Hobbyist license plates

street-modified vehicles at least 20 years old
replica of a vehicle at least 20 years old
reconstructed vehicles at least 20 years old
motorized homemade vehicles (homemade motorcycles must replicate a cycle at least 20 years old.)

Hobbyist registrations differ from collector registrations, which are available for vehicles 20 years old or older that have not been altered or modified from the manufacturer's specifications. Hobbyist license numbers are assigned to the owner for a lifetime. Registration does not expire. A letter suffix is added to the number (i.e., 1A, etc.) for subsequent hobbyist vehicles owned by the same person. Hobbyist plates CANNOT be personalized.

Types of hobbyist vehicles:

Street modified vehicles

Must be at least 20 years old.
May be modified from the original manufacturer's specifications.
Can still be recognized as the original year and make.
Are typically known as "hot rods" or "street rods."

Replica vehicles

Are reproductions of vehicles originally made by another manufacturer.
Must replicate a vehicle at least 20 years old.
May be a "kit car."
May need to have form MV2855 completed.

Reconstructed vehicles

Must be constructed from a vehicle at least 20 years old.
Must no longer be recognizable as the original vehicle.
Must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer. An appointment for the inspection must be made in advance.
Application materials must include bills of sale for all major parts used in the construction of the vehicle.

Motorized homemade vehicles

Homemade motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, qualify for Hobbyist plates.
Vehicle must have been constructed from new or used parts not originating from or resembling a previously manufactured motor vehicle.
Homemade motorcycles that replicate a cycle at least 20 years old.
Vehicle must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer. An appointment for the inspection must be made in advance.
Application materials must include bills of sale for all major parts used in the construction of the vehicle.

Things you should know:

Owners of a hobbyist vehicle must have at least one other vehicle used for regular transportation and currently registered in Wisconsin under the same name(s) as the hobbyist vehicle.
Truck type vehicles and motor homes with Hobbyist plates cannot haul more than 500 pounds.
Hobbyist plates do not expire for as long as you own the hobbyist vehicle.
Hobbyist vehicles cannot be operated during January unless a temporary operation plate is purchased. A five-consecutive-day plate may be purchased by sending form MV2750 with the correct fee to the address provided on the form.
For second and subsequent Hobbyist plates, allow approximately 4-6 weeks for the manufacturing process after the new Certificate of Registration has been issued.
WisDOT is unable to issue temporary plates for your Hobbyist vehicle while the application is being processed.

How to apply

Complete and sign the Hobbyist Registration Application form MV2388 ; print clearly. Check the type of hobbyist vehicle on Page 1.
If the vehicle is NOT titled in your name, send a completed Title Application MV1 (313 KB) or MV11, the appropriate fees and all application materials to the address below. If the vehicle is NOT currently registered, or is not designated as a Hobbyist vehicle type, you must send the original title (we are unable to accept a photocopy) and all application materials to the address below:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Research and Information
P.O. Box 8070
Madison WI 53708-8070

If the vehicle that you wish to register with Hobbyist plates is already titled and registered in your name in Wisconsin and is designated as a Hobbyist vehicle type, you may send a copy of the Certificate of Registration and all application materials to:

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

Hobbyist plate applications can only be processed by mailing to one of the addresses listed above.

Registration fees

Vehicle type	Gross weight*	First plate	Second and subsequent plate or transfer from a vehicle you no longer own
Automobile		$200	$150
Truck	4,500	$200	$150
	6,000	$218	$168
	8,000 and over	$262	$212
Motor home	5,000	$147	$97
	8,000 and over	$160	$110
Motorcycle/moped		$73	$23

*Weight: To determine the approximate weight, use the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of gas and equipment normally on the vehicle. The weight does not include the weight of a camper, lid or cap that is mounted on the truck or the weight of any persons or pets riding within the driver's compartment.

Release of information

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) uses the information on form MV2388 to issue Hobbyist license plates. Under open records laws, the department must make nonexempt information available upon request. If you want your name and address withheld from mailing lists of 10 or more individuals, complete page 2 of form MV2388.

WisDOT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you have questions: