The Wisconsin DOT requires that all cars sold in the state have seat belts, and all drivers and passengers must wear them. All passengers at least 4 years old or older must wear safety belts. Chapter Trans 315 of the Wisconsin statutes provides exemptions to the state's seat belt requirement for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. To be considered exempt from this law requires written confirmation from a licensed medical practitioner each year unless the condition is chronic or permanent. This exemption may be used for any person in Wisconsin 4 or older.
Any eligible person in Wisconsin seeking to obtain a driver's license must provide original documentation to prove his identity, date of birth and Wisconsin residency. Receiving a state driver's license or identification card requires that drivers or persons seeking identification make themselves available in person to take the required photograph. Exceptions to the photograph regulation exist for Wisconsin residents unable to return to the state to renew a license or identification card, for religious convictions or because of a temporary disfigurement. The Department of Transportation determines the design of identification cards and driver's licenses, as well as the designations that appear on them such as duplicate cards or cards for minors. Fees for distribution of identification cards, licenses and upgrades are set by the Wisconsin DOT.
Barriers are often placed along expressways and freeways that are near residential or business areas to prevent excess noise from filtering through. The DOT has the sole responsibility of determining when installing those barriers is warranted. Chapter Trans 405 states that noise barriers will be erected only to provide noise protection for the ground floor of buildings near freeways or expressways. Section 2(c) mandates that noise barriers will reduce noise but no less than 8 decibels. The DOT also provides a threshold for noise levels in specific areas that determine if a noise barrier is warranted, including public areas such as parks and playgrounds, schools, hospitals, and churches.
To ensure the safety of all drivers and passengers on roadways in the state, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation provides regulations for owners of special vehicles. Special vehicles include mopeds, motor bicycles, power driven cycles and any homemade vehicles, provided they have a maximum speed of not faster than 35 miles per hour. Motor bicycles on Wisconsin roads must have at least one brake that can stop the bike within 25 feet while going 20 mph. All special vehicles must have a headlight, tail light, horn, muffler and a rear-view mirror. To legally drive during the day, special vehicles must have a service and parking brake as well as a "stop lamp" or brake light and turn signals. The brake light must be red and visible 300 feet from the back. The DOT requires all vehicles designated as "special" to display a marker indicating that it is a slow-moving vehicle.
