Division of Motor Vehicles
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
P.O. Box 7915
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 264-7184 | www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers
Wisconsin State Patrol
Hill Farms State Transportation Building
4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 551
P.O. Box 7912
Madison, WI 53707-7912
(608) 266-3212 | www.dot.wisconsin.gov/statepatrol
Department of Transportation (DOT)
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
P.O. Box 7910
Madison, WI 53707-7910
(608) 442-4615 | www.dot.wisconsin.gov
A certificate of title must be applied for regardless of whether a vehicle is operated on the highways of Wisconsin, if it is a newly acquired vehicle, or if the owner of a vehicle applies for registration of the vehicle but does not hold a valid title in the owner’s name.
Application is made to the DOT and must include: the name and address of the owner; a description of the vehicle, including make and identification number; the date of purchase of the vehicle; the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired, or the signature of the dealer who sold the vehicle if it is a new vehicle being registered for the first time; and the applicant’s social security number.
The DOT will refuse to issue a certificate of title if the applicant has failed to furnish the mileage disclosure form from the most recent titled owner and of all subsequent non-titled owners.
The owner of a vehicle that is being transferred must execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee at the time of delivery of the vehicle and must mail or deliver the certificate to the transferee.
The transferee must promptly execute an application for a new certificate of title once the vehicle has been delivered to him or her.
No transferor may transfer ownership of a motor vehicle without disclosing the vehicle’s mileage in writing to the transferee by specifying the odometer reading.
Mopeds, vehicles that are 10 years old or older, and vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of more than 16,000 lbs. are exempted from the odometer disclosure requirements.
Mobile homes or manufactured homes built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling are exempt from registration.
Application for original and renewal registration is made to DOT, and application forms are available at the county clerk’s office.
Application for original registration must contain the name and birth date of the owner; the name of the town, city, or village in which the owner resides; the owner’s business or residential address; and a description of the vehicle, including make, model, color, and identification number.
An application for registration will not be accepted unless a valid certificate of title has been issued to the applicant.
At least 30 days prior to expiration of the registration, the DOT must mail a notice of renewal and an application form for renewal to the last known address of the registrant.
If the applicant for registration is under age 18, the application must be accompanied by a signed statement from the applicant’s parents or person having legal custody which states the applicant has their consent to register the vehicle.
Whenever a person moves from the address named in the application for registration, or when the person’s name changes, the person has 10 days to notify the DOT in writing of the old and new addresses or names.
There is no period of grace for late registration.
Trailers and camping trailers weighing 3,000 lbs. or less and trailers that are not operated in conjunction with a motor vehicle are exempt from registration.
Any vehicle registered in another state is exempt from the laws of Wisconsin pertaining to registration if the vehicle carries a license plate indicating it has been registered in another state, the vehicle is owned by a non-resident, and the state in which the vehicle is registered accords similar privileges to Wisconsin residents.
If a non-resident moves to Wisconsin or sells or leases his vehicle to a Wisconsin resident, the vehicle becomes immediately subject to Wisconsin’s registration laws. New residents must register their vehicle within 2 days of moving to the state.
Military personnel on active duty in Wisconsin may maintain out-of-state vehicle registration.
Wisconsin follows a staggered registration system.
Following the initial registration of a new vehicle by a retail purchaser, a minimum of 1 model year must elapse before the vehicle is subject to emission inspection once again.
Registration is usually annual or biennial, but may also be done on a quarterly or consecutive monthly basis for certain vehicles.
Motorcycles, mopeds, and farm trucks weighing 12,000 lbs. or less are registered only on a biennial basis.
In Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha counties, all non-exempt vehicles subject to inspection must have the inspection completed at an inspection station not more than 90 days prior to renewal of annual registration. The emissions inspection is initially required during the 2nd year after the vehicle’s model year and every 2 years thereafter.
If a vehicle is more than 5 model years old at the time of an ownership change, the vehicle must be submitted for inspection within 45 days of an ownership change registration issuance, unless the vehicle passed inspection within 180 days prior to the ownership change registration.
