Legislation Affecting DMV

Electric Vehicle Surcharge Fee

On July 6, 2023, a new law created an additional $75 annual surcharge fee to be added and collected for electric vehicles in addition to the existing $100 annual surcharge fee. The annual combined electric surcharge fee is now $175 for electric vehicles (defined as motor vehicles propelled solely by electrical energy and not capable of using gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel).

The surcharge applies to vehicles registered as an automobile or as a light truck up to 8,000 lbs. gross weight, including dual purpose vehicles. The surcharge will be collected whenever the regular annual registration fee is paid for plate issuance and registration renewal.

Sticker Requirement for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

License plates registered to electric or hybrid vehicles will need to display stickers indicating the vehicle is an electric or hybrid vehicle. There is no fee for the stickers.

Current owners of electric and hybrid vehicles were issued stickers via mail in February or March 2024. DMV began issuing stickers with new plates and plate transfers in Summer 2024.

Special note, the following plate types issued to electric or hybrid vehicles will receive EV hybrid stickers along with new plates in Spring 2025: autocycle, collector cycle, cycle, disabled cycle, heavy farm, historic military cycle, hobbyist cycle, moped, municipal cycle, veteran’s cycle, and Wisconsin national guard. The current plate designs will be updated to allow room for the stickers.

Replacement Plate Fee Increase

Effective July 1, 2022, the replacement plate fee increases from $2 to $4 for single-plate vehicles and trailers (e.g. motorcycle/moped, trailer, tractor). The replacement plate fee for non-personalized plate vehicles increases from $4 to $8 (automobile, truck, bus and motorhome).

Duplicate personalized standard automobile, truck, motorcycle or motorhome license plate(s) fee increases from $2 to $4 for a single plate and from $4 to $8 for two plates.

The fee increase does not affect replacement or duplicate specialty, personalized and other plate types that are currently more than $2 per plate.

2019-2021 Biennial Budget

Wisconsin's 2019-2021 biennial budget includes a provision to increase motor vehicle title and registration fees and implements a hybrid electric vehicle surcharge. These fees are effective October 1, 2019.

For vehicles that currently are registered, the new registration fees and the hybrid electric vehicle surcharge will be assessed on vehicles with an expiration date of September 30, 2019, or later, even if renewal payment is submitted before October 1, 2019.

Vehicle Title Fee Increase

Effective October 1, 2019, the vehicle title fee increases from $69.50 to $164.50. The title fee for a surviving spouse/surviving domestic partner or a low-speed vehicle (LSV) increases from $62 to $157.

Registration Fee Increases

Annual registration fees have increased for automobiles, light trucks and some other gross weight vehicles registered at less than 8,000 pounds. The increased fees will be assessed for current registrations expiring September 30, 2019, or later and for new registrations with a starting operation date on October 1, 2019, or later.

Registration Fee Changes

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Surcharge

A $75 annual surcharge for hybrid electric vehicle is implemented. A hybrid electric vehicle is one that is capable of using both electricity and gasoline, diesel fuel or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle. The surcharge applies to hybrid electric vehicles registered as automobiles or as light trucks up to 8,000 pounds gross weight, including dual purpose vehicles. It will be collected whenever the regular annual registration fee is paid for plate issuance and registration renewal.

The surcharge will be assessed for current registrations expiring September 30, 2019, or later and new registrations with a starting date of operation on October 1, 2019, or later.