CHAPTER 342
VEHICLE TITLE AND ANTI-THEFT LAW
SUBCHAPTER I
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
342.01 Words and phrases defined.
342.02 Excepted liens and security interests.
342.03 Motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer leases.
342.05 When certificate of title required.
342.06 Application for certificate of title.
342.065 Title for salvage vehicle.
342.07 Title for repaired salvage vehicle.
342.08 Department to examine records.
342.09 When department to issue certificate and to whom; maintenance of records.
342.10 Contents of certificate of title.
342.11 Grounds for refusing issuance of certificate of title.
342.12 Withholding certificate of title; bond.
342.13 Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates.
SUBCHAPTER II
TRANSFER OF TITLE
342.15 Transfer of interest in a vehicle.
342.155 Mileage disclosure requirements of transferors and transferees.
342.156 Transfers of leased motor vehicles.
342.157 Motor vehicle salvage pools and auction companies to maintain records.
342.16 Transfer to or from dealer.
342.17 Involuntary transfers.
342.18 When department to issue a new certificate.
342.19 Perfection of security interests.
342.195 Notification of person who has perfected security interest.
342.20 Duties on creation of security interest.
342.21 Assignment of security interest.
342.22 Release of security interest.
342.23 Secured party's and owner's duties.
342.24 Method of perfecting exclusive.
342.245 Electronic processing of certain applications.
342.25 Suspension or revocation of certificate.
342.255 Cancellation of title or registration.
342.26 Hearings and appeal.
SUBCHAPTER III
ANTI-THEFT AND ANTI-FRAUD PROVISIONS
342.30 Identification numbers.
342.31 Report of stolen or abandoned motor vehicles.
342.32 Counterfeiting and unlawful possession of certificate of title.
342.33 Sale of vehicle used as taxicab.
342.34 Department to be notified of destruction or junking of vehicle.
342.40 Vehicle abandonment prohibited; removal; disposal.
342.41 Identity of buyer.
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
342.01
342.01
Words and phrases defined. 342.01(1)(1)
Words and phrases defined in s.
340.01 are used in the same sense in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided.
342.01(2)(ac)
(ac) “Automated format," with respect to any document, record, or other information, includes that document, record, or other information generated or maintained in an electronic or digital form or medium.
342.01(2)(aj)
(aj) “Immediate family member” means a spouse, grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, stepparent, or grandchild, or the spouse of a grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, stepparent, or grandchild.
342.01(2)(am)
(am) “Leasing company" means any lessor who, within the preceding 12 months, has leased 5 or more vehicles for a period of at least 4 months.
342.01(2)(b)
(b) “Mileage" means the actual distance that a vehicle has traveled in miles.
342.01(2)(c)
(c) “Transfer" means to change ownership by purchase, gift or any other means.
342.02
342.02
Excepted liens and security interests. This chapter does not apply to or affect:
342.02(1)
(1) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle.
342.02(2)
(2) A lien given by statute to the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state.
342.02(3)
(3) A security interest in a vehicle created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the vehicle for sale, which shall be governed by the applicable provisions of ch.
409.
342.03
342.03
Motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer leases. Notwithstanding s.
401.201 (2) (t) or ch.
409, a transaction involving a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer does not create a conditional sale or a security interest merely because it includes a provision that permits or requires the rental price to be adjusted under the agreement by reference to the amount realized upon the sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.
342.03 History
History: 1991 a. 148;
2009 a. 320.
342.05
342.05
When certificate of title required. 342.05(1)(1)
The owner of a vehicle subject to registration in this state, whether or not such vehicle is operated on any highway of this state, shall make application for certificate of title for the vehicle under the following circumstances:
342.05(1)(a)
(a) If the owner has newly acquired the vehicle, he or she shall make application under s.
342.15.
342.05(1)(b)
(b) If the owner applies for registration of a vehicle without holding a valid certificate of title previously issued to that owner by the department for the vehicle, he or she shall at the same time apply for a certificate of title.
342.05(2)
(2) Except as provided in sub.
(3), an applicant's eligibility for a certificate of title is a prerequisite to registration of the vehicle. If the applicant for registration holds a valid certificate of title previously issued to the applicant by the department for the vehicle, that is prima facie evidence of ownership of the vehicle and the applicant need not apply for a new certificate of title on application for registration.
342.05(3)
(3) This section does not apply in a situation where the law expressly authorizes registration of a vehicle in the name of a person other than the owner or where the law expressly authorizes registration without a certificate of title.
342.05(4)
(4) Any owner who operates or consents to the operation of a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required without such certificate having been issued or applied for or any other person who operates a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required, knowing that the certificate of title has not been issued or applied for, may be required to forfeit not more than $200. A certificate is considered to have been applied for when the application accompanied by the required fee has been delivered to the department or deposited in the mail properly addressed and with postage prepaid.
342.05(5)
(5) Unless otherwise authorized by rule of the department, a nonresident owner of a vehicle that is not subject to registration in this state may not apply for a certificate of title under this chapter unless the vehicle is subject to a security interest or except as provided in s.
342.16 (1) (a). Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a nonresident may purchase temporary operation plates under s.
341.09 (4). Any temporary operation permit or plate issued under s.
341.09 shall not be considered registration of the vehicle for purposes of this subsection.
