Chapter 343

343.16(2)(a) (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.

343.16(2)(b) (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.

343.16(2)(c) (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.

343.16(2)(cm) (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.

343.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 129.03, Wis. adm. code.

343.16(2)(d) (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.

343.16(2)(e) (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).

343.16(2)(f) (f) Application by military license holder.

343.16(2)(f)1. 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).

343.16(2)(f)2. 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.

343.16(2)(f)3. 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.

343.16(3) (3) Testing upon renewal.

343.16(3)(a) (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.

343.16(3)(am) (am)

343.16(3)(am)1. 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.

343.16(3)(am)2. 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.

343.16(3)(am)3. 3. The department shall establish criteria for eligibility for license issuance and renewal by electronic means under this paragraph.

343.16(3)(b) (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.

343.16(4) (4) Conduct of driving skills test.

343.16(4)(a) (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.

343.16(4)(b) (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.

343.16(5) (5) Medical or other special examinations.

343.16(5)(a) (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).

343.16(5)(b) (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.

343.16(5)(c) (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.

343.16(5)(d) (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.

343.16(6) (6) Special retesting of licensed operators.

343.16(6)(a) (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.

343.16(6)(am) (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.

343.16(6)(b) (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.

343.16(7) (7) Penalties.

343.16(7)(a) (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.

343.16(7)(b) (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.

343.16 History 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.

343.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 104, Wis. adm. code.

343.165 343.165 Processing license and identification card applications.

343.165(1) (1) Subject to ss. 343.14 (3m) and 343.50 (4g), the department may not complete the processing of an application for initial issuance or renewal of an operator’s license or identification card and no such license or identification card may be issued or renewed, unless the applicant presents or provides, and, subject to sub. (7), the department verifies under sub. (3), all of the following information:

343.165(1)(a) (a) An identification document that includes either the applicant’s photograph or both the applicant’s full legal name and date of birth.

343.165(1)(b) (b) Documentation showing the applicant’s date of birth, which may be the identification document under par. (a).

343.165(1)(c) (c) Proof of the applicant’s social security number or, except as provided in s. 343.14 (2g) (a) 4., verification that the applicant is not eligible for a social security number.

343.165(1)(d) (d) Documentation showing the applicant’s name and address of principal residence.

343.165(1)(e) (e) Subject to ss. 343.125 (2) (a) and (b) and 343.14 (2g) (a) 2. d., the documentary proof described in s. 343.14 (2) (es).

343.165(2) (2) 

343.165(2)(a) (a) Subject to sub. (7), the department shall, in processing any application for an operator’s license or identification card under sub. (1), capture a digital image of each document presented or provided to the department by an applicant. Images captured under this paragraph shall be maintained, in electronic storage and in a transferable format, in the applicant’s file or record as provided under ss. 343.23 (2) (a) and 343.50 (8) (a).

343.165(2)(b) (b) Subject to sub. (7), the department shall record in the applicant’s file under s. 343.23 (2) (a) or record under s. 343.50 (8) (a) the date on which verification under subs. (1) and (3) is completed.

343.165(3) (3) 

343.165(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c) and subject to sub. (7), the department shall verify, in the manner and to the extent required under federal law, each document presented or provided to the department that is required to be presented or provided to the department by an applicant under sub. (1).

343.165(3)(b) (b) The department may not accept any foreign document, other than an official passport, to satisfy a requirement under sub. (1).

343.165(3)(c) (c) For purposes of par. (a) and sub. (1) (c), if an applicant presents a social security number that is already registered to or associated with another person, the department shall direct the applicant to investigate and take appropriate action to resolve the discrepancy and shall not issue any operator’s license or identification card until the discrepancy is resolved. The department shall adopt procedures for purposes of verifying that an applicant is not eligible for a social security number.

343.165(4) (4) 

343.165(4)(a) (a) Subsection (1) does not apply to an application for renewal of an operator’s license or identification card if in connection with a prior application the applicant previously presented or provided, and the department verified under sub. (3) or (7), the information specified in sub. (1) and, if verified under sub. (3), the department recorded the date on which the verification procedures were completed as described in sub. (2) (b).

343.165(4)(b) (b) The department shall establish an effective procedure to confirm or verify an applicant’s information for purposes of any application described in par. (a). The procedure shall include verification of the applicant’s social security number or ineligibility for a social security number.

