Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 343 - Operators' licenses.
343.20 - Expiration of licenses.

343.20 Expiration of licenses.
(1)
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, probationary licenses issued under s. 343.085 shall expire 2 years from the date of the applicant's next birthday. Licenses issued after cancellation shall expire on the expiration date for the prior license at the time of cancellation. Subject to s. 343.125 (3), all other licenses and license endorsements shall expire 8 years after the date of issuance. The department may institute any system of initial license issuance which it deems advisable for the purpose of gaining a uniform rate of renewals. In order to put such a system into operation, the department may issue licenses which are valid for any period less than the ordinary effective period of such license. If the department issues a license that is valid for less than the ordinary effective period as authorized by this paragraph, the fees due under s. 343.21 (1) (b) and (d) shall be prorated accordingly.
(c) The department may, by rule, require any person who is issued an operator's license that is valid for a period of more than 2 years to demonstrate continuing qualifications to hold a license under this chapter at 2-year intervals. The rules may include, without limitation, requiring examination under s. 343.16 (6) (a) or requiring current medical certification under s. 343.16 (5). The department rules shall require cancellation or suspension of the license for noncompliance and shall permit surrender of the operator's license under s. 343.265.
(d)
1. The department shall cancel an operator's license that is endorsed for the operation of school buses under s. 343.12 (3), regardless of the license expiration date, if the licensee fails to provide proof to the department of an annual physical examination determining that the person meets the physical standards established under s. 343.12 (2) (g). The licensee may elect to surrender the license under s. 343.265 (1m).
2. The department shall cancel an operator's license that is endorsed for the operation of school buses under s. 343.12, regardless of the license expiration date, upon receiving a record of conviction or of adjudication of delinquency or results of a criminal history search showing that the person has been convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, a crime or other offense specified under s. 343.12 (7) or rules of the department promulgated under s. 343.12 (7) and (8) after issuance or renewal of the endorsement or at a time when, if known by the department, the conviction or adjudication would have prevented issuance or renewal of the endorsement.
(f) The department shall cancel an operator's license, regardless of the license expiration date, if the department receives information from a local, state, or federal government agency that the licensee no longer satisfies the requirements for issuance of a license under ss. 343.14 (2) (es) and 343.165 (1) (e).
(1m) Notwithstanding sub. (1) (a), and except as provided in s. 343.165 (4) (c) and as otherwise provided in this subsection, a license that is issued to a person who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident and who provides documentary proof of legal status as provided under s. 343.14 (2) (es) 2., 4., 5., 6., or 7. shall expire on the date that the person's legal presence in the United States is no longer authorized or on the expiration date determined under sub. (1), whichever date is earlier. If the documentary proof as provided under s. 343.14 (2) (es) does not state the date that the person's legal presence in the United States is no longer authorized, sub. (1) shall apply except that, if the license was issued or renewed based upon the person's presenting of any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the license shall, subject to s. 343.165 (4) (c), expire one year after the date of issuance or renewal.
(2)
(a) At least 30 days prior to the expiration of an operator's license, the department shall provide to the licensee notice of renewal of the license either by mail at the licensee's last-known address or, if desired by the licensee, by any electronic means offered by the department. If the license was issued or last renewed based upon the person's presenting of any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the notice shall inform the licensee of the requirement under s. 343.165 (4) (c).
(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), at least 60 days prior to the expiration of an “H" endorsement specified in s. 343.17 (3) (d) 1m., the department of transportation shall provide a notice to the licensee either by mail at the licensee's last-known address or, if desired by the licensee, by any electronic means offered by the department of transportation that the licensee is required to pass a security threat assessment screening by the federal transportation security administration of the federal department of homeland security as part of the application to renew the endorsement. The notice shall inform the licensee that the licensee may commence the federal security threat assessment screening at any time, but no later than 30 days before expiration of the endorsement.
(c) Failure to receive notice to renew a license or endorsement shall not be a defense to a charge of operating a motor vehicle without a valid operator's license or endorsement.
(2m) The department shall include with the notice that it mails under sub. (2) information regarding the requirements of s. 347.48 (4) and information, as developed by all organ procurement organizations in cooperation with the department, that promotes anatomical donations and which relates to the anatomical donation opportunity available under s. 343.175.
(3) Any person who holds a valid license and who is unable to make a renewal application within the period declared by the department, due to serving with any branch of the armed services or as a member of the U.S. foreign service appointed under 22 USC 3942 (a) (1) or 3943, may apply for a renewal of the license at any time during such service or within 6 months after the date of discharge from such services.
(4) Any license issued under this chapter does not expire on the expiration date on the license if, on that expiration date, the licensee is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and is absent from this state or is a member of the U.S. foreign service appointed under 22 USC 3942 (a) (1) or 3943 who is on active duty and is absent from this state. Any license extended under this subsection expires 30 days after the licensee returns to this state or 90 days after the licensee is discharged from active duty, whichever is earlier. If a license is renewed after an extension under this subsection, the renewal period shall begin on the day after the expiration date on the license.
History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1977 c. 273; 1979 c. 306; 1981 c. 20, 42, 71; 1989 a. 31, 105, 294; 1991 a. 13; 1995 a. 255, 446; 1997 a. 27, 237; 2001 a. 105; 2003 a. 33, 280; 2005 a. 126; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 103; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 367; 2015 a. 55, 123, 323.

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