Wisconsin Code § 23.335

Off-highway motorcycles
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(1) DEFINITIONS. In
this section:
(a) “Accompanied” has the meaning given in s. 23.33 (1) (a).
(b) “Agricultural purpose” includes a purpose related to the
transportation of farm implements, equipment, supplies, or products on a farm or between farms.
(c) “Alcohol beverages” has the meaning specified under s.
125.02 (1).
(d) “Alcohol concentration” has the meaning given in s.
340.01 (1v).
(dm) “All-terrain vehicle” has the meaning given in s. 340.01
(2g).
(e) “All-terrain vehicle route” has the meaning given in s.
23.33 (1) (c).
(f) “All-terrain vehicle trail” has the meaning given in s. 23.33
(1) (d).
(g) “Approved public treatment facility” has the meaning
specified under s. 51.45 (2) (c).
(gk) “Controlled substance” has the meaning given in s.
961.01 (4).
(gm) “Controlled substance analog” has the meaning given in
s. 961.01 (4m).
(h) “Electric personal assistive mobility device” has the
meaning given in s. 340.01 (15pm).
(hh) “Electric scooter” has the meaning given in s. 340.01
(15ps).
(hm) “Hazardous inhalant” means a substance that is ingested, inhaled, or otherwise introduced into the human body in a
manner that does not comply with any cautionary labeling that is
required for the substance under s. 100.37 or under federal law, or
in a manner that is not intended by the manufacturer of the substance, and that is intended to induce intoxication or elation, to

stupefy the central nervous system, or to change the human audio,
visual, or mental processes.
(i) “Highway” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (22).
(j) “Immediate family” means persons who are related as
spouses, who are related as siblings, or who are related as parent
and child.
(k) “Intoxicant” means any alcohol beverage, hazardous inhalant, controlled substance, controlled substance analog, or
other drug or any combination thereof.
(L) “Intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law”
means sub. (12) (a) or (b) or a local ordinance in conformity
therewith or, if the operation of an off-highway motorcycle is involved, s. 940.09 or 940.25.
(m) “Junked” means dismantled for parts or scrapped.
(n) “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s.
23.33 (1) (ig).
(o) “Limited use off-highway motorcycle” means an off-highway motorcycle that is not registered by the department of transportation for use on highways.
(p) “Local governmental unit” means a city, village, town, or
county.
(q) “Off-highway motorcycle” means a 2-wheeled motor vehicle that is straddled by the operator, that is equipped with handlebars, and that is designed for use off a highway, regardless of
whether it is also designed for use on a highway. “Off-highway
motorcycle” does not include an electric bicycle, as defined under
s. 340.01 (15ph).
(qm) “Off-highway motorcycle association” means a club or
other association consisting of individuals that promotes the
recreational operation of off-highway motorcycles.
(r) “Off-highway motorcycle club” means a club consisting of
individuals that promotes use of off-highway motorcycles for
recreational purposes off the highways within this state.
(s) “Off-highway motorcycle corridor” means an off-highway
motorcycle trail or other established off-highway motorcycle corridor that is open to the public for the operation of off-highway
motorcycles for recreational purposes but does not include an offhighway motorcycle route.
(t) “Off-highway motorcycle dealer” means a person who is
engaged in this state in the sale of off-highway motorcycles for a
profit at retail.
(u) “Off-highway motorcycle route” means a highway or sidewalk designated for recreational use by operators of off-highway
motorcycles by the governmental agency having jurisdiction.
(v) “Off-highway motorcycle trail” means a marked corridor
on public property or on private lands subject to public easement
or lease, designated for recreational use by operators of off-highway motorcycles by the governmental agency having jurisdiction.
(y) “Off the highways” means off-highway motorcycle corridors, off-highway motorcycle routes, and areas where operation
is authorized under sub. (10) or (11).
(z) “Operate” means to exercise physical control over the
speed or direction of an off-highway motorcycle or to physically
manipulate or activate any of the controls of an off-highway motorcycle necessary to put it in motion.
(zb) “Operation” means the exercise of physical control over
the speed or direction of an off-highway motorcycle or the physical manipulation or activation of any of the controls of an offhighway motorcycle necessary to put it in motion.
(zc) “Operator” means a person who operates an off-highway
motorcycle, who is responsible for the operation of an off-highway motorcycle, or who is supervising the operation of an offhighway motorcycle.
(zd) “Owner” means a person who has lawful possession of
an off-highway motorcycle by virtue of legal title or an equitable
interest in the off-highway motorcycle which entitles the person
to possession of the off-highway motorcycle.
(zde) “Patrol off-highway motorcycle” means an off-highway
motorcycle that is owned or leased by a city, village, town,
county, state agency, federal agency, federally recognized American Indian tribe, or public safety corporation, used for law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical response, and
equipped with a siren and one or more flashing, oscillating, or rotating red lights, or red and white lights or, if the off-highway motorcycle is operated by a law enforcement officer, a blue light or a
blue and white light, and a red light or a red and white light, all of
which are flashing, oscillating, or rotating.
(zdm) “Proof,” when used in reference to evidence of a registration document, safety certificate, nonresident trail pass, or
temporary trail use receipt, means the original registration document, safety certificate, nonresident trail pass, or temporary trail
use receipt issued by the department or an agent appointed under
sub. (4) (f) 2. or (6) (e) 1. or any alternative form of proof designated by rule under s. 23.47 (1).
(ze) “Purpose of authorized analysis” means for the purpose
of determining or obtaining evidence of the presence, quantity, or
concentration of any intoxicant in a person’s blood, breath, or
urine.
(zf) “Refusal law” means sub. (12) (h) or a local ordinance in
conformity therewith.
(zg) “Registration document” means an off-highway motorcycle registration certificate, a temporary operating receipt, or a
registration decal.
(zgm) “Restricted controlled substance” means any of the
following:
1. A controlled substance included in schedule I under ch.
961 other than a tetrahydrocannabinol.
