How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Wisconsin in 2026
Wisconsin provides multiple options for terminating vehicle registration through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Residents may complete registration cancellation transactions by mail, in person at any DMV service center, or through authorized third-party service providers. The state does not currently offer an online portal for registration cancellation processing.
Terminating your registration removes your vehicle's legal authority to operate on Wisconsin roadways. When you sell, junk, or permanently remove a vehicle from operation, you must immediately destroy the license plates by cutting them up, ensuring they cannot be used by another person.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Various circumstances require attention to your Wisconsin vehicle registration status:
- Completing a private sale or dealership transaction
- Gifting your vehicle to a family member or charitable organization
- Relocating your permanent residence outside Wisconsin
- Returning a leased vehicle to the lessor
- Disposing of your vehicle at a salvage yard or recycling facility
- Receiving a total loss determination from your insurance carrier
- Reporting your vehicle stolen to law enforcement
- Maintaining a vehicle in long-term storage without insurance coverage
- Transferring ownership through estate settlement procedures
- Permanently removing your vehicle from operational service
- Deploying for military service requiring extended vehicle storage
- Exporting your vehicle to another country
License Plate Disposal and Cancellation Process
Wisconsin requires specific actions regarding license plates when you sell, junk, or remove your vehicle from operation. Anyone who sells a motor vehicle and/or transfers a junk vehicle by bill of sale must notify the DMV within 30 days. This can be done online through the WisDOT portal.
Standard Plate Disposal for Sold or Junked Vehicles
Never leave license plates on an automobile or light truck (8,000 pounds or under) when selling or junking the vehicle. You must destroy the plates by cutting them up if you will not transfer them to another vehicle you own.
The DMV recommends cutting license plates into multiple pieces to ensure they cannot be reassembled. Once destroyed, dispose of the plate pieces with your regular trash or metal recycling. Do not mail destroyed plates to the DMV unless you are completing a specific cancellation application.
License Plates Cancellation Application
If you left plates on your vehicle when you sold it and have concerns about potential liability, complete Form MV2514 License Plates Cancellation Application. This form notifies the DMV to cancel the plates in their records.
Situations Requiring Form MV2514:
- Plates stolen from your vehicle or property
- Plates destroyed but you want formal DMV record notation
- Plates left on vehicle when sold
- Plates still in your possession but no longer in use
Required Information:
- Vehicle year and make
- License plate number
- Vehicle identification number (17-character VIN)
- Plate disposition status (stolen, destroyed, left on sold vehicle, or still in possession)
- Plate owner name, address, and telephone number
- Signatures of all plate owners listed on registration
Mailing Address:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 7911
Madison, WI 53707-7911
The DMV processes license plate cancellation applications and updates vehicle records to reflect the plate status. You may still receive renewal notices when plates expire if you transferred them to another vehicle—you can disregard these notices.
Transferring Plates to Another Vehicle
When you sell, junk, or remove a vehicle from operation, you may transfer most valid license plates to another vehicle of the same type registered to you, your spouse, or domestic partner. Plate transfers from one to another or from a pickup truck to another of the same weight do not require fees, and the registration period remains the same. This option allows you to use the remaining registration value rather than destroying functional plates.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
Wisconsin Statutes § 341.33 establishes limited circumstances for refunding registration fees. Wisconsin does not provide refunds for registration fees after the new registration period begins, even if you sell, junk, or move out of Wisconsin during the registration period.
Refund Eligibility
The DMV issues refunds only when requested before the registration period begins:
Annual, Quarterly, or Consecutive Monthly Registration: Refund of fees paid is only possible if requested before the beginning of the registration period. If you renew your license plates and later dispose of the vehicle by selling or junking it, or move out of Wisconsin after the new registration period begins, the DMV cannot refund the unused portion of the registration fee.
Biennial Registration: For vehicles registered on a biennial basis (motorcycles and 12,000-pound farm plates), the DMV may refund 50 percent of the registration fee for the second year if requested before the beginning of the second year. You must provide proof that you transferred your interest in the vehicle, terminated leasing the vehicle, or will not operate the vehicle in Wisconsin after the beginning of the second year.