OBD is utilized as part of the state emissions inspection process.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for more information.
All vehicles are subject to inspection by any traffic officer or motor vehicle inspector to ensure the vehicle meets emission requirements and to ensure its equipment is in proper adjustment or repair.
Required on salvaged vehicles. One time, $80 fee.
Compulsory spot check frequently conducted by state and local officers for defective or missing equipment. Inspection is required, but no fee is charged for homemade and reconstructed vehicles.
| Automobile | Motorcycle | Duplicates | ||||||
| Title Fee | Registration Fee | Title Fee | Registration Fee | Plate Fee | Registration Fee | Driver’s License Fee | Title Fee | Special Plates |
| $69.50 | $75.00 | $69.50 | $23.00 (biennial fee) | $2.00 – $6.00 | $2.00 | $14.00 | $20.00 | $5.00 – $75.00 |
The DOT issues 2 plates.
The plates must be attached to the front and rear.
License plates are validated by stickers.
Special plates are issued for persons with disabilities, veterans, amateur radio station licensees, and various special groups.
Personalized plates may also be issued upon application.
The color scheme for license plates is blue on white, red on white, and black on white.
If a vehicle being transferred is a motorcycle, a motor home, a motor truck, or a dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck with a GVW of not more than 8,000 lbs., the owner must remove the license plate and keep it for use on another vehicle. If the vehicle being transferred is any other type of vehicle, the plate remains with the vehicle.
Examination includes a knowledge test, including ability to read and understand highway signs, a driving skills demonstration test, and a vision test (20/40 visual acuity required).
State has a system of graduated licensing for teen drivers. Instruction/learner’s permits are issued to persons at least 15 years and 6 months of age who have passed the appropriate knowledge test. During this stage, teens may drive only when supervised by a parent or guardian or a person meeting the requirements of those permitted to travel with the holder of an instruction permit.
At 16, upon successful completion of the permit stage, teens are eligible for an intermediate license. Intermediate license holders may not drive unsupervised between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. and may not transport more than 1 passenger (family members exempted). The intermediate license stage lasts for 9 months.
Enrollment in driver education is required for Wisconsin permit applicants younger than 18. Driver education is required for license applicants younger than 18.
At age 19 teens are eligible for a full unrestricted license.
An application for a license must include the full name and address of the applicant, the applicant’s date of birth, eye color, hair color, sex, height, weight, race, and social security number.
If an applicant is under the age of 18, the application must also include documentary proof that the applicant is enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program, or has graduated from high school or is enrolled in a home-school program. The applicant must also have accumulated at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, including 10 hours of driving during darkness, and the application must be signed by the applicant’s parent, step-parent, or adult sponsor.
A special restricted license may be issued to a person who is at least 14 and physically disabled, or at least 16 years old, and has passed all required examinations. Special restricted licenses are issued only for motor bicycles or mopeds, or specially designed vehicles having a maximum speed of 35 mph. A special restricted license expires 2 years after the date of issuance.
Non-residents who are at least 16 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license from their home jurisdiction need not apply for a Wisconsin driver’s license.
Persons operating a motor home, a vehicle towing a 5th-wheel mobile home, or a single-unit recreational vehicle need not obtain a commercial driver’s license if the vehicle is operated and controlled by the person and is transporting only members of the person’s family, guests, or their personal property.
Licenses must be carried at all times while operating a motor vehicle.
Licenses must include color photograph. Social security number is not required.
A restricted license may be issued to a person under 18 but at least 14 years of age if the DOT is satisfied that it is necessary to allow the applicant to operate a vehicle, the applicant has appeared in person with his or her parent or guardian with a birth certificate showing the applicant to be at least 14 years of age, and the applicant has passed all necessary examinations. A restricted license is valid until the applicant obtains a regular driver’s license or reaches the age of 18 and does not permit operation of any authorized vehicle during the hours of darkness.
All original licenses, reinstated licenses, and probationary licenses expire 2 years from the date of the applicant’s next birthday. All other licenses and license endorsements expire 8 years after the date of issuance.
A renewal photograph must also be taken every 8 years.
