What the Road America plate is and who can get it
Wisconsin's Road America license plate is a special plate that displays the Road America racetrack logo instead of the standard Wisconsin design. Road America is a professional racing facility in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The plate works like any other Wisconsin plate — it displays your vehicle registration and lets you drive legally — but a portion of the fee you pay goes to support the racetrack's operations and events.
Any Wisconsin resident can request this plate when they register or renew their vehicle. You do not need to live near the racetrack or have any connection to racing. The plate is available for passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles, though some vehicle types may have restrictions depending on Wisconsin Department of Transportation rules at the time you order.
Road America plates are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) through your local county clerk's office or through online renewal if you are renewing an existing registration. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Wisconsin, you will handle the plate request at the same time you complete your registration.
Key Takeaways
- Road America plates cost more than standard Wisconsin plates because a portion of the fee supports the racetrack.
- You order the plate through your county clerk's office or online during vehicle registration or renewal.
- The plate is available to any Wisconsin resident and works exactly like a standard plate for all legal purposes.
- Processing time is the same as a standard plate — typically two to four weeks from the time WisDOT receives your order.
The cost difference between Road America and standard plates
Road America plates cost more than standard Wisconsin plates. The exact difference varies depending on your vehicle type and current fee schedules, but you should expect to pay an additional fee — typically in the range of $10 to $25 per registration period — beyond what a standard plate costs. This surcharge is what funds Road America's operations.
When you register or renew online or at your county clerk's office, the system will show you the total cost before you pay. You will see the base registration fee, the plate fee, and the Road America surcharge listed separately so you know exactly what the extra cost is. If the surcharge seems high relative to your budget, you can choose a standard plate instead at that same moment — there is no penalty for choosing the standard design.
The surcharge applies every time you renew your registration, not just once. If you keep the Road America plate for five years, you will pay the surcharge at each renewal. Some people choose the plate because they support the racetrack; others switch back to a standard plate after one or two renewals to save the cost.
How to order a Road America plate
If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Wisconsin, visit your county clerk's office with your title, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. When the clerk shows you available plate designs, select Road America. They will process your registration and submit the order to WisDOT. You will pay the registration fee plus the Road America surcharge at that time.
If you are renewing an existing registration, you have two options. You can renew online through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website — most people can do this without visiting an office — or you can visit your county clerk's office in person. Online renewal is faster and you can do it from home. When you renew online, the system will ask you to confirm your current plate design or choose a different one. Select Road America if you want to keep it, or choose a standard plate if you want to switch.
If you are renewing in person at the clerk's office, bring your current registration and proof of insurance. The clerk will show you plate options and process your renewal the same way. Either method takes about the same time — WisDOT typically produces and mails your plate within two to four weeks after they receive the order.
Processing time and when you will receive your plate
After you order a Road America plate, WisDOT manufactures it and mails it to your address on file. This process typically takes two to four weeks from the date WisDOT receives your order from the county clerk's office. You will receive a temporary registration document in the mail first, usually within a few days, which you can display in your vehicle window while you wait for the physical plate.
If you need a plate faster — for example, if you are buying a used vehicle and need to drive it when ready — ask your county clerk about temporary registration options. Wisconsin allows temporary registrations that let you drive legally for a short period while your permanent plate is being made. This is not specific to Road America plates; it applies to any plate design.
If more than four weeks pass and you have not received your plate, contact your county clerk's office with your registration number. They can check the status with WisDOT and reorder if necessary. Plates occasionally get lost in the mail, and the clerk can request a replacement.
Switching from Road America to a standard plate or vice versa
You can change your plate design at any time, though the practical moment is when you renew your registration. If you ordered a Road America plate and want to switch to a standard design, straightforward choose the standard plate when you renew. You do not need to return the old plate — Wisconsin allows you to keep it as a souvenir, and you can even display it on a wall at home.
If you have a standard plate and want to switch to Road America, the process is the same: choose Road America when you renew. You will pay the surcharge starting with that renewal. Some people switch back and forth depending on their budget in a given year, and there is no limit to how many times you can change.
If you want to change your plate design before your renewal date, you can request an early renewal through your county clerk's office. This costs an additional fee — typically a prorated amount — so most people wait until their regular renewal date unless they have a specific reason to change sooner.
What happens if your Road America plate is damaged or lost
If your plate is stolen, damaged, or becomes unreadable, contact your county clerk's office and request a replacement. Bring your current registration and proof of residency. The clerk will order a replacement plate from WisDOT at a replacement fee, which is typically lower than the original plate fee. You will receive a temporary registration document while the new plate is being made.
If you want the replacement to be a Road America plate, tell the clerk when you request it. If you want to switch to a standard plate at that moment, you can do that too. The replacement process takes the same two to four weeks as an original order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get a Road America plate if I live near the racetrack?
No. Road America plates are optional for all Wisconsin residents, regardless of where you live. You can choose a standard plate instead. The plate is available to anyone, but it is not required for anyone.
Can I transfer my Road America plate to a different vehicle?
Wisconsin does not allow plate transfers between vehicles. Each vehicle gets its own registration and plate. If you buy a new vehicle, you will register it separately and order a new plate. You can choose Road America for the new vehicle if you want, but the old plate stays with the old vehicle's registration.
What if I move out of Wisconsin?
When you move to another state, you will register your vehicle in that state and receive a plate from that state. You do not need to do anything with your Wisconsin Road America plate — straightforward register in your new state. If you move back to Wisconsin later, you will register again and can choose Road America or a standard plate.
Is the Road America surcharge tax-deductible?
The surcharge is part of your vehicle registration fee, which is generally not tax-deductible for personal vehicles. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation, as rules vary based on how you use the vehicle and your tax circumstances.
Can I order a Road America plate online if I am registering a vehicle for the first time?
First-time registrations in Wisconsin typically require an in-person visit to your county clerk's office because you need to present your title and proof of insurance. Online registration is available for renewals of existing registrations. After your first registration is complete, you can renew online in future years.