Vehicle registration plates of Wisconsin

The U.S. state of Wisconsin first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. Plates are currently issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Wisconsin
Current series
SloganAmerica's Dairyland
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-1234
IntroducedJune 2000 (2000-06)
Availability
Issued byWisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJuly 1, 1905 (1905-07-01)

Passenger baseplates

1905 to 1941
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1905–11 Riveted aluminum serial on black plate none 12345-W 1-W to 21983-W[1]
1911 Riveted aluminum serial on dark green plate; vertical "1911" at left none 1234W 1W to approximately 1300W First dated plate. Issued only to new registrants from August 1 through December 31, 1911.[2]
1912 Riveted aluminum serial on red plate; vertical "1912" at left none 12345W 1W to approximately 24600W
1913 Riveted aluminum serial on dark blue plate; vertical "1913" at left none 12345W 1W to approximately 34100W
1914 Embossed black serial on white plate; vertical "1914" at left none 12345W 1W to approximately 53500W First embossed plate.
1915 Embossed white serial on black plate; "W 15" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 79500
1916 Embossed red serial on white plate; vertical "WIS." and "16" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 115000
1917 Embossed white serial on olive green plate; vertical "WIS." and "17" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 165000
1918 Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "18 W" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 185000
1919 Embossed yellow serial on green plate with border line; "W 19" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 224000
1920 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "W 20" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 275000
1921 Embossed black serial on gray plate; vertical "WIS" and "21" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 320-000
1922 Embossed white serial on olive green plate; vertical "WIS" and "22" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 360-000
1923 Embossed red serial on white plate; vertical "WIS" and "23" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 419-000
1924 Embossed white serial on black plate; vertical "WIS" and "24" at right none A123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1925 Embossed golden yellow serial on blue plate; vertical "WIS" at left and "25" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1926 Embossed black serial on beige plate; "26" at bottom left and vertical "WIS" at right none A123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1927 Embossed white serial on black plate; vertical "WIS" at left and "27" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1928 Embossed black serial on orange plate; "28" at bottom left and vertical "WIS" at right none A123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1929 Embossed white serial on green plate; vertical "WIS" at left and "29" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1930 Embossed black serial on gray plate; "30" at bottom left and vertical "WIS" at right none A123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
1931 Embossed golden yellow serial on blue plate; vertical "WIS" at left and "31" at bottom right none 123-456A Coded by weight class (A)
1932 Embossed blue serial on yellow plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 32" at bottom none 123456 1 to approximately 582000 First use of the full state name. Plates under 1000 used small plates through 1933.
1933 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 33" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 566-000
1934 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 34" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 578-000 Plates under 10000 used small plates through 1939
1935 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 35" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 610-000
1936 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "36 WISCONSIN" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 667-000
1937 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "37 WISCONSIN" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 714-000
1938 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 1938" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 706-000
1939 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 1939" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 723-000
1940 Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "WISCONSIN 1940" at top "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" at bottom 123-456 1 to
430-350[2]		 First use of the "America's Dairyland" slogan.
As above, but with taller serial dies and vertical "WIS-40" used as separator 430-351 to approximately 747-000
1941 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 WISCONSIN 41" at bottom "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" at top 123-456 1 to approximately 791-000

1942 to 1952
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes



 1942,
1943-45		 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 WISCONSIN 42" at bottom "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" at top 123 456 1 to 772 000 Corners were rounded and plates were revalidated for 1943 with white tabs, for 1944 with green tabs, and for 1945 with white tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. Front plates were removed and replaced with windshield stickers around 1943. Large plates stopped issuing at 720 000 in 1942 and resumed issuing in 1943.[1]
Late 1942-late 1943 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "WIS" at bottom left, embossed oval with debossed date in bottom right corner none A12, A1B, AB1, ABC, 12A, 1A2, 1AB, A123, 1A23 A00 to ZZZ, 00A to 9ZZ, A000 to Z999, 0A00 to 9K99[1] Plates were small to save metal for the war. Plates used every serial possible in a three digit format then overflowed to a four digit format; serial formats for three digit plates would progress from A00 to A09, then A0A and so on, treating the letters like numbers. I, L, M, O, Q, and W were not used in serials.[1] Early plates were dated 1942 with the oval the same color as the serial, rest of plates were dated 43 and the oval was white. Plates were validated to 1945 with horizontal tabs in the same color as large plates.



