Temporary operation permits and plates
Wis. Stat. § 341.09
in effect(1)
(a) The department shall issue temporary operation plates as provided under subs. (2), (2m) and (9) and may issue a temporary operation permit or plate for an unregistered vehicle as otherwise provided under this section. Except as provided in par. (b), the permits or plates shall contain the date of expiration and sufficient information to identify the vehicle for which and the person to whom it is issued. The department may place the information identifying the vehicle and the person to whom the permit or plate is issued on a separate form. Except as provided in subs. (3) to (5), a temporary operation plate issued under this section is valid for a period of 90 days or until the applicant receives the regular registration plates, whichever occurs first.
(b) The department shall specify by rule the size, color, design, form and specifications of temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, and the system to be used to identify the date of issuance of such plates. All temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less shall contain a registration number composed of letters or numbers.
(c) Notwithstanding sub. (2m) (a) 1. b., a dealer may collect a special handling fee of not more than $5 if the dealer provides special assistance to a person who is applying for a temporary operation plate under sub. (2m) (a) 1. b.
(1m) The department may issue a temporary operation plate for a motorcycle under sub. (8). The plate shall contain the date of expiration and sufficient information to identify the motorcycle for which and the person to whom it is issued.
(2)
(a) Upon request therefor by a person who has made a verifiable application for registration and paid the registration fee, the department shall issue a temporary operation permit or plate if it appears that the person would otherwise be unable to lawfully operate the vehicle pending receipt of the registration plates.
(b) If the department is not able to verify that an application has been submitted, the department may issue a temporary operation permit or plate if it is satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle and the applicant submits another application with all fees normally required to title and register the vehicle. The fee paid under this paragraph shall be refunded upon completion of processing of the original application.
(d) The department may issue temporary operation plates for use on any vehicle except buses, for-hire vehicles and vehicles which are subject to registration under the international registration plan if the state is a party to such plan. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specifications of the plate. The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each temporary operation plate issued under this subsection.
(e) Sections 341.13 and 341.14 do not apply to plates issued under this subsection.
(f) Nothing in this subsection requires a person who has complied with s. 341.04 (1) to obtain a temporary operation plate under this subsection.
(g) A temporary operation plate may not be issued under this subsection to a state resident for use on an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less.
(2m)
(a)
1. Upon request by a dealer licensed in this state, the department may issue any number of temporary operation plates and temporary permits to a dealer under sub. (2) at a fee of $3 per item. The dealer may issue the temporary operation plate or permit at a fee of $3 to any of the following:
a. Except as provided in subd. 2., a state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer any type of vehicle except buses, for-hire vehicles and vehicles which are subject to registration under the international registration plan if the state is a party to such plan, for use on such vehicle.
b. A state resident who purchases or leases an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less from a person other than the dealer for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.
1m. The department shall issue temporary operation plates and temporary permits to a dealer under this subsection solely in an electronic format.
2. Each dealer shall issue a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit without charge to any state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest, and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.
3. The department shall prescribe the manner in which a dealer shall keep records of temporary operation plates and temporary permits issued by the dealer.
(d) If the department determines that a dealer has misused temporary operation plates or permits issued under this subsection or sub. (4) or has failed to comply with the requirements of this section or rules issued under this section, the department may issue an order prohibiting the dealer from issuing temporary operation plates or permits. Within 30 days after the issuance of the order, the dealer may request a hearing before the division of hearings and appeals. The division of hearings and appeals shall schedule a hearing with reasonable promptness. The dealer may not issue any temporary operation plates or permits until after the division of hearings and appeals holds its scheduled hearing and issues its findings.
(3) Upon application to the department by a person engaged in the active military service of the United States or its allies or who is a member of the U.S. foreign service appointed under 22 USC 3942 (a) (1) or 3943 who is on active duty and upon satisfactory proof of the active military or foreign service status of the applicant and of being granted a furlough, the department shall issue to the applicant without charge a temporary operation plate that authorizes the applicant to operate any vehicle owned or designated by the applicant without registration of the vehicle. The plate is valid only while the applicant is on furlough and for a period not to exceed 30 days. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form, and specifications of a plate issued under this subsection. The plate may be similar or identical to a plate issued under sub. (2).
(4) Upon receipt of an application and a fee of $3, the department shall register a vehicle purchased or leased in this state by a nonresident for a period not to exceed 30 days. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specifications of a plate issued under this subsection. The plate may be similar or identical to a plate issued under sub. (2). The department may issue the plates to dealers at a fee of $3 per plate in the manner and for the purpose provided in sub. (2m).
(5) The department may issue a temporary operation permit or plate which is valid for a period of 30 days upon request of the owner of a vehicle which is subject to the inspection required by s. 110.20 (6). The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each temporary operation permit or plate issued under this subsection. The department shall determine the size, color, design, form and specification of the plate.
(6) The department may, in instances of special transportation need as determined by the department, issue a trip permit which is valid for a 72-hour period to the owner or operator of a vehicle which is eligible for quarterly registration under s. 341.30 or consecutive monthly registration under s. 341.305. The fee for the trip permit shall be not less than $15. The secretary may waive the fee for the trip permit if the secretary determines that waiver is appropriate under the circumstances.
(7) The owner of a special interest vehicle registered under s. 341.266 (2) (a) or a reconstructed, replica, street modified or homemade vehicle registered under s. 341.268 (2) (a) may, upon payment of a fee of $5 and application to the department, be issued a permit for operation of the vehicle for a period not to exceed 5 successive days during the month of January. The permit shall be valid only in the calendar year for which the permit is issued. The department shall prescribe the form of the application and permit and the manner in which the permit shall be displayed. The owner may be issued additional permits in subsequent years upon application and payment of the required fee.
(8) The department may issue a temporary operation plate to a person who is eligible for the issuance of a special plate for a motorcycle under s. 341.14 (1e) if the department determines that the person’s disability is temporary. The plate shall contain the information specified in sub. (1m) and comply with s. 341.13 (2m), if applicable. The plate shall otherwise be similar to or identical to plates issued under s. 341.14 (1e). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance of a plate under this subsection.
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department shall issue a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit without charge for an automobile or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less upon receipt of a complete application accompanied by the required fee for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, if the department does not immediately issue the regular registration plates for the vehicle and the department determines that the applicant has not otherwise been issued a temporary operation plate or a temporary permit under this section.
(10) A dealer that violates sub. (2m) (a) or any rule promulgated under this section or that misuses temporary operation plates or permits issued under sub. (2m) (a) may be required to forfeit not less than $500 nor more than $5,000.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/341.09Fetched: 10/7/2026