Chapter Trans 101

Trans 101.02(9)(a) (a) Scope. This subsection addresses the effect of a conviction change on a point case.

Trans 101.02(9)(b) (b) Definition. For purposes of this subsection, a “conviction change” means a conviction that was reported to the department on a previous occasion is reopened, vacated, appealed or amended.

Trans 101.02(9)(c) (c) Amended charges and errors. Upon receipt of a report that a conviction or revocation or suspension order noted on a driver record has been changed or was reported to the department in error, the department shall note the change or correct the error on the driver record and recalculate any point suspension using the points assessed against the driver record under subs. (1) to (6), except as provided in pars. (d) to (f). If, upon recalculation, the department determines that the release or amendment of the point case is appropriate, the department shall release or amend the point case. The department shall provide notice to the person of any amendment in the form of an amended demerit point suspension order.

Trans 101.02(9)(d) (d) Convictions considered unused if point case is released. If a point case is released because of a conviction change or notice that a conviction or revocation or suspension order was reported in error before the suspension period for the point case is complete, all convictions that formed the basis for the released point case shall be considered not to have been used in a point case for purposes of sub. (8) (a). Otherwise, the convictions shall be considered to have been used in a point case.

Trans 101.02(9)(e) (e) Released withdrawal due to amended charge. If a court reopens a conviction and amends the charge for which the person was convicted, and as a result of that amendment a suspension or revocation order issued under s. 343.30 or 343.31, Stats., is released, demerit points for that conviction may be used in a point case unless the suspension or revocation initially imposed under s. 343.30 or 343.31, Stats., has already been served in its entirety or at least 2 months of the suspension or revocation has been served.

Trans 101.02(9)(f) (f) Released withdrawal without amended charge. If a court amends a suspension or revocation order, but does not vacate or amend the conviction itself, and the person’s operating privilege has been suspended or revoked for the entire period that was earlier ordered by the court or was suspended for 2 months or longer as a result of that earlier order, demerit points resulting from the conviction may not be used in a point case. Otherwise, the demerit points from the conviction may be used in a point case in the same manner as for a newly reported conviction and no credit for time served shall be granted for time served under the earlier court-ordered suspension or revocation when determining the length of the point suspension.

Trans 101.02(9)(g) (g) Released demerit point case violations reused. In any case where a changed conviction or notice that a conviction was reported to the department in error results in the department releasing a point case and the affected driver accumulates sufficient demerit points to warrant suspension for accumulation of demerit points from a combination of offenses that were part of the released point case and other convictions, the department shall suspend the driver’s operating privilege for accumulation of demerit points. In such a case, the department shall reduce the length of time to be suspended on the second point case by the amount of time served on the released point case if one-half or more of the convictions used in the released point case are used in the second point case. If fewer than one-half of the convictions used in the released point case are used in the second point case, the length of suspension shall be determined according to s. Trans 101.04 (3) or (3m) without regard to the released point case.

Trans 101.02 Note Note: This “credit for time served” applies only between demerit point cases. Time served for other suspensions or revocations may not be credited to a demerit point case. The Department counts the number of convictions, not points attributable to them, in deciding whether to grant this credit.

