Chapter Trans 305

Trans 305.27(4) (4) All safety belts shall be free of excessive fraying and be securely mounted to the motor vehicle.

Trans 305.27(5) (5) The seat and seat mechanisms of every motor vehicle shall be in proper working condition. All seats shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle.

Trans 305.27 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; renum. (3) to be (3) (a) and am., cr. (3) (b), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97; am. (3) (a), Register, April, 1999, No. 520, eff. 5-1-99.

Trans 305.28 Trans 305.28 Speed indicator and odometer.

Trans 305.28(1) (1) The speed indicator of every motor vehicle primarily designed for use upon a highway shall be maintained in proper working condition within 4% accuracy at all speeds between 40 miles per hour and 65 miles per hour and in conformity with this section and s. 347.41, Stats.

Trans 305.28(2) (2) All speed indicators shall be equipped with a lamp that clearly illuminates the speed indicator when the vehicle’s headlights or parking lamps are actuated.

Trans 305.28(3) (3) Every motor vehicle subject to registration under ch. 341, Stats., shall be equipped with a mileage odometer that registers the miles accumulated within 4% accuracy. The odometer shall be maintained in proper working condition.

Trans 305.28(4) (4) Every speed indicator and odometer shall be so mounted and positioned as to be clearly visible to the driver at all times.

Trans 305.28 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.

Trans 305.29 Trans 305.29 Steering and suspension.

Trans 305.29(1) (1) The steering and suspension of every motor vehicle shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.455, Stats.

Trans 305.29(2) (2) The steering linkage may not be worn, jammed or bind, nor shall the steering system have excessive lash. Lash of more than 1/8 of one complete turn of the steering wheel is excessive.

Trans 305.29(3) (3) The belts assisting the power steering unit shall be in proper working condition and may not be missing, loose, or excessively frayed or cracked.

Trans 305.29(4) (4) The power steering unit shall be in proper working condition. No portion of a power steering unit or steering linkage may be disconnected. The power steering unit shall contain the proper fluid levels. All hoses and connections shall be in proper working condition and will have no leaks or visible cuts or cracks.

Trans 305.29(5) (5) 

Trans 305.29(5)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a steering wheel the same size as the one with which the vehicle was manufactured or a replacement not less than 13 inches in diameter. Every homemade and reconstructed vehicle registered after January 1, 1975, shall have a steering wheel of not less than 13 inches in diameter.

Trans 305.29(5)(b) (b) All steering wheels shall be in proper working condition. The steering wheel shall be secured to the steering shaft by a locking device which prevents accidental removal. All steering wheels will be positioned to be operated with the driver seated in the front seat.

Trans 305.29(6) (6) All springs, shackles and cross stabilization linkage, including torsion bars, shall be in proper adjustment and may not be loose, disconnected or broken.

Trans 305.29(7) (7) 

Trans 305.29(7)(a) (a) Every motor vehicle originally manufactured with shock absorbing devices and every homemade and reconstructed vehicle registered on or after January 1, 1975, shall have shock absorbing devices which function at suspension points.

Trans 305.29(7)(b) (b) All shock absorbing devices shall be in proper and effective working condition, free of leaks, and securely attached to the unit mountings. The mountings and housings may not be loose or weakened. Shock absorbing devices are ineffective when the vehicle continues a free rocking motion for more than 2 cycles. The inspection procedure for shock absorbing devices is as follows: With the vehicle on a level surface, push down on one corner of the vehicle and release. Note the number of cycles of free rocking motion. Repeat the procedure at the other corners of the vehicle.

Trans 305.29(8) (8) Extended shackles in excess of 2 inches beyond original manufacturer’s specifications is an unsafe modification and may not be used. Extended shackles up to 2 inches shall provide the same level of support and stability as provided by original equipment.

Trans 305.29(9) (9) No vehicle may be operated noticeably out of alignment.

Trans 305.29 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (2), (6) and (7) (b), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.30 Trans 305.30 Tires and rims.

Trans 305.30(1) (1) The tires and rims on every vehicle shall be maintained in proper condition and in conformity with this section and s. 347.45, Stats.

Trans 305.30(2) (2) Every tire shall have at least 2/32 inch tread depth in every major tire groove measured at 2 points no less than 15 inches apart.

Trans 305.30(3) (3) The tires on any vehicle required to have fenders may not protrude more than 2 inches beyond the fender line at the highest point of the tire. The measurement shall be from the original fender line of the vehicle as equipped by the original manufacturer.

Trans 305.30(4) (4) Weight imposed on the tires or rims may not exceed that weight which is specified by the manufacturer of the tires or rims.

