WI · Registration fee guide
Wisconsin car registration fees
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Wisconsin registers automobiles for one year at a flat $85, whatever the car's weight or value.
Your itemized estimate
Estimate your registration
Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.
Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.
Published example · listed fees
$115.0012-month renewal example
No listed fees for this selection.
- State fees$85.00
- County / local$30.00
- One-time$0.00
View breakdown data
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| State fees | $85.00 |
| County / local | $30.00 |
| One-time | $0.00 |
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Automobile registration fee (1 year) | $85.00 |
| County wheel tax (1 year) | $30.00 |
Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.
Confirm with Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (WisDOT DMV)
Registration fee schedule
Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.
| Fee | Amount or rule | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Automobile registration fee (1 year) | $85.00 Wis. Stat. § 341.25(1)(a). Applies to cars, vans and SUVs registered as automobiles (more than 50% of interior space used for seating). Pickups and cargo vans register as light trucks by gross weight instead (see notes). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Hybrid electric vehicle surcharge (1 year) | $75.00 Wis. Stat. § 341.25(1)(L)2. Collected at plate issuance and each renewal for autos and light trucks up to 8,000 lbs. | See conditionsfuel type: hybrid |
| Electric vehicle surcharge (1 year) | $175.00 Wis. Stat. § 341.25(1)(L)3: $100 plus an additional $75 (added July 6, 2023). Applies to vehicles propelled solely by electricity. | See conditionsfuel type: electric |
| County wheel tax (1 year) | Crawford: $20.00; Dane: $40.00; Dunn: $20.00; Eau Claire: $30.00; Green: $25.00; Iowa: $25.00; Langlade: $15.00; Marathon: $25.00; Milwaukee: $30.00; Pierce: $35.00; Portage: $30.00; Richland: $20.00; St. Croix: $20.00; Vernon: $25.00; Other counties: $0.00 County wheel taxes WisDOT currently collects, from its published list. Counties not listed charge no county wheel tax. A city, village or town wheel tax may be added on top (see notes). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Certificate of title (original or transfer) | $214.50 Wis. Stat. § 342.14(1) and (3m): $207 title fee plus $7.50 supplemental title fee. | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
| License plate issuance fee (2 plates at $6 each) | $12.00 All plates carry a $6 per-plate issuance fee; automobiles get two plates. Not charged if you move your existing Wisconsin plates to the new car (plates stay with the seller). | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
| Security interest (lien) notation | $10.00 Only if the vehicle is financed. Wis. Stat. § 342.14(2). | New registrationAll listed vehicles; optional; one-time |
| Personalized plate (1 year) | $15.00 In addition to the regular registration fee. Wis. Stat. § 341.145. | OptionalAll listed vehicles; optional |
How Wisconsin fees work
Wisconsin registers automobiles for one year at a flat $85, whatever the car's weight or value. Hybrids pay a $75 yearly surcharge and fully electric vehicles pay $175. Many cities, villages, towns and counties add a wheel tax, which WisDOT collects with the registration. A first title costs $214.50, and new plates carry a $6 issuance fee per plate.
The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information
Cost factors: flat, county, fuel.
Electric & hybrid surcharges
Electric: $175.00 in the listed schedule. Fee source
Hybrid: $75.00 in the listed schedule. Fee source
Choose the matching fuel type in the calculator to include the applicable surcharge.
Late registration
A $10 late fee is added to auto and light truck renewals received by the DMV after the expiration date. You may legally drive once you submit the renewal fee.
Confirm deadlines and penalties with the agencyWorked example
2022 gas sedan, renewal in Milwaukee County: $85 automobile registration + $30 Milwaukee County wheel tax = $115 for one year. Living in the City of Milwaukee adds its $41 municipal wheel tax (not in the calculator), for $156.
Listed total: $115.00
See the fee rules and sources aboveCommon questions
How are Wisconsin registration fees calculated?
Wisconsin registers automobiles for one year at a flat $85, whatever the car's weight or value. Hybrids pay a $75 yearly surcharge and fully electric vehicles pay $175. Many cities, villages, towns and counties add a wheel tax, which WisDOT collects with the registration. A first title costs $214.50, and new plates carry a $6 issuance fee per plate.
Where can I confirm my final registration cost?
Confirm the final amount with Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (WisDOT DMV). Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.
What other limitations should I consider?
Municipal wheel taxes are not in the calculator because it asks only for your county. Cities, villages and towns that charge one add it on top of any county wheel tax. Examples from WisDOT's list: Milwaukee (city) $41, Madison $40, Green Bay $25, Appleton $30, Eau Claire (city) $50, Oshkosh $35, Janesville $40, Wauwatosa $15. Grand Chute and Saint Croix Falls ($30) start January 1, 2027; Sheboygan ($30) and Mishicot ($20) start February 1, 2027. Check the full list at wisconsindot.gov. Pickups, cargo vans and other light trucks register by gross weight instead of the $85 auto fee: $100 a year up to 6,000 lbs and $116.60 up to 8,000 lbs (WisDOT fee chart for registrations on or after October 1, 2025). The calculator does not model trucks; hybrid/EV surcharges and wheel taxes apply to them too. In-person service adds a counter fee: $3 for a renewal and $5 for a title and registration at a DMV service center. Online renewals carry a $0.15 merchant fee, and card payments add a convenience fee of up to 2.35%. Private title and registration service providers may charge up to $16.25 per renewal or $38 per title transaction. Sales or use tax on a vehicle purchase is collected at titling and is not included. Autocycles ($45 a year) and motorcycles and mopeds ($23 for two years) have their own fees and are not modeled.
Sources and last checked
Sources
- DMV fees Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Vehicle registration fee chart Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Municipal or county vehicle registration fee (wheel tax) Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Hybrid and electric vehicle surcharges Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Wis. Stat. § 341.25 (registration fees) Wisconsin State Legislature
- Wis. Stat. § 342.14 (title fees) Wisconsin State Legislature
Last verified
Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.
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