Parking tickets-Traffic Violation and Registration Program (TVRP)

The Traffic Violation and Registration Program (TVRP) assists participating authorities (counties, cities, villages, University of Wisconsin system or any technical college district) in the collection of unpaid parking tickets, and participating courts in the collection of unpaid traffic forfeiture judgments. The program is administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Parking Citations Unit.

The difference between a suspension and a refusal

When a person has not paid a parking ticket issued by an authority participating in the Traffic Violation and Registration Program (TVRP), the authority may direct the DMV's Parking Citations Unit to suspend the registration of the vehicle involved in the unpaid parking ticket and/or refuse registration on other vehicles owned by the person named on the "Notice of Unpaid Citation."

When a person has not paid a traffic forfeiture judgment as ordered by a court participating in the TVRP, the court may direct the Parking Citations Unit to refuse on the registration of any vehicle owned by the person named on the Notice of Unpaid Judgment. Participating courts may only refuse on the registrations of vehicles owned by persons who have unpaid judgments.

When the department is directed to refuse vehicle registration, the refusal shall apply to all vehicles owned by the person named on the "Notice of Unpaid Citation" or "Notice of Unpaid Judgment." When a person’s registration has been refused, the person may not:

Register a vehicle
Renew the registration of any owned vehicle
Re-register a vehicle
Change the gross weight at which a vehicle is registered
Change the operating status of a vehicle
Obtain replacement license plates for any vehicle
Transfer registration to another vehicle
Acquire registration as part of the transfer of ownership of a vehicle
Continue a non-expiring registration

When a person’s vehicle registration has been suspended for any reason, including a suspension for an unpaid parking ticket, it is unlawful to operate any vehicle displaying the suspended registration on any highway in the state of Wisconsin. The registration remains suspended until the named registrant pays the parking ticket.

Participating authorities and courts are charged a small fee for each "Notice of Unpaid Citation" or "Notice of Unpaid Judgment" sent to the Parking Citations Unit. The authority may assess the person who has an unpaid citation or unpaid judgment for the cost of using the TVRP.

If you have questions:

Call:
- (414) 266-1000
- (608) 267-9791

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Related links:

Change of address

Reinstating vehicle registration - parking tickets