Trans 305.30(5) (5) No vehicle may have tires of different size or construction on the same axle, or directly across from each other on vehicles without a common axle, except that this subsection does not prohibit the use of mini spare tires temporarily used in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications or other spare tires and rims that are temporarily used.

Example: Mounting a radial tire on the left front side and a bias ply tire on the right front side of an automobile is prohibited.

Trans 305.30(6) (6) No tire shall be repaired using a method not recommended by the manufacturer and there may not be tread or sidewall cuts or snags in excess of one inch in any direction as measured on the tire, deep enough to expose or damage the body cords, nor may there be any bump, bulge, knot, sidewall separation or failure or partial failure of the tire structure. 

Trans 305.30(7) (7) No tire may be used that has been stamped or marked in such a manner so as to indicate that such tire is not to be operated on a highway.

Trans 305.30(8) (8) The rims may not be damaged, dented, bent or otherwise distorted, rusted or corroded.

Trans 305.30(9) (9) No rim may have loose or missing nuts, lugs or bolts.

Trans 305.30 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (2) and (3), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97; am. (2) and (3), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.31 Trans 305.31 Modifications affecting height of a vehicle.

Trans 305.31(1) (1) Modifications authorized by s. 347.455, Stats., may not cause the front or rear bumper height of any vehicle to be altered more than the distance allowed by s. 347.455, Stats., from the original height of the bumper as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Four wheel drive vehicles and motor trucks with a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds may not be modified so as to cause the vehicles to ride more than a total of 9 inches above the height of the vehicles specified by the manufacturer combining alterations under s. 347.455 (2), Stats., and changes in tire size under s. 347.455 (3), Stats. In the absence of manufacturer’s specifications, every bumper shall meet the height standards established by s. Trans 305.18 (2) (a).

Trans 305.31(2) (2) Changes in the height of a vehicle shall be measured from the level surface on which the vehicle stands to any part of the vehicle. When measuring to a part of the vehicle body, consideration shall be given to specific modifications allowed by s. Trans 305.21 (3) in addition to alterations allowed by s. 347.455, Stats.

Trans 305.31(3) (3) The manufacturer’s specified height of any part of a vehicle may be determined from the data published by the manufacturer or other manufacturer publications, such as the owner’s manual, or by comparison with a similar model vehicle as normally delivered by the manufacturer.

Trans 305.31(4) (4) No person may operate any vehicle which has a fixed part of the vehicle located in a position that would contact the road surface before the rim in the event of tire failure.

Trans 305.31 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (4), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.32 Trans 305.32 Vent, side and rear windows.

Trans 305.32(1) (1) All glass used in vent, side or rear windows shall be safety glass and shall be plainly marked to identify it as safety glass, or a certification from the glass supplier stating that the glass is approved safety glass shall be carried in the vehicle during operation or vehicle inspection, or both. All glazing in the vent, side or rear windows shall be free of sharp edges severe enough to cause injury, cracks, etching, damage or other conditions which distort or interfere with vision.

Trans 305.32(2) (2) All front side windows in the driver’s compartment which need to open for the making of arm signals shall operate so as to permit the making of arm signals.

Trans 305.32(3) (3) The vent, side and rear windows may not have cloudiness or etching in excess of 2 inches from any edge.

Trans 305.32(4) (4) 

Trans 305.32(4)(a) (a) The vent and front side windows may not have any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon them, other than a certificate or sticker issued by order of a governmental agency.

Trans 305.32(4)(b) (b) Tinting of the vent and front side windows is permitted as follows:

Trans 305.32(4)(b)1. 1. The windows are tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and are installed as part of the original manufacturing process.

Trans 305.32(4)(b)2. 2. The windows are tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 50% of the visible light striking the windows. Tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective.

Trans 305.32(4)(b)3. 3. The windows are tinted, upon the recommendation of a physician or a Christian Science practitioner treating the owner, or an immediate family member of the owner of the vehicle, by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 35% of the visible light striking the windows. Tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective. A written statement from the treating physician or Christian Science practitioner which identifies the patient, the medical condition justifying the recommendation, whether the condition is temporary or permanent and the vehicle to which the recommendation applies, including the make, model, year and vehicle identification number, shall be carried in the vehicle at all times. Tinting film applied under this subparagraph shall be removed when a vehicle covered by the recommendation is sold, when the person for whom a recommendation was made no longer resides in the household of the owner of the vehicle or when the duration of a temporary condition which is the basis for a recommendation has expired.

Trans 305.32(5) (5) 

Trans 305.32(5)(a) (a) The rear window may not have any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon it, other than a certificate or sticker issued by order of a governmental agency.

Trans 305.32(5)(b) (b) Tinting of the rear window is permitted as follows:

Trans 305.32(5)(b)1. 1. The window is tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and is installed as part of the original manufacturing process.