The DOT is responsible for mailing an notice of expiration at least 30 days in advance to the licensee’s last known address.
Upon change of address or name, a licensee must apply for a duplicate license within 10 days of the change.
Any license issued to a person on active military duty does not expire. Active duty military licenses expire 30 days after return to Wisconsin or 90 days after discharge from active duty, whichever is earlier. This extension does not apply to military dependents.
Driver’s licenses are separated into the following classes:
Text messaging while driving is prohibited. Drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses may not use a cell or other wireless phone while driving. In Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, drivers are banned from using handheld cell phones.
Citizen band radio channel 9 is monitored for emergency calls. Cell phone number is 911.
No prohibition on wearing of headsets while driving.
State law requires drivers traveling in the same direction and approaching an authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or any road machinery or motor vehicle used in highway construction or maintenance that is displaying flashing lights and parked or standing on or within 12 feet of a roadway, to vacate the lane closest to the stationary vehicle, if safe to do so, and reduce speed.
All passengers in a motor vehicle need to be restrained, either with a seat belt, booster seat or a child seat.
Violation of the seat belt law is a standard offense.
Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck beds is not permitted, except for parades, hunting, farm operations, and employees on duty; some other exceptions apply.
Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 1 and at least 20 lbs.
Then they must ride in a forward-facing child seat until age 4 or they weigh more than 40 lbs. They must then ride in a booster seat until they turn 8, weigh more than 80 lbs., or are taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
Violation of the child restraint law is a standard offense.
The operator of a vehicle must stop at a railroad crossing when a traffic officer or railroad employee signals stop or when a warning device signals stop.
A motor bus transporting passengers, school buses, and any vehicle transporting hazardous materials must stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. Such stop need not be made when a police officer or flagman directs traffic to proceed, or a traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.
Vehicles approaching a school bus from the front or rear that has stopped and is displaying flashing red warning lights, must stop not less than 20 feet from the bus and must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion. This provision does not apply to operators of vehicles proceeding in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
Modification of original vehicle bumper height is permitted 4 inches above or below manufacturer’s specs.
Headlights must be used when visibility is less than 500 feet.
Hazard lights are not permitted except to indicate a traffic hazard or when a hazardous condition is present.
Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.
Studded tires are not permitted, except for authorized emergency vehicles, vehicles used to deliver mail, school buses from November 15 to April 1, and automobiles with out-of-state registration (only if in the course of passing through the state for a period of not more than 30 days).
All glass used for the vent, side, or rear windows must be safety glass. Vent and front side windows may be tinted to a degree that permits 50% of visible light to pass through. Rear windows may be tinted to a degree that permits 35% of visible light to pass through.
No person shall drive any vehicle equipped with any device for visually receiving a television broadcast when such device is located at any point forward of the back of the operator’s seat, or when such device is visible to the operator of the vehicle.
Radar detectors are permitted but are prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
No sticker, other than a certificate or other sticker issued by order of a government agency, may be placed on the front windshield of any motor vehicle. Permitted stickers may not cover more than 15 square inches of glass surface and must be placed in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield.
Motorcycles must be equipped with footrests or pegs such that any passenger can rest his or her feet when the motorcycle is in motion.
Every motorcycle must be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 headlamps. The headlamps on a motorcycle must be in use whenever the motorcycle is in operation. A headlamp modulator is permissible, but may not be used during the hours of darkness.
All motorcycles must be equipped with at least 2 direction signal lamps to the front and 2 direction signal lamps to the rear which must be visible from a distance of 300 feet.
No person who holds an instruction permit or who is under the age of 18 may operate a motorcycle unless the person is wearing protective headgear, and no person may carry a passenger under 18 years of age unless the passenger is wearing protective headgear.
No person may operate a motorcycle without wearing a protective face shield attached to headgear, glasses, or goggles.
It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle if the handgrips are more than 30 inches above the lowest point of the top of the driver’s seat.
Persons under the age of 18 will not be issued a Class M license unless the person has successfully completed an approved basic rider course.
Failure of the driving skills test on 2 previous occasions necessitates successful completion of an approved rider course before a license will be issued.
