Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 343 - Operators' licenses.
343.16 - Examination of applicants; reexamination of licensed persons.

343.16 Examination of applicants; reexamination of licensed persons.
(1) Required testing of knowledge and driving skills.
(a) General.
1. Except when examination by an authorized 3rd-party tester is permitted under pars. (b) to (c), the department shall examine every applicant for an operator's license, including applicants for license renewal as provided in sub. (3), and every applicant for authorization to operate a vehicle class or type for which the applicant does not hold currently valid authorization, other than an instruction permit.
2.
a. Except as provided in sub. (2) (cm) and (e), the examinations of applicants for licenses authorizing operation of “Class A", “Class B", “Class C", “Class D" or “Class M" vehicles shall include both a knowledge test and an actual demonstration in the form of a driving skills test of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a representative vehicle.
b. In administering the knowledge test, the department shall attempt to accommodate any special needs of the applicant.
c. Except as may be required by the department for an “H" or “S" endorsement, the knowledge test is not intended to be a test for literacy or English language proficiency. This subdivision does not prohibit the department from requiring an applicant to correctly read and understand highway signs.
3. The department shall not administer a driving skills test to a person applying for authorization to operate “Class M" vehicles who has failed 2 previous such skills tests unless the person has successfully completed a rider course approved by the department. The department may, by rule, exempt certain persons from the rider course requirement of this paragraph. The department may not require a person who is applying for authorization to operate “Class M" vehicles and who has successfully completed a rider course approved by the Wisconsin department of transportation motorcycle safety program to hold an instruction permit under s. 343.07 (4) prior to the department's issuance of a license authorizing the operation of “Class M" vehicles. The department may not require a person applying for authorization to operate “Class M" vehicles who holds an instruction permit under s. 343.07 (4) to hold it for a minimum period of time before administering a driving skills test.
4.
a. The driving skills of applicants for endorsements authorizing the operation of commercial motor vehicles equipped with air brakes, the transportation of passengers in commercial motor vehicles or the operation of school buses, as provided in s. 343.04 (2) (b), (bm), (d) or (e), shall be tested by an actual demonstration of driving skills.
b. The department may endorse an applicant's commercial driver license for transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73, subject to s. 343.125, or for the operation of tank vehicles or vehicles towing double or triple trailers, as described in s. 343.04 (2) (a), (c), or (f), based on successful completion of a knowledge test.
c. The department or an authorized 3rd-party tester may not administer a driving skills test to any applicant for an initial commercial driver license, a commercial driver license upgrade, or an initial issuance of an “H" endorsement specified in s. 343.17 (3) (d) 1m., “P” endorsement specified in s. 343.17 (3) (d) 3., or “S” endorsement specified in s. 343.17 (3) (d) 4. who has not satisfied the entry-level training requirements contained in 49 CFR 380, subparts F and G.
(b) Third-party driving skills testing. The department may contract with a person, including an agency or department of this state or its political subdivisions or another state, or a private employer of commercial motor vehicle drivers, to administer commercial motor vehicle skills tests required by 49 CFR 383.110 to 383.135, examinations required to be administered under s. 343.12 (2) (h), abbreviated driving skills tests required by sub. (3) (b), or driving skills tests required by par. (a) for authorization to operate “Class D" vehicles, or any combination of these tests and examinations. This paragraph does not apply with respect to a law enforcement agency eligible to contract with the department under par. (bm). A contract with a 3rd-party tester under this paragraph shall include all of the following provisions:
1. All tests and examinations conducted by the 3rd-party tester shall be the same as those given by the department.
2. The department, or the applicable federal agency or its representative with respect to testing for commercial driver licenses, may conduct random examinations, inspections, and audits of the 3rd-party tester without any prior notice.
3. At least biennially, the department shall conduct an on-site inspection of the 3rd-party tester to determine compliance with the contract and with department and federal standards for testing applicants for commercial driver licenses and with department standards for testing applicants for school bus endorsements and applicants for operators' licenses to operate “Class D" vehicles. The department shall also evaluate testing given by the 3rd-party tester by one of the following means:
a. Department employees shall take the tests and examinations actually administered by the 3rd-party tester as if the department employee were an applicant.
b. The department shall retest a sample of drivers who were examined by the 3rd-party tester to compare the pass and fail results.
c. The department shall score drivers along with the 3rd-party tester during skills tests to compare the scoring results.