2. A controlled substance analog of a controlled substance
described in subd. 1.
3. Cocaine or any of its metabolites.
4. Methamphetamine.
5. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, excluding its precursors or
metabolites, at a concentration of one or more nanograms per
milliliter of a person’s blood.
(zi) “Snowmobile” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (58a).
(zj) “Snowmobile route” has the meaning given in s. 350.01
(16).
(zk) “Snowmobile trail” has the meaning given in s. 350.01
(17).
(zkm) “Temporary operating receipt” means a receipt issued
by the department or an agent under sub. (4) (g) 1. a. that shows
that an application and the required fees for a registration certificate have been submitted to the department or an agent appointed
under sub. (4) (f) 2.
(zL) “Test facility” means a test facility or agency prepared to
administer tests under s. 343.305 (2).
(zLm) “Utility terrain vehicle” has the meaning given in s.
23.33 (1) (ng).
(2) REGISTRATION. (a) Requirement. No person may operate
an off-highway motorcycle, and no owner may give permission
for the operation of an off-highway motorcycle, off the highways
unless the off-highway motorcycle is registered with the department under this section or is exempt from registration or the person operating the off-highway motorcycle holds a temporary operating receipt provided by an off-highway motorcycle dealer under sub. (3) (b).
(b) Exemptions. An off-highway motorcycle is exempt from

 6223.335 CONSERVATION
the registration requirement under par. (a) if any of the following
applies:
1. The off-highway motorcycle is covered by a valid registration of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, and
all of the following apply:
a. The registration program of the tribe or band is covered by
an agreement under s. 23.35.
b. The off-highway motorcycle displays the registration decal
required by the tribe or band.
2. The off-highway motorcycle displays a plate or sign attached in the manner authorized under sub. (5) (c).
3. The off-highway motorcycle will be operated exclusively
in racing on a raceway facility or as part of a special off-highway
motorcycle event as authorized under sub. (10) (b).
4. The off-highway motorcycle is present in this state, for a
period not to exceed 15 days, and is used exclusively as part of an
advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the off-highway motorcycle.
5. The off-highway motorcycle is specified as exempt from
registration by department rule.
(c) Weekend exemption. A person may operate an off-highway motorcycle off the highways in this state during the first full
weekend in June of each year without registering the off-highway
motorcycle as required under par. (a).
(3) REGISTRATION; APPLICATION PROCESS. (a) Public or private use. Only the department may register off-highway motorcycles for off-highway operation. Any off-highway motorcycle may
be registered for public use. An off-highway motorcycle may be
registered for private use if the operation is limited to any of the
following:
1. Operation for agricultural purposes.
2. Operation by the owner of the motorcycle or a member of
his or her immediate family only on land owned or leased by the
owner or a member of his or her immediate family.
(b) Registration; sales by dealers. If the seller of an off-highway motorcycle is an off-highway motorcycle dealer, the dealer
shall require each buyer to whom he or she sells an off-highway
motorcycle to complete an application for registration for public
or private use and collect the applicable fee required under sub.
(4) (d) at the time of the sale if the off-highway motorcycle will be
operated off the highways and is not exempt from registration under sub. (2) (b). The department shall provide application and
temporary operating receipt forms to off-highway motorcycle
dealers. Each off-highway motorcycle dealer shall provide the
buyer a temporary operating receipt showing that the application
and accompanying fee have been obtained by the off-highway
motorcycle dealer. The off-highway motorcycle dealer shall mail
or deliver the application and fee to the department no later than
7 days after the date of sale.
(c) Registration; other sales. If an off-highway motorcycle is
sold or otherwise transferred by a person other than an off-highway motorcycle dealer and is not registered with the department,
the buyer or transferee shall complete an application for registration for public or private use if the buyer or transferee intends to
operate the off-highway motorcycle off the highways and the offhighway motorcycle is not exempt from registration under sub.
(2) (b).
(d) Registration; action by department. Upon receipt of an
application for registration of an off-highway motorcycle on a
form provided by the department, and the payment of any applicable fees under sub. (4) (d) and of any sales or use taxes that may
be due, the department shall issue a registration certificate to the
applicant.
(e) Transfers of registered motorcycles. Upon transfer of ownership of an off-highway motorcycle that is registered for public
or private use, the transferor shall deliver the registration certificate to the transferee at the time of the transfer. The transferee
shall complete an application for transfer on a form provided by
the department and shall mail or deliver the form to the department within 10 days after the date of the transfer if the transferee
intends to operate the off-highway motorcycle off the highways.
(f) Transfers; action by department. Upon receipt of an application for transfer of an off-highway motorcycle registration certificate under par. (e), and the payment of the fee under sub. (4)
(d) 3. and of any sales or use taxes that may be due, the department shall transfer the registration certificate to the applicant.
(g) Trades; registration required. An off-highway motorcycle
dealer may not accept a limited use off-highway motorcycle in
trade unless the off-highway motorcycle is currently registered by
the department or is exempt from being registered by the department under sub. (2) (b).
(4) REGISTRATION; CERTIFICATES AND DECALS. (a) Period
of validity; expiration. 1. A registration certificate issued under
sub. (3) for public use is valid beginning on April 1 or the date of
issuance or renewal and ending March 31 of the 2nd year following the date of issuance or renewal.
1m. A registration certificate issued under sub. (3) for private
use is valid from the date of issuance until ownership of the offhighway motorcycle is transferred.
2. For renewals of registration certificates for public use, the
department shall notify each owner of the upcoming date of expiration at least 2 weeks before that date.
(b) Content of certificate. Each registration certificate shall
contain the registration number, the name and address of the
owner, and any other information that the department determines
is necessary.
(bm) Display of registration. The operator of an off-highway
motorcycle shall have in his or her possession at all times while
operating the vehicle proof of the registration certificate or, for an
off-highway motorcycle the owner of which has received a temporary operating receipt but has not yet received the registration
certificate, proof of the temporary operating receipt. The operator of an off-highway motorcycle shall display this proof upon demand for inspection by a law enforcement officer.