 1946–49 Embossed white serial on black plate; "EXP WISCONSIN 46" at top "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" at bottom 1 12345
1/0 12345		 Coded by month of expiration (1 or 1/0) Revalidated for 1947 with orange tabs, for 1948 with yellow tabs, for 1949 with green tabs, for 1950 with light blue tabs, for 1951 with white tabs, and for 1952 with golden yellow tabs.


 1950–52 As above, but with square corners and thinner serial dies 1 12345
1 123-456
1/0 12345
1/0 123-456		 Validated for 1950, 1951 and 1952 in the same manner as for 1946–49 plates. Serials for each month continued from where these plates left off.

1953 to 1967

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[3] The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Wisconsin license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1953–54 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "53" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345 Letter corresponds to month of expiration (see right) Letters A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L, P, T and V were used for January through December respectively; this practice continued through 1960. Revalidated for 1954 with red tabs.
1955–56 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "55" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345
AK-1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration Two-letter serial format introduced in months where serials in the one-letter format had been exhausted. Revalidated for 1956 with yellow tabs. Late plates and remakes measured 6" x 12".
1957–58 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "57" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345
AB-1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration First base plate where all plates are 6" x 12". Revalidated for 1958 with white tabs. K, L, and N used as overflow second letters through 1960.
1959–60 Embossed dark green serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "59" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345
AB-1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration Revalidated for 1960 with orange tabs.
1961–62 Embossed black serial on light yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "61" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345 Letter corresponds to month of expiration Two letters assigned for each month (A and B for January, C and D for February and so on up to Y and Z for December, with I and O excluded); this practice continued until 1986. Revalidated for 1962 with stickers.
1963–64 Embossed blue serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "63" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345 Letter corresponds to month of expiration Revalidated for 1964 with stickers.
1965–67 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "65" at top right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom A12-345 Letter corresponds to month of expiration Revalidated for 1966 and 1967 with stickers.

1968 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1968–72 Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate; month of expiration, "WISCONSIN" and debossed "68" at bottom "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at top A12-345
AB 1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration
1973–79 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; month of expiration, "WISCONSIN" and debossed "73" at bottom "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at top A12-345
AB 1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration
1980 – June
1986		 As 1968–72 base, but with debossed "80" at bottom right "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at top A12-345
AB 1234		 First letter corresponds to month of expiration Revalidated until 1993.
July
1986 – March 1987		 Embossed dark blue serial on reflective white plate; "WISCONSIN" screened in dark blue at top left and graphics screened at top right featuring a sailboat and sunset, flying geese, and a farm scene; green and dark blue lines separating state name and graphics from serial "America's Dairyland" screened in dark blue centered at bottom ABC-123 AAA-101 to
AZZ-999		 Recalled starting in August 1993 and replaced with plates with red serials (below). Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continues today.
March 1987 – December 1994 As above, but with red serial BAA-101 to NMD-999 Serial changed from dark blue to red in response to concerns of confusion with Illinois plates of the time.
December 1994 – June
2000		 NME-101 to approximately WRZ-999 Narrower dies. All plates with red serials replaced by the end of 2014.
June 2000 – April
2017		 As above, but with black serial, red state name, graphics revised and green line removed "America's Dairyland" screened in red centered at bottom 123-ABC 101-AAA to
999-ZZZ		 Baseplate design updated.
April 2017 – present ABC-1234 AAA-1001 to AKX-7623 (as of December 9, 2020)

Optional plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Amateur Radio ? to present As standard passenger base, but with "Amateur Radio" in place of slogan none FCC call sign
Children's Trust Fund ? to present Red on white with multicolored image of child at left. Celebrate Children 12345K 10001K to present
Sesquicentennial of Wisconsin's statehood 1997 – January 1, 1999, with remakes made until August 1, 2008[4] Embossed red serial on lake scene. 1848 Sesquicentennial 1998 12345T 10001T to 99999T Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new optional license plate of 1997 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Wisconsin has been so honored. Co-recipient with Manitoba.
A1234T A1001T to Z9999T
AB123T AA101T to DW999T

