Chapter 343

343.05 Annotation The guidelines for operating a commercial vehicle under this section constitute a fundamental public policy to promote highway safety. The discharge of an at-will employee for refusing to violate this section was a wrongful discharge. Kempfer v. Automated Finishing, Inc., 211 Wis. 2d 100, 564 N.W.2d 692 (1997), 95-0649.

343.05 Annotation A person has a privilege, but not a right, to drive a motor vehicle upon a public highway. To exercise that privilege, the person must satisfy the licensing requirements of the state. County of Fond du Lac v. Derksen, 2002 WI App 160, 256 Wis. 2d 490, 647 N.W.2d 922, 01-2870.

343.05 Annotation Summary judgment is inapplicable in hearings under this chapter. State v. Baratka, 2002 WI App 288, 258 Wis. 2d 342, 654 N.W.2d 875, 02-0770.

343.05 Annotation Three-wheeled trucks and automobiles, golf carts, and other special purpose vehicles such as street sweepers, industrial fork-lifts, and motorized wheelbarrows are not motorcycles, and operators are not required to have special driver licenses. 58 Atty. Gen. 17.

343.05 Annotation A driver license authorizing motor-driven cycle operation is not required for the operation of a motor-driven cycle on private property. 64 Atty. Gen. 79.

343.055 343.055 Commercial driver license waivers.

343.055(1) (1) Operators waived.

343.055(1)(a) (a) General. Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4) and notwithstanding s. 343.05 (2), operators of certain commercial motor vehicles specified in pars. (b) to (h) or any rule of the department promulgated under sub. (5) are not required to hold commercial driver licenses, if the operator holds a valid operator’s license not limited to “Class M” vehicles.

343.055(1)(b) (b) Fire fighters. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle including, without limitation, fire trucks, hook and ladder trucks and foam or water transporters, is a person employed by a volunteer or paid fire organization and the person is operating emergency or fire fighting equipment necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency management functions and equipped with a siren and warning lamps as provided in ss. 347.25 (1) and 347.38 (4) and the operation is in the routine performance of other duties of the fire organization or in response to an emergency call under s. 346.03 or during the return from a fire or other emergency response.

343.055(1)(c) (c) Farmers. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a farmer or a family member or employee of a farmer who is using the commercial motor vehicle to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies, or a combination thereof to or from a farm and the commercial motor vehicle is controlled by a farmer and not used in the operations of a common motor carrier or contract motor carrier, as defined in s. 194.01 (1) and (2). If the operator of the commercial motor vehicle is transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding, the waiver under this paragraph applies only within 150 miles of a farm where the operator is a farmer or a family member or employee of a farmer. In this paragraph, “controlled” means leased or owned; and “farmer” and “leased” have the meanings given in s. 340.01 (18) (b).

343.055(1)(d) (d) Recreational vehicle operators. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a person operating a motor home, or a vehicle towing a 5th-wheel recreational vehicle or single-unit recreational vehicle and the vehicle or combination, including both units of a combination towing vehicle and the 5th-wheel recreational vehicle or recreational vehicle, is both operated and controlled by the person and is transporting only members of the person’s family, guests or their personal property. This paragraph does not apply to any transportation for hire or the transportation of any property connected to a commercial activity. In this paragraph, “controlled” means leased or owned.

343.055(1)(e) (e) Law enforcement officers. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a law enforcement officer who is operating an authorized emergency vehicle that is necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions and that is equipped with warning lamps and a siren as provided in ss. 347.25 and 347.38 (4).

343.055(1)(h) (h) Rescue squad members. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle is a member of a legally organized rescue squad. This paragraph applies only to the operation of authorized emergency vehicles.

343.055(2) (2) Disqualifications not applicable. Notwithstanding s. 343.44, a person disqualified under s. 343.315 may operate a commercial motor vehicle as described in this section if the person holds a valid operator’s license issued to the person authorizing the operation of “Class D” vehicles.

343.055(3) (3) Vehicles transporting hazardous materials, carrying passengers or towing double or triple trailers not waived. Nothing in this section authorizes the operation of a combination vehicle with double or triple trailers, a vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding except as provided in sub. (1) (c), a vehicle transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73, or a vehicle carrying or designed to transport the driver and 15 or more persons, by a person who does not hold a valid operator’s license properly endorsed to permit such operation.

