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All vehicles operated upon Wisconsin highways must be registered unless otherwise exempt. Exempt vehicles include, but aren't limited to:
- Vehicles operated in accordance with the provisions relating to registration of dealers, distributors, manufacturers, transporters, and finance companies;
- Farm tractors that meet all requirements listed within Wisconsin Statutes 341.05;
- Trailers or semitrailers used exclusively for the transportation of farm machinery, implements, produce, or supplies on a farm or between farms;
- Trailers, semitrailers, and camping trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less that aren't used for hire or rental;
- Government vehicles; and
- Implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles.
Trucks and trailers pay registration fees calculated from the first day of the month in which operations begin and are prorated on a one-twelfth basis until the end of the next annual, biennial, or quarterly registration period. Annual registration for light trucks can expire any month depending on the first month of operation, and annual registration for heavy trucks registered over 8,000 pounds and trailers expire on December 31.
View agency contact information.
Permits are available from J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. trip permit service at (800) 231-5266.
License plate display
Truck tractors, road tractors, and motor trucks must display one license plate on the front of the vehicle. Any other vehicle issued one license plate must display it on the rear of the vehicle.
All other motor vehicles are issued two license plates. Vehicles issued two license plates must display one license plate on the front of the vehicle, and the other on the rear of the vehicle.
International Registration Plan
Wisconsin is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.
Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:
- A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
- A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
- A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.
Temporary permit: On supplemental and amended applications, a temporary vehicle registration (TVR) will be issued for any vehicles prior to payment of fees. TVR's are valid for 30 days and can't be extended or renewed.
Hunter's or unladen weight permit: A hunter's or unladen weight permit is issued to an owner-operator (lessor) who terminates a lease and has to surrender the IRP license plate and cab card to the lessee carrier. This permit enables a vehicle to use the highways in all jurisdictions for the purpose of finding a job. This permit is only valid for vehicles operating at an unladen weight and is non-transferable. The permit is valid for 30 days for a $15 fee.
Agency: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Registration Unit.
Fees: The IRP figures payment of licensing fees based on fleet miles operated.