Chapter Trans 100

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See s. 893.40, Stats.

Trans 100.18(1)(f) (f) If the judgment is for property damage, the person files proof of payment of an amount equal to the property damage minimum coverage level described in s. Trans 100.02 (12m) to the judgment creditor, including payments made in settlement or partial settlement of the property damage claim or payments made to the court for application to the judgment. Payments on the claim made by the judgment debtor, an insurance carrier, or any other person may be aggregated to reach that amount.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See the note following s. Trans 100.18 (1) (i).

Trans 100.18(1)(g) (g) If the judgment is for injury to a single person, the person files proof of payment of an amount equal to the single injury minimum coverage level described in s. Trans 100.02 (13m) to the judgment creditor, including payments made in settlement or partial settlement of the injury claim or payments made to the court for application to the judgment. Payments on the claim made by the judgment debtor, an insurance carrier, or any other person may be aggregated to reach that amount.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See the note following s. Trans 100.18 (1) (i).

Trans 100.18(1)(h) (h) If the judgment is for injury to more than one person, the person files proof of payment of an amount equal to the multiple injury minimum coverage level described in s. Trans 100.02 (11m) to the judgment creditor, including payments made in settlement or partial settlement of the injury claim or payments made to the court for application to the judgment. Payments on the claim made by the judgment debtor, an insurance carrier, or any other person may be aggregated to reach that amount.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See the note following s. Trans 100.18 (1) (i).

Trans 100.18(1)(i) (i) If the judgment results from any combination of property damage, injury to one person, or injury to more than one person, the person files proof of payment of the amount applicable under par. (f) plus the amount applicable under par. (g) or (h), whichever is applicable, to the judgment creditor, including payments made in settlement or partial settlement of the property damage or injury claims or payments made to the court for application to the judgment. Payments on the judgment creditor’s claim made by the judgment debtor, an insurance carrier, or any other person may be aggregated to reach the amount required to be paid prior to satisfaction of the damage judgment for driver licensing purposes under this paragraph.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: Under s. 346.26 (3), Stats., a judgment is deemed “satisfied” to the extent that a person should be able to reinstate their operating privilege once the person has paid a judgment debtor an amount equal to the minimum required insurance amounts a person needs to avoid operating privilege suspension under the safety responsibility law. The actual judgment may not be partially satisfied to the same extent because payment of interest, costs and attorneys fees all qualify as payment toward this total dollar amount. Pars. (f), (g), and (h) address this means of “satisfying” specific types of damage judgments for driver licensing purposes. Par. (i) addresses situations where a debtor owes for both property damage and personal injury and requires payment of up to $35,000 ($10,000 + $25,000) for such an accident to property and one person or $60,000 ($10,000 + $50,000) for damages to property and injuries to multiple persons as a precondition of reinstatement. Of course, providing evidence that the entire judgment has been satisfied with a court is also acceptable. Minimum mandatory insurance amounts are set under s. 344.33 (2), Stats.

Trans 100.18(1m) (1m) Resuspension. If a judgment debtor fails to comply with the payment terms of a voluntary or court-ordered agreement under sub. (1) (b) or (c), upon notice of the default, the secretary shall suspend the debtor’s operating privilege. That suspension shall remain in effect until the judgment debtor meets the requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (i).

Trans 100.18 Note Note: The first sentence of this provision provides that a person whose operating privilege is suspended for a damage judgment may reinstate by paying off the judgment, entering into a voluntary payment agreement with the judgment creditor, obtaining a court-ordered payment plan, filing for bankruptcy, waiting 5 years, or paying the creditor an amount equal to the insurance that would have been paid to the creditor had the judgment debtor held insurance in the minimum mandatory insurance amounts specified in 344.33 (2), Stats. This provision permits more than one debtor-creditor agreed or judicially ordered payment plan under s. 344.25 or 344.27, Stats.

Trans 100.18(2) (2) Out-of-state and tribal court judgments.

