What Are The Driving Age Requirements In Wisconsin?

For those teens living in Wisconsin and wanting to get started on their driver's license journey, you may be asking what are the driving age requirements in Wisconsin? Coastline Academy takes on that question, so find out the Wisconsin teen driving laws right here!

Enroll In Driver Education

If you are a new driver and under the age of 18, then Wisconsin requires you to be enrolled in a certified driver education program. Once the driver education course is completed, the school will submit it electronically to the Wisconsin DMV. You can start taking the Driver's Ed course at the age of 14 years, 9 months.

Instruction Permit

For teens in Wisconsin that are 15 years of age or older, you must first complete and pass the Class D Knowledge Test and Signs Test in order to apply and obtain an Instruction Permit in Wisconsin. After passing the Knowledge Test and Signs Test, you are now eligible to apply for your Instruction Permit. To apply:

Complete Wisconsin Driver License Application (MV3001)

• ​Must be signed by the instructor and your first behind-the-wheel lesson must be conducted within 60 days of the date signed
• Must be signed by a parent, step-parent or other adult sponsor, or under certain circumstances file proof of insurance
• You must be enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program, have graduated from high school or have been granted a declaration of high school graduation equivalency, or be enrolled in a home-based private education program, and not be a habitual truant
• You must pay the required driver licensing fee

Instruction Permit Restrictions

After obtaining your Instruction Permit, there are some restrictions you have to follow. When driving with an Instruction Permit, you may only drive when accompanied by a person who:

• Has at least two years driving experience
• Holds a valid, regular license (not a probationary or occupational license)
• Sits in the front passenger seat

AND is one of the following:

• A qualified instructor 19 years old or older - Up to three other people may ride in the vehicle if it is equipped with dual controls
• A parent, legal guardian, or spouse 19 years old or older - Immediate family members may ride in the back seat
• A person 21 or older - This person must be designated in writing by a parent or legal guardian prior to accompanying a driver under age 18​

Time For The Road Test

The final step before getting your driver's license in Wisconsin would be either taking a road test or applying for a road test waiver (if eligible). You may schedule your road test if you:

• Are at least 16 years old
• Have held your Instruction Permit for at least six months
• Have no violations within the past six months
• Have at least 50 hours of driving practice with parent or guardian (10 of the 50 hours must be at night)
• Will have completed Driver Education (both classroom and behind-the-wheel hours) and the course completion is on file with the DMV by the date of your road test. (Your school will submit your course completion electronically to the DMV)

Getting Your Probationary Drivers License

If you successfully pass your road test or waived your road test, you can now apply for your Probationary Driver License. To do this, you must:

• Complete Wisconsin Driver License Application (MV3001), which must be signed by a parent, step-parent or other adult sponsor​, or under certain circumstances file proof of insurance
• Be enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and are not a habitual truant or have graduated from high school graduation equivalency or are enrolled in a home-based private education program
• Pay the necessary fees
• You will leave the DMV Service Center with your driving receipt and your Probationary License will arrive by mail within 10 days
• You will be able to drive with your driving receipt

Probationary Driver License Restrictions

While it is an exciting time to finally have your driver's license in hand, drivers between 16 - 18 years old have additional restrictions on their probationary license. Drivers under 18 have the following Graduated Driver License (GDL) restrictions during the first nine months or until they turn 18 after obtaining a probationary license:

From 5 a.m. to midnight, you can drive alone and go anywhere.

• Any number of immediate family members can ride along as well as one person who holds a valid, regular license with at least two years of licensed driving experience and who is a qualified instructor or 
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From midnight to 5 a.m., you can drive alone only IF driving between home, school and/or work. The same people listed immediately above can ride along, too.​

• If you are driving anywhere else between midnight and 5 a.m., one of the following people must be seated in the front passenger seat: a parent or legal guardian, a person with a valid, regular license with two years of licensed driving experience who is a qualified instructor or a spouse 19 or older or a person 21 or older.
• ​​​In addition, any number of the driver’s immediate family members and one other person may ride along.

Restrictions will be extended six months if:

• You are convicted of a moving traffic violation, or
• You violate any of the restrictions, or
• Your license is suspended or revoked for any reason

As you can see, each step of the process has different age restrictions to follow. The Wisconsin DMV is very detailed with this process, but it will be worth it in the end to have a full driver's license and be a safe driver.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.