What is the municipal vehicle registration fee?

The municipal vehicle registration fee has been allowed in Wisconsin since 1967 under Wisconsin Statue 314.35, which allows a town, city, or county to collect an annual vehicle registration fee (or wheel tax) in addition to the regular annual registration fee paid for:

• Autocycle registration
• Automobile registration
• Truck registration at 8,000 lbs. or less (except dual purpose farm)

What vehicles are exempt from a municipal vehicle registration fee?

• These special platesare exempt from wheel tax: Antique, Collector (“Collector Special” plates are not exempt), Ex-Prisoner of War (if issued without registration fee), Historic Military, Hobbyist and Medal of Honor.
• All special plates issued to a farm truck, dual purpose farm truck or motor home are also exempt from wheel tax.

For what can the municipal vehicle registration fee be used?

• Revenues collected for the municipal vehicle registration fee may only be used for transportation-related purposes. Collected fees cannot be used or transferred for other governmental purposes and are not subject to levy limits.

When will the municipal vehicle registration fee go into effect?

• The collection of the fee by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will begin for vehicles with the registration or renewal date of February 1, 2026.

What is the estimated revenue collection?

• With the flat fee of $25.00, the estimated annual revenue collected is $34,850.

Why did the City decide to implement a vehicle registration fee?

• The fee provides a sustainable, local revenue source to support essential maintenance of roads, infrastructure improvements, and other transportation projects.

Which other jurisdictions have enacted a municipal vehicle registration fee?

• 53 municipalities and 14 counties have enacted a fee as of October 2025.
• A full list of jurisdictions assessing a fee is available on the WI DOT’s Website.

Can the City waive or make exception to the fee?

• State law does not allow for exemptions or waivers to the municipal vehicle registration fee beyond what the state has exempted and does not grant the City the authority to waive the fee based on income, vehicle type, or need. The full fee is always required to issue or renew registration and is never prorated.

My vehicle is not located in the City of Augusta.  Why did I receive this fee?

Verify the correct county and city, village, or township where your vehicle is customarily kept when you apply for registration and on your license plate renewal notice (see example below).  If you recently changed your address, WisDOT records for the vehicle location will update automatically in most cases. Refunds for fees paid in error are managed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Any person who gives a false or fictitious location where a vehicle is customarily kept may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than six months or both (section 341.60, WI stats.)

To correct this information:

• If you mail your renewal notice or apply in person, indicate the correct information on the notice, and submit the appropriate fee, or
• Visit Vehicle kept in information (individuals only; not available for businesses) to change the location.
• Contact WisDOT.