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Online registration renewal

License plate look up - find out when your plate expires; get the Renewal Reference Number (RRN) number so you can renew your plates online; check to see if an emissions (IM) test is required for the vehicle; find out if your plate is suspended or valid.

If the license plate renewal card that you received has a  RRN on it, you are eligible to use this renewal service. You may use the online license plate renewal service if:

• You have your RRN. Need a replacement renewal notice?

• Your correct and current address is on the renewal notice. Need to change your address?

• The license plate and vehicle described on your renewal notice is correct.

• You have a valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card.

Your credit or debit card will be charged a $1 special handling fee for this service in addition to the registration fee due. A $10 late fee may also be added if you renew after the registration expiration date. The fee cannot be waived for any reason, so be sure to apply to renew your plates before they expire. The expiration date is printed in the upper left hand corner of your renewal notice.

The renewal is NOT complete until you receive a confirmation number at the end of the transaction. You may print a confirmation page and/or choose to receive a confirmation by e-mail as proof of current registration. We will mail a new Certificate of Registration and year sticker within a week. You may legally operate your vehicle on the public highways of Wisconsin once you complete your online renewal.

Renew your license plate online now

The online renewal transaction requires the use of a Web browser with Secure Socket Layer (SSL) capability.

Vehicles requiring an emissions test

If your renewal notice indicates that your vehicle needs an emission test, you must take your vehicle in for the test before you use this renewal service. Wait at least 24 hours after having your vehicle successfully tested, before using this renewal service to allow record of the test to be updated.

Vehicles that qualify:

• Automobiles
• Motorcycles & mopeds
• Farm trucks registered at 12,000 lbs. gross weight
• Human service vehicle
• Mobile homes
• Motor homes
• Special plates - Amateur Radio, Celebrate Children, Civil Air Patrol, Collector Special, Disabled Parking, Disabled Veteran Parking, Donate Life Wisconsin, Ducks Unlimited, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Endangered Resources, Ex-Prisoner of War, Freemason, Fire fighter, Gold Star, Golf Wisconsin, Lao Veterans, Military, Packers, Rescue Squad, Sesquicentennial, University plates, Veterans Motorcycle, Wisconsin Salutes Veterans, Wisconsin National Guard and Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation.
• Trailers registered at 3,000 lbs. gross weight
• Trucks registered at 8,000 lbs gross weight or less

Vehicles that do not qualify for online renewal:

• Buses
• Tractors
• Trucks registered at 10,000 lbs. gross weight or more
• Trailers registered at 4,500 lbs. gross weight or more
• Vehicle license plate is expired more than twelve months (see late fee information above)
• Vehicle is out of operation more than one year
• Your address is different from the one printed on your renewal notice
• You recently transferred the plates to a vehicle different from the one described on your renewal notice
• License plate is suspended for failure to take an emissions test, for failure to pay parking citations, or for failure to pay vehicle suspensions

If you have questions:

• E-mail: bur-veh-services.dmv@dot.state.wi.us. If you e-mail us about a specific vehicle, we will not be able to respond to your inquiry unless you provide us with the license plate number or the vehicle identification number. Because WisDOT may have to research your question before replying, please allow four business days for an e-mail response. Please do not send a second e-mail.
• Call: (608) 266-1466

Back to DMV online services

Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Vehicle Services, bur-veh-services.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: October 1, 2008