(c) Decal required. 1. Each registration certificate issued under sub. (3) shall be accompanied by a registration decal. No person may operate an off-highway motorcycle for which registration is required without having the decal affixed as described in
subd. 3., except as provided in subd. 4.
2. The decal shall contain a reference to the state and to the
department, the vehicle identification number, and the expiration
date of the registration, if the off-highway motorcycle is being
registered for public use.
3. The person required to register an off-highway motorcycle
shall affix the registration decal with its own adhesive in a position on the exterior of the motorcycle where it is clearly visible
and shall maintain the decal so that it is in legible condition.
4. A person may operate an off-highway motorcycle without
having a registration decal affixed if the owner has been issued a
temporary operating receipt that shows that an application and
the required fees for a registration certificate have been submitted
to the department, and the person operating the off-highway motorcycle has the receipt in his or her possession. The person shall
exhibit the receipt, upon demand, to any law enforcement officer.
(d) Fees for certificates and decals. 1. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a registration certificate for public use and
the accompanying decal is $30. The department shall impose an
additional late fee of $5 for the renewal of a registration certificate under this subdivision that is filed after the expiration date of

the registration certificate unless the renewal is included with an
application for transfer of the registration certificate.
2. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a registration certificate for private use and the accompanying decal is $15.
3. The fee for transferring a certificate under sub. (3) (e) is
$5.
(e) Duplicate certificates and decals. 1. If a registration certificate issued under sub. (3) or accompanying decal is lost or destroyed, the holder of the certificate or decal may apply for a duplicate on a form provided by the department. Upon receipt of
the application and the fee required under subd. 2., the department shall issue a duplicate certificate or decal to the applicant.
2. The fee for the issuance of a duplicate certificate for public or private use is $5, and the fee for a duplicate decal is $5.
(f) Registration issuers. For the issuance of original or duplicate registration documents, for the issuance of reprints under s.
23.47 (3) , and for the transfer or renewal of registration documents, the department may do any of the following:
1. Directly issue, transfer, or renew the registration documents with or without using the service specified in par. (g) 1.
and directly issue the reprints.
2. Appoint persons who are not employees of the department
as agents of the department to issue, transfer, or renew the registration documents using either or both of the services specified in
par. (g) 1. and to issue the reprints.
(g) Methods of issuance. 1. For the issuance of original or
duplicate registration documents and for the transfer or renewal
of registration documents, the department may implement either
or both of the following procedures to be provided by the department and any agents appointed under par. (f) 2.:
a. A procedure under which the department or an agent appointed under par. (f) 2. accepts applications for registration documents and issues temporary operating receipts at the time applicants submit applications accompanied by the required fees.
b. A procedure under which the department or an agent appointed under par. (f) 2. accepts applications for registration documents and issues to each applicant all or some of the registration
documents at the time the applicant submits the application accompanied by the required fees.
2. Under either procedure under subd. 1., the department or
agent shall issue to the applicant any remaining registration documents directly from the department at a later date. Any registration document issued under subd. 1. b. is sufficient to allow the
vehicle for which the application is submitted to be operated in
compliance with the registration requirements under this
subsection.
(h) Registration; supplemental fee. In addition to the applicable fee under par. (d) 1., 2., or 3. or (e) 2., when an agent appointed under par. (f) 2. accepts an application to renew registration documents, or the department accepts an application to renew registration documents through a statewide automated system, the agent or the department shall collect an issuing fee of 50
cents and a transaction fee of 50 cents each time the agent or the
department issues renewal registration documents under par. (g)
1. or 2. The agent or the department shall retain the entire
amount of each issuing fee and transaction fee the agent or the department collects.
(hm) Receipt of fees. All fees remitted to or collected by the
department under par. (d) 1., 2., or 3. or (h) shall be credited to
the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (9) (hu).
(i) Junked motorcycles. If an off-highway motorcycle is
junked, the owner shall return the certificate of registration to the
department marked “junked.”
(5) REGISTRATION OF OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLE DEALERS.
(a) A person who is an off-highway motorcycle dealer shall register with the department and obtain from the department a commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate. Upon receipt of the
required fee under par. (e) and an application form provided by
the department, the department shall issue the applicant a commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate and 3 accompanying
decals.
(b) A commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate is valid
for 2 years.
(c) A person who is required to obtain a commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate under par. (a) shall attach in a clearly
visible place a plate or sign that is removable and temporarily but
firmly mounted to any off-highway motorcycle that the person offers for sale or otherwise allows to be used whenever the off-highway motorcycle is being operated. A decal issued by the department under par. (a) shall be affixed to the plate or sign.
(d) If a certificate or decal that was issued under par. (a) is lost
or destroyed, the holder of the certificate or decal may apply for a
duplicate on a form provided by the department. Upon receipt of
the application and the required fee under par. (e), the department
shall issue a duplicate certificate or decal to the applicant.
(e) The fee for the issuance or renewal of a commercial offhighway motorcycle certificate with 3 accompanying decals is
$90. The fee for additional decals is $30 for each decal. The fee
for the issuance of a duplicate commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate is $5. The fee for each duplicate decal is $2.
(f) A commercial off-highway motorcycle certificate may not
be transferred.
(g) Any off-highway motorcycle dealer or creditor may offer
or sell guaranteed asset protection waivers in connection with the
retail sale or lease of off-highway motorcycles in this state if the
dealer or creditor complies with the same requirements applicable with respect to motor vehicles under s. 218.0148. Any guaranteed asset protection waiver offered or sold under this paragraph shall be treated the same as one offered or sold under s.
218.0148, including that the guaranteed asset protection waiver is
not insurance.
(h) All fees remitted to or collected by the department under
par. (e) shall be credited to the appropriation account under s.
20.370 (9) (hu).
