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Disability Placards & Plates in Wisconsin

Is involved in a military conflict, anyone who is a member of the military and stationed outside of Wisconsin is considered to be on 'active duty' for the purposes of eligibility for modified procedures for the following driver licensing and registration measures: Driver license renewal; duplicate driver license; insurance information; suspended or revoked license reinstatement. The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the main licensing and motor vehicle agency you will interact with as you establish residency in your new state. They are responsible for such tasks as: Vehicle registration and titling. Driver's license or state ID card issuance. Driver License Status Check.

Parking placards and license plates for people with disabilities are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The DMV offers parking permits for both temporary and permanent disabilities. All placards or plates require medical authorization.

Wisconsin Disability Parking Permits

The WI DMV offers two types of disabled parking permits to those with qualifying disabilities:

• Placards, if you have a temporary or permanent disability.
• License plates, if you have a permanent disability AND you:
  • Own or lease your car.
  • Drive a company car.
    OR
    
  • Use your vehicle to transport a person with disabilities on a regular basis.

Visiting Wisconsin?

If you're visiting Wisconsin and need a handicap parking permit, you can either:

• Use your placard from your home state.
  OR
  
• Apply for a temporary disability parking placard. See “Apply for a Disability Placard in WI' below for more information.

Handicap Parking Rules

With your disability parking placard or license plate, you can:

• Park in spaces reserved for disabled drivers.
• Exceed the time limit in spaces with limits of 30 minutes or higher.
• Park for free at meters in any municipal lot with a 30 minute or higher time limit.
• Request full service fueling for the price of self service at stations that offer both.

You must display your parking placard from the rearview mirror of the vehicle.

Apply for a Disability Placard in WI

You can apply for a disabled placard:

• By mail.
• In person.

To apply for a disabled parking placard, you will need:

• The correct completed application form:
  • Permanent Disabled Parking Identification Permit Application (Form MV2548).
    OR
    
  • Temporary Disabled Parking Identification Permit Application (Form MV2933).
• Eligibility authorization on the application form, completed by a healthcare professional.
• Payment for fees (see below):
  • By mail: Check or money order to “Registration Fee Trust.'
  • In person: Check, cash, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card.

NOTE: Make a copy of your application and keep it with you as proof of eligibility.

Either take the above to your local WI DMV service centerin person, or mail it to:

WisDOT
Special Plates Unit – DIS ID
P.O. Box 7306
Madison, WI 53707

Fees for Disabled Placards

When submitting your placard application, include payment for the applicable fees:

Driver Wish Map

• Permanent placard: Free.
• Temporary placard: $6.
• Service fees if applying in person:
  • $3 at WI DMV service centers.
  • Fees vary at other service providers.

Apply for Disability License Plates

If your own or lease your car, or if you use your vehicle to transport a person with disabilities on a regular basis, you can apply for disability license plates.

Disabled parking license plate applications can be made:

• By mail.
• In person.

To apply for a disability license plate, you must submit:

• A completed Disabled Parking License Plates Application (Form MV2162).
• Your doctor's authorization on the application form.
• Your vehicle registration OR a description of your vehicle on the application.
• Payment for fees (see below):
  • By mail: Check or money order payable to “Registration Fee Trust.'
  • In person: Check,cash, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card.

Drivers Wish Map

NOTE: Make a copy of your application and keep it with you as proof of eligibility.

Once you have all of the above items, take them in person to your local WI DMV office or mail it all to:

WisDOT
Special Plates Unit – DIS ID
P.O. Box 7306
Madison, WI 53707

Disabled Veteran License Plates

WisDOT disabled veteran (VET) license plates are available if you have a permanent disability resulting from military service.

For more information, see the WisDOT disabled veteran license plate page.

Disability License Plate Fees

The fees for your disability license plate vary based on when you apply and when you are due to renew your car registration.

When submitting your application, include the registration feeIF:

• Your car does not have a license plate.
  OR
  
• Your registration will expire in the next 3 months.

If applying in person, you will also need to pay an additional service fee.