Trans 100.18(2)(a) (a) Out-of-state judgments against Wisconsin drivers. Upon receipt of a certified damage judgment naming a Wisconsin resident or licensed operator as judgment debtor from a court or driver licensing authority in another jurisdiction, the department shall provide notice of the receipt of the certification to the judgment debtor. The department shall suspend the operating privilege and motor vehicle registrations of the judgment debtor unless, within 30 days of the issuance of the notice by the department, the person satisfies one of the requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (i) or, files a letter of clearance or other proof of license reinstatement in that other state from the driver licensing authority in the other jurisdiction.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See s. 344.25 (5), Stats.

Trans 100.18(2)(am) (am) Out-of-state judgments against drivers moving to Wisconsin from another state. If a judgment debtor’s operating privilege is suspended or revoked in another state for nonpayment of a judgment before the debtor obtains a Wisconsin driver license, the judgment debtor may not be licensed in Wisconsin until the debtor reinstates his or her operating privilege in that other state. If another state provides notice to Wisconsin of entry of a damage judgment in that other state which may result in suspension for nonpayment of the judgment in Wisconsin under s. 344.25 (5), Stats., the department shall provide notice of the receipt of the certification to the judgment debtor. The department shall suspend the operating privilege and motor vehicle registrations of the judgment debtor unless, within 30 days of the issuance of the notice by the department, the person satisfies one of the requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (i), or files a letter of clearance or other proof of license reinstatement in that other state from the driver licensing authority in the other jurisdiction.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: Where notice of a judgment debt is sent to the Department by a licensing authority in another state, obtaining a release letter may be required as a precondition to obtaining or keeping a Wisconsin driver license. If the judgment debtor has moved to Wisconsin from the other state, the Department is prohibited from issuing the person a license if the person’s operating privilege is suspended or revoked in the other state. s. 343.38 (4), Stats. If the person has been issued a license, it will be cancelled. s. 343.25, Stats.

Trans 100.18(2)(b) (b) Tribal judgments. Upon receipt of a certified damage judgment naming a Wisconsin resident or licensed driver as judgment debtor from an American Indian tribal court in Wisconsin, the department shall provide notice of the receipt of the certification to the judgment debtor. The department shall suspend the operating privilege and motor vehicle registrations of the judgment debtor unless, within 30 days of the issuance of the notice by the department, the person satisfies one of the requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (i).

Trans 100.18(2)(c) (c) Period of suspension. If a judgment debtor’s operating privilege or vehicle registration is suspended because of non-payment of an out-of-state or tribal judgment, the person’s operating privilege or vehicle registration shall remain suspended until the person meets the criteria of sub. (5) and the person satisfies one of the requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (i).

Trans 100.18(3) (3) Installment agreements.

Trans 100.18(3)(a) (a) If a judgment creditor consents to allow a judgment debtor to retain or reinstate the debtor’s operating privilege or motor vehicle registration under s. 344.25 (2), Stats., the parties shall file a copy of the written installment agreement between the parties. The agreement shall meet the requirements of s. Trans 100.13. In applying the requirements of s. Trans 100.13, the term “injured party” shall mean the judgment creditor, and the term “uninsured person” shall mean the judgment debtor. The installment agreement shall provide that upon payment of the sums specified in the agreement, the judgment will be satisfied. The installment agreement shall clearly state whether the judgment is for damages to property, or damages to a single individual or multiple individuals, or both, shall state the aggregate payment amount sufficient to permit reinstatement of the person’s operating privilege under sub. (1) (f) to (i), and shall require the judgment creditor to advise the division of motor vehicles upon receipt of payments totaling that amount.

Trans 100.18(3)(b) (b) If the department is notified that a judgment debtor has defaulted on a written installment agreement filed under s. 344.25, Stats., and 6 months have not elapsed from the date of the agreement, the department shall advise the person notifying the department of the default that no action may be taken until 6 months have elapsed and may not take further action. If 6 months have elapsed from the date of the agreement, the department shall immediately suspend the person’s operating privilege and motor vehicle registration. The suspension shall remain in effect until the person complies with sub. (5) and meets one of the conditions required for reinstatement under sub. (1) (a), (b), or (d) to (i).

