Wisconsin DMV Registering Your Vehicle

Registering Your Vehicle at the Wisconsin DMV

Is your car ready to drive? Making sure your vehicle is properly registered is just as important as having auto insurance, license plates, and meeting all Wisconsin safety standards. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation requires that a vehicle be registered if you move to Wisconsin, purchase a vehicle or receive one as a gift in the state.

Let’s see what you have to do to make sure your vehicle is registered and road-ready!

How to Register a Vehicle in Wisconsin

You’ve got a vehicle and you need to know if it’s currently registered. What should you do?

First, check your license plates. On the plates there will be an expiration sticker with a date. If you’ve passed that date the vehicle registration is expired and needs to be renewed. Typically, vehicle registration is annual or any time the title changes hands. If you bought a vehicle at a dealership the dealer should include title and registration, but verify that information to make sure.

The fastest way to complete the vehicle registration process is by submitting an application online with the eMV Public system. The system will take you through a series of questions to determine what’s needed for you to renew or apply for vehicle registration in Wisconsin. Answering another set of questions will automatically fill out the registration application form and tell you what additional documents are needed.

When applying online you can choose Title With Registration if you’re registering a vehicle in Wisconsin for the first time. A vehicle must have a title to be registered in the state. If you’re renewing the registration choose Re-Register Vehicle.

From there simply follow the directions and fill out the form fields to complete and submit the MV1 application. If you prefer to submit the form in-person or by mail you can print out the application once it’s complete.

Paperwork for Registering a Wisconsin Vehicle

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation handles a variety of vehicle registration services. There are a number of official forms that must be used in order to establish, renew or reinstate registration starting with the MV1 application.

MV1 Application

This is the primary title and license plate application that can be submitted online or filled out and brought into your local DMV office to register a vehicle.

In addition to the signed MV1 application you may also need to submit:

• For title transfers you’ll need a reassigned title or manufacturer certificate of origin.
• Special title transfer forms as requested.
• Additional forms as requested.
• All applicable fees.

Below are a few other registration forms that you may need to register a vehicle in Wisconsin.

• MV1020 - Title/registration Correction Request
• MV2026 - Duplicate Certificate of Registration
• MV3602 - Registration Reinstatement (Uninsured motorists/safety responsibility law)

Looking for more information on vehicle ownership in Wisconsin. Check out the links below to learn more.

Wisconsin Vehicle Fees

Wisconsin License Plates and Titles

Wisconsin Vehicle Registration

Disabled Person's Plates in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Emissions Testing