Obtaining an instruction permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in Wisconsin. You are eligible to apply for an instruction permit if you are at least 15 year and 6 months old and:
- you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
- you are a new resident of Wisconsin who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than six months.
[edit] HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL INSTRUCTION PERMIT
- Download a copy of the Wisconsin Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local DMV Service Center.
- If you are under 18 years of age you must:
- Obtain signature of your parent, guardian or other adult sponsor on the application.
- Be enrolled in a school, high school equivalency program or graduated from a high school.
- Be enrolled in an approved driver education program and your instructor must sign the application. Your driving lessons must start within 60 days of issuance of permit.
- Visit your local DMV Service Center to submit the application. You must bring with you:
- The completed application form ( MV3001).
- Proof of identity, age and name, legal presence and Wisconsin residency, as specified by the DMV. Proof of residency is not required for applicants under 18. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
- Your Social Security card.
- Cash or check for the $35 permit fee.
- You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued an instruction permit, which is valid for one year. An instruction permit may be renewed for an additional one year at a cost of $35.
When driving with an instruction permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older who is your parent/guardian/spouse or a qualified driving instructor. This person must have held a license for at least two years and must sit beside you. When driving at night you must be accompanied by a licensed driver or instructor aged 25 years or older.
[edit] THE PROBATIONARY LICENSE
If you are under 18, you must wait at least six months after being issued your instruction permit, complete a driver education course, and complete a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience ten of which was at night (under direct supervision of an experienced adult driver) before taking the driver's license road test. You should also not have any traffic violations against your name in the last six months to apply for your probationary license. If you pass the road test, you will be issued a probationary license. The probationary driver's license in Wisconsin includes the following restrictions:
- During the first nine months, probationary drivers are not permitted to drive between midnight and 5 am unless accompanied by a supervising driver or if traveling from or to work or school activities.
- During the first nine months or until you turn 18, passengers are limited to immediate family members, driving instructor or one unrelated person.
With a probationary license, traffic points double for every conviction after your first conviction.
A probationary license expires two years from the applicants next birthday.
[edit] THE UNRESTRICTED LICENSE
A full, unrestricted Class D license may be issued when you are at least 18 years old. The restrictions on a probationary license last for nine months or until you turn 18 years old, depending on which comes first.
[edit] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
- See also Applying for a Drivers License.
- See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests.
- Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of Wisconsin, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.