Wis. Stat. § 343.305 — WI Code / Chapter 343 / Section 343.305
Tests for intoxication; administrative suspension and court-ordered revocation.
Status: in_force

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(b) “Drive” means the exercise of physical control over the speed and direction of a motor vehicle while it is in motion.

(c) “Operate” means the physical manipulation or activation of any of the controls of a motor vehicle necessary to put it in motion.

(2) Implied consent. Any person who is on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle or drives or operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state, or in those areas enumerated in s. 346.61 , is deemed to have given consent to one or more tests of his or her breath, blood or urine, for the purpose of determining the presence or quantity in his or her blood or breath, of alcohol, controlled substances, controlled substance analogs or other drugs, or any combination of alcohol, controlled substances, controlled substance analogs and other drugs, when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer under sub. (3) (a) or (am) . Any such tests shall be administered upon the request of a law enforcement officer. The law enforcement agency by which the officer is employed shall be prepared to administer, either at its agency or any other agency or facility, 2 of the 3 tests under sub. (3) (a) or (am) and may designate which of the tests shall be administered first.

(3) Request for tests.

(a) Upon arrest of a person for violation of s. 346.63 (1) , (2m) or (5) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith, or for a violation of s. 346.63 (2) or (6) or 940.25 , or s. 940.09 where the offense involved the use of a vehicle, a law enforcement officer may request the person to provide one or more samples of his or her breath, blood or urine for the purpose specified under sub. (2) . Compliance with a request for one type of sample does not bar a subsequent request for a different type of sample.

(am) Prior to arrest, a law enforcement officer may request the person to provide one or more samples of his or her breath, blood or urine for the purpose specified under sub. (2) whenever a law enforcement officer detects any presence of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or other drug, or a combination thereof, on a person driving or operating or on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle or has reason to believe the person is violating or has violated s. 346.63 (7) . Compliance with a request for one type of sample does not bar a subsequent request for a different type of sample. For the purposes of this paragraph, “law enforcement officer” includes inspectors in the performance of duties under s. 110.07 (3) .

(c) This section does not limit the right of a law enforcement officer to obtain evidence by any other lawful means.

(4) Information. At the time that a chemical test specimen is requested under sub. (3) (a) or (am) , the law enforcement officer shall read the following to the person from whom the test specimen is requested:

(5) Administering the test; additional tests.

(a) If the person submits to a test under this section, the officer shall direct the administering of the test. A blood test is subject to par. (b) . The person who submits to the test is permitted, upon his or her request, the alternative test provided by the agency under sub. (2) or, at his or her own expense, reasonable opportunity to have any qualified person of his or her own choosing administer a chemical test for the purpose specified under sub. (2) . If the person has not been requested to provide a sample for a test under sub. (3) (a) or (am) , the person may request a breath test to be administered by the agency or, at his or her own expense, reasonable opportunity to have any qualified person administer any test specified under sub. (3) (a) or (am) . The failure or inability of a person to obtain a test at his or her own expense does not preclude the admission of evidence of the results of any test administered under sub. (3) (a) or (am) . If a person requests the agency to administer a breath test and if the agency is unable to perform that test, the person may request the agency to perform a test under sub. (3) (a) or (am) that it is able to perform. The agency shall comply with a request made in accordance with this paragraph.

(b) Blood may be withdrawn from the person arrested for violation of s. 346.63 (1) , (2) , (2m) , (5) , or (6) or 940.25 , or s. 940.09 where the offense involved the use of a vehicle, or a local ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) , (2m) , or (5) , or as provided in sub. (3) (am) to determine the presence or quantity of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog, or any other drug, or any combination of alcohol, controlled substance, controlled substance analog, and any other drug in the blood only by a physician, registered nurse, medical technologist, physician assistant, phlebotomist, or other medical professional who is authorized to draw blood, or person acting under the direction of a physician.

(c) A person acting under par. (b) , the employer of any such person and any hospital where blood is withdrawn by any such person have immunity from civil or criminal liability under s. 895.53 .

