Learn the requirements to get your driver's license in Wisconsin and what the restrictions are for driving with a probationary license.
WI PROBATIONARY LICENSE (UNDER 18) REQUIREMENTS:
- Are at least 16 years old.
- Have passed an approved driver education course.
- Have an adult sponsor.
- Complete a Wisconsin Driver's License Application form MV3001 - including your Social Security number.
- Provide proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, conditional resident status, or temporary visitor status.
- Provide proof of name and date of birth.
- Provide proof of identity.
- Have held an Instruction Permit for at least six months.
- Have been violation-free for six months.
- Have 50 hours of driving experience (10 of which must be at night).
- Are enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and are not a habitual truant, have graduated from high school or been granted a declaration of high graduation equivalency, or are enrolled in a home-based private education program.
- Pass the driving skills test.
- Pay the necessary fees.
WI PROBATIONARY LICENSE RESTRICTIONS:
If a student is under 18, for the first nine months of holding the probationary license, the student may drive but with the following restrictions:
- A student may drive alone from 5 AM to midnight and travel anywhere. In addition, any number of immediate family members (including legal guardian) and the following people can be passengers:
- One person with a valid regular (non-probationary) license with two years of driving experience (21 or older), a qualified instructor, or spouse (19 or older)
- A student may drive alone from midnight to 5 AM if driving between home, school, and/or work. In addition, a student can have the same passengers as listed above. If driving anywhere else, students must have one of the following people in the vehicle:
- A parent or guardian
- Any number of immediate family members and one other person
- One person with a valid regular (non-probationary) license with two years of driving experience (21 or older), a qualified instructor, or spouse (19 or older)
Restrictions will be extended for six months if the student does any of the following:
- is convicted of a moving traffic violation
- violates any of the restrictions
- has license revoked or suspended for any reason
Note: The terms of the passenger and time-of-day restriction stop while any operating privilege is suspended or revoked. It resumes again when the operating privilege is reinstated.
