341.03 Operating vehicle after suspension, revocation or cancellation of registration.

(1) Prohibition. No person may operate or knowingly permit the operation of a motor vehicle if the registration for that vehicle is suspended, revoked or canceled under s. 285.30 (6) (d) or 342.255, ch. 344 or this chapter, or if the registration for that vehicle is suspended, canceled or revoked under the law of another jurisdiction.

(2) Penalties.

(a) Any person who violates sub. (1), where the vehicle used is an automobile or any other vehicle having a gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

(b) Any person who violates sub. (1), where the vehicle used is a vehicle not enumerated under par. (a), may be required to forfeit not more than $500.

(3) Defenses.

(a)

1. It is a defense to a violation of sub. (1) that the person did not know, and had no reason to know, that the motor vehicle registration was suspended, revoked or canceled at the time of the violation.

2. Refusal to accept or failure to receive an order of suspension, revocation or cancellation mailed by the department to the person's last-known address shall not be a defense to a violation of sub. (1). If the person has changed his or her address and fails to notify the department as required in s. 343.22, then failure to receive notice of suspension, revocation or cancellation shall not be a defense to a violation of sub. (1).

(b) This section does not apply if operating the motor vehicle was made necessary by a situation of emergency.

History: 1995 a. 128; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 80.