How to Get a Wisconsin Instruction Permit
If you’re a teenager 18 and younger, your first stop on the road to a Wisconsin drivers license is earning an instruction permit. Known as a learners permit and/or driving permit in other states, this temporary permit allows you to drive a vehicle in preparation for a drivers license.
How to Get an Instruction Permit
Getting started on this road to safe driving is fairly simple. First and foremost, in order to apply for a permit you must be enrolled in a driver education course from an approved driver training provider. These courses include a minimum of 30 hours of classroom time, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training, and 6 hours of observation time – but they may run additional hours.
Upon enrolling in a driver education course, you can then head over to any DMV customer service center with the following documents:
- A completed Wisconsin Driver License Application (Form MV3001)
- Proof of name and date of birth
- Proof of identity
- Proof of Wisconsin residency
- Proof of US citizenship or legal status
- Social Security number
- Proof of enrollment or completion of driver education course.
Upon providing these documents (and the required licensing fees), you will be required to pass the sign and knowledge test. These tests will gauge your knowledge on various basic Wisconsin road signs, driving laws, and miscellaneous important rules when driving in Wisconsin. Your driver education course is vital in this regard – most, if not all, of the questions on the test are based upon the same principles you’ll learn in drivers ed.
The Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook
If you’re looking to brush up on your Wisconsin driving knowledge, the Motorists’ Handbook is a perfect resource. A comprehensive handbook of all the important laws and road rules in the state of Wisconsin, this book is not only an invaluable resource for your knowledge test, but may provide useful as a great refresher of your driving knowledge later on in your driving career. Be sure to check yearly for new editions, as there may be new laws or modifications to existing rules to keep in mind.
After Earning Your Instruction Permit
Upon passing your knowledge test, you will get your instruction permit and start practicing for a Wisconsin drivers license right away! However, note that you have stringent restrictions when it comes to getting behind the wheel. You must have a passenger by your side who is a licensed driver with at least two years of licensed driving experience, and may fulfill one of the following:
- A licensed instructor 19 or older, or
- A parent or guardian 19 or older, or
- Any other person who is 21 or older, who has written authorization from your parent or guardian
When accompanied by a parent or guardian, the only passengers allowed are immediate family. In all other circumstances, passengers are not allowed.
Your instruction permit will be valid for 12 months, and can be renewed for an additional year if more practice is needed. After six months of holding your instruction permit and fulfilling your behind-the-wheel driving requirements, you can then apply for a probationary license.
