344.19 Applicability to nonresidents, unlicensed drivers, unregistered motor vehicles and accidents in other states.

(1) If the operator or the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident within this state has no license or registration, whether because the operator or owner is a nonresident or because the operator or owner is a resident who has failed or neglected to obtain a license or registration in this state, the operator or owner shall not be allowed a license or registration until the operator or owner has complied with the requirements of this chapter to the same extent as would be necessary if, at the time of the accident, the operator or owner had held a license and registration in this state.

(2) If the operating privilege or registration of a nonresident is suspended under s. 344.14, the secretary shall transmit a certified copy of the record of such action to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or equivalent official of the state in which that person resides if the law of the state in which that person resides provides for similar action by the administrator or equivalent official of that state in the event that a resident of this state has a nonresident's operating privilege or registration in that state suspended or revoked for failure to comply with the safety responsibility law of that state.

(3) Upon receipt of such certification from another state to the effect that the operating privilege or registration of a resident of this state has been suspended or revoked in such other state under a law providing for its suspension or revocation for failure to deposit security for payment of judgments arising out of a motor vehicle accident, under circumstances which would require the secretary to suspend a nonresident's operating privilege or registration had the accident occurred in this state, the secretary shall suspend the operating privilege of such resident if he or she was the operator and all of his or her registrations if he or she was the owner of a motor vehicle involved in such accident. The department may accept a certification which is in the form of a combined notice of required security and suspension order, but shall not suspend a resident's operating privilege or registration on the basis of such order until at least 30 days have elapsed since the time for depositing security in the other state expired. A suspension or revocation of operating privilege under this section shall continue until such resident furnishes evidence of his or her compliance with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, pays the fees required under s. 343.21 (1) (j) and (n) and complies with the applicable provisions of s. 343.38. A suspension or revocation of registration under this section shall continue until such resident furnishes evidence of his or her compliance with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, pays the fee required under s. 341.36 (1m) and satisfies the requirements of sub. (3m).

(3g) The secretary shall refuse registration of any vehicle owned by a person whose registration has been suspended or revoked under sub. (3).

(3m)

(a) Unless 3 years have elapsed since compliance of the resident with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, the resident whose operating privilege or registration was suspended or revoked under sub. (3) shall file with the department and maintain in effect proof of financial responsibility in the amount, form and manner specified in this chapter.

(b) This subsection applies as a condition precedent to reinstatement of an operating privilege or registration suspended or revoked under sub. (3).

History: 1977 c. 29 ss. 1464, 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1991 a. 269, 316; 1997 a. 84; 2007 a. 20.