Wisconsin Registration Fee Calculator 2026 Rates

Wisconsin Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator: Estimate 2026 costs instantly. Avoid DMV surprises and plan your budget with our free, accurate tool.

Wisconsin Registration Fee Calculator – Full Cost Breakdown

The cost to register a vehicle in Wisconsin is made up of several layers. While most people only think about the annual $85 fee, the actual check you write to the DMV often includes several other items.

What This Calculator Includes

• Title Fee: The one-time fee to transfer ownership into your name (currently $164.50).
• Registration Fee: The annual fee required to legally drive on public roads.
• License Plate Fee: The cost for the physical metal plates (if you don’t have ones to transfer).
• County & Municipal Wheel Tax: Local taxes added by specific counties (like Dane or Milwaukee) and cities (like Madison or Appleton) to fund local road repairs.
• EV / Hybrid Surcharge: The extra annual fee applied to vehicles that use little or no gasoline.
• Truck Registration Fees: Variable fees based on the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of your truck.

How to Use the Wisconsin Registration Fee Calculator

Using the tool above is simple:

1. Vehicle Type: Select “Auto” for standard cars, SUVs, and minivans. Select “Truck” if you are registering a pickup or cargo van.
2. Transaction Type: Choose “New Owner” if you just bought the car (this adds the $164.50 title fee). Choose “Renewal” if you already own the car and just need new tags.
3. Fuel Source: If you drive an EV or Hybrid, select that option to see the mandatory surcharge.
4. Location: Select your County and Municipality. If your location isn’t listed, choose “All Other” (this means you likely don’t have a local wheel tax).

Full Detailed Table for the Wisconsin Registration Fee Calculator

Below is a manual breakdown of the fees used in our calculator for 2026.

Standard Passenger Vehicles (Cars, SUVs, Vans)

For most residents driving a standard gas vehicle, the fees are flat.

Fee Type	Cost	Frequency
Registration Fee	$85.00	Annual
Title Fee	$164.50	One-Time
Title Transfer (Lien)	$10.00	One-Time (if financed)
Plate Fee	Included	(If new plates needed)

Trucks and Heavy Vehicles

Wisconsin registers trucks based on Gross Weight. This includes the weight of the truck plus the heaviest load it will carry.

Weight Class	Gross Weight	Annual Fee
Class A	Up to 4,500 lbs	$100.00
Class B	4,501 – 6,000 lbs	$100.00
Class C	6,001 – 8,000 lbs	$106.00
Class D	8,001 – 10,000 lbs	$155.00

Note: If you use your truck strictly for personal use (not commercial), you still pay these weight-based fees, unlike “Auto” fees which remain flat.

Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

To compensate for lost gas tax revenue, Wisconsin adds a surcharge to alternative fuel vehicles.

Fuel Type	Surcharge	Total Annual Reg (Auto)
Hybrid	+$75.00	$160.00 ($85 + $75)
Electric (EV)	**+$175.00**	**$260.00** ($85 + $175)

Want to Know How Much You Pay in Taxes and Fees to Drive Your Car in Wisconsin?

Mandatory State Fees

Every driver pays these. The Registration Fee goes toward the state transportation fund, while the Title Fee covers the administrative cost of maintaining ownership records.

Optional & Location-Based Fees

These are the most confusing part of the bill. You might live in a county and a city that both charge a wheel tax.

• County Wheel Tax: For example, Dane County charges $28/year.
• Municipal Wheel Tax: The City of Madison charges $40/year.
• The Result: A Madison resident pays the State fee ($85) + County ($28) + City ($40) = **$153/year** for a standard car.

One-Time vs Annual Fees

• One-Time: Title Fee ($164.50), Sales Tax (5% + local), Lien Recording Fee ($10).
• Annual: Registration Fee, Wheel Taxes, EV Surcharges.

How Much Are Tax, Title, and License Fees in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Title Fee Explained

The Wisconsin title fee is currently $164.50. This is a flat fee, meaning you pay the same amount whether you buy a $1,000 used car or a $100,000 luxury vehicle. If you borrowed money to buy the car, the DMV also charges a **$10.00** fee to record the lien holder (your bank) on the title.

