The Insurance Suspension
Wis. Stat. 344.62 — a policy in effect and proof in hand, and Wis. Stat. 344.65 — forfeitures, with no stop for that alone
Two requirements. No person may operate a motor vehicle on a highway unless the owner or operator has a motor vehicle liability policy in effect for it, and the operator has proof of that in immediate possession and displays it on demand from a traffic officer.
The phone. Proof may be shown in printed or electronic form, including on a cellular telephone. The officer may not view any other content on the device, and showing it is not consent to do so.
| Violation | Forfeiture |
|---|---|
| ViolationNo policy in effect | ForfeitureNot more than $500 |
| ViolationNo proof in possession | Forfeiture$10 |
Proof afterward. No person charged with not having proof may be convicted if they produce proof that a policy was in effect when the citation was issued, either at the court appearance or at the office of the officer who issued it.
Not a reason to stop. A traffic officer may not stop or inspect a vehicle solely to determine compliance, and may not take a person into physical custody solely for a violation, though a citation may be issued for one observed in a stop made for other purposes.
How much coverage the law requires, and anything more that reinstatement takes, are set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a particular charge applies is a question for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Wis. Stat. 344.62 — Motor vehicle liability insurance required
- Wis. Stat. 344.65 — Forfeitures for no insurance and no proof, and no stop for that alone
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.