343.165(4)(c) (c) Notwithstanding pars. (a) and (b), no operator’s license displaying the legend required under s. 343.03 (3m) or identification card displaying the legend required under s. 343.50 (3) (a) may be renewed unless the applicant presents or provides valid documentary proof under sub. (1) (e) and this proof shows that the status by which the applicant qualified for the license or identification card has been extended by the secretary of the federal department of homeland security.

343.165(4)(d) (d) With any license or identification card renewal following a license or identification card expiration established under s. 343.20 (1m) or 343.50 (5) (c) at other than an 8-year interval, the department may determine whether the applicant’s photograph is to be taken, or if the renewal is for a license the applicant is to be examined, or both, at the time of such renewal, so long as the applicant’s photograph is taken, and if the renewal is for a license the applicant is examined, with a license or card renewal at least once every 8 years and the applicant’s license or identification card at all times includes a photograph unless an exception under s. 343.14 (3m) or 343.50 (4g) applies.

343.165(5) (5) The department may, by rule, require that applications for reinstatement of operator’s licenses or identification cards, issuance of occupational licenses, reissuance of operator’s licenses, or issuance of duplicate operator’s licenses or identification cards be processed in a manner consistent with the requirements established under this section for applications for initial issuance or renewal of operator’s licenses and identification cards.

343.165(6) (6) During the period in which the department processes an application under this section, the department may issue a receipt under s. 343.11 (3) or 343.50 (1) (c).

343.165(7) (7) 

343.165(7)(a) (a) The department may process an application for, and issue or renew, an operator’s license or identification card without meeting the requirements under subs. (2) and (3) if all of the following apply:

343.165(7)(a)1. 1. The operator’s license contains the marking specified in s. 343.03 (3r) or the identification card contains the marking specified in s. 343.50 (3) (b).

343.165(7)(a)2. 2. The operator’s license or identification card is processed and issued or renewed in compliance with applicable department practices and procedures that were in effect on December 31, 2012.

343.165(7)(b) (b) In addition to other instances of original issuance or renewal, this subsection specifically applies to renewals occurring after January 1, 2013, of operator’s licenses or identification cards originally issued prior to January 1, 2013.

343.165(8) (8) Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (4), for an applicant requesting that an identification card be provided without charge for purposes of voting, all of the following apply:

343.165(8)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a person is unable to provide proof of name and date of birth, and the documents are unavailable to the person, the person may make a written petition to the department for an exception to the requirements of sub. (1) (a) or (b). The application shall include proof of identity and all of the following:

343.165(8)(a)1. 1. A certification of the person’s name, date of birth, and current residence street address on the department’s form.

343.165(8)(a)2. 2. An explanation of the circumstances by which the person is unable to provide proof of name and date of birth.

343.165(8)(a)3. 3. Whatever documentation is available that states the person’s name and date of birth.

343.165(8)(b) (b)

343.165(8)(b)1. 1. If a person applies for and requests an identification card without charge for the purposes of voting and the person’s proof of name and date of birth or of proof of citizenship, legal permanent resident status, conditional resident status, or legal presence is unavailable, the person may make a written petition to the department for an exception to the requirement for which proof is unavailable. The department shall provide appropriate translation for any person who is unable to read or understand the petition process instructions and related communications under this subsection or s. 343.50 (1) (c) 2. The petition shall include the person’s statement under oath or affirmation of all of the following:

343.165(8)(b)1.a. a. That the person is unable to provide proof of name and date of birth or proof of citizenship, legal permanent resident status, conditional resident status, or legal presence.

343.165(8)(b)1.b. b. That the documents are unavailable to the person.

343.165(8)(b)1.c. c. His or her name, date of birth, place of birth, and such other birth record information requested by the department, or the person’s alien or U.S. citizenship and immigration service number or U.S. citizenship certificate number.