Trans 100.18 Note Note: Section 344.25 (2), Stats., provides that a reinstatement following filing of a repayment agreement is for a minimum of 6 months. Courts do not have authority to order operating privilege or motor vehicle registration reinstatement in voluntary wage earner debt amortization proceedings under s. 128.21, Stats. Amortization orders entered under s. 128.21 will not result in a debtor being able to immediately reinstate his or her operating privilege or motor vehicle registration. In cases where a s. 128.21 proceeding is considered, bringing a parallel s. 344.27 motion to amortize a judgment debt should be considered.

Trans 100.18(4) (4) Bankrupt persons under damage judgment law.

Trans 100.18(4)(a) (a) A person whose operating privilege or motor vehicle registration is suspended or revoked under s. 344.25, Stats., who files a petition in bankruptcy, and from whom collection of a pre-bankruptcy damage judgment debt is stayed under 11 USC 362, or whose personal liability for the damage judgment debt is discharged under U. S. bankruptcy laws, may reinstate his or her operating privilege or motor vehicle registrations. The person shall be subject to all the same vehicle reinstatement, filing and fee requirements as any other person seeking operators license or registration reinstatement who has obtained a satisfaction of judgment following a damage judgment suspension.

Trans 100.18 Note Note: See Holder v. DOT, 40 BR 847 (E.D. Wisc., 1984) regarding the Department’s authority to require proof of financial responsibility for the future of a bankruptcy debtor. Tort liability is not “consumer debt” under 11 USC 101 (7). Therefore, Ch. 13 co-debtor stay does not prohibit collection against non-bankrupt persons. In re ALVAREZ, 57 BR 65 (S.D. Fla., 1985).

Trans 100.18(4)(b) (b) If a judgment creditor notifies the department that the automatic stay has been lifted to permit collection of the debt evidenced by the damage judgment, the department shall suspend the person’s motor vehicle registration and operating privilege.

Trans 100.18(4)(c) (c) If the debtor’s bankruptcy case closes or the automatic stay is lifted and the debt is not dischargeable under United States bankruptcy law, the department shall suspend the debtor’s operating privilege and motor vehicle registration upon receipt of one of the following:

Trans 100.18(4)(c)1. 1. If a hearing is required to determine dischargeability of the judgment debt under 11 USC 523 (c) (1), a copy of the court order finding the debt to be non-dischargeable.

Trans 100.18(4)(c)2. 2. If no hearing is required to determine dischargeability of the judgment debt under 11 USC 523 (c) (1), then an affidavit of the claimant that the judgment is not dischargeable under bankruptcy law, citing the appropriate exception to discharge applicable to the judgment debt under 11 USC 523 (a), and affirming that the debt was not discharged in the debtor’s bankruptcy proceeding, or a court order making a determination that the debt was not discharged by the bankruptcy proceeding.

Trans 100.18(4)(d) (d) The department may not permit a person whose operating privilege or motor vehicle registration was suspended under par. (c) to reinstate the operating privilege or motor vehicle registration unless the person provides a court order or findings to the department from a proceeding to which the judgment debtor and creditor were parties concluding that the debt was, in fact, discharged by the bankruptcy proceeding or the person meets the reinstatement requirements of sub. (1) (a) to (e).

Trans 100.18(4)(e) (e) A debtor who alleges a damage judgment was entered and certified to the department in violation of the automatic stay in violation of 11 USC 362 shall be required to provide evidence that the judgment is void or has been vacated or satisfied as a condition of license reinstatement.

Trans 100.18(5) (5) Standard reinstatement requirements.

Trans 100.18(5)(a) (a) In order to reinstate an operating privilege after a suspension or revocation for nonpayment of a damage judgment, in addition to satisfying the damage judgment by complying with subs. (1) to (3), a driver must also pay all fees required for operating privilege reinstatement and file any required proof of financial responsibility for the future.