4. Examiners of the 3rd-party tester shall meet the same qualifications and training standards as the department's license examiners to the extent established by the department as necessary to satisfactorily perform the skills tests required by 49 CFR 383.110 to 383.135, examinations required to be administered under s. 343.12 (2) (h), abbreviated driving skills tests required by sub. (3) (b), and driving skills tests required by par. (a) for authorization to operate “Class D" vehicles.
5. The department shall take prompt and appropriate remedial action against the 3rd-party tester in the event that the tester fails to comply with department or federal standards for commercial driver license testing, department standards for school bus endorsement testing or testing for operators' licenses to operate “Class D" vehicles, or any provision of the contract. Such action may include immediate termination of testing by the 3rd-party tester and recovery of damages.
6. The 3rd-party tester may not administer any test or examination of a person who has received instruction in driver training from the 3rd-party tester or from any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the 3rd-party tester.
(bm) Third-party testing by certain law enforcement agencies. The department may contract with any law enforcement agency, other than a local law enforcement agency of a municipality in which an examining station of the department is located, to administer knowledge, driving skills, and eyesight tests required by par. (a) and sub. (2) (b) and (c) for authorization to operate “Class D" vehicles. A contract with a 3rd-party tester under this paragraph shall include all of the following provisions:
1. All tests conducted by the 3rd-party tester shall be the same as those given by the department.
2. The department or its representative may conduct random examinations, inspections, and audits of the 3rd-party tester without any prior notice.
3. The department may conduct an on-site inspection of the 3rd-party tester to determine compliance with the contract and with department and federal standards for testing applicants for operators' licenses to operate “Class D" vehicles. The department may also evaluate testing given by the 3rd-party tester by one of the following means:
a. Department employees may take the tests actually administered by the 3rd-party tester as if the department employees were applicants.
b. The department may retest a sample of drivers who were tested by the 3rd-party tester to compare the pass and fail results.
4. Examiners of the 3rd-party tester shall meet the same qualifications and training standards as the department's license examiners to the extent established by the department as necessary to satisfactorily perform the knowledge, driving skills, and eyesight tests required by par. (a) and sub. (2) (b) and (c) for authorization to operate “Class D" vehicles.
5. The department shall take prompt and appropriate remedial action against the 3rd-party tester in the event that the tester fails to comply with department or federal standards for testing for operators' licenses to operate “Class D" vehicles or with any provision of the contract, including immediate termination of testing by the 3rd-party tester.
(c) Driver education course. The department may, after consultation with the department of public instruction and the technical college system board, provide for administration of and certification of the results of the test of an applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws and ability to read and understand highway signs in conjunction with a course in driver education specified in this paragraph, by an instructor in that course. The test under this paragraph does not include that part of a driver's examination involving the actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle required for the issuance of a license other than an instruction permit. The test under this paragraph may be administered and certified by an instructor in any of the following:
1. A course in driver education in public schools approved by the department of public instruction.
2. A course in driver education in technical colleges approved by the technical college system board.
3. A course in driver education in nonpublic and private schools or tribal schools, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), that meets the minimum standards set by the department of public instruction.
(d) Foreign license reciprocity. The chief administrator of the division of motor vehicles may, with the appropriate official of another country or of a province or other subdivision of another country, enter into a reciprocal agreement under which this state and the other country, province or other subdivision agree to waive any knowledge test and driving skills test of an applicant for an operator's license to operate “Class D" vehicles, as described in s. 343.04 (1) (d), or “Class M" vehicles, as described in s. 343.04 (1) (e), or both, if the applicant possesses a valid license to operate those vehicles, other than an instructional permit, issued by this state or the other country, province or other subdivision. The chief administrator may enter into an agreement under this paragraph only if the criteria for any knowledge test and driving skills test required by the other country, province or other subdivision for those types of vehicles are at least as stringent as the requirements of this state. The agreement shall specify all of the following:
1. That the department will issue a regular license, as described in s. 343.03 (3) (a), to any person moving to this state who has been licensed by the other country, province or other subdivision for at least 3 years, who presently holds a license to operate that type of vehicle, other than an instructional permit, from the other country, province or other subdivision and who is at least 21 years of age. Notwithstanding s. 343.03 (3) (a), a regular license issued under this subdivision may be endorsed to permit operation of motorcycles, but may not be endorsed to permit operation of school buses. The department shall issue a probationary license under s. 343.085 to any other applicant who holds a valid operator's license issued by the other country, province or other subdivision.