NOTE: Add a $15 fee for personalized license plates.

Renew Your Disabled Permits in WI

All disabled parking permits must be renewed. The length of validity depends on the type of placard or plate you have:

Driver Whiz

• Temporary disabled placards: 6 months.
• Permanent placards: 4 years.
• License plate registration: Valid 1 year.

To renew your disability parking permit, simply reapply using the same process as an initial application, including new medical authorization.

See the sections “ Apply for a Disability Placard in WI' or “Apply for WI Disability Plates' above for more information.

In addition to disability permit renewal, you must renew your vehicle registration each year.

Replace Wisconsin Parking Permits

To replace your lost, stolen, or damaged disabled placard, you'll need to complete the application process again, including medical authorization.

See “ Apply for a Disability Placard in WI' above for more information.

For information about replacing a license plate that is lost, stolen, or damaged, see our Wisconsin Lost Registration page.

Forms

MV2162

MV2548

MV2933

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form

COVID-19 Effects on Licensing Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state DMVs nationwide have closed driver licensing offices, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. If possible, residents should use the DMV's online services to complete any relevant transactions. Follow the DMV's most recent updates for the latest information.

Renew Your Driver's License in Wisconsin

When your WI driver's license expires, you need to renew your license with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

On this page you'll find information on how to renew your WI driver's license by mail and in person.

If you need to renew your WI commercial driver's license (CDL), please see our guide to Renew Your CDL in Wisconsin.

If you need to renew your ID card, please see our page on WI Identification Cards.

Wisconsin REAL IDs

The Wisconsin DMV now issues federally-compliant REAL ID driver's licenses in addition to non-compliant licenses. REAL IDs allow you to use your driver's license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. For more details on WI REAL IDs, see below.

When to Renew Your WI Driver License

Your Wisconsin driver's license expires on your birthday. Depending on the type of WI driver's license you have, it will be valid for 2 years or 8 years:

• Probationary Class D: 2 years.
• Renewed driver's license: 8 years.

The Wisconsin DMV will mail you a renewal notice within 60 days before your driver's license expires. If you hold a valid, unexpired WI driver license, you may renew it up to 1 year before the expiration date. If you have a probationary Class D driver's license in Wisconsin, you may renew up to 90 days before it expires.

Additionally, your renewal requirements will differ if your license is:

• Expired.
• Suspended.
• Lost, damaged, or stolen.

NOTE:If you have lost or never received a renewal notice from the Wisconsin DMV, you can still renew your driver's license.

Expired Driver's License

If your Wisconsin driver license is expired, you can still renew, but you will have to pay the $5 late fee in addition to the renewal fee.

Suspended Driver License

If your driver license is suspended, you'll need to reinstate your driving privileges before you can renew.

Fore more information, head over to our guide to suspended licenses in Wisconsin page.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If your WI driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it as long as you have other proof of identity.

Do not drive without a valid driver's license in Wisconsin. To request a replacement, please see our Replacing a Lost License in Wisconsin page.

How to Renew a Wisconsin Driver's License

Wisconsin Drivers License Requirements

Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to renew your driver's license in Wisconsin:

• In person.
• By mail.

The Wisconsin DMV provides an interactive driver licensing guide to help you figure out what you're eligible for—and you MAY be able to submit your application online and schedule an appointment with the DMV at the same time.

Most renewals must be done in person. Note that if you're upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license during with your renewal, you'll need to bring extra documents with you similar to your first license application (see below for details).

If you are out of state and need to renew your WI driver's license, you can do so by mail.

Let's go through the steps for each option below.

In-Person Renewal

Want to upgrade to a REAL ID? Drivers sunplusmm modems.

You'll need to bring some extra documents with you for a REAL ID-compliant license upon renewal. See below for details.

To renew your WI driver's license in person, visit your local WI DMV office and:

• Complete a Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application (Form MV3001).
• Prove your name (if it has changed), with a document such as your:
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Court order.
• Prove your legal U.S. presence (if you're a non-U.S. citizen).
• Pay the $34 renewal fee with cash, check, or debit/credit card.

