Select Your Free 2023 Wisconsin Practice Permit Test to Get Started

Wisconsin has instituted a three-step Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL) to better prepare teen drivers to drive safely with an unrestricted license. The three program steps and age requirements are:

• Instruction (Learner’s) Permit – 15 ½ years old
• Probationary Driver’s License – 16 years old
• Unrestricted Driver’s License – 18 years old

• Proof of name, birth date, residency and Social Security Number – here are acceptable documents
• Form MV3001 – Driver License Application
• Proof of enrollment in high school/equivalent program or high school diploma or equivalent
• $35 for permit fee

You can apply in person at a DMV customer service center.

Visit https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/find-dmv/default.aspx for office locations, hours and contact information. You can also call (608) 264-7447.

Yes, Wisconsin requires all drivers under the age of 18 to complete a drivers ed course as part of its GDL program. The course should have 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction and 6 hours of driving observation.

You can get a probationary license if you are 16 years old, have held a valid out-of-state license or permit for at least six months without any violations and have completed driver’s ed and behind-the-wheel driver training.

The written test contains questions drawn from the content of the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook. The questions cover traffic laws, rules of the road, road signs, safe driving methods, fuel efficient operation of motor vehicles, effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, yielding the right of way to pedestrians and more. Here are two examples of content from the manual that you could be asked questions about on the written test:

• When preparing to make a right turn, check traffic to the rear, signal and then move into the travel lane farthest to the right
• When driving, both hands should be on the steering wheel, except when making necessary adjustments to the driving controls. To help avoid injury if your vehicle’s air bag goes off, it is best to hold the steering wheel with your right hand at 3:00 and your left hand at 9:00

The Wisconsin written test is multiple choice.

No, questions on the Wisconsin written test are taken from the state Motorists’ Handbook. They are not meant to “trick” you but rather to ensure you have the knowledge needed to drive safely. If you study the handbook, no question should appear “tricky.”

There are 50 questions on the test and you must answer at least 40 of them correctly to pass.

You should study the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook extensively. You can take practice tests to verify your knowledge and identify any weak areas that you need to study more.

You can get a free manual here on this website.

When studying the Motorists’ Handbook pay careful attention to fuel efficient operation of a motor vehicle and to the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving. You should also try to memorize numerical data, such as measurements and distances. Finally, study road signs so that you can identify them and their meaning on site.

Review the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook and take practice tests to build your confidence and ensure you have the knowledge to pass. If you find yourself missing questions centered on a particular subject, be sure to go back and devote additional study time to that subject in the manual.

Contact your local DMV customer service center to see if they accept appointments. If they do, you should schedule one to shorten your wait time.

You will take the test at a local DMV customer service center.

• Proof of name, birth date, residency and Social Security Number – here are acceptable documents
• Form MV3001 – Driver License Application
• Proof of enrollment in high school/equivalent program or high school diploma or equivalent
• $35 for permit fee

You should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes, you will need to pay a $35 fee.

The written test contains 50 questions and you can miss as many as 10 and still pass. When taking the test you cannot receive help from anyone or use your cell phone.

You will receive your Instruction Permit and can begin supervised driving practice. You need to complete 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, with at least 10 of those hours coming at night.

You can retake the test as soon as the next business day.

You are allowed five attempts within a one-year period. After that, you wil have to get special DMV approval to take the test again.

Your Instruction Permit allows you to begin supervised driving practice with a qualified supervising driver. You need to complete 30 total hours of driving practice with at least 10 of those hours coming at night.

You can apply for your Probationary Driver’s License after you turn 16, have completed driver’s ed and have held your instruction permit for six months.

You can drive on any public road or street in Wisconsin as long as you are accompanied by a supervising driver.

No, you are required to complete at least 10 of your 30 supervised driving practice hours at night.

Yes, you must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver with at least two years of driving experience. Drivers who qualify as supervising drivers include:

• Professional instructors age 19 and older
• Parent, guardian or spouse age 19 or older
• Any licensed driver age 21 or older who has written permission from your parent or legal guardian

Visit your local DMV customer service center to replace a lost or stolen permit. You will need a drive’s ed certificate of completion or Form MV3001 (Driver License Application) signed by a driving instructor.

To pass the test you need to be able to do all of the following: accelerate smoothly; use the gas pedal, brake, steering wheel, and other controls correctly; handle curves properly; handle intersections; make left and right turns properly; signal and change lanes carefully; and obey traffic signals and posted signs. The best way to ensure you can do all of these things is to get lots of driving practice.

Yes, you should practice turns, including two-point and three-point turnabouts; backing up in a straight line; left and right turns; parallel parking; parking on a hill; accelerating smoothly; and more.

You should practice common vehicle maneuvers such as parking, stopping, accelerating and turning. You should also practice driving in traffic where you need to follow at a safe distance, signal and use your vehicle’s mirrors. The test will be a combination of a maneuver course and driving on a public roadway. So you need to practice – and learn to excel – at both.

Contact a DMV customer service center directly or visit https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/get-lic-or-id.aspx.

You will take the test at a local DMV customer service center.

• Form MV3001 – Driver License Application
• Proof of name, birth date, residency and Social Security Number – here are acceptable documents
• Wisconsin Graduated Driver Licensing Supervised Driving Log
• Proof of school enrollment, diploma or GED
• $28 for Probationary License fee

A licensed parent or legal guardian should bring you.

During the test you will be asked to complete various maneuvers as well as to drive on a public roadway. You will need to demonstrate good vehicle control and outstanding driving knowledge. Among other things, you may need to stop smoothly and at the right spot; back in a straight line; turn safely while backing; back into/out of a parking space; judge distance; maintain a safe distance from other cars; and communicate to other drivers by signaling.

Lack of practice and nerves are two big reasons why new drivers fail. It’s easy to lose focus and commit too many errors that lead to a failing score. Stay calm and be confident in your ability to drive – but not overconfident as this can lead to dangerous driving that would also result in you failing your test.

• Speeding
• Refusing to follow the examiner’s instruction
• Not checking mirrors when changing lanes
• Forgetting to signal for a turn
• Following too closely

You will be allowed to retake the test.

The examiner will go over what you did wrong and then tell you when you can take the test again. You may have to wait anywhere from one day to two weeks to retest.

You will receive your Wisconsin Probationary Driver’s License.

• For the first nine months, you cannot have more than one passenger except for immediate family members and other qualified adults

• For the first nine months, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless driving between home, school and work

After you hold your Probationary License for two years and turn 18, you can get your regular Wisconsin Driver’s License.

All Wisconsin drivers are required to have automobile insurance. Minimum coverage requirements are: $25,000 for injury or death of one person; $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people; and $10,000 for property damage.

You can renew your Wisconsin Driver’s License up to one year before it expires. The state will send you a renewal notice with instructions approximately 60 days before the expiration date, which is your birthday.

You can replace a lost or stolen license online, by mail or in person at a DMV customer service center.

You can renew your license in person at a DMV customer service center.

Yes, you must pass a vision test when renewing your license. The Wisconsin DMV’s vision standard is 20/100 or better in at least one eye and a 20 degree horizontal field of vision.

If your vision is worse than the above set standard, you will be issued a Certificate of Vision Examination and referred to a licensed vision specialist.