Transfer license plates (vehicle registration refund) - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

If you renew your license plates and later dispose of the vehicle by selling or junking it, after the registration period begins, or if you move out of Wisconsin after the registration period begins, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) CAN NOT refund the unused portion of the registration fee.

You can, however, transfer the license plates to another vehicle of the same type (example: car to car, pickup truck to same weight pickup truck), provided the vehicle is also registered to you or your spouse within the current registration period.

To transfer license plates:

Complete Section B of the Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application form MV1 (401 KB).
Indicate the license plate number you wish to transfer.

Send the application form to the address shown on the form. There is no charge to transfer the plate to the same type vehicle.

A refund of fees paid for annual, quarterly or consecutive monthly registration is only possible prior to the beginning of the registration period. For biennial registration, the second year of registration can be refunded prior to the beginning of the second year. To request a refund, submit the original certificate of registration, the year sticker and a statement requesting the reason for refund to:

Research & Information
P.O. Box 8070
Madison, WI 53708-8070

If you have questions:

E-mail: bur-veh-services.dmv@dot.state.wi.us. If you e-mail us about a specific vehicle, we need your license plate number, the year and make of the vehicle and/or the vehicle identification number to respond. WisDOT may need to research your question before replying, please allow 4 business days for an e-mail response. Please do not send a second e-mail.
Call: (608) 266-1466 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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