Trans 100.18(5)(b) (b) In order to reinstate vehicle registration after a suspension or revocation for nonpayment of a damage judgment, a driver must also pay any fee required for reinstatement of the vehicle registration.

Trans 100.18 History History: Cr. Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; CR 01-156: r. and recr. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 10-070: am. (1) (intro.), (2) (a), (b), (3) (a), and (4) (title), cr. (1) (f) to (i), (1m), (2) (am), (c), and (5), renum. (3) (b) (intro.) to be (3) (b) and am., r. (3) (b) 1. to 3. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 22-048: am. (2) (b) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 100.19 Trans 100.19 File purge criteria.

Trans 100.19(1) (1) The department may purge references to accidents from the department’s online database of driver records twice per year or with such increased frequency as the secretary deems appropriate.

Trans 100.19(2) (2) An accident may be removed from a driver record if more than 4 years from the date of the accident have elapsed when the purge is conducted.

Trans 100.19(3) (3) A safety responsibility suspension or revocation case entry may be removed from a driver record if 5 years from the effective date of the suspension or revocation, or 3 years from the operator’s reinstatement eligibility date, whichever is longer, have elapsed at the time the purge is conducted.

Trans 100.19(4) (4) After a damage judgment is satisfied or discharged, the damage judgment suspension or revocation case entry may be removed from a driver record at the time a purge is conducted if 3 years from the date the person meets one of the criteria in s. Trans 100.18 (1) (a) or (e), or 5 years from the date of the suspension or revocation, whichever is longer, have elapsed.

Trans 100.19(5) (5) After a damage judgment debt is discharged in a bankruptcy proceeding, the damage judgment suspension or revocation case entry may be removed from the debtor’s driver record at the time a purge is conducted if 3 years from the date the debtor is discharged from liability for the accident in a bankruptcy proceeding, or 5 years from the date of the suspension or revocation, whichever is longer, have elapsed.

Trans 100.19 Note Note: The Department conducts system wide “purges” of its driver database once or twice per year, usually over weekends around the 1st of the year and the 1st of July. A record entry is removed if it meets purge criteria on the date a purge is conducted. Entries are not removed on anniversary dates, but rather, in the first purge conducted after the appropriate anniversary date.

Trans 100.19 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1985, No. 358, eff. 11-1-85; r. (3), (1) and (2) renum. from Trans 100.18 (1) and (2), Register, April, 1994, eff. 5-1-94; CR 01-156: renum. (1) to be (2), (2) to be (3), and am., cr. (1), (4) and (5) Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05.

Trans 100.25 Trans 100.25 Mandatory insurance.

Trans 100.25(1) (1) Exceptions. The purpose of this section is to implement and administer the provisions of subch. VI of ch. 344, Stats., relating to mandatory insurance requirements and exceptions to the requirement of having automobile insurance in Wisconsin.

Trans 100.25(2) (2) Deposits in lieu of mandatory insurance. A person making a deposit with the department under s. 344.63, Stats., shall file a complete application with the department containing all required information. In addition, the person shall provide the additional materials or information and deposit in the form required in subs. (3) to (5).

Trans 100.25(3) (3) Cash deposits.

Trans 100.25(3)(a) (a) For purposes of s. 344.63 (1) (d), Stats., any of the following shall be considered a deposit of cash with the department:

Trans 100.25(3)(a)1. 1. United States currency.

Trans 100.25(3)(a)2. 2. A cashier’s check or draft.

Trans 100.25(3)(a)3. 3. A money order.

Trans 100.25(3)(a)4. 4. A financial institution check or draft.

Trans 100.25(3)(a)5. 5. A certified personal or business check or draft.

Trans 100.25(3)(a)6. 6. An attorney trust account check or draft.

Trans 100.25(3)(b) (b) Any person attempting to file cash in lieu of maintaining automobile liability insurance with the department pursuant to s. 344.63 (1) (d), Stats., shall file, with the deposit, a certification from the clerk of courts in the county where the depositor resides dated no later than 15 calendar days prior to the date the deposit is received by the department, that indicates the clerk has searched the official records of the county and that no records of unsatisfied judgments of any character against the depositor exist in that county.