Trans 101.02 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201, eff. 10-1-72; am. (20), Register, April, 1977, No. 256, eff. 5-1-77; emerg. r. and recr. (19) (intro.), (a) and (b), renum. (19) (c) to be (19m), cr. (19) (c) and (26), eff. 7-1-80; r. and recr. (19) (intro.), (a) and (b), renum. (19) (c) to be (19m), cr. (19) (c) and (26), Register, November, 1980, No. 299, eff. 12-1-80; renum. from MVD 11.03 and renum. (1) to (26) to be (1) to (27) and am., cr. (15) (a) to (d), Register, June, 1981, No. 306, eff. 7-1-81; cr. (11a) and (22) (o), Register, April, 1982, No. 316, eff. 5-1-82; emerg. cr. (15) (e) and (f), eff. 5-1-82; cr. (15) (e) and (f), Register, November, 1982, No. 323, eff. 12-1-82; am. (20) and (26), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90, r, and recr. (intro.) to (22), renum. (23) to (26) to be (6) to (9) and am. (7) and (8) (a), r. (27), Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; reprinted to restore dropped copy in (2) (f), Register, June, 1991, No. 426; reprinted to correct printing errors, Register, October, 1991, No. 430; am. (3) (k), cr. (5) (gm), (im), (sm) and (wm), Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94; renum. (1) (c) to be (3) (q), renum. and am. (1) (d) to be (3) (r), Register, March, 1999, No. 519, eff. 4-1-99; am. (1) (g), (3) (e), (5) (intro.), (v) and (8) (a), r. and recr. (1) (k) and (3) (a), r. (3) (b) and (o), Register, August, 2000, No. 536, eff. 9-1-00; CR 07-081: am. (intro.), (1) (b), (3) (i), (4) (c), (5) (m), (6), cr. (5) (mn), (8), renum. (5) (v) to be (2) (k), r. (7), renum. (8) to be (7) and am. (title) and (a), r. and recr. (9) Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08; correction in (8) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2008 No. 630; CR 10-040: r. (4) (d), am. (5) (sm), (8) (a) and (c), cr. (8) (f) Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.

Trans 101.03 Trans 101.03 Warnings. The department may notify any operator of the points charged against the person’s driver record when the record shows the person has accumulated 6 or more points in a 12-month period.

Trans 101.03 Note Note: Under Graduated Driver Licensing, few drivers receive warning letters before being suspended for demerit points. This is because ch. 343, Stats., has reinstated point doubling. A probationary driver with any prior violation on his or her record who is convicted of a 6-point violation will be assessed 12 points for that offense and be immediately suspended. Similarly, a driver who accumulates two 4-point offenses will be summarily suspended without warning. The first 4-point ticket will not trigger a warning under this rule. The second 4-point ticket will result in an 8-point assessment after doubling, resulting in a total of 12 demerit points and a suspension.

Trans 101.03 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201, eff. 10-1-72; renum. from MVD 11.04 and am., Register, June, 1981, No. 306, eff. 7-1-81; CR 07-081: am. Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08.

Trans 101.04 Trans 101.04 Suspension of license for accumulation of demerit points.

Trans 101.04(1) (1) The department shall suspend the operating privilege of any person whose driver record shows the accumulation of 12 points for violations committed within any 12-month period.

Trans 101.04 Note Note: The date offenses were committed is used by the Department to determine point cases. Violation dates are inviolate and may not be changed by a court to subvert the intent of these rules or other statutory requirements. State v. DeBruin, 140 Wis. 2d 631 (Ct. App. 1987); State v. Walczak, 157 Wis. 2d 661 (1990).

Trans 101.04(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (3m) with respect to probationary driver licenses, the following demerit point accumulations, calculated from the date of violation, shall result in the following suspension periods:

Trans 101.04(3m) (3m) Notwithstanding subs. (1) and (3), the following demerit point accumulations, calculated from the date of violation, shall result in the following suspension periods, if the driver holds an instruction permit or a probationary driver license, or would be issued an instruction permit or probationary driver license upon proper application and meeting other requirements:

Trans 101.04 Note Note: See s. 343.32 (2) (a) and (c), Stats.

Trans 101.04(4) (4) A suspension order issued by the department under this chapter takes effect on the date of the suspension order.

Trans 101.04 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201, eff. 10-1-72; emerg. cr. (4) to (6), eff. 11-18-80; cr. (4) to (7), Register, March, 1981, No. 303, eff. 4-1-81; emerg. am. (2) and (3), eff. 5-7-81; renum. from MVD 11.05 and am. (1) to (3), Register, June, 1981, No. 306, eff. 7-1-81; am. (2) to (4), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90, am. (1) to (3), r. and recr. (5), renum. (7) to be (7) (a) and am., cr. (7) (b), Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; reprinted to correct printing errors, Register, October, 1991, No. 430; r. (1), renum. (2), (4) to (7) to be (1), (3) to (6) and am. (5), r. and recr. (3), cr. (4) (d), Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 5-1-94; correction in (5) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, March, 1999, No. 519; am. (3) (intro.) and (5), cr. (3m), r. and recr. (4) and (6), Register, August, 2000, No. 536, eff. 9-1-00; correction in (5) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.; reprinted to correct printing error in (6), Register January 2002 No. 553: CR 07-081: (am) (title), (1), (3) and (3m), r. (2), (5) and (6), r. and recr. (4) Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08.