(5m) ALTERATIONS AND FALSIFICATIONS PROHIBITED. (a)
No person may intentionally do any of the following:
1. Make a false statement on an application for a registration
issued under sub. (2).
2. Alter, remove, or change any number or other character in
an engine serial number.
3. Alter, remove or change any number or other character in
a vehicle identification number.
(b) No person may do any of the following:
1. Manufacture a vehicle identification number tag that the
person knows to contain false information to be placed on an offhighway motorcycle that is manufactured on or after October 1,
2016.
2. Place a vehicle identification number tag that the person
knows to be false on an off-highway motorcycle.
(6) NONRESIDENT TRAIL PASSES. (a) In this subsection,
“temporary trail use receipt” means a receipt issued by the department or an agent under this subsection that shows that an application and the required fees for a nonresident trail pass for offhighway motorcycle operation have been submitted to the department or an agent appointed under par. (e) 1.
(am) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (f), no person may
operate an off-highway motorcycle on an off-highway motorcycle
corridor unless a nonresident trail pass for off-highway motorcy-

 6423.335 CONSERVATION
cle operation is issued by the department to the person and the
pass is permanently affixed on the exterior of the motorcycle
where it is clearly visible or the person is carrying proof of a valid
temporary trail use receipt.
(b) An off-highway motorcycle that is registered under sub.
(3) or that is exempt from registration under sub. (2) (b) 2., 3., or
4. is exempt from having a nonresident trail pass or temporary
trail use receipt. The department may promulgate a rule to provide additional exemptions from the requirement of being issued
a nonresident trail pass or from having to pay a fee for the pass.
The department may promulgate a rule to exempt off-highway
motorcycles that are exempt from registration under sub. (2) (b) 5.
from having nonresident trail passes or temporary trail use receipts displayed as required under par. (am) or may promulgate a
rule to exempt owners of such vehicles from having to pay any applicable nonresident trail pass fee.
(c) There is no fee for a nonresident trail pass issued for an
off-highway motorcycle that is registered under s. 23.35. The department or Indian tribe or band shall issue a nonresident trail
pass for such an off-highway motorcycle when it issues the registration certificate for the motorcycle. The department shall provide Indian tribes or bands that register off-highway motorcycles
under s. 23.35 with a supply of trail passes.
(d) The fee for an annual nonresident trail pass is $34.25. The
fee for a 5-day nonresident trail pass is $19.25. Annual trail
passes expire on March 31 of each year.
(e) 1. The department may appoint any person who is not an
employee of the department as the department’s agent to issue
temporary trail use receipts and collect the fees for these receipts.
2. Any person, including the department, who issues a nonresident trail pass or a temporary trail use receipt shall collect in
addition to the fee under par. (d) an issuing fee of 75 cents. An
agent appointed under subd. 1. may retain 50 cents of the issuing
fee to compensate the agent for the agent’s services in issuing the
temporary trail use receipt.
3. The department shall establish, by rule, procedures for issuing nonresident trail passes and temporary trail use receipts,
and the department may promulgate rules regulating the activities
of persons who are appointed to be agents under this paragraph.
(f) A person may operate an off-highway motorcycle off the
highways in this state during the first full weekend in June of each
year without having a nonresident trail pass or temporary trail use
receipt as required under par. (am).
(7) RENTAL OF LIMITED USE OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES.
(a) No person who is engaged in the rental or leasing of limited
use off-highway motorcycles to the public may do any of the
following:
1. Rent or lease a limited use off-highway motorcycle for operation by a person who will be operating the limited use offhighway motorcycle for the first time unless the person engaged
in the rental or leasing gives the person instruction on how to operate the limited use off-highway motorcycle.
2. Rent or lease a limited use off-highway motorcycle to a
person under 12 years of age.
3. Rent or lease a limited use off-highway motorcycle without first ascertaining that any person under the age of 18 who will
be on the vehicle has protective headgear of the type required under s. 347.485 (1) (a).
(b) A person who is engaged in the rental or leasing of limited
use off-highway motorcycles to the public shall have clean, usable
protective headgear available for rent in sufficient quantity to provide headgear to all persons under the age of 18 who will be on
the limited use off-highway motorcycles that the person rents or
leases.
(c) The department may promulgate rules to establish minimum standards for the instruction given under par. (a) 1.
(8) USE OF PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR. (a) Off highway. No
person may operate an off-highway motorcycle on an off-highway
motorcycle corridor, or be a passenger on an off-highway motorcycle that is being operated on an off-highway motorcycle corridor, without wearing protective headgear of the type required under s. 347.485 (1) (a), with the chin strap properly fastened, unless one of the following applies:
1. The person is at least 18 years of age.
2. The person is traveling for the purpose of hunting or fishing and is at least 12 years of age.
3. The off-highway motorcycle is being operated for an agricultural purpose.
(b) On highway. No person may operate a limited use offhighway motorcycle on an off-highway motorcycle route or in an
area where operation is authorized under sub. (10) (a) or (11) (a),
or be a passenger on an off-highway motorcycle that is being operated on such a route or in such an area, without wearing protective headgear of the type required under s. 347.485 (1) (a), with
the chin strap properly fastened, unless the person is at least 18
years of age.
(c) On corridors and routes. No person may operate or be a
passenger on an off-highway motorcycle that is being operated on
an off-highway motorcycle corridor or on an off-highway motorcycle route without wearing glasses, wearing goggles, or wearing
a protective face shield that is attached to headgear approved by
the department.
(9) RULES OF OPERATION. (a) No person who is operating an
off-highway motorcycle off a highway may do any of the
following:
1. Operate the off-highway motorcycle in any careless way so
as to endanger another person or the property of another.
2. Operate the off-highway motorcycle at a rate of speed that
is unreasonable under the circumstances.
3. Operate the off-highway motorcycle on private property
without the consent of the owner or lessee. Failure to post private
property does not imply consent for off-highway motorcycle use.
4. Operate the off-highway motorcycle on public property
that is posted as closed to off-highway motorcycle operation or on
which the operation of an off-highway motorcycle is prohibited
by law.