343.055(4) (4) Effect of waivers. The waivers under this section shall apply to the extent permitted under federal law and shall exempt a person only from the requirement in s. 343.05 (2) to hold a commercial driver license to operate a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway in this state. A commercial motor vehicle operated under this waiver remains a commercial motor vehicle.

343.055(5) (5) Rules. As soon as possible after the federal commercial motor vehicle safety act, 49 USC 31301 to 31317, or the regulations adopted under that act permit any commercial driver license waiver, the department shall promulgate rules governing eligibility for the waiver. This subsection applies to waivers not permitted by federal law on May 12, 1992.

343.055 History History: 1989 a. 105; 1991 a. 39, 242; 1993 a. 19; 1995 a. 113, 247; 1999 a. 9, 140; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 11; 2009 a. 254; 2019 a. 163.

343.06 343.06 Persons not to be licensed.

343.06(1) (1) The department shall not issue a license:

343.06(1)(a) (a) To any person whose operator’s license or nonresident’s operating privilege was withheld, suspended, revoked or canceled under the provisions of the law in effect prior to September 1, 1941, unless such person complies with the requirements of this chapter relative to obtaining a license or restoration of operating privileges after suspension, revocation or cancellation.

343.06(1)(b) (b) To any person whose operating privilege has been suspended or revoked or is subject to immediate mandatory suspension or revocation under this chapter, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter.

343.06(1)(c) (c) To any person under age 18 unless the person is enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and is not a habitual truant as defined in s. 118.16 (1) (a), has graduated from high school or been granted a declaration of high school graduation equivalency, or is enrolled in a home-based private educational program, as defined in s. 115.001 (3g), and has satisfactorily completed a course in driver education in public schools approved by the department of public instruction, or in technical colleges approved by the technical college system board, or in nonpublic and private schools or tribal schools, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), that meet the minimum standards set by the department of public instruction, or has satisfactorily completed a substantially equivalent course in driver training approved by the department and given by a school licensed by the department under s. 343.61, or has satisfactorily completed a substantially equivalent course in driver education or training approved by another state and has attained the age of 16, except as provided in s. 343.07 (1g). The department shall not issue a license to any person under the age of 18 authorizing the operation of “Class M” vehicles unless the person has successfully completed a basic rider course approved by the Wisconsin department of transportation motorcycle safety program. The department may, by rule, exempt certain persons from the basic rider course requirement of this paragraph. Applicants for a license under s. 343.08 or 343.135 are exempt from the driver education, basic rider or driver training course requirement. The secretary shall prescribe rules for licensing of schools and instructors to qualify under this paragraph. The driver education course shall be made available to every eligible student in the state. Except as provided under s. 343.16 (1) (bm) and (c) and (2) (cm) to (e), no operator’s license may be issued unless a driver’s examination has been administered by the department.

343.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 129, Wis. adm. code.

343.06(1)(cm) (cm) To operate “Class D” vehicles to any person under 18 years of age, unless the person has accumulated at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, at least 10 hours of which were during hours of darkness. Each hour of behind-the-wheel driving experience while accompanied by a qualified instructor, as defined in s. 343.07 (1c), shall be considered to be 2 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, except that no more than 5 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience while accompanied by a qualified instructor may be counted in this manner. This paragraph does not apply to applicants for a restricted license under s. 343.08 or a special restricted operator’s license under s. 343.135. The department may promulgate rules that waive the requirement of accumulating at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience for qualified applicants who are licensed by another jurisdiction to operate “Class D” vehicles.

343.06(1)(d) (d) To any person whose dependence on alcohol has attained such a degree that it interferes with his or her physical or mental health or social or economic functioning, or who is addicted to the use of controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, except that the secretary may issue a license if the person submits to an examination, evaluation or treatment in a treatment facility meeting the standards prescribed in s. 51.45 (8) (a), as directed by the secretary, in accordance with s. 343.16 (5).

343.06(1)(e) (e) To any person who is unable to exercise reasonable control over a motor vehicle, as defined by the department by rule.

343.06(1)(f) (f) To any person who is required by this chapter to take an examination, unless such person takes and successfully passes such examination. Deaf persons otherwise qualified under this chapter to receive a license shall be issued such license in the discretion of the secretary.

343.06(1)(g) (g) To any person who is required under the motor vehicle financial responsibility laws of this state to furnish proof of financial responsibility, and who has not furnished such proof in the manner prescribed by statute and any lawful rules of the department pertaining thereto.

