Chapter 343

343.52(3)(b) (b) A member of a disabled parking enforcement assistance council under s. 349.145 who observes a violation of this section may prepare a written report indicating that a violation has occurred. The report shall contain, if applicable, the time and location at which the violation occurred, and any other relevant information relating to the violation.

343.52(3)(c) (c) Within 24 hours after observing the violation, the member may deliver the report to a traffic officer of the political subdivision in which the violation occurred. A report which does not contain all of the information in par. (b) shall nevertheless be delivered and shall be maintained by the political subdivision for statistical purposes.

343.52(3)(d) (d)

343.52(3)(d)1. 1. Within 48 hours after receiving a report containing all of the information in par. (b) and after conducting an investigation, the traffic officer may prepare a uniform traffic citation under s. 345.11 for the violation and may personally serve it upon the person or organization.

343.52(3)(d)2. 2. If with reasonable diligence the person or organization cannot be served under subd. 1. or if the person or organization lives outside of the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, service may be made by certified mail addressed to the person’s or organization’s last-known address.

343.52 History History: 1979 c. 276; 1981 c. 119; 1985 a. 29; 1993 a. 16, 256; 2005 a. 455; 2011 a. 98.

subch. VI of ch. 343 SUBCHAPTER VI

LICENSING OF DRIVER SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTORS

Subch. VI of ch. 343 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 105, Wis. adm. code.

343.60 343.60 Definitions. In ss. 343.60 to 343.73:

343.60(1) (1) “Driver school” means a business that gives instruction, for compensation, in the operation of motor vehicles, except that it does not include any of the following:

343.60(1)(a) (a) A high school or technical college that teaches driver training as part of its regular school program and whose course of study in driver training meets the criteria for a driver education course under this chapter has been approved by the department of public instruction or technical college system board.

343.60(1)(b) (b) An institution of higher learning that teaches driver training as part of its teacher training program.

343.60(1)(c) (c) A motorcycle training school that offers a basic or experienced rider training course approved by the department.

343.60(1)(d) (d) Any driver training school that offers training exclusively in the operation of vehicles designed and manufactured for off-highway operation.

343.60(1)(e) (e) An instructor.

343.60(1g) (1g) “Driver school classroom” means any facility that is approved by the department and used to conduct driver training, but does not include a motor vehicle.

343.60(1m) (1m) “Driver school office” means the location at which the driver school business is conducted and approved by the department. “Driver school office” does not include any facility used only as a driver school classroom.

343.60(2) (2) “Fraudulent practices” includes, but is not limited to:

343.60(2)(a) (a) Any conduct or representation tending to give the impression that a license to operate a motor vehicle or any other license, registration or service granted by the secretary or department may be obtained by any means other than the means prescribed by law or by furnishing or obtaining the same by illegal or improper means; or

343.60(2)(b) (b) The requesting, accepting, exacting or collecting of money for such purpose.

343.60(3) (3) “Instructor” means any person who is employed by a driver school licensed under this chapter and who, for compensation, gives instruction in the operation of a motor vehicle.

343.60 History History: 1971 c. 154 s. 79 (2); 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (c); 1983 a. 189; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27; 2005 a. 397.

343.61 343.61 Driver school requirements.

343.61(1) (1) The department shall issue and renew driver school licenses in conformity with the requirements of this subchapter. No person may operate a driver school, advertise, solicit bids for business, or provide services unless the person holds a valid driver school license issued by the department.

343.61(2) (2) 

343.61(2)(a) (a) Application for a driver school license shall be made in the form and manner prescribed by the department, shall contain such information as is required by the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. An application shall include the following:

343.61(2)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 1m., in the case of an individual, the individual’s social security number.

343.61(2)(a)1m. 1m. In the case of an individual who does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the individual does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license that is issued by the department in reliance on a statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid if the statement is false.

343.61(2)(a)2. 2. In the case of a person who is not an individual, the person’s federal employer identification number.

343.61(2)(a)3. 3. Identification of all driver school office locations and identification of all driver school classroom locations and, if instruction is to be provided by means of the Internet, a statement to this effect.

343.61(2)(a)4. 4. Proof of insurance required under sub. (3m) (a).

343.61(2)(am) (am) A driver school may provide to the department a written certification that the driver school has complied with all applicable driver school office and driver school classroom requirements imposed under this subchapter or under any rule promulgated by the department under this subchapter. For purposes of this paragraph, classroom instruction includes instruction provided by means of the Internet if the driver school provides instruction by means of the Internet.

343.61(2)(b) (b) The department of transportation may not disclose any information received under par. (a) 1. or 2. to any person except to the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22, the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, and the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

343.61(2m) (2m) The department may not issue or renew a driver school license if any of the following applies:

343.61(2m)(a) (a) The applicant or licensee or any officer, director, partner or other person directly interested in or actively involved in the driver school business was a former holder of, or actively involved in a driver school business operating under, a license issued under this section or a similar license issued by another jurisdiction or was directly interested in or a party actively involved in another driver school which held a license under this section or a similar license issued by another jurisdiction, or was the former holder of an instructor license issued under s. 343.62, and any such license was revoked or suspended.

