The words and phrases defined in ch. 340, Stats., and ss. 342.01 (2), 218.0101, 218.10, 218.20, 218.30, 218.40 and 218.50, Stats., have the same meaning in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided. In this chapter:

1. (1g) “Access” means the authorized entry to, and display of, a document, record, or other information in a manner allowing modification of previously stored data, even if the stored data is not modified at the time it is accessed. “Access” does not include a display of an electronic record for viewing purposes where modification of stored data is not possible, or where modification to the record is possible but results in a new, unique electronic document or record.
2. (1m) “Assign ownership” or “assigning ownership” means the act or process of transferring ownership of a motor vehicle by the owner named on the certificate of title.
3. (2) “Conforming” means a certificate of title or vehicle ownership document, a supplemental transfer of ownership document or a power of attorney form is printed using a secure printing process or other secure process and contains the odometer disclosure statement language required by federal and Wisconsin law.
4. (3) “Consignor” means the owner of a privately titled motor vehicle who has contracted with a licensed retail dealer to sell the motor vehicle on the owner’s behalf.
5. (4) “Dealer consignee” means a licensed retail dealer with whom the owner of a privately titled motor vehicle has contracted for the sale of the motor vehicle to a third party purchaser.
6. (5) “Department” means the department of transportation.
7. (5g) “Electronic,” when referring to any document, record, or other information, means in an automated format, as defined in s. 342.01(2) (ac), Stats., that is prescribed by the department and maintained in an electronic title system. For the purposes of this chapter, “electronic” is limited to a document, record, or other information created electronically and does not include a physical document, record, or other information converted by scanning and imaging for storage in an electronic medium.
8. (5k) “Electronic title system” means any system employed to create, store, or maintain any electronic document, record, or other information subject to this chapter.
9. (6) “IRP” means the international registration plan.
10. (7) “Nonconforming” means a certificate of title or any supplemental transfer of ownership document does not contain the odometer disclosure statement language required by federal and Wisconsin law and is not set forth by means of a secure printing process or other secure process.
11. (7g) “Physical,” when referring to a document, record, or other information, means printed on paper by a secure printing process or other secure process that meets all the requirements of this chapter.

12. (7k) “Printed name” means either:

    1. (a) For a physical document, the clear and legible name applied to the physical document of the signatory.
    2. (b) For an electronic document, the clear, legible, visible, audible, recognizable, or otherwise understandable name of the electronic signatory recorded and stored electronically.
13. (8) “Reassign ownership” or “reassigning ownership” means the act or process of transferring ownership of a motor vehicle by a licensed dealer or wholesaler if the vehicle was acquired for the purpose of resale and for which the dealer or wholesaler has not applied for or obtained title in the dealer’s or wholesaler’s own name.
14. (9) “Secure printing process or other secure process” means any process which deters and detects counterfeiting or unauthorized reproduction, or both, and allows alterations to be visible to the naked eye.
15. (10) “Separate conforming odometer disclosure statement” means a physical or electronic statement issued or approved by the department which is separate from the certificate of title or any other document which is used to assign or reassign ownership and which includes odometer disclosure language required by federal and Wisconsin law.

16. (10m) “Sign” or “signature” means either:

    1. (a) For a physical document, a person’s name, or a mark representing it, as handwritten personally.

    2. (b) For an electronic document, an electronic sound, symbol, or process that satisfies at least one of the following:

       1. 1. It uses a secure authentication system meeting at least the minimum identification standards for electronic odometer disclosures under 49 CFR 580.3, as published in 84 FR 52699, October 2, 2019.
       2. 2. It is completed in person before a bona fide employee of the department or statutory agent under a surety bond with the department.
17. (11) “Title,” “certificate” and “certificate of title” means a document issued by a jurisdiction to evidence ownership of a vehicle.
18. (12) “Wisconsin dealer” means a dealer licensed in Wisconsin.

History

History: Cr. Register, January, 1996, No. 481, eff. 2-1-96; CR 02-029: am. (intro.), Register July 2002 No. 559, eff. 8-1-02; CR 25-049: renum. (1) to (1m), cr. (1g), (5g), (5k), (7g), (7k), am. (10), cr. (10m) Register March 2026 No. 843, eff. 4-1-26; correction in (1g), (5g) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2026 No. 843.