Motorcycle permits are available and are valid for 6 months. A permit holder may only transport passengers who hold a license endorsed for operation of a motorcycle and have at least 2 years of driving experience. A permit holder may operate a motorcycle during the hours of darkness only when accompanied by such a passenger who is at least 25 years old.
The driving skills test may be waived by persons who hold a motorcycle permit and have completed an approved basic driver course.
No person may operate a motorcycle without a functioning muffler.
Operation of a moped requires possession of a valid operator’s license of any class, or a restricted license, or a special restricted license, for persons age 14 until 18.
It is illegal to transport a passenger on a moped.
A moped instruction permit is available, but holders of such permits may operate a moped only during daylight hours and may not carry any passengers.
Mopeds are required to observe the lighting requirements imposed on motor vehicles and must have at least 1 and not more than 2 headlamps.
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 48 feet; width: 102 inches (excludes mirrors and safety devices); height: 13 feet 6 inches.
Any trailer, semitrailer, or other towed vehicle with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes adequate enough to stop the vehicle.
The drawbar or other connection between 2 vehicles may not exceed 12 feet in length.
In addition to the hitch, every towed vehicle must be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of safety chains, leveling bars, or cables. This provision does not apply to a vehicle equipped with a 5th-wheel and kingpin assembly.
A mobile home, trailer, or semitrailer must be equipped with at least 1 red tail lamp, mounted on the rear that is plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet. If a vehicle was originally equipped with 2 red tail lamps, it is unlawful for such vehicle to be operated or towed unless both tail lamps are in proper working order.
All mobile homes, trailers, and semitrailers sold after January 1, 1968 must be equipped with at least 2 direction signal lamps to the front and 2 direction signal lamps to the rear which must be visible from a distance of 300 feet.
Any trailer having a width at any part of 80 inches must be equipped with 2 amber clearance lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle, 2 red clearance lamps mounted on the rear of the vehicle, and 2 red reflectors mounted on the rear.
It is unlawful to tow or operate any trailer during the hours of darkness if not equipped with 1 red reflector on each side of the rear of the trailer.
Any vehicle must be equipped with a mirror or mirrors sufficient to reflect to the operator a view of the roadway for a distance of 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Same as for passenger cars.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle towing a 5th-wheel mobile home when any person under the age of 12 is in the 5th-wheel mobile home, unless that person is accompanied by at least 1 person who is at least 16 years old. It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle towing a 5th-wheel mobile home while passengers are in the 5th-wheel mobile home unless there is a 2-way communication device capable of providing voice communications between the operator of the motor vehicle and the occupants of the 5th-wheel mobile home.
No vehicle with a load or fixture which extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle may be operated during the hours of darkness unless a red light or lantern, visible from a distance of 500 feet, is displayed on the extreme rear of the load or fixture. When such vehicle is operated at a time other than during the hours of darkness, a red flag not less than 12 inches square must be displayed on the extreme rear of the load or fixture.
A motor vehicle may be towed without being equipped with brakes if the GVW of the towed vehicle is not more than 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle and the towing vehicle has brakes adequate enough to stop the combination of vehicles.
It is unlawful for a single vehicle to tow more than 1 vehicle unless the vehicles are being towed by the drive-away method and their overall length does not exceed 65 feet.
Crashes are required to be reported when property damage exceeds $1000.00.
The deadline to file a report is one day.
State has mandatory recognition of AAA and other arrest bond certificates up to $200 or $1000 trucking violations with specified exceptions.
State has security-type law applicable in event of accident causing property damage in excess of $1,000 or personal injury or death.
Minimum financial responsibility limits: $25,000/$50,000/$10,000. Noncompliance could result in revocation of operating/registration privileges.
State has non-resident service of process law; it does not have guest suit law.
Trucks over 8,000 pounds gross vehicle weight must stop.
There is no law for bicycle helmets.
Drivers passing a bicycle must pass with a space of 3 feet between the motor vehicle and the bicycle.
Wisconsin is not party to the Non-resident Violator Compact.