2. That whenever the secretary has good cause to believe that an operator licensed under an agreement entered into under this paragraph is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, the secretary may, upon written notice of at least 5 days to the licensee, require the licensee to submit to an examination including all or part of the tests specified in par. (a). Upon the conclusion of such examination the secretary shall take such action as is appropriate under this chapter, including cancellation of the license or permitting the licensee to retain the license subject to such restrictions as the secretary may order or without restrictions.
3. That the other country, province or other subdivision will treat operators licensed by this state similarly to how this state will treat operators licensed by the other country, province or other subdivision.
(2) Testing standards.
(a) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules setting testing standards for commercial driver license applicants. The testing standards shall comply with 49 CFR 383.71 to 383.135.
(b) Specific requirements. The standards developed by the department under par. (c) shall provide that the examination for persons making their first application for an operator's license shall include, subject to sub. (3) (am), a test of the applicant's eyesight, ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning and directing traffic, knowledge of the traffic laws, including ss. 346.072 and 346.26, understanding of fuel-efficient driving habits and the relative costs and availability of other modes of transportation, knowledge of the need for anatomical gifts and the ability to make an anatomical gift through the use of a donor card issued under s. 343.175 (2), and an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. The test of knowledge of the traffic laws shall include questions on the provisions of ss. 343.30 (1q), 343.303 to 343.31 and 346.63 to 346.655, relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcohol beverages. The test of knowledge may also include questions on the social, medical and economic effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. The examination of applicants for authorization to operate `Class M' vehicles shall test an applicant's knowledge of motorcycle safety, including proper eye protection to be worn during hours of darkness. The department may require persons changing their residence to this state from another jurisdiction and persons applying for a reinstated license after termination of a revocation period to take all or parts of the examination required of persons making their first application for an operator's license. Any applicant who is required to give an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle shall furnish a representative vehicle in safe operating condition for use in testing ability.
(c) Standards. The department shall promulgate rules setting standards to govern driver license examinations and reexaminations. Such standards shall take into consideration any federal standards or requirements which may apply.
(cm) Motorcycle waiver. The department shall waive the driving skills test of a person applying for authorization to operate “Class M" vehicles if the applicant has successfully completed a rider course approved by the Wisconsin department of transportation motorcycle safety program.
(d) Motor bicycle or moped waiver. The department may promulgate rules authorizing a license examiner to waive the operating skill examination of a person applying for a license to operate a motor bicycle or moped if the applicant has the physical ability to operate the vehicle safely. The rules shall ensure that the applicant demonstrates knowledge of the traffic laws necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle.
(e) Farm service industry employee waiver. To the extent permitted under applicable federal law or regulation, the department may waive any knowledge test and shall waive the commercial driver license driving skills test of a person applying for an “F" endorsement, except as provided under sub. (5) or (6) (a).
(f) Application by military license holder.
1. In this paragraph, “military commercial driver license" means, notwithstanding s. 340.01 (7m) and (41m), an authorization from the national guard of any state, from a branch of the U.S. armed forces, or from forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces, authorizing a person to operate vehicles that the department determines are equivalent to those described in s. 340.01 (8) (a) or (b).
2. An applicant for a commercial driver license who holds a military commercial driver license shall submit to the department, in addition to the application, the applicant's military commercial driver license and other documentation that the department considers necessary to determine the equivalent classes of vehicles under s. 343.04 (1) that the applicant's military commercial driver license authorizes the applicant to operate.
3. Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and sub. (1) (a), with respect to equivalent classes of vehicles under s. 343.04 (1), the department shall treat an application for a commercial driver license submitted with a military commercial driver license and other related documentation the same as an application for that license submitted by a person holding a commercial driver license from another jurisdiction, except that the department shall waive the fees under s. 343.21 (1) (d) and (n) for the commercial driver license and any applicable endorsement, and shall require the applicant to take and pass the applicable knowledge tests, unless the applicant is exempt from, or eligible for a waiver of, these knowledge tests under 49 CFR 383.
