341.51 When department to register dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter; application.
(1) The department shall register a person as a dealer, distributor or manufacturer of motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers or as a transporter of vehicles upon receipt of a properly completed application form together with a fee of $75 and upon being satisfied that the applicant is by law entitled to be registered. The department shall register a person as a dealer, distributor or manufacturer of recreational vehicles upon receipt of a properly completed application form together with a fee of $75 and upon being satisfied that the applicant is by law entitled to be so registered. The department shall assign to each person registered under this section a distinctive registration number and shall issue a certificate of registration bearing the registration number assigned.
(2) Upon registering a dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter the department also shall issue 2 registration plates. The department, upon receiving a fee of $5 for each additional plate desired by a dealer, distributor or manufacturer of motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers, $5 for each additional plate desired by a dealer, distributor or manufacturer of recreational vehicles and $5 for each additional plate desired by a transporter, shall issue to the registered dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter the additional plates as ordered. The department may charge a fee of $2 per plate for replacing lost, damaged or illegible plates issued under this subsection.
(2m) A motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer, in case of trucks and truck tractors over 8,000 pounds, may purchase a license for demonstration purposes under s. 341.25 to determine the gross weight. Such license is a transferable license for demonstration purposes and shall be 20 percent of the registration fee set forth in s. 341.25. In case of trailers and semitrailer demonstrations, the license fee is $10 and shall belong to the demonstrator. Such demonstration vehicles shall carry insurance on behalf of the dealer, distributor or manufacturer and the prospective purchaser as provided in s. 194.41. Such vehicle need not obtain for-hire permits as provided in ch. 194. Such vehicle shall not be used by the prospective purchaser for more than 10 days. When the vehicle is obtained from a dealer the prospective purchaser shall sign a receipt showing the date, time and place the vehicle was obtained from the dealer. The dealer shall retain the original of such receipt for demonstration records and shall furnish a copy and the demonstration plate certificate to the prospective purchaser. The prospective purchaser shall carry such receipt and certificate in the vehicle during operation on the highways, and the dealer shall keep a record of such demonstrations and such record shall be open to inspection by the department. A dealer, distributor or manufacturer may operate on the highways under such a demonstration license a truck, trailer or semitrailer on which is loaded a machine or special equipment if the entire unit is owned by, or consigned for sale to, the dealer, distributor or manufacturer and offered for sale, including for sale on consignment, by the dealer, distributor or manufacturer and if the operation on the highways involves delivery of the vehicle to or from a prospective purchaser. The department may promulgate any further rules to accomplish the intent of this subsection.
(3) When a dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter has an established place of business in more than one Wisconsin municipality, he or she shall make separate applications for each such municipality. The department shall assign a different registration number, issue a separate certificate of registration and charge a separate registration fee for each such municipality.
(4) Except as provided in sub. (6), every dealer, distributor and manufacturer shall file with the department and every transporter may file with the department a duly acknowledged application for registration which shall contain:
(a) The name under which the applicant is transacting business within the state.
(am) Except as provided in par. (an), if the applicant is an individual, the social security number of the individual.
(an) If the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A registration that is issued under this section in reliance on a statement submitted under this paragraph is invalid if the statement is false.
(ar) If the applicant is not an individual, the person's federal employer identification number.
(b) If the applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of the several persons constituting the partnership.
(bL) If the applicant is a limited liability company, the names and addresses of the members.
(c) If the applicant is a corporation, the corporate name under which it is authorized to transact business and the names and addresses of its principal officers, resident general agent and attorney in fact.
(d) The place or places of business of the applicant which, in the case of a dealer, distributor or manufacturer, must be an established place of business.
(e) If the applicant is a dealer, distributor or manufacturer, whether engaged in wholesale or retail selling or both.
(4g)
(a) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of registration if an individual has not included the information required under sub. (4) (am) or (ar) in the application.
(b) The department of transportation may not disclose any information obtained under sub. (4) (am) or (ar) to any person except to the department of children and families for the sole purpose of administering s. 49.22, the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, and the department of workforce development for the sole purposes of enforcing or administering s. 108.22 and requesting certifications under s. 108.227.
(4m)
(a) A registration shall be denied, restricted, limited or suspended if the applicant or licensee is an individual who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, or who fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857.
(b) A registration shall be suspended or revoked if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the registrant is liable for delinquent taxes. A registrant whose registration is suspended or revoked under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
(c) A registration shall be suspended or revoked if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the registrant is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. A registrant whose registration is suspended or revoked under this paragraph for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
(5) Except as provided in sub. (6), any dealer, distributor or manufacturer engaged in business in this state who fails to apply for registration or fails to apply for separate registrations for each Wisconsin municipality in which the dealer, distributor or manufacturer has an established place of business may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
(6)
(a) A person licensed under ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163 or 218.41 as a dealer, distributor or manufacturer of only mopeds may, but need not, apply for registration under this section.
(b) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a motor vehicle salvage pool licensed as a wholesaler under ss. 218.0101 to 218.0163 may, but need not, apply for registration under this section.
History: 1971 c. 319; 1973 c. 218; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1450, 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 288; 1979 c. 32; 1983 a. 243; 1985 a. 29, 202; 1993 a. 112; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1999 a. 9, 31, 91, 137; 2001 a. 38; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 36; 2013 a. 173 s. 33.