Trans 100.25 Note Note: See ss. 344.63 (1) (d) and 344.37 (1), Stats.

Trans 100.25(4) (4) Bond.

Trans 100.25(4)(a) (a) Surety bonds. Any person attempting to file a surety company bond in lieu of maintaining automobile liability insurance with the department pursuant to s. 344.63 (1) (a), Stats., shall file a bond of a surety company duly authorized to transact business within this state that is conditioned for the payment of the amounts specified in s. 344.01 (2) (d), Stats. The bond may not be cancelable except after 10 days written notice to the secretary. The bond shall be in the form specified by the department.

Trans 100.25(4)(b) (b) Judicial bonds. Any person attempting to file a judicially authorized bond in lieu of maintaining automobile liability insurance with the department pursuant to s. 344.63 (1) (a), Stats., shall file a bond with at least 2 individual sureties each owning real estate within this state and together having equities equal in value to at least twice the amount of the bond, which real estate shall be scheduled in the bond approved by a judge of a Wisconsin circuit or appellate court. The bond must be conditioned for the payment of the amounts specified in s. 344.01 (2) (d), Stats., and may not be cancelable except after 10 days written notice to the secretary.

Trans 100.25 Note Note: Sections 344.63 (1) (a) and 344.36 (1), Stats.

Trans 100.25(5) (5) Securities.

Trans 100.25(5)(a) (a) Securities filed with the department pursuant to s. 344.63 (1) (d), Stats., shall be of a type sold on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ or NYSE Amex Equities exchange. The stock must have a minimum capitalization of $1,000,000,000. The stock must be liquid to the extent that over the 3-month period preceding filing with the department an average of at least 100,000 shares of the stock must have been traded on a daily basis on the exchange.

Trans 100.25(5)(b) (b) Any person attempting to file securities with the department pursuant to s. 344.63 (1) (d), Stats., shall file all of the following:

Trans 100.25(5)(b)1. 1. A certification from the clerk of courts in the county where the depositor resides dated no later than 15 calendar days prior to the date the deposit is received by the department, that indicates the clerk has searched the official records of the county and that no records of unsatisfied judgments of any character against the depositor exist in that county.

Trans 100.25(5)(b)2. 2. An opinion of counsel, for the benefit of the department and persons intended to be protected by the filing described in s. 344.37 (2), Stats., that the securities to be filed by the depositor are securities that may legally be purchased by savings banks or for trust funds in this state and that the securities meet the requirements of par. (a). The opinion shall identify the state or federal statute or regulation permitting the purchase of each deposited security.

Trans 100.25(5)(b)3. 3. An affidavit that the securities have a fair market value in excess of $60,000 and meet the requirements of par. (a).

Trans 100.25(5)(b)4. 4. A pledge of the securities to the department in the form required by the department pledging the securities for the payment of damages resulting from the ownership, maintenance, use or operation of a motor vehicle after such deposit was made, including damages for care and for loss of services because of bodily injury to or death of any person and damages because of injury to or destruction of property and the consequent loss of use thereof. The pledge shall assign all rights to sell or redeem the securities or any coupons associated with the securities to the department in trust for the purposes set forth in this subdivision. The pledge shall exempt the department from any liability for selling or not selling the securities at any time, and shall specify that the depositor relinquishes all rights to sell the securities or to demand their sale by the department. The pledge shall remain effective until the earlier of the return of the deposit pursuant to s. 344.63 (3), Stats., or of the sale of the securities, whether made so that the proceeds of sale can be applied to the payment of judgments and assignments relating to motor vehicle accidents, following the procedure described in s. 344.20 (2), Stats., or made for any other reason.

Trans 100.25(5)(b)5. 5. The share certificates, bonds, including all bond coupons, if any, or other certificate.

Trans 100.25 Note Note: See s. 344.63 (1) (d) and 344.37 (1), Stats.

Trans 100.25 History History: EmR1017: emerg. cr. eff. 6-1-10; CR 10-070: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.