Vehicle registration plates of Wisconsin
The U.S. state of Wisconsin first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. Plates are currently issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
Passenger baseplates
1905 to 1941
1942 to 1952
1953 to 1967
In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1956 issue was the first Wisconsin license plate that complied with these standards.| Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
| Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "53" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 | Letter corresponds to month of expiration | Letters A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L, P, T and V were used for January through December respectively; this practice continued through 1960. Revalidated for 1954 with red tabs. | ||
| 1955–56 | Embossed green serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "55" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 | First letter corresponds to month of expiration | Two-letter serial format introduced in months where serials in the one-letter format had been exhausted. Revalidated for 1956 with yellow tabs. | |
| 1957–58 | Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "57" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 AB-1234 | First letter corresponds to month of expiration | First 6" x 12" plate. Revalidated for 1958 with white tabs. | |
| 1959–60 | Embossed dark green serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "59" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 AB-1234 | First letter corresponds to month of expiration | Revalidated for 1960 with orange tabs. | |
| 1961–62 | Embossed black serial on light yellow plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "61" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 | Letter corresponds to month of expiration | Two letters assigned for each month ; this practice continued until 1986. Revalidated for 1962 with stickers. | |
| 1963–64 | Embossed blue serial on white plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "63" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 | Letter corresponds to month of expiration | Revalidated for 1964 with stickers. | |
| 1965–67 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "WIS" at top left; month of expiration and "65" at top right | "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" centered at bottom | A12-345 | Letter corresponds to month of expiration | Revalidated for 1966 and 1967 with stickers. |