How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Wisconsin From Out of State
Persons establishing Wisconsin residence must transfer vehicle registration and obtain Wisconsin license plates. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles administers all vehicle registration, title issuance, and fee collection throughout the state's 72 counties.
Base Registration and Title Fees
Wisconsin imposes multiple fees for transferring out-of-state vehicle registrations, with charges based on vehicle classification, weight, and operational characteristics. Fee structures are established under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 341, which governs motor vehicle registration requirements.
Vehicle Registration Fees
Annual registration fees vary according to vehicle type and specifications, as implemented by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles.
Standard Vehicle Registration Fees (Annual)
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile | $85.00 | Annual |
| Motorcycle and Mopeds | $23.00 | Biennial (2 years) |
| Autocycle | $45.00 | Annual |
| Recreational Vehicle Trailer | $15.00 | Annual |
| Special Design Vehicle | $5.00 | Annual |
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Surcharges (Additional Annual Fees)
| Vehicle Type | Additional Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric Vehicle | $75.00 |
| Electric Vehicle | $175.00 |
Light Commercial Vehicles (Annual)
| Gross Weight | Truck/Bus | Trailer | Truck Tractor | Motor Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4,500 lbs | $100.00 | $50.00 | N/A | $18.00 |
| Up to 6,000 lbs | $100.00 | $50.00 | $118.00 | N/A |
| Up to 8,000 lbs | $116.60 | $58.30 | $134.60 | $55.00 |
| Up to 10,000 lbs | $170.50 | $85.25 | $188.50 | N/A |
| Up to 12,000 lbs | $229.90 | $114.95 | $247.90 | $67.50 |
Medium Commercial Vehicles (Annual)
| Gross Weight | Truck/Bus | Truck Tractor | Motor Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16,000 lbs | $311.30 | $311.30 | $329.30 |
| 20,000 lbs | $391.60 | $391.60 | $409.60 |
| 26,000 lbs | $522.50 | $522.50 | $540.50 |
| 32,000 lbs | $669.90 | $669.90 | $687.90 |
| 38,000 lbs | $849.20 | $849.20 | $867.20 |
Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Annual)
| Gross Weight | Truck/Bus | Truck Tractor | Motor Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44,000 lbs | $1,013.10 | $1,013.10 | $1,031.10 |
| 50,000 lbs | $1,169.30 | $1,169.30 | $1,187.30 |
| 56,000 lbs | $1,329.90 | $1,329.90 | $1,347.90 |
| 68,000 lbs | $1,697.30 | $1,543.00 | $1,715.30 |
| 76,000 lbs | $2,289.10 | $2,081.00 | $2,307.10 |
| 80,000 lbs | $2,816.00 | $2,560.00 | $2,834.00 |
Farm Vehicle Registration Fees (Annual)
| Gross Weight | Farm Truck | Farm Trailer | Farm Truck Tractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,001 - 16,000 lbs | $45.00 - $77.83 | $29.15 - $77.83 | $43.00 - $95.83 |
| 16,001 - 32,000 lbs | $97.90 - $167.48 | $97.90 - $167.48 | $115.90 - $185.48 |
| 32,001 - 56,000 lbs | $212.30 - $322.48 | $212.30 - $332.48 | $230.30 - $350.48 |
| 56,001 - 80,000 lbs | $375.93 - $704.00 | $375.93 - $704.00 | $393.93 - $722.00 |
Important Notes:
- Alternative fuel surcharges apply to automobiles and trucks 8,000 lbs or less
- Farm truck registration at 12,000 lbs gross weight is biennial
- Motor truck and trailer fees based on gross weight including load
- Truck tractor fees based on combined unit weight (tractor + semi-trailer + load)
Certificate of Title Fees
Wisconsin requires a certificate of title for ownership transfer documentation, as governed by Wisconsin Statutes §342.15.
Title Transaction Fees:
| Transaction Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Original Title or Title Transfer | $214.50 |
| Original Title or Title Transfer (low-speed vehicle) | $207.00 |
| Title Replacement | $20.00 |
| Lien (New listing) | $10.00 |
Municipal Wheel Tax
Certain Wisconsin municipalities impose a wheel tax collected concurrently with vehicle registration. The wheel tax amount varies by jurisdiction and applies to automobiles and trucks weighing 8,000 pounds or less.
Wheel Tax Range:
| Fee Type | Amount Range |
|---|---|
| Wheel Tax (varies by municipality) | $0 - $40.00 |
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Wisconsin imposes sales and use taxes on vehicle acquisitions, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue in coordination with the Department of Transportation for registration transactions.
State Sales and Use Tax
The state sales tax rate applicable to motor vehicle purchases is 5% of the purchase price.
Vehicle Sales Tax Rate:
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| State Sales Tax | 5.0% |
| State Use Tax | 5.0% |
County Sales Tax
Wisconsin counties may impose additional sales tax ranging from 0.5% to 0.9%, collected in addition to the state rate.
County Sales Tax Rates:
| Jurisdiction | Additional County Tax |
|---|---|
| Most Wisconsin Counties | 0.5% |
| Milwaukee County | 0.9% |
The combined state and county sales tax rate typically ranges from 5.5% to 5.9%, depending on the county of residence.
New Resident Sales Tax Exemption
Individuals who owned and titled their vehicle in another state for 90 days or more before establishing Wisconsin residency may qualify for a sales tax exemption. Qualifying residents should indicate a purchase price of $0.00 on the title application and provide documentation in the tax exemption section.
Vehicle Inspection Requirements and Fees
Wisconsin mandates emissions testing for certain vehicles registered in designated southeastern counties. Safety inspections are not required for standard passenger vehicles.
Emissions Testing Program
The Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program requires emissions testing for vehicles registered in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha.
Emissions Testing Fees:
The emissions test itself is provided at no charge to vehicle owners. However, individuals utilizing the registration renewal service at emissions testing facilities incur a processing fee.
| Service Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Emissions Test (at authorized station) | No Charge |
| Registration Renewal Processing at Test Station | $16.25 |
Vehicles failing emissions testing may obtain a 30-day temporary plate for $3.00, allowing time for necessary repairs.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles oversees all vehicle registration, title issuance, and fee assessment activities throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
Hill Farms State Office Building, 4822 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
The Division of Motor Vehicles maintains customer service centers across Wisconsin, providing vehicle registration, title transfer, and license plate issuance services.
Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Centers
Milwaukee Central Customer Service Center
2701 S. Chase Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Central DMV
Milwaukee Downtown Customer Service Center
819 N. 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Downtown DMV
Milwaukee Northwest Customer Service Center
7301 W. Mill Road, Milwaukee, WI 53218
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Northwest DMV
Milwaukee Southwest Customer Service Center
5500 W. Grange Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53219
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Milwaukee Southwest DMV
Douglas County Superior Service Center
1701 N. 4th Street, Superior, WI 54880
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Douglas County DMV
Monroe Customer Service Center
815 1st Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Monroe DMV
Stevens Point Customer Service Center
1001 Maple Bluff Road, Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Stevens Point DMV
Eau Claire Customer Service Center
718 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Eau Claire DMV
Racine Customer Service Center
9531 Rayne Road, Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Racine DMV
Wausau Customer Service Center
225051 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Official Website: Wausau DMV