Trans 305.32(5)(b)2. 2. The window is tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the window of at least 35% of the visible light striking the window. The tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective.

Trans 305.32(5)(b)3. 3. If a rear window does not transmit at least 60% of the visible light striking the window, the vehicle shall be equipped with an outside rearview mirror on the left and right side of the driver’s compartment.

Trans 305.32(6) (6) Tinting of rear side windows is permitted as follows:

Trans 305.32(6)(a) (a) The windows are tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and are installed as part of the original manufacturing process.

Trans 305.32(6)(b) (b) The windows are tinted by the application of tinting film to the inside of the glazing provided that the combination of the glazing and tinting film permits passage through the windows of at least 35% of the visible light striking the window. The tinting films permitted under this subdivision may not be reflective.

Trans 305.32(7) (7) When measuring total light transmittance under subs. (4) (b), (5) (b) and (6), law enforcement officers shall allow a tolerance of 3%.

Trans 305.32 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (3), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.33 Trans 305.33 Windshield defroster-defogger.

Trans 305.33(1) (1) Every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1955, shall be equipped with a defroster-defogger system. Any motor vehicle lawfully manufactured and operated without a roof, doors or side windows is exempt from the requirements of this section.

Trans 305.33(2) (2) The defroster-defogger system shall be capable of removing condensation and frost from the windshield.

Trans 305.33 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (1), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97.

Trans 305.34 Trans 305.34 Windshields.

Trans 305.34(1) (1) Every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1936, shall have a windshield made of safety glass. Such glass shall be plainly marked to identify it as safety glass or a certification from the glass supplier stating that the glass is approved safety glass shall be carried in the vehicle during operation or vehicle inspection, or both.

Trans 305.34(2) (2) The windshield shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate protection for the driver and shall be in place when operating on a highway.

Trans 305.34(3) (3) The windshield may not be excessively cracked or damaged. A windshield is excessively cracked or damaged if:

Trans 305.34(3)(a) (a) The windshield has a crack inside, or which extends inside, the windshield critical area.

Trans 305.34(3)(b) (b) The windshield has cracks which extend into any area more than 8 inches from the frame.

Trans 305.34(3)(c) (c) The windshield has stone or shot damage with a diameter in excess of ½ inch in the windshield critical area or in excess of 1½ inches in diameter in any other area.

Trans 305.34(4) (4) The windshield may not have etching, scratches, abrasion or repairs of any type which impair or distort vision within the windshield critical area.

Trans 305.34(5) (5) The windshield may not have cloudiness or etching in excess of one inch around the outside edge on the driver’s side or in excess of 2 inches on the passenger’s side.

Trans 305.34(6) (6) Nothing may be placed or suspended in or on the vehicle or windshield so as to obstruct the driver’s clear vision through the windshield. There may not be any posters, stickers or other nontransparent material, other than a certificate or sticker issued by order of a governmental agency, located on the windshield or located between the driver and the windshield. This subsection does not prohibit the following:

Trans 305.34(6)(a) (a) Attachment of an inside rearview mirror in accordance with s. Trans 305.26.

Trans 305.34(6)(b) (b) Windshields tinted by the manufacturer of the glazing and installed as part of the original manufacturing process.

Trans 305.34(6)(c) (c) Application of window tinting film or other nontransparent material to the inside of the windshield if it is attached only to that portion of the windshield which is both outside the critical area and above the horizontal line delineated by the mark “A” or “A.” If no such mark was affixed to the windshield by its manufacturer, no window tinting film may be attached to the windshield.

Trans 305.34 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; reprinted to restore dropped copy, Register, February, 1997, No. 494.

Trans 305.35 Trans 305.35 Windshield wipers.

Trans 305.35(1) (1) Every motor vehicle shall have a system of windshield wipers capable of clearing the windshield critical area.

Trans 305.35(2) (2) 

Trans 305.35(2)(a) (a) The windshield wiper system of every motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working condition and in conformity with this section.

Trans 305.35(2)(b) (b) The windshield wiper switch, wiring and connections shall be in proper working condition.

Trans 305.35(2)(c) (c) Every windshield wiper blade shall be in good condition so as to adequately clear the windshield.

Trans 305.35(3) (3) Every windshield wiper shall be as large as practicable to adequately clear the windshield. If the windshield wiper system was originally equipped with multi-speed capability, the windshield wipers shall operate on at least 2 separate, constant speeds, one of which is at least 20 cycles per minute and the other which is at least 15 cycles per minute faster. Windshield wipers shall operate by use of an electric, hydraulic or vacuum device.

Trans 305.35(4) (4) Every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with a windshield washer system that is maintained in proper operating condition with adequate fluid available when the mechanism is activated.