5. Operate the off-highway motorcycle on Indian lands without the consent of the tribal governing body or Indian owner.
Failure to post Indian lands does not imply consent for off-highway motorcycle use.
6. Operate the off-highway motorcycle at a speed exceeding
10 miles per hour, if the off-highway motorcycle is within 100
feet of a fishing shanty.
7. Operate the off-highway motorcycle at a speed exceeding
10 miles per hour, if the off-highway motorcycle is within 150
feet of a dwelling. The speed limit specified in this subsection
does not apply to a person operating an off-highway motorcycle
on a roadway that is designated as an off-highway motorcycle
route.
8. Operate the off-highway motorcycle on the frozen surface
of public waters or on an off-highway motorcycle trail at a speed
exceeding 10 miles per hour or without yielding the right-of-way
when within 100 feet of another person who is not operating a
motor vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, a utility terrain vehicle, an
off-highway motorcycle, or a snowmobile.
9. Operate the off-highway motorcycle to drive or pursue any
animal except as part of normal farming operations involving
livestock.

10. Operate the off-highway motorcycle in a manner which
violates rules promulgated by the department. This subdivision
does not authorize the department to promulgate or enforce a rule
that imposes a speed restriction that is more stringent than a
speed restriction specified under this paragraph.
(b) The speed restrictions under par. (a) 6. and 8. do not apply
to a race or derby sponsored by a local governmental unit, by an
off-highway motorcycle association, or by a similar organization
that is approved by a local governmental unit if the sponsor of the
race or derby marks the race or derby route or track to warn spectators from entering the route or track.
(c) 1. The distance restriction under par. (a) 8. does not apply
to persons who are assisting in directing a race or derby sponsored by a local governmental unit, by an off-highway motorcycle
association, or by a similar organization that is approved by a local governmental unit.
2. The distance restriction under par. (a) 8. does not apply if
the person who is not operating the motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, or snowmobile gives his or her consent to have the person operating the offhighway motorcycle at a closer distance.
(d) 1. Subject to subds. 2. to 5., par. (a) 6., 7., and 8. do not apply to the operator of a patrol off-highway motorcycle when responding to an emergency call, engaged in an emergency, or in
the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
2. Except as provided in subd. 3., subd. 1. applies only if the
operator of a patrol off-highway motorcycle is giving an audible
signal by means of a siren and a visual signal by means of at least
one flashing, oscillating, or rotating red light or, if the patrol offhighway motorcycle is being operated by a law enforcement officer, a blue light and a red light, both of which are flashing, oscillating, or rotating.
3. A law enforcement officer operating a patrol off-highway
motorcycle may exceed a speed limit without giving audible or
visual signals if the officer is obtaining evidence of a speed violation or responding to what the officer reasonably believes is a
felony in progress and the officer reasonably believes any of the
following:
a. Knowledge of the officer’s presence may endanger the
safety of a victim or other person.
b. Knowledge of the officer’s presence may cause the suspected violator to evade apprehension.
c. Knowledge of the officer’s presence may cause the suspected violator to destroy evidence of a suspected felony or may
otherwise result in the loss of evidence of a suspected felony.
d. Knowledge of the officer’s presence may cause the suspected violator to cease the commission of a suspected felony before the officer obtains sufficient evidence to establish grounds
for arrest.
4. The operator of a patrol off-highway motorcycle may proceed past a red light, stop signal, or stop sign but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.
5. The privileges granted to the operator of a patrol off-highway motorcycle under this paragraph do not relieve the operator
from the duty to drive or ride with due regard under the circumstances for the safety of all persons or provide immunity from liability for the consequences of the operator’s reckless disregard for
the safety of others.
(10) OPERATION ON HIGHWAYS; LIMITED USE MOTORCYCLES.
(a) Generally. No person may operate a limited use off-highway
motorcycle on the roadway portion of any highway unless one of
the following applies:
1. Operation on the roadway is necessary to cross the roadway. The crossing of a roadway is authorized only if the crossing
is done in the most direct manner practicable, if the crossing is
made at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe
crossing, and if the operator stops the limited use off-highway
motorcycle prior to entering the crossing and yields the right-ofway to any other vehicles, pedestrians, electric scooters, or electric personal assistive mobility devices that are using the
roadway.
2. Operation on the roadway is necessary to cross a bridge,
culvert, or railroad right-of-way. The crossing of a bridge, culvert, or railroad right-of-way is not authorized if the roadway is
officially closed to off-highway motorcycle traffic. The crossing
is authorized only if the crossing is done in the most direct manner practicable, if the crossing is made at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing, and if the operator
stops the limited use off-highway motorcycle prior to entering the
roadway and yields the right-of-way to any other vehicles, pedestrians, electric scooters, or electric personal assistive mobility devices that are using the roadway.
2m. Operation is on the roadway or shoulder for the purpose
of crossing a bridge if the operation is in compliance with a
county ordinance adopted under sub. (21) (am) that applies to
that bridge and a city, village, or town ordinance adopted under
sub. (21) (am) that applies to that bridge.
3. Operation is on a roadway which is not maintained, or is
only minimally maintained, on a seasonal basis for motor vehicle
traffic. Such operation is authorized only during the seasons
when no maintenance occurs and only if the roadway is not officially closed to off-highway motorcycle traffic.
4. Operation is on a roadway that is an off-highway motorcycle route. Such operation is authorized only for the extreme right
side of the roadway except that left turns may be made from any
part of the roadway which is safe given prevailing conditions.
5. The operator of the limited use off-highway motorcycle is
a person who holds a Class A permit or a Class B permit under s.
29.193 (2) and who is traveling for the purpose of hunting or is
otherwise engaging in an activity authorized by the permit.
6. The limited use off-highway motorcycle is registered for
private use under sub. (3) and is being used exclusively as an implement of husbandry or for agricultural purposes. Such operation is authorized only for the extreme right side of the roadway
except that left turns may be made from any part of the roadway
which is safe given prevailing conditions.
