If you’re a close follower of Wisconsin license plates, it won’t surprise you that the black-and-white Road America design continues to be popular.
In fact, it’s now the second-most-common specialty plate, up from the fifth slot in 2024. Plus, it’s the most popular design available to anyone – collector plates remain at the top, but they’re only available for vehicles past a certain age.
The state Department of Transportation has dropped a top 10 list of specialty license plates based on how many were registered to Wisconsinites in 2025.
There wasn’t much change from 2024, when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last reported that data. All top 10 plates remain, and almost exactly in the same order. But Road America plates now surpass both collector motorcycle and hobbyist plates.
Last year, 52,725 Road America plates were registered to motorists. That’s up from 32,371 in 2024. Time will tell if the state’s new blackout plates, a similar black-and-white design, will put a dent in those numbers.
What are the most popular specialty license plates in Wisconsin?
Here’s the top 10 list for 2025, according to the DOT:
The DOT shared the list in a Facebook post, which ignited a lively discussion in the comments. One person suggested a cranberry plate, and an Illinois native living in Wisconsin sarcastically suggested a Chicago Bears or Cubs plate.
How do I buy a specialty license plate in Wisconsin?
If you want a design other than the standard America’s Dairyland plate, visit the Division of Motor Vehicles’ online portal at specialplates.wi.gov. You can also check to see if personalized messages are already taken for each plate design.
Most plates cost $15 when they’re first issued. Most also come with a $25 annual donation to the cause depicted on the plate, such as the state’s endangered resources fund. Personalizing your plates costs an additional $15 each year.
A full list of special plates is available on the DMV’s website.
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These are the most popular specialty license plates in Wisconsin
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
