The new Blackout and Retro license plates have topped 10,000 orders

The new Blackout and Retro license plates have topped 10,000 in the first month of distribution, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles. Blackout plates totaled almost 9,500 and nearly half of those were personalized. Retro plates totaled 1,200 and nearly half of those were personalized as well. WisDOT estimates over a half million Blackout plates could be on the road within three years.

The clean design of the Blackout plate has a black background with white lettering and edge. The unique sequence began with ZAA. ZAB* and ZAC are already in circulation. The Retro yellow or butter license plate features black letters on a sharp, yellow background reminiscent of the 1970s and began with YAA 1001. The simplified design on each allows for up to seven characters for those wanting to personalize their plates.

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

You do not have to wait to obtain these plates. And, anyone whose license plates are peeling or hard to read should replace those plates and can do so online by using the replacement plates online app or simply begin at wisconsindmv.gov/specialplates. If your online plate request does not have a personalized message or require special eligibility, which includes the Blackout and Retro plate, you can receive your plates within a few days instead of the several weeks via the traditional mail-in process. Approximately 25% of plates ordered through the new app are mailed out the next day.

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