343.06(1)(h) (h) To any person when the secretary has good cause to believe that the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways by such person will be inimical to the public safety or welfare.

343.06(1)(i) (i) To any person who has been convicted of any offense specified under ss. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, 948.07, or 948.085 or adjudged delinquent under ch. 938 for a like or similar offense, when the sentencing court makes a finding that issuance of a license will be inimical to the public safety and welfare. The prohibition against issuance of a license to the offenders shall apply immediately upon receipt of a record of the conviction and the court finding by the secretary, for a period of one year or until discharge from any jail or prison sentence or any period of probation, extended supervision or parole with respect to the offenses specified, whichever date is the later. Receipt by the offender of a certificate of discharge from the department of corrections or other responsible supervising agency, after one year has elapsed since the prohibition began, entitles the holder to apply for an operator’s license. The applicant may be required to present the certificate of discharge to the secretary if the latter deems it necessary.

343.06(1)(k) (k) To any person who is not a resident.

343.06(1)(L) (L) To any person who does not satisfy the requirements under s. 343.165 (1).

343.06(1)(m) (m) To any person who has been declared incompetent under s. 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d. to apply for an operator’s license.

343.06(2) (2) The department shall not issue a commercial driver license, including a renewal or reinstated license, to any person, or reinstate a person’s authorization to operate a commercial motor vehicle, during any period of disqualification under s. 343.315 or 49 CFR 383.51, under the law of another jurisdiction disqualifying a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle under circumstances similar to those specified in s. 343.315 or 49 CFR 383.51, or under a determination by the federal motor carrier safety administration that the person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under 49 CFR 391, or to any person whose operating privilege is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Any person who is known to the department to be subject to disqualification as described in s. 343.44 (1) (d) shall be disqualified by the department as provided in s. 343.315.

343.06(3) (3) The department may not issue a commercial driver license valid for use in interstate commerce to any person to whom any of the following applies:

343.06(3)(a) (a) The person is less than 21 years of age.

343.06(3)(b) (b) The person does not meet the physical qualifications for drivers contained in 49 CFR 391.

343.06(3)(c) (c) The person does not satisfy the rules of the department concerning qualifications of drivers in interstate commerce.

343.06(3)(d) (d) The person has not satisfied the entry-level training requirements contained in 49 CFR 380, subparts F and G.

343.06 History History: 1971 c. 40 s. 93; 1971 c. 154 s. 79 (3); 1971 c. 219; 1975 c. 184 s. 13; 1975 c. 421; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1977 c. 41, 238, 273, 360, 447; 1983 a. 17, 243; 1985 a. 202; 1987 a. 40, 122; 1987 a. 332 s. 64; 1987 a. 403; 1989 a. 31, 105; 1993 a. 16, 227, 363, 399, 491; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1995 a. 77, 113, 448; 1997 a. 27, 84, 283; 1999 a. 9, 140; 2001 a. 38; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 126, 149, 277, 387; 2007 a. 20, 97; 2009 a. 28, 103, 302; 2011 a. 23, 32, 260; 2013 a. 371; 2021 a. 64, 152; s. 35.17 correction in (3) (intro.).

343.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. PI 21.04, Wis. adm. code.

343.06 Annotation Performance of the duty to apply sub. (7) [now sub. (1) (e)] delegated to a state driver license examiner is within the rule of civil immunity. Lifer v. Raymond, 80 Wis. 2d 503, 259 N.W.2d 537 (1977).

343.06 Annotation The offering of driver education courses by public schools is optional rather than mandatory; but if offered, all qualified students must be allowed to participate. The state superintendent may require private schools to consent to on-site inspections for compliance verification as a condition of approval granted those schools under that section. 59 Atty. Gen. 27.

343.065 343.065 Restricted commercial driver license.

343.065(1) (1) 

343.065(1)(a) (a) If an applicant for a commercial driver license is less than 21 years of age or does not meet the physical qualifications for drivers contained in 49 CFR 391 or an alternative federally approved driver qualification program established by the department by rule but is at least 18 years of age and otherwise qualified under this chapter and, subject to par. (b), the rules of the department, the department may issue the applicant a commercial driver license restricted to authorizing the operation of commercial motor vehicles not in interstate commerce.