Trans 101.06 Trans 101.06 Revocation and suspension of operating privileges.

Trans 101.06(1) (1) This section is intended to address operating privilege suspension and revocation matters not addressed elsewhere in statute or administrative rules.

Trans 101.06(2) (2) The department shall suspend for 2 months the operating privilege of any person convicted of violating s. 343.16 (7) (b), Stats.

Trans 101.06 Note Note: Section 343.16 (7) (b), Stats., involves persons taking DMV examinations on behalf of others.

Trans 101.06(3) (3) Revocations under s. 343.32 (1), Stats., and suspensions under s. 343.32 (1s), Stats., shall be effective for 6 months.

Trans 101.06 Note Note: Section 343.32 (1), Stats., revocations result from convictions in another jurisdiction which, if committed in Wisconsin, would have resulted in revocation of the person’s operating privilege. Section 343.32 (1s), Stats., violations involve altering, unlawful, or fraudulent use of a license or loaning a license.

Trans 101.06(4) (4) Except for revocations imposed under ch. 351, Stats., a revocation or suspension imposed by the department as the result of a conviction in another jurisdiction shall be imposed and be effective on the date of conviction in that other jurisdiction.

Trans 101.06 History History: CR 07-081: cr. Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2015 No. 714.

Trans 101.07 Trans 101.07 Reduction of point value for attendance at driver improvement counseling, traffic safety school or defensive driving courses.

Trans 101.07(1) (1) Three demerit point reduction for completion of qualified class. In accordance with the authority in s. 343.32 (5), Stats., and the requirements of this section, the points assessed to a person’s driver record shall be reduced by 3 points or by the number of points accumulated up to 3, upon application for a demerit point reduction and satisfactory completion of any of the following:

Trans 101.07(1)(a) (a) A department-approved course of instruction at a traffic safety school.

Trans 101.07(1)(b) (b) A department-approved course of instruction in defensive driving or similar course.

Trans 101.07(1)(c) (c) Driver improvement counseling conducted under the program authorized by s. 110.08, Stats.

Trans 101.07(1)(d) (d) A motorcycle rider course offered under s. Trans 129.03 provided that the person has not had a prior point reduction resulting from attending a motorcycle rider course.

Trans 101.07 Note Note: See ch. Trans 106 concerning authorization, approval and administration of traffic safety schools and defensive driving courses.

Trans 101.07(2) (2) Certification of course completion. The instructor or counselor who conducts a course or counseling program under sub. (1) (a) to (d) shall file a certification of course completion with the department. A separate certification shall be provided to the department for each individual in the course. The certification shall be on the form prescribed by the department and must be made within 30 days of satisfactory completion of the course in order to qualify for point reduction. A copy of the completed certification form shall be furnished to the student, another copy sent to the court or assessment agency, if either assigned the student to the school, and one copy shall be retained by the school. The department may approve the use of a reproduction of this form, at the request of a school, including computerized versions. The certification shall be considered proof of course completion and may include an indication of whether the student is requesting a demerit point reduction under this section.

Trans 101.07(3) (3) One reduction maximum in any 3-year period. Each person may seek only one point reduction under this section in a 3-year period. A point reduction shall be considered to have been sought under this subsection once the department has posted the course completion to the person’s driver record, regardless of whether the driver’s demerit point total is actually reduced. When appropriate, the department will apply the point reduction in a manner that permits the department to release a point suspension already in effect, prevents a suspension that would otherwise be imposed under this chapter from taking effect, or reduces points that may have accumulated on the person’s driver record prior to the date of course completion due to violations that occurred before the date of course completion.

