095 Noise level requirements.

350.095(1) (1) Noise level standards; total vehicle noise.

350.095(1)(a) (a) Every snowmobile that is manufactured on or after July 2, 1975, and that is offered for sale or sold in this state as a new snowmobile shall be manufactured so as to limit total vehicle noise to not more than 78 decibels of A sound pressure, as measured by Society of Automotive Engineers standards.

350.095(1)(b) (b) A person may not modify a snowmobile, or operate a snowmobile that has been modified, in any manner that amplifies or otherwise increases total vehicle noise above that emitted by the snowmobile as originally manufactured, regardless of date of manufacture.

350.095(2) (2) Noise level standards; exhaust and engine noise.

350.095(2)(a) (a) No snowmobile may be manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or operated unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order.

350.095(2)(b) (b) For snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1972, a muffler that is in good working order is one that blends the exhaust noise into the overall engine noise and is in constant operation to prevent exhaust and engine noise that exceeds the applicable noise level standards established under pars. (c) and (d).

350.095(2)(c) (c) For every snowmobile manufactured after July 1, 1972, and before July 2, 1975, the noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise shall be 90 decibels as measured in accordance with the procedures established for the measurement of exhaust sound levels of stationary snowmobiles in the January 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J2567.

350.095(2)(d) (d)

350.095(2)(d)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., for every snowmobile manufactured on or after July 2, 1975, the noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise shall be 82 decibels as measured in accordance with the procedures established for the measurement of exhaust sound levels of stationary snowmobiles in the January 2015 Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J2567.

350.095(2)(d)2. 2. After consulting with the snowmobile recreational council, the department may promulgate a rule that establishes a noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise that is other than 88 decibels.

350.095 History History: 2005 a. 210 ss. 1, 2, 4 to 7m; 2021 a. 103.

350.10 350.10 Miscellaneous provisions for snowmobile operation.

350.10(1) (1) No person shall operate a snowmobile in the following manner:

350.10(1)(a) (a) At a rate of speed that is unreasonable or improper under the circumstances.

350.10(1)(b) (b) In any careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another.

350.10(1)(c) (c) Without complying with all stop signs, yield signs or other regulatory signs established by rule under s. 350.13 that are located along snowmobile routes, snowmobile trails or other established snowmobile corridors that are open to the public.

350.10(1)(d) (d) In such a way that the exhaust and engine noise exceeds the applicable noise level standard specified in s. 350.095 (2) (c) or (d).

350.10(1)(f) (f) On the private property of another without the consent of the owner or lessee. Failure to post private property does not imply consent for snowmobile use.

350.10(1)(fm) (fm) On public property that is posted as closed to snowmobile operation or on which the operation of a snowmobile is prohibited by law.

350.10(1)(g) (g) Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. when within 150 feet of a dwelling at a rate of speed exceeding 10 miles per hour.

350.10(1)(gm) (gm) During the hours of darkness at a rate of speed exceeding 55 miles per hour.

350.10(1)(h) (h) In any forest nursery, planting area or on public lands posted or reasonably identified as an area of forest or plant reproduction when growing stock may be damaged.

350.10(1)(i) (i) On the frozen surface of public waters within 100 feet of a person not in or upon a vehicle or within 100 feet of a fishing shanty unless operated at a speed of 10 miles per hour or less.

350.10(1)(j) (j) On a slide, ski or skating area except for the purpose of serving the area, crossing at places where marked or after stopping and yielding the right-of-way.

350.10(1)(k) (k) On or across a cemetery, burial ground, school or church property without consent of the owner.

350.10(1)(L) (L) On the lands of an operating airport or landing facility except for personnel in performance of their duties or with consent.

350.10(1)(m) (m) On Indian lands without the consent of the tribal governing body or Indian owner. For purposes of this paragraph, “Indian lands” means lands owned by the United States and held for the use or benefit of Indian tribes, bands, or individual Indians and lands owned by Indian tribes, bands, or individual Indians which are subject to restrictions on alienation. Failure to post Indian lands does not imply consent for snowmobile use. Any other motor-driven craft or vehicle principally manufactured for off-highway use shall at all times have the consent of the owner before operation of such craft or vehicle on private lands.

350.10(2) (2) Subsection (1) (c) does not apply to a person operating a snowmobile on land under the management and control of the person’s immediate family.

350.10(3) (3) Subsection (1) (gm) does not apply to a person operating a snowmobile while competing in a sanctioned race or derby.

350.10 History History: 1971 c. 219, 277; 1981 c. 79 s. 17; 1983 a. 459; 1987 a. 399; 1997 a. 34; 2005 a. 209, 210; 2007 a. 29; 2009 a. 252, 389.

350.101 350.101 Intoxicated snowmobiling.

350.101(1) (1) Operation.

350.101(1)(a) (a) Operating while under the influence of an intoxicant. No person may engage in the operation of a snowmobile while under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safe snowmobile operation.

350.101(1)(b) (b) Operating with alcohol concentrations at or above specified levels. No person may engage in the operation of a snowmobile while the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

350.101(1)(bm) (bm) Operating with a restricted controlled substance. No person may engage in the operation of a snowmobile with a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood.