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Title loans in Wisconsin

Title loans for bad credit in Wisconsin

Title loans are allowed in Wisconsin from state-licensed lenders (Licensed Lender license). Here are the limits Wisconsin law sets, what a typical loan can cost, and where to get free help if you need it.

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Last updated .

Part of the Wisconsin guide

What Wisconsin law allows

Title loans in Wisconsin
ProductStatusAPR capAmountTermLicenseLaw
Title loans[1][2][3] AllowedNo rate limit in state law No rate limit Up to $25,000 Up to 6 months Licensed Lender license Wis. Stat. sec. 138.16
Verified against the statute and regulator on September 23, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the regulator before you borrow.

Bars place each APR cap on a 0 to 400% scale; the pin marks the cap. A striped bar means the statute sets no numeric cap.

The rules in full

Title loans

Rate cap
Wis. Stat. sec. 138.16: a title loan is a loan of 25,000 dollars or less secured by the borrower's motor vehicle with an original term of not more than 6 months, made by a licensed lender holding a title loan certificate for the location. Principal may not exceed 50 percent of the vehicle's retail value. There is no limit on interest before maturity; after maturity interest may not exceed 2.75 percent per month.
Fees
No pre-maturity interest limit; post-maturity interest capped at 2.75 percent per month, computed daily without compounding (sec. 138.16).
License
Licensed Lender license under Wis. Stat. sec. 138.09 with a Title Loan Certificate of Authorization, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

Full detail for every loan type: Wisconsin lending laws.

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Rent and jobs in Wisconsin

Typical rent and the jobless rate, to weigh before a loan payment.

Rent and unemployment in Wisconsin
MeasureValueYear
Fair market rent, 2 bedroom (monthly)[4]$1,287FY2026
Unemployment rate[5]3.2%2026-08

Other options in Wisconsin

Cheaper options to try first

Worth checking whatever your credit: these can cost less than a high-rate loan.

  • Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs), capped at 28% APR under NCUA rules (12 CFR 701.21).
  • Nonprofit credit counseling through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
  • A payment plan from the company you owe, if you ask before you miss a payment.
  • 211 for help with rent, utilities and food: call 211 or visit 211.org.

More cheaper options in Wisconsin.

Other loan types allowed in Wisconsin

See every loan type Wisconsin law allows.

Title loans in nearby states

  • MichiganNot allowed Not allowed
  • MinnesotaAllowedHigh-cost loan 36% APR
  • IowaAllowedHigh-cost loan 21% APR
  • IllinoisAllowedHigh-cost loan 36% APR
  • IndianaAllowedHigh-cost loan 36% APR (top tier)

Sources

  1. Justia. law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/chapter-138/section-138-16. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  2. dfi.wi.gov. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  3. docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Wis. Stat. sec. 138.16. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  4. National Low Income Housing Coalition. Out of Reach 2026: Wisconsin. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), All States, Seasonally Adjusted. Retrieved September 23, 2026.

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Important disclosures

APRs vary by lender and state in Wisconsin. Each lender sets its own rates and terms and must show you the APR before you sign.

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  • Questions about a lender licensed in Wisconsin? Contact the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) or file a state complaint.
  • You can submit a complaint about any lender to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.