343.61(2m)(b) (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the applicant or licensee or any officer, director, stockholder, partner or any person directly interested in or actively involved in the driver school business has been convicted of a felony, or any other disqualifying offense as established by rule by the department, in this state, or in another jurisdiction, including a conviction under the law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, for an offense that if committed in this state would be a felony or disqualifying offense, unless the person so convicted has been officially pardoned.

343.61(2m)(c) (c) The applicant or licensee does not have a driver school office.

343.61(2m)(d) (d) The applicant or licensee is not the true owner of the driver school.

343.61(2m)(e) (e) The applicant or licensee fails to provide the information or statement required under sub. (2) (a) 1. to 2.

343.61(2m)(f) (f) The applicant has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in an application.

343.61(3) (3) 

343.61(3)(a) (a)

343.61(3)(a)1. 1. The required fee for any driver school license, or for any annual renewal thereof, is $95.

343.61(3)(a)2. 2. A driver school license expires on the date stated on the license, but not later than 24 months after the date on which the license is issued. The department may institute any system of initial license issuance that it considers advisable for the purpose of gaining a uniform rate of renewals. To put such a system into operation, the department may issue licenses that are valid for any period less than one year. If the department issues a license that is valid for less than one year, the department shall accordingly prorate the fees specified under subd. 1.

343.61(3)(b) (b) In addition to the fee under par. (a), an applicant or licensee under this section shall pay a one-time fee of $10 for each mailing address where one or more driver school classrooms are located.

343.61(3)(c) (c) The fee for a duplicate license certificate provided under sub. (4) (a) is $10.

343.61(3)(d) (d) The department shall charge a fee of $10 for any change to a license certificate, including a change in the location of a driver school office.

343.61(3)(e) (e) If any driver school license is lost, the department shall issue a replacement upon receipt of a completed application, satisfactory proof of eligibility, satisfactory proof of loss, and a fee established by the department by rule.

343.61(3m) (3m) 

343.61(3m)(a) (a) A driver school shall maintain a standard liability insurance policy in the name of the school, with the minimum insurance coverage specified by rule by the department. The insurance policy shall require the insurer to notify the department not less than 30 days before the policy expires or is materially changed or canceled.

343.61(3m)(b) (b) A driver school shall file with the department a bond in the form and amount established by the department by rule.

343.61(4) (4) 

343.61(4)(a) (a) If the department approves an application for a driver school license and the applicant pays the required fee, the department shall issue a license, and provide a license certificate, to the applicant. The licensee shall display the certificate in the licensee’s driver school office, but is not required to display the certificate in any driver school classroom.

343.61(4)(b) (b) The location of each driver school office shall be identified in the license. Except as provided by the department by rule, no licensee may establish any driver school office within 1,500 feet of a department office where operator’s licenses are issued, nor within 1,500 feet of any headquarters where official driving skills tests are given. Any change in address of any driver school office or driver school classroom must be reported to and approved by the department. A driver school may maintain driver school classrooms at locations other than the driver school office. A driver school may provide driver training instruction by means of the Internet in addition to providing instruction at a driver school classroom or, if the driver school also offers behind-the-wheel instruction in this state, instead of providing instruction at a driver school classroom.

343.61(4)(bm) (bm) If the department establishes requirements relating to driver school offices located in residences, the department may not apply those requirements to driver school offices in residences to which students and members of the public have no access.

343.61(4)(c) (c) The use of the word “Wisconsin” or “State” in any firm name is prohibited.

343.61(5m) (5m) Any driver school licensed under this section may be authorized by the department to provide testing, limited to knowledge and signs tests, for students of the driver schools who are under the age of 18 and for driver school instructors. Authorized driver schools providing such testing shall meet standards and follow procedures established by the department by rule.

343.61 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1977 c. 273; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 455; 1997 a. 27, 191, 237; 1999 a. 9, 32, 124; 2005 a. 397 ss. 6 to 18, 31 to 38, 55, 67, and 72; 2005 a. 466; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 36; 2015 a. 70; 2019 a. 89.

343.61 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 105, Wis. adm. code.

343.62 343.62 Instructor requirements.

343.62(1) (1) The department shall issue and renew instructor’s licenses in conformity with the requirements of this subchapter. No person, including a person holding a driver school license, may act as an instructor in a driver school unless the person holds a valid instructor’s license issued by the department. No driver school may employ any person as an instructor unless the person holds a valid instructor’s license issued by the department.

343.62(2) (2) 

343.62(2)(a) (a) Application for an instructor’s license shall be made in the form and manner prescribed by the department, shall contain such information as is required by the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. Except as provided in par. (am), the application shall include the applicant’s social security number.

343.62(2)(am) (am) If the applicant does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license that is issued by the department in reliance on a statement submitted under this paragraph is invalid if the statement is false.

343.62(2)(b) (b) The department of transportation may not disclose a social security number obtained under par. (a) to any person except to the department of children and families for the sole purpose of administering s. 49.22, the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, and the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227.