343.065(1)(b) (b) An applicant with diabetes controlled by insulin is not eligible for a restricted commercial driver license under this section if the applicant had, in the 3-year period prior to the date of the application, any moving violation, or any reportable at-fault accident, due to diabetes while operating any motor vehicle. The department may not establish by rule a more restrictive eligibility standard relating to moving violations and at-fault accidents for applicants under this section who have diabetes controlled by insulin.

343.065(2) (2) A commercial driver license issued under this section shall clearly identify that the license does not authorize the operation of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

343.065(3) (3) 

343.065(3)(a) (a) If a person issued any commercial driver license under this chapter authorizing operation of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce does not have on file with the department a current certification specified in s. 343.14 (2) (im) 1m. a. covering the person’s physical qualifications, the department may downgrade the commercial driver license to a restricted commercial driver license under this section and impose a “K” restriction on the license.

343.065(3)(b) (b) The department shall promulgate rules to define “downgrade” in accordance with federal law and regulations or guidance from the applicable federal agency, to establish the process for downgrading a commercial driver license and whether or not a new commercial driver license document will be issued after a commercial driver license is downgraded, and to establish the process for reinstating a downgraded commercial driver license after the department receives from the licensee a valid medical certification or other appropriate certification of physical qualifications.

343.065 History History: 1989 a. 105; 1995 a. 113; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 123.

343.065 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 112, Wis. adm. code.

343.07 343.07 Instruction permits.

343.07(1c) (1c) Definition. In this section, “qualified instructor” means a person employed by a public school, private school, or tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), holding an operator’s license and meeting the teaching certification standards of the department of public instruction or the technical college system board to teach driver education; or an instructor of a school licensed under s. 343.61; or a teacher or student teacher in a driver education course for teachers conducted by an institution of higher education.

343.07(1g) (1g) Regular permit; issuance, restrictions. Upon application therefor by a person at least 15 years of age who, except for age or lack of training in the operation of a motor vehicle, is qualified to obtain an operator’s license and has passed such knowledge test as the department may require, the department may issue a regular instruction permit. If the application is made by a male who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, the application shall include the information required under s. 343.14 (2) (em). The permit entitles the permittee to operate a motor vehicle, except a commercial motor vehicle, school bus, or motorcycle, a motor bicycle, or a moped, upon the highways, subject to the following restrictions:

343.07(1g)(a) (a) Except as provided in this subsection, no permittee may operate a motor vehicle unless accompanied by a person who has at least 2 years of licensed driving experience, who presently holds a valid regular license, as defined in s. 343.03 (3) (a), who occupies the seat beside the permittee and who is one of the following:

343.07(1g)(a)1. 1. A qualified instructor who is 19 years of age or older. If the motor vehicle is equipped with dual controls, up to 3 other persons, in addition to the qualified instructor, may occupy seats in the motor vehicle other than the front seat.

343.07(1g)(a)2. 2. The permittee’s parent, guardian or spouse who is 19 years of age or older. In addition to the parent, guardian or spouse, the permittee’s immediate family members may occupy seats in the motor vehicle other than the front seat.

343.07(1g)(a)3. 3. A person who is 21 years of age or older. If the permittee is under 18 years of age, this subdivision applies only if the licensed person has been designated in writing to accompany the permittee by the permittee’s parent or guardian prior to operation of the vehicle by the permittee.

343.07(1g)(bm) (bm) Except as provided in par. (a), no permittee may operate a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state whenever any person is in the motor vehicle.

343.07(1g)(cm) (cm) If the permittee is at least 16 years of age, in addition to the licensed accompanying operator, one other licensed person 25 years of age or more with at least 2 years’ driving experience may occupy a seat in the motor vehicle other than the front seat.

343.07(1g)(d) (d) The permittee shall not operate a motor vehicle during the hours of darkness unless accompanied by:

343.07(1g)(d)1. 1. A licensed person 25 years of age or more, with at least 2 years’ licensed driving experience, occupying the seat beside the permittee; or

343.07(1g)(d)2. 2. A qualified instructor.

343.07(1g)(e) (e) The permittee may operate a motor vehicle when accompanied by an authorized license examiner for the purpose of examining the permittee’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.

343.07(1m) (1m) Commercial motor vehicle and school bus instruction permits; issuance, restrictions.

343.07(1m)(ag) (ag) Upon application, the department may issue an instruction permit for commercial motor vehicle or school bus operation to a person who satisfies all of the following:

343.07(1m)(ag)1. 1. The person is at least 18 years of age.

