MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Blackout and Retro butter yellow will be the newest license plate designs found on Wisconsin vehicles, officials revealed Tuesday.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials gathered with Gov. Tony Evers to announce the new designs, which are estimated to generate over $25 million for the state’s transportation fund in the first three years.
Officials said this additional funding will help invest in Wisconsin’s infrastructure for years to come.
Blackout and Retro license plates(WisDOT | Wisconsin Governor’s Office)
Gov. Evers described the specialty plates as a win-win for the state.
“Bringing back the butter yellow Retro plate offers folks a sense of nostalgia while celebrating Wisconsin’s heritage as America’s Dairyland, and the new Blackout plate provides a contemporary look that folks have been asking for,” Evers said. “Both plates embody a special sense of Wisconsin style, and I look forward to seeing them out on our roads.”
Evers included $5.5 million in his 2025-27 biennial budget to support introducing these plates.
Blackout and Retro butter yellow will be the newest license plate designs found on Wisconsin vehicles, officials revealed Tuesday.
The new Blackout plate features an all black background, with white letters, numbers and outline.
The Retro yellow license plate calls back to the 1970s, featuring a sharp “butter” yellow background.
“Some call it the butter plate, others call it the Retro plate but if you had one in the 1970s, it was just the Wisconsin license plate,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We put in some effort to get just the right shade of yellow. It’s nostalgic, it’s familiar to many, and I am planning to order one myself.”
New Wisconsin license plates(WMTV)
Officials said the Blackout plates will begin with ZAA 1001, and the Retro plates will start with YAA 1001.
Both plates will include the state name, and slogan “America’s Dairyland.”
WisDOT officials said both plates require a one-time $15 issuance fee, plus a $25 annual registration fee.
DMV service centers are expected to have the plates on hand starting in early January.
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