343.165(8)(b)2. 2. Upon receiving a petition that meets the requirements under subd. 1., the department of transportation shall forward the petition to the central office of its division of motor vehicles for processing. The department of transportation shall provide the person’s birth record information to the department of health services, for the sole purpose of verification by the department of health services of the person’s birth certificate information or the equivalent document from another jurisdiction, other than a province of the Dominion of Canada, or to a federal agency for the sole purpose of verifying the person’s certificate of birth abroad issued by the federal department of state, or of verifying the person’s alien or U.S. citizenship and immigration service number or U.S. citizenship certificate number. The department of transportation shall open a file containing the petition and shall create therein a report with a dated record of events, including all communication to or with the applicant. The department of transportation may not complete processing of the application prior to receiving verification under this subdivision, except as provided in subd. 3.

343.165(8)(b)3. 3. If the department does not receive verification under subd. 2. within 30 days or receives notice under subd. 2. that the birth information provided in the application does not match that of the birth record custodian, the department shall promptly notify the person in writing of that failure to verify and request the person contact the department within 10 days. If the person does not respond within 10 days, the department shall send the person a 2nd letter with substantially similar contents. If the person does not respond to the 2nd letter within 10 days and the department knows the person’s telephone number, the department shall call the person on the telephone and notify the person that the birth information was not verified and request the person provide additional information within 10 days. If 30 days have elapsed since the date of the first letter sent under this subdivision without contact from the person, the department shall suspend the investigation and send written notice that the person has not responded, that the department has no further leads for it to locate or obtain secondary documentation or verification of birth information, that the department has suspended its investigation or research until such time as the person contacts the department, and that if within 180 days after the date of the written notice the person fails to contact the department the petition will be denied and no further identification card receipts will be issued under s. 343.50 (1) (c) 2. If the person fails to contact the department within 180 days after the department suspends the investigation, the department shall deny the petition in writing and shall inform the person that the department will resume the investigation if the person contacts the department to discuss the petition. Whenever the applicant contacts the department to discuss the petition, the investigation under this subdivision shall begin anew, notwithstanding any prior denial due to the person’s failure to timely respond. The applicant shall act in good faith and use reasonable efforts to provide additional information that could reasonably lead the department to discover correct birth information or secondary documentation as described in subd. 3g., to assist the department in processing the application. The department shall investigate the petition and any additional information provided under this subdivision with prompt and due diligence and shall use reasonable efforts to locate and obtain the secondary documentation by pursuing leads provided by the person. Investigations may only be completed within the division of motor vehicles’ central office by employees whose regular job duties include investigation and fraud detection and prevention. If the investigation discovers new or corrected birth information, the department of transportation shall resubmit the new or corrected birth information to the department of health services for verification under subd. 2. The department of transportation shall pay any actual, necessary fees required by the record custodian to obtain the secondary documentation.

343.165(8)(b)3g. 3g. If the department of health services does not verify the birth record information within 30 days, the department of transportation may issue an identification card to the person only if the department of transportation receives verification under subd. 2., if the person provides proof of name and date of birth or proof of citizenship, legal permanent resident status, conditional resident status or legal presence, or if the department of transportation receives other secondary documentation acceptable to the department of transportation and deemed sufficient under subd. 3., which may include the following:

343.165(8)(b)3g.a. a. Baptismal certificate.

343.165(8)(b)3g.b. b. Hospital birth certificate.

343.165(8)(b)3g.c. c. Delayed birth certificate.

343.165(8)(b)3g.d. d. Census record.

343.165(8)(b)3g.e. e. Early school record.

343.165(8)(b)3g.f. f. Family Bible record.

343.165(8)(b)3g.g. g. Doctor’s record of post-natal care.

343.165(8)(b)3g.h. h. Other documentation deemed acceptable to the department of transportation, within the department’s reasonable discretion.

343.165(8)(b)4. 4. In this paragraph, “proof of citizenship, legal permanent resident status, conditional resident status or legal presence” means any of the following:

343.165(8)(b)4.a. a. A U.S. state or local government issued certificate of birth.

343.165(8)(b)4.b. b. Valid U.S. passport.

343.165(8)(b)4.c. c. Valid foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents, which shall include or be accompanied by federal form I-94, arrival and departure record.

343.165(8)(b)4.d. d. Certificate of U.S. citizenship.

343.165(8)(b)4.e. e. A U.S. Certificate of naturalization.

343.165(8)(b)4.f. f. Valid department of homeland security/U.S. citizenship and immigration services federal form I-551, resident alien registration receipt card, issued since 1997.