Military Service Refunds: The DMV refunds the unused portion of registration fees for vehicle owners entering active military service or U.S. foreign service. The refund calculation is based on one-twelfth of the annual registration fee or one twenty-fourth of the biennial registration fee multiplied by the number of full months remaining in the registration period when the vehicle ceases operation.
Refund Application Process
Step 1: Determine Eligibility Timing
Confirm your request falls within the eligible timeframes. Refunds are not available after the registration period has begun unless you meet specific military service criteria.
Step 2: Complete Refund Application
Download and complete Form MV2030 - License Plate/Registration Refund Request from the Wisconsin DMV website. Your application must include:
- Completed Form MV2030
- Original Certificate of Vehicle Registration
- Year sticker from license plate
- Proof of eligibility for refund
- For military service: documentation of active service orders
Step 3: Mail Application
Send your completed application with required materials to the address listed below. Processing addresses varies depending on registration category.
Auto and light truck plate refund requests:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 7911
Madison, WI 53707-7911
Other plate refund requests:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 8070
Madison, WI 53708-8070
Step 4: DMV Review and Payment
The DMV reviews all refund applications for compliance with statutory requirements. Approved refunds are processed within four to six weeks of receipt. The department issues refund payments by check, mailed to your address on record.
Wheel Tax Refund Information
Terminating your registration does not automatically generate refunds of county or municipal wheel taxes assessed on your vehicle. Wisconsin counties and municipalities impose wheel taxes under Wisconsin Statutes § 341.35 as additional registration fees separate from state registration fees.
Refund Eligibility Requirements
Contact your county treasurer's office to determine if local wheel tax refunds are available. Eligibility requirements vary by jurisdiction, but generally include:
- Relocating your permanent residence outside Wisconsin
- Transferring vehicle ownership through sale or donation
- Registering the vehicle in another state
- Reporting the vehicle stolen to law enforcement
- Disposing of the vehicle at a salvage facility
You typically do not qualify for wheel tax refunds if you cancel registration while retaining vehicle ownership within Wisconsin or relocate to another Wisconsin county.
Refund Application Procedure
Contact your county treasurer's office to request wheel tax refund application forms and instructions. Each county administers its own refund procedures. Provide documentation including:
- Copy of vehicle title showing transfer of ownership
- Bill of sale or disposal receipt
- Out-of-state registration certificate if applicable
- Police report for stolen vehicle claims
- Proof of residency change documentation
Application deadlines vary by jurisdiction. Most counties require submission within sixty to ninety days of registration cancellation or vehicle disposal. Some municipalities may have different timeframes or procedures.
Governing Laws and Regulations
Wisconsin vehicle registration cancellation procedures are established through state statutes and administrative regulations:
- Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 341 governs vehicle registration procedures, including registration requirements, fees, and plate disposition requirements throughout Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Statutes § 341.33 establishes circumstances under which the Department of Transportation may refund registration fees, including limitations on refund eligibility and calculation methods
- Wisconsin Statutes § 341.35 authorizes counties and municipalities to impose wheel taxes as additional vehicle registration fees and establishes collection and remittance procedures
Government Agencies
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 7911, Madison, WI 53707-7911
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
DMV Service Centers in Major Cities
Wisconsin operates full-service DMV customer service centers throughout the state. The following locations serve major population centers:
Milwaukee Southwest DMV Service Center
5500 West Grange Avenue, Greendale, WI 53129
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Southwest DMV Service Center
Madison East DMV Service Center
2001 Bartillon Drive, Madison, WI 53704
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Madison East DMV Service Center
Green Bay DMV Service Center
942 Vanderperren Way, Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Green Bay DMV Service Center
Appleton DMV Service Center
711 W. Association Drive, Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Appleton DMV Service Center
Waukesha DMV Service Center
2019 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Waukesha DMV Service Center
Racine DMV Service Center
9531 Rayne Road, Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Racine DMV Service Center
Eau Claire DMV Service Center
3115 Melby Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Eau Claire DMV Service Center
La Crosse DMV Service Center
9477 Hwy 16 East, Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: La Crosse DMV Service Center
Wausau DMV Service Center
225051 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Wausau DMV Service Center
Milwaukee Northwest DMV Service Center
7301 W. Mill Road, Milwaukee, WI 53218
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Northwest DMV Service Center
