Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Announce New Blackout and Retro License Plate Designs Now Available for Wisconsin Drivers to Purchase

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), today announced that Wisconsin’s newest state license plates, a Blackout design and a Retro butter yellow design depicted here, are now available for purchase at most DMVs, at participating dealers and third parties who already stock Wisconsin plates, and online at wisconsindmv.gov/specialplates. Gov. Evers previously unveiled the new plate designs in December.

“I’m really jazzed folks will start seeing these new plates out on our roads that really showcase our proud Wisconsin heritage and style while also helping us continue our work fixing the darn roads across our state—it’s a win-win for Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “These new plates give Wisconsinites more options for a contemporary license plate look or a nostalgic reference to Wisconsin’s past and will generate millions to provide ongoing revenue to help stabilize our state’s transportation fund, which has been a priority for me and my administration from the get-go. I encourage Wisconsinites across our state to check out the new Blackout and Retro plate designs today.”

The bipartisan 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers included $5.5 million in funding to support the introduction of these two new specialty license plates, which are estimated to generate more than $25 million for the state’s transportation fund in the first three years. The additional revenue for the state transportation fund will help build upon the Evers Administration’s efforts to invest in Wisconsin’s infrastructure to ensure it meets the needs of a 21st-century workforce and economy. Since 2019, the Evers Administration has improved more than 9,600 miles of roads and 2,400 bridges statewide. WisDOT fast-tracked the development of the two new license plates in order to ensure they would be ready for public distribution in early January 2026.

The new Blackout plate features an all-black background with white letters, numbers, and outline. WisDOT estimates over half a million Blackout plates could be on the road within three years. An image of the Blackout design is available here. An image of the Retro butter yellow design is available here. An image of the Retro butter yellow and Blackout design side by side is available here and below.

The Retro yellow or “butter” license plate harkens back to the 1970s, featuring the familiar black letters on a sharp, yellow background.

“Our DMV team worked hard to make these license plates a reality, and I’m thrilled they are now available,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “WisDOT applauds Gov. Evers’ commitment to fixing our roads. The state budget investment to create these license plates not only meets customer demand for new and stylish plate options but will provide revenue critical to continuing to fix the roads we all rely on.”

According to WisDOT, both license plates feature the state name on top like all current Wisconsin plates, and the slogan “America’s Dairyland” will display beneath the numbers and letters on the Retro plate. Standard-issued plates will have a sequence of numbers and letters that are also unique. The Blackout plates will begin with ZAA 1001, and the Retro plates will begin with YAA 1001. The simplified design allows for up to seven characters for those wanting to personalize their plates.

“Since 1921, all of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s license plates have been made at Waupun Correctional Institution,” said DOC Secretary Jared Hoy. “The DOC residents who make these plates take tremendous pride in their work and DOC staff are privileged to help them learn and grow through these jobs. For the men making these license plates, the opportunities offered through the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises give them not only meaningful work but also help prepare them for successful careers in their communities.”

Footage of the license plate production process is available for press use here.

FEES AND ORDERING PROCESS

Both plates come with a one-time $15 issuance fee, plus a $25 annual registration fee. The income generated from the registration of these plates will help finance infrastructure improvement projects all across the state.

These plates are available online, in most DMVs, at participating dealers, and third parties who already stock Wisconsin plates. The plates join dozens of others available to order online through DMV’s new web app wisconsindmv.gov/specialplates.

The app streamlines the ordering process, helps customers select a plate from more than 60 options organized by interest areas, and makes delivery faster. Customers whose order requires no special eligibility, which includes the Blackout and Retro plate, and does not include a personalized message, could receive their plates within a week instead of several weeks via the traditional mail-in process. Approximately 25 percent of plates ordered through the new app are mailed out the next day.

The guided online process allows the customer the option to personalize their plate with a custom message. The plate is then previewed to show the personalized message on the plate as they type it. The message is concurrently verified with the database to check for duplicates or known inappropriate words or phrases.

This convenient process continues by allowing the customer to renew their vehicle registration at the same time. Finally, instead of needing to mail a check or money order, customers can pay online using modern, secure payment methods.

DMV Customer Service Centers (wisconsindmv.gov/centers) that provide license plates/registration will also have stock on hand beginning in early January.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.