7. The roadway part of the highway is blocked off for a special off-highway motorcycle event as authorized under par. (b).
(b) Off-highway motorcycle events. A local governmental
unit may block off highways under its jurisdiction for the purpose
of allowing special off-highway motorcycle events. No state
trunk highway or connecting highway, or part thereof, may be
blocked off by any local governmental unit for any off-highway
motorcycle event. A local governmental unit shall notify the local police department and the county sheriff’s office at least one
week in advance of the time and place of any off-highway motorcycle event that may result in any street, or part thereof, of the local governmental unit being blocked off.
(c) Freeways. No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle on any part of any freeway which is a part of the
federal system of interstate and defense highways under any circumstances. No person may operate a limited use off-highway
motorcycle on any part of any other freeway unless the department of transportation authorizes the use of limited use off-highway motorcycles on that freeway.
(11) OPERATION ADJACENT TO ROADWAY. (a) Location of
operation. 1. A person may operate an off-highway motorcycle
adjacent to a roadway of a city, village, or town highway that is
designated as an off-highway motorcycle route or an off-highway

 6623.335 CONSERVATION
motorcycle trail without any restriction on how close the offhighway motorcycle is to the roadway.
2. A person may operate an off-highway motorcycle adjacent
to a roadway of a U.S. numbered highway, a state highway, or a
county highway that is designated an off-highway motorcycle
route or an off-highway motorcycle trail provided that the operation occurs at a distance of 10 or more feet from the roadway or
such greater distance as is reasonably necessary in order to avoid
an obstruction. Travel on the median of a divided highway is prohibited except to cross.
(b) Direction of operation. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2.,
a person may operate an off-highway motorcycle on an off-highway motorcycle route or off-highway motorcycle trail adjacent to
a roadway only in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic in
the nearest lane.
2. A person may operate the off-highway motorcycle in either direction if any of the following applies:
a. The off-highway motorcycle is being operated during
hours of daylight.
b. The off-highway motorcycle is being operated during
hours of darkness and the off-highway motorcycle route or offhighway motorcycle trail is located at least 40 feet from the roadway or is separated from the roadway by a head lamp barrier.
(c) Other limitation. A person operating an off-highway motorcycle on an off-highway motorcycle route or off-highway motorcycle trail adjacent to a roadway shall comply with the speed
limits of the adjacent roadway and with rules promulgated by the
department and approved by the department of transportation.
(12) INTOXICATED OPERATION. (a) Operation. 1. No person
may operate an off-highway motorcycle while under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safe operation of the off-highway motorcycle.
2. No person may engage in the operation of an off-highway
motorcycle while the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08
or more.
2m. No person may engage in the operation of an off-highway motorcycle while the person has a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood.
3. If a person has not attained the age of 21, the person may
not engage in the operation of an off-highway motorcycle while
he or she has an alcohol concentration of more than 0.0 but not
more than 0.08.
4. A person may be charged with and a prosecutor may proceed upon a complaint based upon a violation of any combination
of subd. 1., 2., or 2m. for acts arising out of the same incident or
occurrence. If the person is charged with violating any combination of subd. 1., 2., or 2m., the offenses shall be joined. If the person is found guilty of any combination of subd. 1., 2., or 2m. for
acts arising out of the same incident or occurrence, there shall be
a single conviction for purposes of sentencing and for purposes of
counting convictions under sub. (23) (c) 2. and 3. Subdivisions
1., 2., and 2m. each require proof of a fact for conviction which
the others do not require.
5. In an action under subd. 2m. that is based on the defendant
allegedly having a detectable amount of methamphetamine,
gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in
his or her blood, the defendant has a defense if he or she proves by
a preponderance of the evidence that at the time of the incident or
occurrence he or she had a valid prescription for methamphetamine or one of its metabolic precursors, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
(b) Operation causing injury. 1. No person while under the
influence of an intoxicant to a degree which renders him or her
incapable of safe operation of an off-highway motorcycle may
cause injury to another person by the operation of an off-highway
motorcycle.
2. No person who has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or
more may cause injury to another person by the operation of an
off-highway motorcycle.
2m. No person who has a detectable amount of a restricted
controlled substance in his or her blood may cause injury to another person by the operation of an off-highway motorcycle.
3. A person may be charged with and a prosecutor may proceed upon a complaint based upon a violation of any combination
of subd. 1., 2., or 2m. for acts arising out of the same incident or
occurrence. If the person is charged with violating any combination of subd. 1., 2., or 2m. in the complaint, the crimes shall be
joined under s. 971.12. If the person is found guilty of any combination of subd. 1., 2., or 2m. for acts arising out of the same incident or occurrence, there shall be a single conviction for purposes of sentencing and for purposes of counting convictions under sub. (23) (c) 2. and 3. Subdivisions 1., 2., and 2m. each require proof of a fact for conviction which the others do not
require.
4. In an action under this paragraph, the defendant has a defense if he or she proves by a preponderance of the evidence that
the injury would have occurred even if he or she had been exercising due care and even if he or she had not been under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree which rendered him or her incapable of safe operation, did not have an alcohol concentration of
0.08 or more, or did not have a detectable amount of a restricted
controlled substance in his or her blood.
5. In an action under subd. 2m. that is based on the defendant
allegedly having a detectable amount of methamphetamine,
gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in
his or her blood, the defendant has a defense if he or she proves by
a preponderance of the evidence that at the time of the incident or
occurrence he or she had a valid prescription for methamphetamine or one of its metabolic precursors, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
(c) Implied consent. Any person who engages in the operation of an off-highway motorcycle upon the public highways of
this state, or in those areas enumerated in par. (d), is considered to
have given consent to provide one or more samples of his or her
breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of authorized analysis as
required under pars. (f) and (g). Any person who engages in the
operation of an off-highway motorcycle within this state is considered to have given consent to submit to one or more chemical
tests of his or her breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of authorized analysis as required under pars. (f) and (g).