You should receive your new WI driver's license in the mail within 10 business days. The Wisconsin DMV will issue you a temporary license which is valid for 45 days, to use until you receive your new card. If you haven't received your renewed license, you can contact the WI DMV to check the status of your renewal.

If you want your renewed WI driver's license to comply with the REAL ID Act, see below.

By-Mail Renewal for Out-of-State Residents

If you will be out of state when your WI driver's license expires, you can renew by mail if:

• You are a U.S. citizen.
• Your Social Security number is on file with the Wisconsin DMV.
• Your last renewal was completed in person.
• Your license was NOT issued as “Valid without photo.'

To renew by mail you will need:

• A completed Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application (Form MV3001).
  • Include your out-of-state address in the mailing address section.
• To pass a vision exam in the last 90 days, and have your eye doctor complete the vision portion of the Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application (Form MV3001) or a Certificate of Vision Examination by Competent Authority form ( MV3030V).
• To write a letter including:
  • The date you left Wisconsin.
  • The date you will return.
  • The reason you are out of state.
  • Your full name.
  • Your Wisconsin address.
  • Your out-of-state address.
  • Your phone number or email address.
• Proof of your WI residency document, such as a photocopy of a:
  • Utility bill, issued in the last 90 days.
  • Bank statement, issued in the last 90 days.
• A photocopy of your current WI drivers license.
• A check for the $34 renewal fee payable to “Registration Fee Trust.'

To send your documents to renew your WI driver's license by regular mail, send the above to:

WisDOT
Driver Eligibility Unit
P.O. Box 7995
Madison, WI 53707

To send your documents to renew you WI driver license by priority/overnight mail, send the above to:

WisDOT
Driver Eligibility Unit
4822 Madison Yards Way., Room 225
Madison, WI 53705

Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on your application by first class mail.

REAL ID-Compliant Driver License

If you want your Wisconsin driver's license to be compliant with the federal REAL ID Act, you will also need to prove your:

• Name and birth date, with documents such as your:
  • Valid U.S. passport.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Permanent resident card.
• U.S. citizenship or legal U.S. presence, such as your:
  • Naturalization certificate.
  • Citizenship certification.
  • Current foreign passport and I-94 card or number.
• Social Security number (SSN), such as your:
  • Social Security card.
  • W-2 form.
  • Pay stub showing your name and full SSN.
• Wisconsin residency, such as a:
  • Utility bill, issued in the last 90 days.
  • Bank statement, issued in the last 90 days.

All documents must be originals; photocopies will not be accepted. The WI Division of Motor Vehicles provides everything you need for acceptable REAL ID documents.

NOTE: There is no additional cost to receive a REAL ID Wisconsin driver license if you apply at the time of renewal.

License Renewals for Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen living in Wisconsin temporarily and want to obtain/renew a WI drivers license, you must provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S. that permits a stay of at least 1 year.

NOTE: You must have at least 6 months of your legal stay remaining to apply for a driver license.

Renewal for WI Military Members

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

For active duty service members hailing from Wisconsin, your driver's license will NOT expire while you're deployed or stationed outside the state until EITHER:

• 30 days after you return to Wisconsin
  OR
• 90 days after your honorable discharge (whichever happens first).

To obtain this extension, have the DMV place a notation on your driving record by sending a signed statement that includes:

• Your name and birth date.
• Your permanent WI address.
• A temporary mailing address.
• An affirmation of your active duty status.

You can submit the above statement:

• By fax to (608) 261-8201
• By mail to:
  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation
  • Driver Eligibility Unit
  • P.O. Box 7995
  • P.O. Box 7995
  • Madison, WI 53707

A copy of your notated driving record will be sent to the temporary mailing address you provide, which you'll need to carry with your WI driver's license while you're out of state.

Should you choose to renew your driver's license while you're gone, follow the instructions for mail-in out-of-state renewals below.

Forms

MV3001

MV3030V

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Email the link to this form