Frustrations mount as residents of the City face the possibility of yet another financial burden in the form of increased vehicle registration fees. With the cost of living already pressing down on wallets, the Mayor’s latest proposed budget for 2026 suggests hiking the wheel tax by another $10, according to a statement published by the City of Milwaukee. The fee, initially set at $20 in 2008, has incrementally risen to what could be a total of $40 for the City alone if the proposal passes.
This stacking of fees isn’t singular in its nature; it’s a heap with the County’s own $30 wheel tax and the State’s base $85 registration fee. For car owners, this means a potential total of $155 just to keep their vehicle legally on the road; truck drivers and eco-friendly motorists with hybrid or electric vehicles face even higher fees. According to the City of Milwaukee, those driving hybrids will be out another $75, and electric vehicle owners could see a steep additional $175 charge.
Still, these taxes help fund important city services. A proposed $10 increase could bring in up to $2.7 million for road repairs and maintenance. Without it, public infrastructure could suffer, as per the City of Milwaukee…