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Endangered resources license plates

When you purchase a special Endangered Resources license plate your fee includes an annual $25 donation to the Endangered Resources Program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Wisconsin's Endangered Resources Program works to identify, protect and manage native plants, animals and Wisconsin's natural communities from the common to the critically endangered. Your annual donation supports work to:

• Enhance the quality of life in Wisconsin by bringing back endangered and threatened species;
• Prevent rare species from becoming endangered;
• Preserve and manage the best examples of native ecosystems in our state natural areas for public use, education and research; and
• Promote knowledge and stewardship of our state's precious natural heritage for our children and grandchildren, since healthy ecosystems are good for wildlife and people.

Two Endangered Resources license plate designs are available: the gray wolf design, first issued in 1995, and the badger design, issued in 2010.

Vehicles that qualify:

• Automobiles
• Motor homes (annual registration only)
• Truck
  • 4,500, 6,000 or 8,000 pound gross weight including dual purpose farm and dual purpose motor home
  • 12,000 pound gross weight farm truck

Plates may be transferred from an auto to a truck/motor home, or vice versa, upon payment of the appropriate registration fee.

Things you should know:

• Endangered license plates can feature regular numbers or a personalized message.
• A $25 donation is required to issue an Endangered Resources plate AND each year at renewal. This fee is a donation to the Endangered Resources fund and is in addition to the registration fee.  The donation may be deductible if you itemize your income tax returns.
• A $15 issuance fee is required when non-personalized Endangered Resources plates are issued or reissued.
• If you would like personalized plates, a $15 fee is required EACH year in addition to the annual registration fee and Endangered Resources donation.
• For more information, visit personalized and special plates FAQs.

How to apply:

Local DMV customer service centers do not have Endangered Resources license plates for immediate issue, but can process applications and the plates will be mailed. To apply by mail, send the following items:

1. If the vehicle you wish to register with Endangered Resources license plates is already titled in your name, send:
   • A copy of your Certificate of Registration OR the complete vehicle description on application form MV2858 (396 KB)
   • $15 issuance or personalized plate fee
   • A $25 donation to the Endangered Resources Program. The $25 donation may be deductible if you itemize your income tax returns.
   • Annual registration fee if the current plates expire within the next three months.
2. If the vehicle is NOT titled in your name, send:
   • A completed title application form MV1 (684 KB) or MV11 (if purchased from a Wisconsin dealer) and all required fees
   • $15 issuance or personalized plate fee
   • $25 donation to the Endangered Resources Program. The $25 donation may be tax deductible if you itemize your income tax returns.
3. Make the check or money order payable to: Registration Fee Trust
4. Mail all required items to:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Special Plates Unit
P.O. Box 7911
Madison, WI 53707-7911

Personalized license plates

• Personalizing your Endangered Resources license plates is optional.
• A $15 personalized plate fee is required each year in addition to the $25 donation fee and regular annual registration fee.
• Visit Personalized Plate Lookup to find out if your choice for a personalized license plate is available.
• No refund or adjustment will be made for a change of choice or spacing after the plate has been ordered or if the application is unclear or incorrectly completed.
• WisDOT may refuse to issue, or may recall after issuance, a request that may be offensive to good taste or decency, misleading or conflicts with any other license plate.
• After you receive the Certificate of Registration, allow 4-6 weeks for the manufacturing and mailing process before the plates arrive.

Change from "Wolf" to "Badger" Endangered Resources plates

If you wish to re-register your non-personalized "Wolf" Endangered Resources with the new "Badger" design at renewal time, or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with the completed MV2858 (396 KB) requesting the new design. Include the regular annual registration fee, the $15 issuance fee and the $25 donation (the fee shown on the renewal notice). If you wish to re-register at any other time, send the request (completed MV2858), a copy of the Certificate of Registration and the $15 issuance fee.

If you wish to re-register your personalized "Wolf" Endangered Resources with the new "Badger" design at renewal time, or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with the completed MV2858 (396 KB) requesting the new design. Include the regular annual registration fee, the $15 personalized plate fee and the $25 donation (the fee shown on the renewal notice). If you wish to re-register at any other time, send the request (completed MV2858), a copy of the Certificate of Registration and the $15 personalized plate fee. You will have to pay the $15 personalization fee again when the plates are later renewed.

Change from personalized Endangered Resources to non-personalized Endangered Resources plates

If you wish to re-register your vehicle with non-personalized Endangered Resources license plates at renewal time, or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with a request for non-personalized Endangered Resources plates. Include the regular annual registration fee, the $15 issuance fee and the $25 donation (the fee shown on the renewal notice). If you wish to re-register at any other time, send the request and a copy of the Certificate of Registration and the $15 issuance fee.

Change from personalized Endangered Resources plates to regular plates

If you wish to re-register your vehicle with regular license plates at renewal time, or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with a request for regular plates. Include the regular registration fee (subtract $40 from the fee shown on the renewal notice). If you wish to re-register any other time, send the request and a copy of the Certificate of Registration.

Temporary plates required

To legally operate your vehicle, you must display license plates within two business days of purchase. If you do not have current plates, apply to a DMV service center or an agent authorized by DMV to obtain a temporary plate while your Endangered Resources plate order is processed. An agent may charge a plate fee and/or a service fee.

Release of information

WisDOT uses the information on this form to issue Endangered Resources license plates. Under open records laws, WisDOT must make nonexempt information available upon request. If you want your name and address withheld from mailing lists of 10 or more individuals, complete the "release of nonexempt information" portion on page three of form MV2858 (396 KB).

If you have questions:

• E-mail: special-plates.dmv@dot.wi.gov - include the make and identification number of the vehicle you are registering with Endangered Resources plates.
• Call: (608) 266-3041 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Fax: (608) 267-5106
• Write to the address above

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Questions about the content of this page:
Special Plate Unit, special-plates.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: July 14, 2011