343.62(3) (3) 

343.62(3)(a) (a)

343.62(3)(a)1. 1. The annual fee for an instructor’s license is $25, except that no fee is required for an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44.

343.62(3)(a)2. 2. An instructor’s license expires on the date stated on the license, but not later than 24 months after the date on which the license is issued. The department may institute any system of initial license issuance that it considers advisable for the purpose of gaining a uniform rate of renewals. To put such a system into operation, the department may issue licenses that are valid for any period less than one year. If the department issues a license that is valid for less than one year, the department shall accordingly prorate the fee specified in subd. 1.

343.62(3)(b) (b) If an instructor’s license is lost, the department shall issue a replacement upon receipt of a completed application, satisfactory proof of the instructor’s eligibility, satisfactory proof of loss, and a fee established by the department by rule.

343.62(4) (4) 

343.62(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department may not issue an original instructor’s license to an applicant unless all of the following apply:

343.62(4)(a)1. 1. The applicant completes a knowledge test developed by the department and administered as provided by rule, and designed to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of instruction procedures, motor vehicle and traffic laws, safety equipment requirements, and functions of essential automotive equipment, and the applicant passes the test with a score of at least 80 percent. An applicant who fails to receive a passing score may be reexamined, except that an applicant who fails to pass the test after 2 successive attempts may not be reexamined until one year has elapsed since the date of the last test. The department may by rule provide for an alternative requirement for the issuance of an instructor license in lieu of taking and passing the test under this subdivision. An applicant may not seek review under s. 343.69 of any determination by the department under this subdivision.

343.62(4)(a)2. 2. The applicant passes, with a score that exceeds the minimum standard for obtaining an operator’s license, a driving skills test that includes driving maneuvers and parking involved in typical traffic situations. An applicant who fails to receive a passing score may be reexamined, except that an applicant who fails to pass the test after 2 successive attempts may not be reexamined until one year has elapsed since the date of the last test. The department may by rule provide for an alternative requirement for the issuance of an instructor license in lieu of taking and passing the test under this subdivision. An applicant may not seek review under s. 343.69 of any determination by the department under this subdivision.

343.62(4)(a)3. 3. The applicant is at least 19 years of age, holds a valid regular operator’s license, and has at least 2 years of licensed experience operating a motor vehicle.

343.62(4)(a)4. 4. The applicant submits with the application a statement completed within the immediately preceding 24 months, except as provided by rule, by a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a podiatrist licensed to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state, from a physical therapist licensed to practice in any state, or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state, and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that, in the medical care provider’s judgment, the applicant is physically fit to teach driving.

343.62(4)(a)5. 5. The applicant is able to safely operate and control, from the passenger seat, a motor vehicle of the vehicle class and type in which the applicant will provide instruction for which satisfactory accommodation cannot be provided by adaptive vehicle equipment.

343.62(4)(a)6. 6. The applicant provides his or her social security number or the statement specified in sub. (2) (am) as required under sub. (2).

343.62(4)(a)7. 7. The applicant has provided to the department satisfactory evidence of the facts required of the applicant under sub. (2) (a).

343.62(4)(a)8. 8. The applicant has a driving record that is satisfactory to the department, as specified by rule.

343.62(4)(a)9. 9. Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, the applicant has not been convicted of a felony, or any other disqualifying offense as established by rule by the department, in this state, or in another jurisdiction, including a conviction under the law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, for an offense that if committed in this state would be a felony or disqualifying offense, unless the person so convicted has been officially pardoned.

343.62(4)(b) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the department may issue an original instructor’s license that is restricted to classroom instruction to an applicant who does not otherwise qualify for a license because the applicant does not meet the requirements specified in par. (a) 2., 3., or 5. The department may not issue an instructor’s license that is restricted to classroom instruction under this paragraph unless the applicant satisfies standards established by the department by rule relating to the ability of the applicant to communicate clearly and concisely and to control the classroom environment and behavior and establishing any further certification required by the department. For purposes of this paragraph and par. (c), classroom instruction includes instruction provided by means of the Internet if the driver school provides instruction by means of the Internet.

343.62(4)(c) (c) The department may not renew an instructor’s license issued under this section unless the licensee meets the requirements specified under par. (a) 3. to 9., except that an instructor’s license that is restricted to classroom instruction may be renewed to an applicant who meets the requirements specified in par. (a) 4. and 6. to 9.

343.62 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (e); 1989 a. 31; 1997 a. 27, 191, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 397 ss. 19 to 25, 27, 29, 41 and 42; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 113; 2011 a. 209; 2013 a. 36; 2015 a. 70; 2023 a. 188.

343.62 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 105, Wis. adm. code.

343.66 343.66 Revocation, suspension, cancellation, or denial of renewal of driver school licenses and instructor’s licenses.

343.66(1) (1) The department may suspend, revoke, or cancel any driver school license issued under s. 343.61 or instructor’s license issued under s. 343.62, or, subject to ss. 343.61 and 343.62, refuse to renew a driver school license or instructor’s license if, during any period, any of the following applies:

343.66(1)(a) (a) The licensee has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in connection with the application for a license or the renewal of a license.