(d) At the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of the acts committed by a person alleged to have been driving or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or any other drug, or under the influence of any combination of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog and any other drug, to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safely driving, or under the combined influence of an intoxicant and any other drug to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safely driving, or having a prohibited alcohol concentration, or alleged to have been driving or operating or on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration above 0.0 or possessing an intoxicating beverage, regardless of its alcohol content, or within 4 hours of having consumed or having been under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, regardless of its alcohol content, or of having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more, the results of a test administered in accordance with this section are admissible on the issue of whether the person was under the influence of an intoxicant, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or any other drug, or under the influence of any combination of alcohol, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog and any other drug, to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safely driving or under the combined influence of an intoxicant and any other drug to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safely driving or any issue relating to the person’s alcohol concentration. Test results shall be given the effect required under s. 885.235 .

(e) At the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of the acts committed by a person alleged to have been driving or operating a motor vehicle while having a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood, the results of a blood test administered in accordance with this section are admissible on any issue relating to the presence of a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in the person’s blood. Test results shall be given the effect required under s. 885.235 .

(6) Requirements for tests.

(a) Chemical analyses of blood or urine to be considered valid under this section shall have been performed substantially according to methods approved by the laboratory of hygiene and by an individual possessing a valid permit to perform the analyses issued by the department of health services. The department of health services shall approve laboratories for the purpose of performing chemical analyses of blood or urine for alcohol, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs and shall develop and administer a program for regular monitoring of the laboratories. A list of approved laboratories shall be provided to all law enforcement agencies in the state. Urine specimens are to be collected by methods specified by the laboratory of hygiene. The laboratory of hygiene shall furnish an ample supply of urine and blood specimen containers to permit all law enforcement officers to comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) The department of transportation shall approve techniques or methods of performing chemical analysis of the breath and shall:

1. Approve training manuals and courses throughout the state for the training of law enforcement officers in the chemical analysis of a person’s breath;

2. Certify the qualifications and competence of individuals to conduct the analysis;

3. Have trained technicians, approved by the secretary, test and certify the accuracy of the equipment to be used by law enforcement officers for chemical analysis of a person’s breath under sub. (3) (a) or (am) before regular use of the equipment and periodically thereafter at intervals of not more than 120 days; and

4. Issue permits to individuals according to their qualifications.

(bm) Any relevant instruction, as defined in s. 440.075 (1) , that an applicant for an approval, certification, or permit under par. (b) has obtained in connection with any military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g) , counts toward satisfying any requirement for instruction for an approval, certification, or permit under par. (b) if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department of transportation that the instruction obtained by the applicant is substantially equivalent to the instruction required for the approval, certificate, or permit under par. (b) .

(c) For purposes of this section, if a breath test is administered using an infrared breath-testing instrument:

1. The test shall consist of analyses in the following sequence: one adequate breath sample analysis, one calibration standard analysis, and a 2nd, adequate breath sample analysis.

2. A sample is adequate if the instrument analyzes the sample and does not indicate the sample is deficient.

3. Failure of a person to provide 2 separate, adequate breath samples in the proper sequence constitutes a refusal.

(d) The department of transportation may promulgate rules pertaining to the calibration and testing of preliminary breath screening test devices.

(e)

1. In this paragraph, “licensor” means the department of health services or, with respect to permits issued under par. (b) 4. , the department of transportation.

2. In addition to any other information required by the licensor, an application for a permit or laboratory approval under this subsection shall include the following:

a. Except as provided in subd. 2. am. , in the case of an individual, the individual’s social security number.

am. In the case of an individual who does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A permit or approval that is issued or renewed under this section in reliance on a statement submitted under this subd. 2. am. is invalid if the statement is false.

b. In the case of a person who is not an individual, the person’s federal employer identification number.

3.

a. The licensor shall deny an application for the issuance or, if applicable, renewal of a permit or laboratory approval if the information required under subd. 2. a. , am. or b. is not included in the application.

b. The licensor may not disclose any information received under subd. 2. a. or b. except to the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22 , the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 , and the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 .

