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Ex-POW Plates Free on One Vehicle — but They Still Have to Be Renewed

Wisconsin charges NO ISSUANCE OR REGISTRATION FEES for Ex-POW plates on ONE qualifying vehicle, for a motorist certified as a former prisoner of war by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional vehicles pay a $15 issuance fee plus the annual registration. The trap is administrative: THE PLATES EXPIRE ANNUALLY AND MUST BE RENEWED EVEN THOUGH NO FEE IS DUE. A free plate that lapses because nobody expected a renewal notice is a real problem.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Wisconsin charges NO ISSUANCE OR REGISTRATION FEES for Ex-POW plates on ONE qualifying vehicle, for a motorist certified as a former prisoner of war by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional vehicles pay a $15 issuance fee plus the annual registration. The trap is administrative: THE PLATES EXPIRE ANNUALLY AND MUST BE RENEWED EVEN THOUGH NO FEE IS DUE. A free plate that lapses because nobody expected a renewal notice is a real problem.

What it's worth: No issuance or registration fee on one vehicle

  • NO ISSUANCE OR REGISTRATION FEES for ONE qualifying vehicle.
  • ADDITIONAL VEHICLES: a $15 issuance fee plus the annual registration fee.
  • THE PLATES EXPIRE ANNUALLY AND MUST BE RENEWED EVEN THOUGH NO FEE IS DUE.
  • Certification as a FORMER PRISONER OF WAR by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • You must be the vehicle OWNER, LESSEE OR TRUST BENEFICIARY.
  • NO DISABILITY RATING IS REQUIRED.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You were held as a prisoner of war.
  • Wisconsin vehicle registration.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Get the VA certification of former prisoner of war status.
  2. 2Apply to the Wisconsin DMV; no disability rating is needed.
  3. 3DIARY THE ANNUAL RENEWAL. The plates expire even though the renewal costs nothing.
  4. 4Put the free plate on the vehicle you drive; additional vehicles cost $15 plus registration.
  5. 5If the vehicle is held in a trust, say so — trust beneficiaries are covered.
Form
Application to the Wisconsin DMV
File with
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, DMV
Documents you will need
dd214
Annual
Claimed once a year.
Worth knowingFree and still expiring is an easy thing to get wrong. Treat the renewal like any other, even though there is nothing to pay.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.