(d) Applicability of law. The intoxicated operation of an offhighway motorcycle law applies to all of the following:
1. The operation of an off-highway motorcycle on any offhighway motorcycle corridor or any off-highway motorcycle
route.
2. The operation of any off-highway motorcycle on other
premises or areas located off the highways that are held out to the
public for the recreational use of off-highway motorcycles
whether such premises or areas are publicly or privately owned
and whether or not a fee is charged for the use of an off-highway
motorcycle.
3. The operation of a limited use off-highway motorcycle on
a highway as authorized under sub. (10).
4. The operation of an off-highway motorcycle adjacent to a
highway as authorized under sub. (11).
(e) Preliminary screening. 1. A person shall provide a sample of his or her breath or oral fluids, or both, for a preliminary
screening test if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to
believe that the person is violating or has violated the intoxicated

operation of an off-highway motorcycle law and if, prior to an arrest, the law enforcement officer requested the person to provide
this sample.
2. A law enforcement officer may use the results of a preliminary screening test for the purpose of deciding whether or not to
arrest a person for a violation of the intoxicated operation of an
off-highway motorcycle law or for the purpose of deciding
whether or not to request a chemical test under par. (f). Following
the preliminary screening test, chemical tests may be required of
the person under par. (f).
3. The result of a preliminary screening test is not admissible
in any action or proceeding except to show probable cause for an
arrest, if the arrest is challenged, or to show that a chemical test
was properly required of a person under par. (f).
4. There is no penalty for a violation of subd. 1. Subsection
(23) (a) and the general penalty provision under s. 939.61 do not
apply to the violation.
5. A law enforcement officer may collect and retain a sample
of a person’s oral fluids only to the extent necessary to perform a
preliminary screening test under this paragraph and shall destroy
the sample, or return the sample to the person, after conducting
the preliminary screening test. A law enforcement officer may
not collect or retain a sample of a person’s oral fluids under this
paragraph for any purpose other than a preliminary screening
test.
(f) Chemical tests; requirement. 1. A person shall provide
one or more samples of his or her breath, blood, or urine for the
purpose of authorized analysis if he or she is arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle
law and if he or she is requested to provide the sample by a law
enforcement officer. A person shall submit to one or more chemical tests of his or her breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of
authorized analysis if he or she is arrested for a violation of the
intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law and if he
or she is requested to submit to the test by a law enforcement
officer.
2. A law enforcement officer requesting a person to provide
a sample or to submit to a chemical test under subd. 1. shall inform the person of all of the following at the time of the request
and prior to obtaining the sample or administering the test:
a. That he or she is deemed to have consented to tests under
par. (c).
b. That a refusal to provide a sample or to submit to a chemical test constitutes a violation under par. (h) and is subject to the
same penalties and procedures as a violation of par. (a) 1.
c. That in addition to the designated chemical test under par.
(g) 2., he or she may have an additional chemical test under par.
(g) 4.
3. A person who is unconscious or otherwise not capable of
withdrawing consent is presumed not to have withdrawn consent
under this paragraph, and if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person violated the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law, one or more chemical tests
may be administered to the person without a request under subd.
1. and without providing information under subd. 2.
(g) Chemical tests; procedures. 1. Upon the request of a law
enforcement officer, a test facility shall administer a chemical test
of breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of authorized analysis.
A test facility shall be prepared to administer 2 out of 3 of these
tests for the purpose of authorized analysis. The department may
enter into agreements for the cooperative use of test facilities.
2. A test facility shall designate one chemical test of breath,
blood, or urine which it is prepared to administer first as the primary test for the purpose of authorized analysis.
3. A test facility shall designate another chemical test of
breath, blood, or urine, other than the test designated under subd.
2., which it is prepared to administer as an additional chemical
test for the purpose of authorized analysis.
4. If a person is arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law or is the operator of an
off-highway motorcycle involved in an accident resulting in great
bodily harm to or the death of someone and if the person is requested to provide a sample or to submit to a test under par. (f) 1.,
the person may request the test facility to administer the additional chemical test specified under subd. 3. or, at his or her own
expense, reasonable opportunity to have any qualified person administer a chemical test of his or her breath, blood, or urine for
the purpose of authorized analysis.
5. If a person is arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law and if the person is not
requested to provide a sample or to submit to a test under par. (f)
1., the person may request the test facility to administer a chemical test of his or her breath or may request, at his or her own expense, a reasonable opportunity to have any qualified person administer a chemical test of his or her breath, blood, or urine for
the purpose of authorized analysis. If a test facility is unable to
perform a chemical test of breath, the person may request the test
facility to administer the chemical test designated under subd. 2.
or the additional chemical test designated under subd. 3.
6. A test facility shall comply with a request under this paragraph to administer any chemical test it is able to perform.
7. The failure or inability of a person to obtain a chemical
test at his or her own expense does not preclude the admission of
evidence of the results of a chemical test required and administered under this paragraph or par. (f).
8. A chemical test of blood or urine conducted for the purpose of authorized analysis is valid as provided under s. 343.305
(6). The duties and responsibilities of the laboratory of hygiene,
department of health services, and department of transportation
under s. 343.305 (6) apply to a chemical test of blood or urine
conducted for the purpose of authorized analysis under this paragraph and par. (f). Blood may be withdrawn from a person arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law only by a physician, registered nurse, medical technologist, physician assistant, phlebotomist, or other medical professional who is authorized to draw blood, or person acting
under the direction of a physician, and the person who withdraws
the blood, the employer of that person, and any hospital where
blood is withdrawn have immunity from civil or criminal liability
as provided under s. 895.53.
9. A test facility which administers a chemical test of breath,
blood, or urine for the purpose of authorized analysis under this
paragraph and par. (f) shall prepare a written report which shall
include the findings of the chemical test, the identification of the
law enforcement officer or the person who requested a chemical
test, and the identification of the person who provided the sample
or submitted to the chemical test. The test facility shall transmit
a copy of the report to the law enforcement officer and the person
who provided the sample or submitted to the chemical test.