4. A permit under this subsection shall be denied, restricted, limited or suspended if the applicant or licensee is an individual who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 .

5. If the licensor is the department of health services, the department of health services shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a permit or laboratory approval, or revoke a permit or laboratory approval already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or holder of the permit or laboratory approval is liable for delinquent taxes. An applicant for whom a permit or laboratory approval is not issued or renewed, or an individual or laboratory whose permit or laboratory approval is revoked, under this subdivision for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this subsection.

6. If the licensor is the department of health services, the department of health services shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a permit or laboratory approval, or revoke a permit or laboratory approval already issued, if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or holder of the permit or laboratory approval is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. An applicant for whom a permit or laboratory approval is not issued or renewed, or an individual or laboratory whose permit or laboratory approval is revoked, under this subdivision for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions is entitled to a notice under s. 108.227 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this subsection.

(7) Chemical test; administrative suspension.

(a) If a person submits to chemical testing administered in accordance with this section and any test results indicate the presence of a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in the person’s blood or a prohibited alcohol concentration, the law enforcement officer shall report the results to the department. The person’s operating privilege is administratively suspended for 6 months.

(b) If a person who was driving or operating or on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle submits to chemical testing administered in accordance with this section and any test results indicate an alcohol concentration above 0.0, the law enforcement officer shall issue a citation for violation of s. 346.63 (7) (a) 1. , issue citations for such other violations as may apply and issue an out-of-service order to the person for the 24 hours after the testing, and report both the out-of-service order and the test results to the department in the manner prescribed by the department. If the person is a nonresident, the department shall report issuance of the out-of-service order to the driver licensing agency in the person’s home jurisdiction.

(8) Chemical test; administrative suspension; administrative and judicial review.

(a) The law enforcement officer shall notify the person of the administrative suspension under sub. (7) (a) . The notice shall advise the person that his or her operating privilege will be administratively suspended and that he or she has the right to obtain administrative and judicial review under this subsection. This notice of administrative suspension serves as a 30-day temporary license. An administrative suspension under sub. (7) (a) becomes effective at the time the 30-day temporary license expires. The officer shall submit or mail a copy of the notice to the department.

(am) The law enforcement officer shall provide the person with a separate form for the person to use to request the administrative review under this subsection. The form shall clearly indicate how to request an administrative review and shall clearly notify the person that this form must be submitted within 10 days from the notice date indicated on the form or the person’s hearing rights will be deemed waived. The form shall, in no less than 16-point boldface type, be titled: IMPORTANT NOTICE — RESPOND WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS.

(b)

1. Within 10 days after the notification under par. (a) , or, if the notification is by mail, within 13 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the date of the mailing, the person may request, in writing, that the department review the administrative suspension. The review procedure is not subject to ch. 227 . Unless the hearing is by remote communication mechanism or record review, the department shall hold the hearing on the matter in the county in which the offense allegedly occurred or at the nearest office of the department if the offense allegedly occurred in a county in which the department does not maintain an office. The department, upon request of the person, may conduct a hearing under this paragraph by telephone, video conference, or other remote communication mechanism or by review of only the record submitted by the arresting officer and written arguments. The department shall hold a hearing regarding the administrative suspension within 30 days after the date of notification under par. (a) . The person may present evidence and may be represented by counsel. The arresting officer need not appear at the administrative hearing unless subpoenaed under s. 805.07 and need not appear in person at a hearing conducted by remote communication mechanism or record review, but he or she must submit a copy of his or her report and the results of the chemical test to the hearing examiner.

2. The administrative hearing under this paragraph is limited to the following issues:

a. The correct identity of the person.

b. Whether the person was informed of the options regarding tests under this section as required under sub. (4) .

bm. Whether the person had a prohibited alcohol concentration or a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood at the time the offense allegedly occurred.

c. Whether one or more tests were administered in accordance with this section.

d. If one or more tests were administered in accordance with this section, whether each of the test results for those tests indicate the person had a prohibited alcohol concentration or a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood.