by Armando Martinez
Introduction
In Wisconsin, you have to register your car with the Wisconsin DMV within 30 days of purchasing it. You can do this online or in person at any DMV office. If you buy from a private owner and don't have proof of ownership (such as a title), then you will need to get an affidavit from the seller stating that they no longer own the vehicle and that they are selling it without any liens on it.
You'll also need:
- Proof of Insurance (proof of liability insurance is required in order to register).
- Your current WI driver's license or ID card
Step 1: Obtain a Bill of Sale and Complete the Title Application Form
The Bill of Sale is a very important document. It should include the following information:
- The seller's name and address
- The buyer's name and address (including phone number)
- The year, make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN) of your car. If you don't know this information then you can get it from your state's DMV website or by contacting them directly.
You can obtain a Bill of Sale from any Wisconsin county treasurer's office for free by filling out an application form known as "Application For Certificate Of Title." You will need to bring proof that you own the car with you when applying for one; usually this means providing proof of registration or ownership documents such as an insurance card or registration certificate along with payment in cash only ($5).
Step 2: Obtain Insurance for Your Vehicle
You'll need to get insurance for your vehicle. You can do this by contacting an insurance company, adding the car to an existing policy, or buying a new policy.
If you have not yet purchased insurance for your vehicle:
- Contact an insurance agent in person or over the phone. They will help determine what coverage is best suited for your needs and budget. If possible, bring proof of ownership with you when purchasing auto insurance (e.g., title).
- Add the car's make/model year and VIN number into the quote form provided by your agent so they can provide accurate quotes based on those specifications; otherwise they may give inaccurate pricing information!
Step 3: Get an Emissions Test Before Registering Your Vehicle
To register your vehicle, you will need to get an emissions test. Follow these steps:
- Sign an affidavit that says you have not had the vehicle inspected for emissions since it was last registered in Wisconsin and submit it to the DMV or mail it in. You can find this form online here (https://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicle_registration/emissions).
- Take your vehicle to a local DMV office or mail it in, along with payment for the $20 fee and any applicable registration fees (see below). You'll also need proof of insurance before registering your car with us!
Step 4: Submit the Registration Application
- Complete the Wisconsin DMV Title Application online or found here, MV1.
- Mail in your application with proof of identity and vehicle information.
Step 5: Get License Plates for Your Vehicle
To get your plates, visit the DMV office in person with:
- A current registration card and proof of insurance.
- If you are transferring ownership from one family member to another, you'll need to bring along both parties' driver's licenses or state IDs (and their signatures).
You can also register a vehicle as an antique or custom truck if it was made before 1945; if it has been modified so that it no longer resembles its original design; or if it has been registered as such with the DMV since at least 1973. You will need: - A completed Application for Antique/Custom Truck Registration (Form MV2879) * Proof of ownership such as an affidavit from the previous owner stating that he or she no longer owns this vehicle.*
Step 6: Have Your Vehicle Inspected for Safety and Emissions
You'll need to bring your new car in for an inspection. You can find a list of inspection stations on the WI DMV website, and they're also listed in the phone book.
Bring proof of ownership (the title), completed Affidavit for Transferring Title Without Certificate or an Application for Vehicle Registration, and $25 cash or check made out to "Wisconsin Department of Transportation" with you when you go to get your vehicle inspected.
Step 7: Keep Your Registration and License Plates Updated
- Renewing your registration within 30 days of its expiration date.
- Paying a late fee of $50 plus any additional costs associated with re-registering your vehicle.
- Online services for some transactions, such as renewing your vehicle registration and paying fees at wiautoservices.org/wisconsin (available in English and Spanish).
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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