Wisconsin Legislature: Chapter Trans 149

Chapter Trans 149

INSPECTION OF A HOMEMADE, RECONSTRUCTED OR
REPAIRED SALVAGE VEHICLE

Trans 149.01 Purpose and scope.

Trans 149.02 Definitions.

Trans 149.03 Inspector certification and authority.

Trans 149.04 Department certification of inspectors.

Trans 149.05 Inspections.

Trans 149.06 Place and procedure for inspection.

Trans 149.07 Application procedure following inspection.

Trans 149.08 Payment and distribution of inspection fee.

Trans 149.09 Application for certificate of title and registration for vehicles previously junked in department records.

Trans 149.10 Application for certificate of title or registration for a repaired, junk or salvage vehicle from another jurisdiction.

Trans 149.01 Purpose and scope.

(1) As authorized by s. 342.07 (2), Stats., the purpose of this chapter is to establish the department’s administrative interpretation of s. 342.07, Stats., relating to the inspection of a repaired salvage vehicle.

(2) This chapter applies to any person seeking to obtain a certificate of title on a homemade vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, repaired salvage vehicle or on a vehicle identified in another jurisdiction as a repaired salvage or salvage vehicle.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1994, No. 468, eff. 1-1-95; CR 03-122: am. (2) Register May 2004 No. 581, eff. 6-1-04.

Trans 149.02 Definitions. Words and phrases shall have the same meanings as defined in s. 340.01, Stats., unless a different definition is specifically provided. In this chapter:

(1) “Applicant” means a person who owns a vehicle that is a repaired salvage vehicle, or that is currently titled with a certificate of title identifying the vehicle as a salvage vehicle, and who applies to the department to re-title or register a vehicle.

(2) “Bill of sale” means the document describing the sale of a vehicle or a part of a vehicle.

(3) “Identification” means a valid operator’s license, identification card, or other personal identification document which reliably identifies the person to the satisfaction of the inspector.

(4) “Inspection fee” means the fee established by s. 342.07 (3), Stats.

(5) “Law enforcement officer” means any person who by virtue of the person’s office or public employment is vested by law with the duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of authority.

(6) “Major part of a vehicle” means any of the following:

(a) The engine.

(b) The transmission.

(d) The hood.

(e) The grille.

(f) Each bumper, or each clip, if a bumper is part of the clip.

(g) Each front fender.

(h) The deck lid, tailgate or hatchback.

(i) Each rear quarter panel.

(j) The trunk floor pan.

(k) The frame or, in the case of a unitized body, the supporting structure which serves as the frame.

(L) Any part not listed under this subsection which has a value exceeding $500.

(m) Any motorcycle part not listed under this subsection which has a value exceeding $150.

Note: See s. 943.23, Stats.

(7) “Part” means any component of a motor vehicle which may be separated from the vehicle or any replacement for such a component.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1994, No. 468, eff. 1-1-95; CR 03-122: am. (6) (m) Register May 2004 No. 581, eff. 6-1-04; CR 22-048: am. (5) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 149.03 Inspector certification and authority.

(1) Inspections to be performed by certified inspectors. All inspections required under s. 342.07 (2), Stats., shall be performed by a person who has been certified to perform inspections by the department under this chapter.

(2) Requirements for inspector certification. A person shall meet all of the following criteria in order to be qualified for certification:

(a) The person shall be a Wisconsin law enforcement officer or a full-time employee of the department of transportation division of state patrol.

(b) The person shall have successfully completed an initial training course in vehicle inspections meeting the requirements of sub. (4).

(c) The person shall successfully complete a biennial refresher course on inspections approved by the department within 2 years of initial training and every 2 years thereafter. For cause, the department may examine an inspector in lieu of requiring refresher course attendance.

(d) The person may not have had certification to conduct inspections rescinded by the department.

(e) The person shall have the approval of the person’s employing agency.

(f) The person shall have completed at least 24 inspections during the preceding certification period if the person is applying for recertification.

(3) Expiration of certification. Inspector certifications shall expire on May 31 of each even-numbered year. In the event required training classes are scheduled during the 6 months following that expiration date, the department may extend the expiration date for persons attending that training through the last day of that training class.

(4) Initial training.

(a) An inspector candidate shall receive training that includes the following:

1. Training in theft detection as provided by an agency or organization determined by the department to be expert in the field.

2. Training in the safety inspection of a vehicle for compliance with the requirements of ch. Trans 305 and ch. 347, Stats.

3. Training in the completion of forms and documents and the calculation of fees required to obtain title and registration as provided by the department.

(b) The department may waive some or all of the initial training required by par. (a), based on a person’s successful completion of applicable sections of the department’s examination for inspectors and a showing that the person has successfully completed similar training that is acceptable to the department.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1994, No. 468, eff. 1-1-95; am. (4) (a) 2., Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.

Trans 149.04 Department certification of inspectors.