Drivers & Vehicles > Vehicles > License plate renewal >

Replacement renewal notice

WisDOT mails license plate renewal notices to the last known address of the vehicle's registered owner or lessee at least 30 days before the license plate expires. If you lost your notice, or if you did not receive one, you may download a Substitute Renewal Notice, form MV2016 . Completely fill out the substitute notice, and mail it with the required renewal fee to the address listed on the form.

Owners of automobiles and many other vehicles also have the option of renewing online, using a MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover credit or debit card. Your credit or debit card will be charged an additional $1.25 online convenience fee. Use of the online renewal system requires a special access code, referred to as an "RRN" number. Your RRN number is the same as the product number on your Certificate of Vehicle Registration.

If you prefer, you may renew in person at a DMV service center that offers registration services or at a renewal service provider. There is an additional fee for renewals processed in person.

Late Fees: If you don't apply to renew your license plate on time, state law requires WisDOT to charge a late fee for certain vehicles.

Please note: If you recently transferred your plates to another vehicle, the product number will not be the same. You may use the online renewal after finding your new RRN or product number on the license plate lookup. Using license plate lookup, you can:

• Find when your plate expires.
• Get the RRN so you can renew your plates online.
• Check to see if an emissions (IM) test is required for the vehicle.
• Find out if your plate is suspended or valid.

Related links:

• Change of address
• Lost renewal notice - driver license/ID card

Questions? Contact us: Wisconsin DMV email service
Call: (608) 266-1466

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Last modified: December 1, 2011