The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now has an easy online process to find the ideal special license plate, personalize the plate’s message and order online with DMV’s new special license plates web application.
“This tool allows customers to see the plates they’re ordering, with their personalized message on the plates, before finalizing their order,” DMV Administrator Tommy Winkler said. “The online service makes it more convenient, faster and easier for customers to obtain their special plate. Customers can also pay their annual registration renewal fee if it’s due within 90 days of obtaining their new plate.”
Easier steps for ordering online
The step-by-step process begins at wisconsindmv.gov/specialplates where customers can select a plate from among 60+ options. Special plates are organized by interest areas, including automobile enthusiast, health, higher education, military, nature, professional and miscellaneous. Images of the plates, fee details, descriptions of the plates and information about the plate sponsor are provided.
Collector and Hobbyist plates are also included. This app also allows regular Wisconsin plates to be selected when they are to be personalized.
After a plate is chosen, there is an option to personalize it with a custom message. Up to three different personalized plate combinations can be requested initially when using the new online application. The customer can see the personalized message on the plate as they order. Wisconsin DMV will review the request to confirm that the plate message is not already taken or is objectionable.
Next, customers are guided through straightforward steps to register the plates, confirm the application, order and pay online. For plate orders that do not involve personalized messages or eligibility verification, the Certification of Registration can be downloaded from the special plates web application, or it can be automatically emailed after completion of the order. For plate orders that involve personalized messages and/or eligibility verification, the Certificate of Registration will arrive via email or mail within 1-2 weeks after the application is submitted. The specialty or personalized plates should arrive 3-4 weeks after the application is submitted.
Groups behind the special plates
The number of special license plates offered by Wisconsin DMV continues to grow. Wisconsin DMV has a process for groups and organizations to initiate a new license. To apply, groups must pay a $15,500 fee for development costs and collect signatures from 500 Wisconsin residents who intend to purchase the special plates. If authorized (seewisconsindmv.gov/specialgroupreview), the group must maintain 500 valid special plates registrations after three years, or DMV will discontinue issuing the plates.
There are currently 625,354 sponsored special license plates on Wisconsin’s roads.
