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Wisconsin driver's license

Get your first license in Wisconsin after moving to the US.

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Wisconsin and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

A first license

$28

You pay this when you apply.

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

If you are a non-immigrant (Temporary Visitor) with legal status, your licence or ID card is marked LIMITED TERM.

Foreign documents with no expiry date

Wisconsin proves a foreign licence is still current through your country's consulate or a certified translation, not the dates printed on the card. French applicants complete a DMV form that goes to the French Consulate; Taiwanese licences need an International Driving Permit or a notarized translation from TECO Chicago; South Korean licences need an English translation certified by the Korean Consulate.

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validEvery document you bring must be valid — no photocopies, and nothing expired.
    • A photo driver licence or photo ID card from Wisconsin or another jurisdiction counts if it is valid or expired eight years or less — except one issued by a Canadian province.

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

You must give your Social Security number, and the DMV verifies your name and number with the Social Security Administration.

  • The last four digits are not enough: Wisconsin requires the complete nine-digit Social Security number. A document showing a masked number does not satisfy the requirement.

  • If you have a Social Security number, you must provide it, and it is verified with the Social Security Administration. It can be used for purposes authorized by law and to link your driver licence and vehicle registration records.

Tests you take

Eye test

A DMV examiner can do the screening, or a licensed optometrist or medical doctor can complete it for you.

  • You need visual acuity of at least 20/40 in one eye, corrected or uncorrected, and a 70-degree field of vision from the center of each eye. If you do not pass, DMV staff will send you to a vision specialist with the Certificate of Vision Examination by Competent Authority (form MV3030V/T579).

Drive test

A road test is required for an original Class D (auto and small truck) probationary driver licence.

  • Yes

Tries you get on the written test

If you fail, the earliest you can retake the test is the next day, and you can take the same test five times within one year; after a fifth failure you need special permission from DMV staff to test again. The test is free, so a retry costs nothing.

Practice questions for the written test

You can study the Motorists' Handbook, then test yourself with the Online Class D Driver License Practice Test at wisconsindmv.gov.

  • The Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook is at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/handbook.aspx.

Using an interpreter

You cannot be denied the road test because you do not understand English; the examiner will communicate with you using picture cards and similar tools. An interpreter is not allowed to ride along during the test.

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

A licensed driver with at least two years of driving experience must be in the car with you.

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

If you drive to the test on a Class D instruction permit, a driver with at least two years of licensed experience and a valid regular licence — not a probationary or occupational one — must sit in the passenger seat beside you. You can take one road test with a permit expired less than one year, but that expired permit does not let you practise or drive to the test.

The car and its insurance

The examiner inspects your car before the test to confirm it is safe — the horn, lights, signals, licence plates, doors, and mirrors all get checked.

  • You provide a vehicle that fits the licence class you want, and the examiner checks it for safety defects and valid registration; if problems are found, the road test can be denied. You also need to know how to work the controls used during the test, such as the windshield wipers, defroster, and parking brake.

Where to go

Who gives the tests

A DMV examiner from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation rides with you in your vehicle for the road test.

Booking an appointment

You can book a licence or ID card appointment at mydmvvisit.wi.gov/workflow/welcome. To schedule, change, or cancel a road test, go to wisdotapp.cxmflow.com.

  • You can book a driver licence or ID card appointment at mydmvvisit.wi.gov/workflow/welcome.

  • You can book a DMV visit at dlguides.wi.gov.

  • The Wisconsin DMV's online scheduler is at dlguides.wi.gov.

  • The DMV's online scheduler pre-fills your application, gives you a checklist of the documents to bring, and books your in-person visit.

  • You can schedule a road test at wisconsindmv.gov/roadtest.

Office locations

You can find DMV offices at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/find-dmv/default.aspx.

  • You can look up DMV office addresses and hours at trust.dot.state.wi.us/cscfinder/cscsearch.do, and search by city or county there.

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Every source, quoted29 sources

Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

Applying for a driver's license in Wisconsin?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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