343.07(1m)(ag)2. 2. The person holds a valid operator’s license issued under this chapter.

343.07(1m)(ag)3. 3. Except for lack of training in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle or school bus, the person is qualified to obtain authorization for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle or school bus.

343.07(1m)(ag)4. 4. The person has passed the applicable knowledge test and, for an applicant for a permit authorizing operation of a commercial motor vehicle under s. 343.04 (2) (a), has satisfied the entry-level training requirements contained in 49 CFR 380, subparts F and G.

343.07(1m)(b) (b) Unless the permittee is at least 21 years of age, the instruction permit is not valid authorization for operation in interstate commerce and that lack of authorization shall be clearly indicated on the permit.

343.07(1m)(bm) (bm) A permit under this subsection that is limited to commercial motor vehicle instructional operation entitles the permittee to operate only a commercial motor vehicle upon the highways. A permit under this subsection that is limited to school bus instructional operation entitles the permittee to operate only a school bus upon the highways.

343.07(1m)(c) (c) The permittee may operate a commercial motor vehicle or school bus when accompanied by an authorized license examiner for the purpose of examining his or her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle or school bus.

343.07(1m)(cm) (cm) A permit under this subsection is subject to the following restrictions:

343.07(1m)(cm)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the permittee may not operate a commercial motor vehicle or school bus unless accompanied by a qualified instructor or a licensed person 21 years of age or older with a valid license authorizing the person to operate such vehicle, occupying the seating position nearest to the driver. No passengers are allowed in the vehicle, except that when the accompanying operator is a qualified instructor up to 3 other permittees also being trained may occupy seats in the vehicle. The permittee may operate a commercial motor vehicle carrying property under this subdivision.

343.07(1m)(cm)2. 2.

343.07(1m)(cm)2.a. a. A permittee may operate a commercial motor vehicle or school bus, other than a vehicle type specified in s. 343.04 (2) (a), (c) or (f), within this state unaccompanied by a qualified instructor or a licensed person 25 years of age or older with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience in a representative vehicle and a valid license authorizing the person to operate such vehicle if the permittee has taken and passed the applicable knowledge tests, the permittee is operating the vehicle in connection with a driver training course or program approved by the department, the vehicle is being used by the permittee exclusively for driver training purposes and not for the purposes of carrying property or passengers, and direct, uninterrupted audio or audiovisual electronic communication between a qualified instructor and the permittee is maintained at all times the permittee is operating the vehicle.

343.07(1m)(cm)2.b. b. This subdivision shall apply to the extent permitted under federal law.

343.07(1m)(d) (d) No person holding an instruction permit issued under this subsection may operate a tank vehicle unless the tanks are empty and, if the tanks contained hazardous materials, purged or a vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73.

343.07(2) (2) Training certificate required. Except for persons who qualify for a license under s. 343.08, the department shall not issue an instruction permit to anyone under 18 years of age, unless it has a certificate from the applicant’s qualified instructor to the effect that the applicant is enrolled in an approved driver education and training course for the purpose of the practice driving phase.

343.07(3) (3) Duration; cancellation. An instruction permit to operate vehicles other than commercial motor vehicles or school buses is valid for 18 months except that it may be canceled upon receipt of information, by the secretary, of noncompletion or unsatisfactory completion of a driver education and training course by a permittee under the age of 18. An instruction permit to operate commercial motor vehicles or school buses is valid for 180 days.

343.07(4) (4) Instruction permits; motorcycle, motor bicycle, and moped.

343.07(4)(a) (a) Subject to s. 343.16 (1) (a), upon application by a person who qualifies for issuance of a license under s. 343.06 (1) (c) and who wishes to qualify for the operation of a motorcycle, the department may issue an instruction permit for the operation of “Class M” vehicles.

343.07(4)(b) (b) The permit for motorcycle operation shall be valid for 6 months. The department shall issue no more than 3 permits for motorcycle operation to a person 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 permit for motorcycle operation entitles the permittee to operate a motorcycle subject to the following restrictions:

343.07(4)(b)1. 1. No passenger may accompany the permittee except that a person with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience and whose license is endorsed for motorcycle operation may ride as a passenger-instructor.

343.07(4)(b)2. 2. The permittee may not operate a motorcycle during hours of darkness unless accompanied by a licensed person 25 years of age or more and meeting the requirements of subd. 1.