Drivers & Vehicles > Vehicles > Personalized and special license plates >

Personalized license plates

Vehicles that qualify:

• Automobile
• Motor home (annual registration only)
• Motorcycle
• Truck
  • 4,500, 6,000 or 8,000 pound gross weight including dual purpose farm and dual purpose motor home
  • 12,000 pound gross weight farm truck

Things you should know:

• DMV customer service centers accept cash or checks only. Credit cards are accepted for online and phone transactions.
• A $15 personalized plate fee is required EACH year in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
• Personalized license plates for motorcycles or farm trucks, which are renewed biennially, cost an additional $15 for EACH year of registration ($30 total).
• If your request has already been issued to someone else, it will be denied.
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) may refuse to issue OR may recall after issuance, a request which that is misleading or may be offensive to good taste or decency.
• No refund or adjustment will be made for a change of choice or spacing after the plate has been ordered, or if the application is incorrectly or unclearly completed.
• Allow approximately 4-6 weeks for the plates to be manufactured after you have received your Certificate of Registration.

How to apply:

1. Print clearly and sign the application form MV2428
2. Choose 1-7 characters (except for a motorcycle plate choose 1-5 characters).
3. Use capital letters or numbers.
4. Provide the meaning of your request, i.e., what does this represent?
5. Make check or money order payable to: Registration Fee Trust
6. Complete the vehicle information on form MV2428   if you want to have these plates ordered (not just reserved) at this time. If your plates are expiring within the next three months, also send the annual/biennial registration fee.
7. If you just want to reserve a personalized plate message, complete the application, but omit the vehicle information and check Reserve Only Box. Send the application and $15. You will receive a confirmation notice with further instructions.
8. Mail with payment to:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Special Plates Unit
P.O. Box 7911
Madison WI 53707-7911

Temporary plates required

To legally operate your vehicle, you must display license plates within two business days of purchase. If you do not have current plates, apply to a DMV customer center or an agent authorized by DMV to obtain a temporary plate while your personalized plate order is processed. An agent will charge a $3 plate fee and/or a service fee up to $5.

Changing from personalized to standard plates

If you later decide to re-register with standard license plates, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with a request for standard plates. Include the regular registration fee if your plates will expire within the next three months. Subtract $15 from your annual personalized plate renewal fee if you are sending the change request  with the renewal notice.

If you are checking to see if possible plate choices are available, provide the vehicle information also.

If you have questions:

• E-mail: special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
• Call: (608) 266-3041 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Fax: (608) 267-5106
• Write to the address above

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Questions about the content of this page:
Special Plates Unit, special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: December 18, 2007