Non-passenger plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Bus 2004–present As current passenger base, but with embossed black "BUS" in place of slogan 12345B 1001B to 27754B (as of October 27, 2020)
Disabled 2000–12 As current passenger base, but with embossed black International Symbol of Access at right 12345D 30001D to 99999D[5]
2012–present 12345D/S 10001D/S to 51405D/S (as of August 7, 2020)
Farm 1994–2004 As 1987–2000 passenger base, but with embossed red "FARM" in place of slogan 123456F 1001F to approximately 130000F All Farm plates expire at the end of February in even-numbered years. Narrower serial dies introduced 2001 when 100000F was reached.
2004–08 As current passenger base, but with red serial, plus embossed red "FARM" in place of slogan 130001F to approximately 162000F
2008–present As current passenger base, but with embossed black "FARM" in place of slogan, plus embossed black "FEB" at bottom left 200001F to 351731F (as of September 1, 2020)
Light Truck 1987–94 Embossed blue serial on tan plate; "WISCONSIN" at bottom and "TRUCK" at top; debossed "88" at bottom right A/B12-345 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are as follows: A (4,500 lb and under), B (4,501 to 6,000 lb) and C (6,001 lb to 8,000 lb).[6] In the AB1234 serial format, serials AW1001 through DF9999 were skipped to avoid confusion with Temporary plates. Personalized plates also issued.
1995–2000 As 1987–2000 passenger base, but with embossed red "TRUCK" in place of slogan
2000–04 As current passenger base, but with embossed black "TRUCK" in place of slogan, plus sticker for weight class at left 123456 100001 to 999999
2004–present AB1234 AA1001 to AV9999;
DG1001 to SU6056 (as of December 4, 2020)
Moped 1992–2003 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WIS", year sticker and "MOPED" at bottom; vertical "APR" in center 12 34 10 01 to 99 99 All moped plates expire on April 30 in even-numbered years.[7]
A1 23 A1 01 to Z9 99
12 3A 10 1A to 99 9Z
A1 2B A1 1A to E9 9Z
2003–present Embossed black serial on white plate; "WISCONSIN" at top; year sticker and "MOPED" at bottom; vertical "APR" at left F1 1A to Z9 9Z
A123B A101A to D102A (as of June 9, 2020)
Motorcycle 1992–2003 Embossed green serial on white plate; "WIS", year sticker and "APR" at bottom 12345 1 to 99999 All motorcycle plates expire on April 30 in even-numbered years.[7]
A1234 E101 to
Z9999, then
A101 to
D9999
AB123 AA101 to
KU999
April 2003[8] – present Embossed black serial on white plate; "WISCONSIN" at top, "APR" at bottom left and year sticker at bottom right AB 123 KV 101 to
ZZ 999
1234 A 1001 A to
9999 Z
123 AB 101 AA to 144 RL (as of September 28, 2020)
Motor Home 1988-1994 As 1988 passenger base, but with screened dark blue "Motor Home" in place of slogan 12345 10001 to approximately 65000
1994-early 2000s As 1994 passenger base, but with embossed red "MOTOR HOME" in place of slogan 12345 71983 to 99999
A1234 A1001 to approximately B3999
Early 2000s? As current passenger base, but with embossed black "MOTOR HOME" in place of slogan A1234 B4757 to ?
Mid 2000s? to 2009 As current passenger base, but with red serial, plus embossed red "MOTOR HOME" in place of slogan A1234 B8344 to approximately D9999
2009 to present As current passenger base, but with embossed black "MOTOR HOME" in place of slogan A1234 E1001 to K8076 (as of November 5, 2020)
Temporary 2004–19 Red serial on white cardboard plate; state outline in center; "WISCONSIN TEMPORARY" in blue at top; expiration date written at bottom right A12 34B A10 01A to P24 66U (as of August 7, 2018)

