Permits_Content Page_Wisconsin Boat Dealer

Wisconsin Boat Dealer

Wisconsin dealers who acquire a new or used boat and hold it for resale are not required to send a certificate of title or application for certificate of title to the department [s. 30.541(1) Wis. Stats.] Wisconsin dealers must apply for a certificate of number and registration if the boat is going to be used for demonstration and test purposes.

Boats used for demonstration or test purposes must be covered by a certificate number and registration.

If a boat held by a Wisconsin dealer is going to the operated in the waters of the state for demonstration or test purposes, the boat must be covered by registration and certificate of number. The dealer may apply for an individual registration and certificate of number [ss. 30.51(1) and 30.531, Wis. Stats] or “dealer registration” at a flat $75 manufacturer and dealer fee for all boats held for resale [s.30.52(3)(im), Wis.Stats; s.NR 5.04(3),Admin. Code.] One registration number is provided per $75 fee. The dealer must have the quantity of registration numbers that they will have on the water at one time.

Who may qualify for the dealer and manufacturer registration fee?

Any person engaged wholly or in part in the business of selling or distributing boats to customers for profit or commission and who has made a substantial financial investment in the business. [s. NR 5.001(3), Wis. Admin. Code]

What is demonstration and test?

Demonstration. Demonstration means the showing of a boat, a boat motor or boat trailer to a specific customer in an effort to sell or show the operation of the boat, boat motor or boat trailer to a specific customer in an effort to sell or show the operation of the boat, boat motor or boat trailer with a paid employee of the manufacturer of dealer either operating or accompanying the operator. [s. NR 5.001(4), Wis. Admin. Code]

Test. Test means an examination of a boat, boat motor or boat trailer for the specific purpose of determining the worthiness of the item conducted by a paid employee of a boat dealer or manufacturer. [s. NR 5.001 (16), Wis. Admin. Code]

Boats used exclusively for advertisement are exempt from certificate of number fees.

If a boat is present in this state and used exclusively as part of an advertisement made by the manufacturer, the boat is exempt from certificate of number fee [s. 30.52(3g), Wis. Stats.]

Any person who intends to use a boat exclusively as part of an advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the boat may apply for a free certificate of number for the boat. [s. NR 5.01 (5), Wis. Admin. Code]. Please contact the department for more information.