Hi Guys,
Paul Underwood here from Wisconsin. I'm the guy with the Pinzgauer who first wrote in here, months back. I too own a Deuce and run Farm plates.
Excellent questions.
According to Paul Nilsen, WisDOT Asst. Gen. Counsel, WisDOT/DMV's policy of refusing to register either ex-military or noncomplying (no federal label certifying compliance with FMVSS requirements) began on 12/19/06 with DMV memo BVS-06-10
The policy is based on an interpretation of s. 341.10(6) Wis. Stats. to mean: any vehicle lacking a FMVSS label is an "off-highway vehicle" and therefore cannot be registered.
http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=stats&jd=341.10
Heres a link to that statute. You read it. Does it apply to ON-ROAD vehicles? I don't think so.
My Appeal Hearing before the Dept. of Admin. is on July 14, 2008, to determine if DMV was wrong to cancel my registration, based on 341.10(6).
Here's a real kicker: My Pinzgauer (all Pinzgauers really) were imported over 25 years old. Federal law makes these vehicles EXEMPTED from FMVSS regulation.
If they took away my registration on a federally exempted vehicle, what do you expect them to do to non-exempted vehicles?
Also, WisDOT/DMV took away my registration AFTER FIVE YEARS OF OPERATION!! Wisconsin Statutes only require record retention for the first 5 years. I was lucky to be able to reconstruct the documentation, most people couldn't do so. But even with a letter from US DOT/NHTSA stating that MY truck, identified by VIN#, is exempt, DMV still won't give me my registration back.
I'm not writing to ask for your help. My hearing is where I'll talk.
I'm writing to raise the red flag, that WisDOT/DMV is acting ILLEGALLY. My truck was first, but they're coming after US ex-military next.
Actually, they already cancelled HMMV registrations last year for a Beaver Dam guy and refused to register a 1943 Jeep for an Appleton man last year.
The '43 Jeep was made 25 years BEFORE the FMVSS regs. even became law!!!!
Forget about picking your choice of license plate (Farm, Antique, Collector, etc.). If WisDOT/DMV won't
register your truck, you can't operate it
PERIOD.
Call/write to your Senator and Legislative Rep.
Find their addresses here:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senhome.htm
We all need to be fighting NOW to keep this from making all ex-mil vehicles illegal.
Otherwise, prospective citizens like 98hd will have to sell their trucks in order to move here.
BTW, drivers from out-of-state can still drive their vehicles anywhere in Wisconsin. It's just the taxpaying voters of Wisconsin who cannot drive their Pinzgauers on Wisconsin roads. Nice huh? Wait till it's all US surplus ex-military trucks too.
Scream loudly people. It's your rights that are being trampled on.
Remember, this country was founded by people who wouldn't stand for a government that acted "just because we can". There's no reason to put up with it now.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Paul
http://www.wisconsin-pinzgauers.org/