Heavy truck and trailer plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Heavy Truck 1992–93 Embossed green serial on white plate; "TRUCK" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively; "92" at bottom right A/B1234 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are as follows: X (10,000 lb), D (12,000 lb), E (16,000 lb), F (20,000 lb), G (26,000 lb), H (32,000 lb), J (38,000 lb), K (44,000 lb), L (50,000 lb), M (54,000 lb), N (56,000 lb), P (62,000 lb), Q (68,000 lb), R (73,000 lb), S (76,000 lb), and T (80,000 lb).[9]
1994–2008 Embossed black serial on light teal plate; "TRUCK" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively; "94" at bottom right A/B12345
2009–present Embossed black serial on gray plate; "TRUCK" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively
Semi-Trailer 1987–present Embossed black serial on orange plate; "SEMI TRAILER" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively 123456 200001 to 802744 (as of September 27, 2020)
Tractor 1994–2008 Embossed black serial on light teal plate; "TRACTOR" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively; "94" at bottom right A/S12345 Coded by weight class (A)
2009–present Embossed black serial on gray plate; "TRACTOR" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively
Light Trailer 2000–present As current passenger base, but with embossed black "TRAILER" in place of slogan 12345Z/A 1001 Z/A to 12393Z/A Optional registration for trailers under 3,000 lbs. and commercial trailers under 4,500 lbs. [10]

Governmental plates
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Municipal 1989–2019 Embossed black serial on tan plate; "MUNICIPAL" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively 12345 5001 to 99999 Only rear plates issued.[11]
2019–present C12345 C10001 to C13096 (as of September 28, 2020)
Official 1989-present Embossed black serial on tan plate; "OFFICIAL" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively; embossed hollow star at left 12345 3 to 99999
A1234 A101 to E8653 (as of August 22, 2019) Four numbers used starting at E1001
State Owned 1981–present Embossed white serial on red plate, "STATE OWNED" and "WISCONSIN" centered at top and bottom respectively 12345 1001 to 19344 (as of April 13, 2020) Only rear plates issued.[11]

Discontinued
Image Type Dates Issued Design Serial Format Serials Issued Notes
Apportioned semi trailer 1999-2001 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "WISCONSIN" and "APPORTIONED" at top and bottom respectively S/T12345 S/T10001 to approximately S/T31000 According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, plates are now treated as non-expiring semi trailer plates. [10] Discontinued after California dropped the requirement for apportioning trailers [12]
BX bus ? to 1998 As 1988 passenger base, but with embossed red "BX BUS" in place of slogan 1234 BX 1001 BX? to ? Used on privately owned urban mass transit vehicles. BX bus plates were merged into bus plates in 2004.
Driver education 1998-2004 As 1994 passenger base, but with embossed red "DRIVER ED" in place of slogan 1234 D/E 4001 D/E to approximately 4900 D/E After driver education plates were discontinued, some plates were still validated to 2023.
School bus 1998-2004 As 1994 passenger base, but with embossed red "SCHOOL BUS" in place of slogan 12345S/B 40001S/B to approximately 55000S/B School bus plates were merged into bus plates in 2004 though they still can be identified by inspection stickers.
Special-UX 1994-2004 Embossed black serial on light teal plate; "SPECIAL-UX" and "WISCONSIN" embossed at top and bottom respectively; debossed "94" at bottom right AX 1234 Coded by weight class Used on trucks and trailers with specific permanently mounted equipment.
Special-Z 1994-2004 Embossed black serial on light teal plate; "SPECIAL-Z" and "WISCONSIN" embossed at top and bottom respectively; debossed "94" at bottom AZ 1234 Coded by weight class Used on empty equipment in transit, particularly excavating and carnival vehicles.

References
  1. Tanner, Eric N. "Wisconsin Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  2. Turnbull, Andrew. "The Wisconsin Pages: Passenger, 1905-1941". The Andrew Turnbull Network. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  3. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  4. Wisconsin DMV
  5. Turnbull, Andrew. "The Wisconsin Pages: Passenger-Related Types". The Andrew Turnbull Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  6. Tanner, Eric N. "Wisconsin Truck-Commercial License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  7. "Motorcycle and moped license plates". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  8. "Wisconsin's new motorcycle plate". LicensePlates.cc. Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  9. "Registered gross weight". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  10. "Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site - Heavy trucks and trailers license plates". Wisconsin DOT. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  11. "Official license plates". Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  12. Turnbull, Andrew. "Trailers & Heavier Trucks, Part 2 - The Wisconsin Pages - The Andrew Turnbull License Plate Gallery". Retrieved December 11, 2020.
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