Registration & License Plate Fees

The standard annual registration for an automobile is $85.00. This grants you the standard license plates.

• Special Plates: If you want “Endangered Resources” or “Packers” plates, you will pay an initial issuance fee (usually $15) plus an annual donation tax (usually $25) on top of the regular $85.

Why Are These Fees Collected in Wisconsin?

Where Your Registration Money Goes

Wisconsin uses a “segregated fund” for transportation. Registration fees and wheel taxes are constitutionally required to be used for transportation purposes. This includes:

• State Highways: Maintenance of I-94, I-90, and state trunk highways.
• Local Aid: A portion is returned to counties and towns to fix potholes and plow snow.

Why Wisconsin Uses Flat Fees Instead of Percentages

Unlike neighboring states (like Minnesota or Michigan) that charge based on the value of the car (Ad Valorem), Wisconsin charges a flat fee. This system is generally more favorable to owners of newer, expensive cars, as their registration fee is the same as someone driving an older vehicle.

How Much Is It to Register a Truck in Wisconsin?

Truck Registration Fee by Weight Class

Most personal pickup trucks (Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado) fall into Class C (6,000 – 8,000 lbs).

• Under 4,500 lbs (Class A): $100.00
• 6,000 – 8,000 lbs (Class C): $106.00
• Over 8,000 lbs: Fees jump significantly, starting at $155.00.

Commercial Truck Registration Costs

If you use your truck for business, the fees follow the same weight charts up to 8,000 lbs. However, for heavy commercial vehicles (semis, dump trucks), fees can exceed $2,500 per year. Commercial vehicles also require a USDOT number and safety compliance markings.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Car in Wisconsin from Out of State?

Required Documents

When moving to Wisconsin, you must register your vehicle immediately once you establish residency. You will need:

• The original Out-of-State Title (not a photocopy).
• Proof of Identity (Driver’s License).
• Proof of Sales Tax Paid (if you owned the car for less than 90 days).

Fees You’ll Pay When Moving to Wisconsin

You will effectively treat the transaction as a “New Owner.”

1. Title Conversion: $164.50.
2. Registration: $85.00 (prorated in some cases, but usually full year).
3. Wheel Taxes: Dependent on your new address.

Timeline & Penalties

Wisconsin does not have a “grace period.” You are expected to register as soon as you become a resident. Driving with expired out-of-state plates can result in a traffic citation of $175 or more.

Why Is the Wisconsin Title Fee So High?

Fixed Title Fee Structure

At $164.50, Wisconsin has one of the higher title fees in the Midwest. This fee was increased in recent years to generate funding for road projects without raising the gas tax or registration fee significantly.

Comparison With Other States

While the Title Fee is high, the Sales Tax on vehicles in Wisconsin (5% state + local) is often lower than other states (which can be 6-7% or more). Additionally, because the annual registration doesn’t scale with vehicle value, the high one-time title fee is often offset by lower annual costs over the life of the vehicle.

What Is Wisconsin’s EV Registration Fee?

Electric Vehicle Registration Surcharge

If you drive a fully electric vehicle (Tesla, Rivian, Bolt), you must pay a $175 annual surcharge in addition to the $85 registration fee.

Why Wisconsin Charges EV Owners Extra

Since Wisconsin relies on the Gas Tax (30.9 cents per gallon) to fund roads, EV drivers do not contribute to this fund at the pump. The $175 fee is calculated to approximate the amount of gas tax an average driver would pay over a year (approx. 10,000-12,000 miles).

Hybrid vs Full EV Fee Difference

Hybrids (Prius, RAV4 Hybrid) use some gas, so they pay some gas tax. Therefore, their surcharge is lower at $75 per year.

Wisconsin Registration Fee Trust Phone Number

Who to Contact for Registration Fee Issues

If you believe your fees were calculated incorrectly, or if you never received your renewal notice, contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

• Phone: (608) 264-7447
• Email: vehiclequestions@dot.wi.gov
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM

Before You Call – Info to Keep Ready

To speed up your call, have the following ready:

• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• License Plate Number
• Title Number (if inquiring about ownership transfer)

Frequently Asked Questions