(3) Testing upon renewal.
(a) Except as provided in s. 343.165 (4) (d), the department shall examine every applicant for the renewal of an operator's license once every 8 years. The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a uniform rate of examinations. Subject to par. (am), the examination shall consist of a test of eyesight. The department shall make provisions for giving such examinations at examining stations in each county to all applicants for an operator's license. The person to be examined shall appear at the examining station nearest the person's place of residence or at such time and place as the department designates in answer to an applicant's request. In lieu of examination, the applicant may present or mail to the department a report of examination of the applicant's eyesight by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician licensed to practice medicine. The report shall be based on an examination made not more than 3 months prior to the date it is submitted. The report shall be on a form furnished and in the form required by the department. The department shall decide whether, in each case, the eyesight reported is sufficient to meet the current eyesight standards.
(am)
1. If an applicant for a probationary license authorizing operation of only “Class D" vehicles satisfies eligibility criteria established by the department under subd. 3., the applicant may apply for the license, and the department may issue the license, by any electronic means offered by the department. A license may be issued under this subdivision without a test of eyesight and without a photograph being taken.
2. If an applicant for the renewal of a license authorizing operation of only “Class D" vehicles is currently a probationary license holder and satisfies eligibility criteria established by the department under subd. 3., the applicant may apply for the license, and the department may renew the license, by any electronic means offered by the department. A license may be renewed under this subdivision without a test of eyesight and without a photograph being taken.
3. The department shall establish criteria for eligibility for license issuance and renewal by electronic means under this paragraph.
(b) The department shall require each applicant for the renewal of an operator's license with an endorsement authorizing the operation of school buses to take and pass the knowledge test under sub. (1) and an abbreviated driving skills test including, but not limited to, pretrip inspection, the loading and unloading of passengers and railroad crossing procedures.
(4) Conduct of driving skills test.
(a) An applicant who holds an expired instruction permit, expired out-of-state license or who seeks to reinstate his or her operating privilege may drive a motor vehicle only when accompanied by an authorized license examiner for the purpose of examining the applicant's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Such applicant must be driven to and from the examining area by a licensed driver. This exception to the requirement to hold a valid operator's license does not apply to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle. For purposes of examining applicants for a special restricted operator's license under s. 343.135, the department may waive the requirements of this paragraph in any case in which it considers a waiver desirable.
(b) More than one authorized operator's license examiner or supervisor may ride with any licensed operator or applicant for an operator's license for the purpose of examining the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.
(5) Medical or other special examinations.
(a) The secretary may require any applicant for a license or any licensed operator to submit to a special examination by such persons or agencies as the secretary may direct to determine incompetency, physical or mental disability, disease, or any other condition that might prevent such applicant or licensed person from exercising reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle. If the department requires the applicant to submit to an examination, the applicant shall pay for the examination. If the department receives an application for a renewal or duplicate license after voluntary surrender under s. 343.265 or receives a report from a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber certified under s. 441.16 (2), or optometrist under s. 146.82 (3), or if the department has a report of 2 or more arrests within a one-year period for any combination of violations of s. 346.63 (1) or (5) or a local ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5) or a law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5), or s. 346.63 (1m), 1985 stats., or s. 346.63 (2) or (6) or 940.25, or s. 940.09 where the offense involved the use of a vehicle, the department shall determine, by interview or otherwise, whether the operator should submit to an examination under this section. The examination may consist of an assessment. If the examination indicates that education or treatment for a disability, disease or condition concerning the use of alcohol, a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog is appropriate, the department may order a driver safety plan in accordance with s. 343.30 (1q). If there is noncompliance with assessment or the driver safety plan, the department shall revoke the person's operating privilege in the manner specified in s. 343.30 (1q) (d).
