Session 4 – The Probationary License

A Probationary license is the first license issued to new drivers regardless of age. It is valid for two years from your next birthday. Points are doubled for the second and subsequent convictions for traffic violations.

To qualify for a Probationary license, all applicants must meet the driver license requirements listed on page 1 [of the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook]. For those under 18, you must also meet the following requirements:

1. 1. are at least 16 years of age, and
   2. present proof of completing an approved driver education class, and
   3. have had an Instruction Permit for a minimum of six months, and
   4. have accumulated 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience (10 of the 50 hours must be at night) *please note this is different than the video above states, as of July 2021 students in Wisconsin must accumulate 50 hours of driving experience with their instruction permit*, and
      • Note: Up to 5 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience with a qualified instructor may be double counted.
        For example, 3 hours will count as 6 hours.
   5. have had no moving traffic violations resulting in a conviction for the 6 months prior to the date of application for this license, and
   6. have your parent or adult sponsor certify (on the driver license application) the completion of 50 hours of driving experience (10 at night), and

1. pass a driving skills test, and
2. pay the required fees.

Restrictions of the Probationary License

If you are under 18, for the first 9 months of holding your Probationary license you will have restrictions on who can ride with you:

1. From 5 a.m. to midnight, you can drive alone and travel anywhere. In addition, any number of your immediate family members (including legal guardian) and the following people can ride with you:
   • one person who holds a valid regular (non-probationary) license with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience and who is one of the following:
     • a qualified instructor or spouse 19 or older, or
     • a person 21 or older
   • one other person
2. From midnight to 5 a.m.
   • If driving between home, school, and/or work you can drive alone.
     The same people as listed in number one above can be with you.
   • If driving anywhere else, you must have one of the following people seated beside you:
     • a parent or guardian
     • one person who holds a valid regular (non-probationary) license with
       2 years of licensed driving experience and who is one of the following:
       • a qualified instructor or spouse 19 or older, or
         
       • a person 21 or older
     • In addition, you can have any number of your immediate family members and one other person ride with you.
3. Restrictions will be extended 6 months if:
   • you are convicted of a moving traffic violation (including failure to fasten seat belt), or
   • you violate any of the restrictions, or
     
   • your license is revoked or suspended for any reason.

Note: The 9-month term of the passenger and time-of-day restriction stops while your operating privilege is suspended or revoked. It resumes again when your operating privilege is reinstated.

The Skills Test

You must schedule an appointment for a driving skills (road) test.

Schedule your appointment online at www.wisconsindmv.gov or by calling (608) 266-2353. Prior to the skills test, the examiner will conduct a safety inspection on the vehicle used for the test.

The following items will be inspected and must be present and in safe operating condition:

• headlights
• tail lights
• directional lights
• brake lights
• license plate light
• tires
• brakes
• current license plate
• windows
• windshield wipers (if needed for test conditions)
• exhaust system
• speedometer
• horn
• mirrors
• defroster (if needed for test conditions)
• safety belts

During the skills test, the examiner will tell you where to drive. You will:

• follow other traffic
• change lanes
• pass
• back up
• parallel park
• make a Y-turn
• pull over to the side of the road and stop
• turn left or right on divided highways, two-lane or one way roads
• move from a parked position onto the roadway

The examiner will score your attention and alertness, how well you obey traffic rules, handle the car (including shifting if the car has a manual shift), share space and communicate with other users of the road.