(h) Chemical tests; refusal. No person may refuse a lawful request to provide one or more samples of his or her breath, blood,
or urine or to submit to one or more chemical tests under par. (f).
A person shall not be considered to have refused to provide a
sample or to submit to a chemical test if it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the refusal was due to a physical inability to provide the sample or to submit to the test due to a physical disability or disease unrelated to the use of an intoxicant. Issues in any action concerning violation of par. (f) or this paragraph are limited to the following:
1. Whether the law enforcement officer had probable cause

 6823.335 CONSERVATION
to believe the person was violating or had violated the intoxicated
operation of an off-highway motorcycle law.
2. Whether the person was lawfully placed under arrest for
violating the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle
law.
3. Whether the law enforcement officer requested the person
to provide a sample or to submit to a chemical test and provided
the information required under par. (f) 2. or whether the request
and information was unnecessary under par. (f) 3.
4. Whether the person refused to provide a sample or to submit to a chemical test.
(i) Chemical tests; effect of test results. The results of a chemical test required or administered under par. (f) or (g) are admissible in any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of the
acts committed by a person alleged to have violated the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law on the issue of
whether the person was under the influence of an intoxicant or
the issue of whether the person had alcohol concentrations at or
above specified levels or a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood. Results of these chemical
tests shall be given the effect required under s. 885.235. Paragraphs (f) to (h) do not limit the right of a law enforcement officer to obtain evidence by any other lawful means.
(j) Report of arrest to department. If a law enforcement officer arrests a person for a violation of the intoxicated operation of
an off-highway motorcycle law or the refusal law, the law enforcement officer shall notify the department of the arrest as soon
as practicable.
(k) Release of persons arrested. 1. A person arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of the off-highway motorcycle law may not be released until 12 hours have elapsed from the
time of his or her arrest or unless a chemical test administered under par. (a) 1. or 2. shows that the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.05 or less, except as provided in subd. 2.
2. A person arrested for a violation of the intoxicated operation of the off-highway motorcycle law may be released to his or
her attorney, spouse, relative, or other responsible adult at any
time after arrest.
(L) Public education program. 1. The department shall promulgate rules to provide for a public education program to:
a. Inform off-highway motorcycle operators of the prohibitions and penalties included in the intoxicated operation of an offhighway motorcycle law.
b. Provide for the development of signs briefly explaining the
intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law.
2. The department shall develop and issue an educational
pamphlet on the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law to be distributed to persons issued off-highway motorcycle registration certificates under sub. (3).
(13) AGE RESTRICTIONS; SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS. (a) Under 12 years of age. A person who is under 12
years of age may not operate an off-highway motorcycle on a
roadway under any circumstances and may not operate an offhighway motorcycle off a roadway unless he or she is accompanied by a parent or guardian or by a person who is at least 18
years of age who has been designated by the parent or guardian.
(b) At least 12 years of age. No person who is at least 12 years
of age and born after January 1, 1998, may operate an off-highway motorcycle off the highways unless the person holds a valid
certificate issued by the department under sub. (14) or by another
state or a province of Canada.
(bg) Proof required. Any person who is required under sub.
(13) to hold a safety certificate while operating an off-highway
motorcycle shall carry proof that the person holds a valid safety
certificate and shall display that proof to a law enforcement officer on request.
(br) Operation during safety certification program. Persons
enrolled in a safety certification program under sub. (14) may operate an off-highway motorcycle in an area designated by the
instructor.
(c) Exemptions. 1. The restrictions under pars. (a) and (b) do
not apply to the operation of an off-highway motorcycle on private property if the owner of the property has given consent for
the operation and does not hold the property out to the public for
use of off-highway motorcycles.
2. The restriction under par. (a) does not apply to a person
who is operating a limited use off-highway motorcycle at an offhighway motorcycle event sponsored by a local governmental
unit, by an off-highway motorcycle association, or by a similar organization that is approved by a local governmental unit, who is
wearing protective headgear in compliance with sub. (8) (a) or
(b), and who is accompanied by a person who is at least 18 years
of age or a parent or guardian.
(14) SAFETY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. The department
shall establish or supervise the establishment of a program of instruction on laws related to the operation of off-highway motorcycles for recreational purposes off the highways. The program
shall include instruction on the intoxicated operation of an offhighway motorcycle law, safety, and related subjects. The department shall establish by rule an instruction fee for this program.
All or part of this program may be conducted by means of online
instruction. The department shall issue certificates to persons
successfully completing the program. An instructor conducting
the program of instruction under this subsection shall collect the
fee from each person who receives instruction. The department
may determine the portion of this fee, which may not exceed 50
percent, that the instructor may retain to defray expenses incurred
by the instructor in conducting the program. The instructor shall
remit the remainder of the fee or, if nothing is retained, the entire
fee to the department. The department shall issue a duplicate certificate of accomplishment to a person who is entitled to a duplicate certificate of accomplishment and who pays a fee of $2.75.
(15) SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The department shall establish a program to award grants to organizations that meet the
eligibility requirements under par. (b).
(b) To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, an organization shall meet all of the following requirements:
1. The organization is a nonstock corporation organized in
this state.
2. The organization promotes the off-highway operation of
off-highway motorcycles in a manner that is safe and responsible
and that does not harm the environment.
3. The organization promotes the off-highway operation of
off-highway motorcycles in a manner that does not conflict with
the laws, rules, and departmental policies that are applicable to
the operation of off-highway motorcycles.
4. The interest of the organization is limited to the recreational operation of off-highway motorcycles on off-highway motorcycle trails, off-highway motorcycle routes, and other areas
that are off the highways.
5. The organization provides support to off-highway motorcycle clubs.
(c) An organization receiving a grant under t

Excerpt shown. Open the full section in Lexace.

‹ Prev All Wisconsin sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.