Capitol Connection
By State Senator Joe Leibham
October 8, 2008
Just Ask Joe: The Military License Plate
Last week, I was contacted by a number of constituents who asked me to explain the recent changes in the Wisconsin Military License Plate. The design of this plate has changed twice over the past two years, so read on for the “Just Ask Joe” information on the most recent developments on this issue.
In the fall of 2007, I began to receive calls from area veterans who were frustrated with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) for changing the design of Wisconsin’s Military License Plate. The easily-recognizable red, white and blue striped design of the past was replaced with a plate that has a solid white background and a veteran’s decal that is nearly too small to read. This new design defeated the purpose of the plate; which is to identify the driver of the vehicle as someone who served our nation in the U.S. Military and deserves our respect and admiration.
This action by DOT was taken without any consultation of or approval by the legislature. After receiving an outcry of concerns about this change from our veterans’ community and opposition from DOT to restoring the original design, I authored a bill to bring back the old red, white and blue design. While our bill did not pass, I am happy to report that the DOT, in response to the continued pressure applied by veterans and our legislative efforts, on July 1, began offering a new Military License Plate design that brings back the former red, white and blue background. These plates are available to veterans, retired military personnel, medal recipients, members of the active or reserve military and military academy students or alumni. All of the veterans who have contacted me over the past couple of weeks are very pleased with this change. Drivers who like the newer design with the white background and small decal are welcome to keep that design until their plates need to be replaced.
Drivers wishing to switch from the old white design to the new red, white and blue design may do so by requesting replacement Military License Plates by completing and mailing DOT Form MV2118, the Replacement License Plate Application. You may download and print a copy of Form MV2118 from the DOT’s website at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2118.pdf or find a copy at your local Department of Motor Vehicles service center.
Unfortunately, the DOT has now decided to charge a $10 replacement plate fee to get this new plate. Again, this was not approved by the legislature and I find this unacceptable and will work as a member of the rules committee and during the next budget cycle to eliminate this fee. It was wrong that DOT made the design change initially without the consent of the legislature and it is wrong to now charge our veterans another ten dollars to get back the plate they never wanted to get rid of in the first place. Unfortunately, this process will not be able to begin until January 2009.
If you have a vehicle that is titled in your name, has never had a veteran’s plate and you would like the new (red, white and blue stripped) Military License Plate for the first time, mail the following to the DOT: 1) Completed Military License Plates Application form MV2653 with signed Proof of Eligibility or photocopy of eligibility documentation as described on page one of the form (Form MV2653 may be found here: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2653.pdf); 2) Issuance fee of $15 if you are requesting non-personalized plates; 3) Personalized plate fee of $15, if requesting personalized plates; 4) Your annual registration fee if you do not have plates or if your current plates expire within the next three months; and 5) Your check or money order made payable to “Registration Fee Trust.”
Please note that the funds from the issuance fee for the Military License Plate will be transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Trust Fund. As such, the $15 issuance fee may be tax deductible for you, so please check with your accountant to determine your eligibility for this tax benefit.
If you have questions about the new design for the Military License Plate, the DOT has set up a web site discussing the new plate and how you may receive yours:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/military.htm
You can also contact my office and we will be happy to get you the forms.
I was proud to help lead the effort to bring back the red, white and blue Military License Plate design on behalf of the veterans of our state. Again, it should have never been changed in the first place and our veterans should not have to pay for this mistake. As stated, I will work to eliminate the unjustifiable, $10 replacement fee.
Is there a state program, law or issue you would like me to address? “Just ask Joe” by calling me at 888-295-8750, writing to P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at www.leibhamsenate.com.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!