(b) Whenever the department receives the results of a special examination required under this subsection, the department shall give fair consideration to the recommendation of the examining person or agency together with other evidence in determining if it is in the interest of public safety to issue, renew, deny or cancel a license. If a license is denied or canceled by the department after a special examination as provided in par. (a), such denial or cancellation shall be reviewed by a reviewing board upon written request of the applicant filed with the department within 10 days after receipt of notice of such denial or cancellation. Notice of denial or cancellation shall be in writing and contain specific reasons. The notice shall contain a statement that the applicant has 10 days within which to file a written request with the department for review of the department's decision by the reviewing board. The applicant shall have the right to appear personally before the review board, to present witnesses and additional information, and to be represented by counsel. The department's representative may administer oaths, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant documents and may require a reexamination of the applicant. No law enforcement officer or other witness produced by the applicant to testify on the applicant's behalf shall be paid a witness fee nor shall any law enforcement officer called to appear for the department be paid any witness fee. A record including the recommendations of the board shall be made of the proceeding. If a license is denied or canceled, the applicant shall be given specific reasons in writing. Review boards shall consist of the department's representative and at least 2 members appointed by the secretary from a list of physicians licensed to practice medicine in this state and a list of optometrists licensed to practice optometry in this state. Optometrists shall be limited to reviewing cases concerning vision only. In cases concerning mental disability or disease at least one of the physicians shall have specialized training in psychiatry. In cases concerning seizure disorders at least one of the physicians shall have specialized training in neurology. The members of the board shall receive the per diem and expenses provided in s. 15.08 (7) which shall be charged to the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cq). A decision of the department based on the recommendation of a reviewing board is subject to judicial review under s. 343.40.
(c) All reports, records or information furnished by or on behalf of an applicant or licensed operator under this subsection are confidential and shall be for the sole use of the department, the applicant or licensed driver, the review board and the courts in administering this section and are not admissible as evidence for any other purpose in any civil or criminal action. The applicant or licensed driver may give informed written consent for release of this information to others.
(d) Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted to require the release of this information which was obtained under a pledge of confidentiality and such a clear pledge was made in order to obtain the information and was necessary to obtain the information.
(6) Special retesting of licensed operators.
(a) Except as provided in par. (am), whenever the secretary has good cause to believe that a licensed operator is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, the secretary may, upon written notice of at least 5 days to the licensee, require the licensee to submit to an examination including all or part of the tests specified in sub. (1). Upon the conclusion of such examination the secretary shall take such action as is appropriate under this chapter, including cancellation of the license or permitting the licensee to retain the license subject to such restrictions as the secretary may order or without restrictions.
(am) If the secretary receives credible information that a person holding a commercial driver license committed fraud related to the issuance of the license, the secretary shall provide written notice to the person that the person is required to submit to an examination, including all or part of the tests required under sub. (1). A person receiving a notice under this paragraph shall, within 30 days of receiving notice, arrange to take the next available examination.
(b) Whenever the department requires an examination for renewal of an operator's license, it shall issue a receipt at the time of request for appearance for such examination which receipt shall constitute a temporary license to operate a motor vehicle for not to exceed 60 days pending such examination.
(7) Penalties.
(a) Any person required by or pursuant to this section to submit to an examination who by any means secures the services of another person to appear in that person's place to take such examination may be fined not less than $100 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.
(b) Any person who appears for an examination under this section in the place of another person required to take such examination may be fined not less than $100 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both for the first offense and may be fined not less than $200 nor more than $500 or imprisoned not more than one year in county jail or both for the second or each subsequent offense thereafter.
History: 1971 c. 164 s. 83; 1973 c. 90, 176; 1975 c. 36, 199; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1456, 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1977 c. 273, 418; 1979 c. 34 ss. 1067m, 2102 (52) (a); 1979 c. 221, 345; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 74, 243, 534, 538; 1985 a. 65, 337; 1987 a. 3, 40, 215; 1989 a. 31, 105, 359; 1991 a. 21, 32, 39, 316; 1993 a. 16, 19, 183, 399; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1995 a. 113, 195, 448; 1997 a. 27, 84, 237; 1999 a. 32, 140; 2001 a. 105; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 187, 253, 466; 2007 a. 20, 68, 97, 162; 2009 a. 28, 302; 2011 a. 32, 161; 2013 a. 94; 2013 a. 166 s. 77; 2013 a. 371; 2015 a. 55, 123; 2019 a. 50; 2021 a. 23, 152; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

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