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LRB-1332/1
ZDW:emw&wlj
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
January 28, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Bernier and L. Taylor, cosponsored by
Representatives Pronschinske, James, Petryk, Edming, Gundrum, Knodl,
Moses, Mursau, Plumer, Ramthun, Skowronski and Sortwell. Referred to
Committee on Transportation and Local Government.
SB15,1,3 1An Act to amend 343.07 (1g) (intro.), 343.07 (3) and 343.085 (1) (b) of the
2statutes; relating to: motor vehicle instruction permit and probationary
3license eligibility and duration.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill lowers the age of eligibility for and increases the duration of a motor
vehicle instruction permit and establishes a minimum age for a motor vehicle
probationary license.
Under current law, DOT may issue an instruction permit to a person who is at
least 15 years and 6 months of age, has passed a knowledge test, and, except for age
or lack of training, is qualified to obtain an operator's license. If the person is under
18 years of age, the person must also be enrolled in a driver education course. Subject
to certain restrictions, the permit authorizes the operation of motor vehicles,
excluding commercial motor vehicles, school buses, motorcycles, motor bicycles, and
mopeds. An instruction permit is valid for 12 months.
Under the bill, a person is eligible for an instruction permit at the age of 15, and
the permit is valid for 18 months.
Under current law, with limited exceptions, a probationary license is issued to
applicants who qualify for an original license and remains in effect for two years from
the date of the licensee's next birthday. During the first nine months following
issuance of a probationary license, a licensee under the age of 18 is generally subject
to restrictions on the operation of “Class D” vehicles, which are automobiles, light
trucks, and mopeds. A person must hold an instruction permit for at least six months

before being eligible for a probationary license. The bill retains this requirement and
provides that DOT may not issue a probationary license to a person who is under the
age of 16.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB15,1 1Section 1. 343.07 (1g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB15,2,112 343.07 (1g) Regular permit; issuance, restrictions. (intro.) Upon application
3therefor by a person at least 15 years and 6 months of age who, except for age or lack
4of training in the operation of a motor vehicle, is qualified to obtain an operator's
5license and has passed such knowledge test as the department may require, the
6department may issue a regular instruction permit. If the application is made by a
7male who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, the application shall
8include the information required under s. 343.14 (2) (em). The permit entitles the
9permittee to operate a motor vehicle, except a commercial motor vehicle, school bus,
10or motorcycle, a motor bicycle, or a moped, upon the highways, subject to the
11following restrictions:
SB15,2 12Section 2. 343.07 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB15,2,1813 343.07 (3) Duration; cancellation. An instruction permit to operate vehicles
14other than commercial motor vehicles or school buses is valid for 12 18 months except
15that it may be canceled upon receipt of information, by the secretary, of
16noncompletion or unsatisfactory completion of a driver education and training
17course by a permittee under the age of 18. An instruction permit to operate
18commercial motor vehicles or school buses is valid for 180 days.
SB15,3 19Section 3. 343.085 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB15,3,9
1343.085 (1) (b) The department may not issue a probationary license to operate
2“Class D" vehicles under this section to an applicant who is under 18 years of age
3unless the applicant has attained the age of 16, has held an instruction permit issued
4under s. 343.07 for not less than 6 months, and, during the 6-month period
5immediately preceding application, has not committed a moving violation, specified
6by the department by rule, resulting in a conviction. The department may
7promulgate rules to waive the requirement of holding an instruction permit for not
8less than 6 months for qualified applicants who are licensed by another jurisdiction
9to operate “Class D" vehicles.
SB15,3,1010 (End)
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