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Vehicle Equipment Regulations
After-market performance vehicle parts and accessories are available for sale everywhere—from auto dealers, auto parts stores, on the internet, from mail order catalogs, or even from rummage sales. However, just because you can buy the parts, does not mean the parts are “STREET LEGAL”. The State of Wisconsin has very specific laws, restrictions and guidelines for equipment on motor vehicles.
Here are some of the most common vehicle equipment violations:
Improper display of vehicle registration plates. The State of Wisconsin issues two (2) vehicle registration plates for all passenger cars and light duty trucks—one plate for the front and one for the rear of the vehicle. The rear plate must display the expiration stickers with the year affixed in the lower right corner of the plate and the month in the lower left corner. Failure to display a front plate on your vehicle or having expiration stickers in the wrong spot is a violation that can result in a traffic citation. In addition, the rear registration plate must have a clear light illuminating the plate during hours of darkness and the plates cannot be covered by anything but a clear transparent cover. Tinted covers, no matter what color, are not legal.
Illegal muffler or exhaust system. No person can modify or change the exhaust system on any vehicle that would result in an increase in exhaust noise above what it was when it came off the production line. Turbo mufflers, headers, glass packs, and exhaust pipe tips that increase the exhaust pipe size are all examples of illegal modifications to exhaust systems.
Window tinting. No window tinting, other than original manufacturer tinting, can be attached to the windshield of any vehicle. The windows on the driver’s side, passenger’s side and wing windows can only be tinted to 50%. The rear side and rear windows can be tinted to allow 35% of light passage through the window. No window glass can be tinted with any type of reflective material.
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Vehicle lighting. All lighting on a motor vehicle has a purpose and is color specific. All exterior lights on a motor vehicle have a maximum and minimum height placement requirement. Headlights on a vehicle are required to produce a certain amount of light to illuminate the highway at specific distances. Adding tinted or black-out covers over the headlights reduces the amount light emitted, thus making their use illegal (headlight covers are only illegal when headlamps are required to be on). Taillights are required to have a specific amount (surface square inches) of light area for visibility during all driving conditions. Putting decorative covers over the taillights reduces the amount of required light area to be displayed, thus making the use of these covers illegal.
Other Equipment. All motor vehicles must have working horns, wipers, rear view mirrors, and be equipped with properly working brakes and safe tires.
These are just a few of the many vehicle equipment requirements for the State of Wisconsin. Anyone who is considering buying and installing any after-market decoration or performance part for their vehicle should first check the state’s laws to determine its legality. Wisconsin’s motor vehicle equipment laws are referred to as “primary traffic laws” meaning a law enforcement officer can stop a car, truck, or motorcycle just for the equipment violation. You as the driver of the vehicle (even if you do not own it) can be held responsible for the equipment violation and could be issued a traffic citation. The citation can result in a fine and in some cases points added to your driving record. In addition to any citation, you could also receive an order to remove, replace or correct the equipment violation. Failure to correct the problem will result in the issuance of a citation for failing to comply with the repair order.
For more information, please refer to Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 347
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html
or Wisconsin Department. of Transportation Chapter Trans 305
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/docs
/violations.pdf
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Download Volume 1 - Vehicle Equipment Regulation 