Trans 101.07 Note Note: For example, if a driver who is suspended with 13 points completes a course, the driver’s point reduction shall be applied to reduce his point total to 10 points and the case will be released. (Potentially making the driver eligible for reinstatement if the driver is otherwise eligible for licensing). Similarly, a driver who has accumulated 10 points and attends traffic safety school would receive the 3-point reduction to seven points. If the driver then received a 4-point assessment for a violation, the driver’s point total will be 11 points and the driver will not be subject to suspension. If a driver has 2 or fewer demerit points on the driver’s record before attending driver school and accumulates an additional 12 demerit points after course completion, the Department will apply the demerit point reduction only to reduce the 2-point total the driver had before attending the school. [See subs. (1) (intro.) and (5)] Thus, upon using the reduction, this driver’s demerit point total would be 12 points and the driver would be subject to a demerit point suspension.

Trans 101.07(5) (5) Driver records with fewer than three assessed demerit points. In those instances where the person successfully completes an approved course and is otherwise entitled to point reduction and the person’s record has less than 3 points, the person’s record will be reduced by the number of points on the record. No credit will be applied toward future point assessments nor shall the opportunity be given to have the point total reduced again within a 3-year period.

Trans 101.07(6) (6) Notice regarding point reduction. The department may notify individuals of the opportunity for point reduction under this section.

Trans 101.07(7) (7) Credit applies as of the date of course completion. Any demerit point credit granted under this section shall be applied as of the date the instructor certifies the student successfully completed the course.

Trans 101.07(8) (8) Point case release resulting from point reduction. The department shall release a point case suspension of a driver who was suspended for demerit points if application of a point reduction under this section results in the total assessed demerit points on the person’s driver record being less than 12 demerit points.

Trans 101.07(9) (9) Reduction applies only to point assessments based on prior violations. Demerit point reductions under this section shall apply only to demerit points assessed as a result of convictions for violations that occurred on or before the date of course completion. Demerit point reductions under this section resulting from attending a motorcycle rider course shall apply only to demerit points from convictions for offenses which were committed by the driver while operating a class “M” vehicle on or before the date of the course completion. Demerit points for violations occurring after the date of course completion shall be added to any current demerit point value and may not be reduced by a credit granted under this section as a result of attending that course.

Trans 101.07 Note Note: A person who commits violations after course completion may be able to retake the course or take a different course for point reduction, provided the person does not seek more than one reduction in a 3-year period.

Trans 101.07(10) (10) Fees. A person seeking the point reduction under this section shall be responsible for any and all fees charged for any course the person attends.

Trans 101.07 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201, eff. 10-1-72; renum. from MVD 11.08 and am. (1) to (9), cr. (10), Register, June, 1981, No. 306, eff. 7-1-81; am. (1), (2) and (8), cr. (11), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90; r. (6), renum. (7) to (11) to be (6) to (10) and am. (8), Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; reprinted to correct error in (8), Register, October, 1991, No. 430; cr. (1) (d), am. (2) and (9), r. (4), Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94; CR 07-081: am. (1) (intro.), (a) and (b), (2), (3), (5), (9) and (10), r. and recr. (6) to (8) Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08.

Trans 101.10 Trans 101.10 Graduated driver license eligibility and restriction extensions.

Trans 101.10(1) (1) The department may not issue a license to a person under s. 343.085 (1) (b), Stats., if the person has committed any offense for which demerit points are assessed under this chapter, or any offense under the law of another jurisdiction for which demerit points would be assessed if the offense were committed in this state, within the preceding 6 months, except:

Trans 101.10(1)(a) (a) Any violation of ch. 347, Stats., resulting in the assignment of 2 or fewer demerit points under this chapter, or a similar violation under law of another jurisdiction, except child safety restraint, seat belt and defective speedometer violations.

Trans 101.10(1)(b) (b) Illegal riding of a moped or motorcycle.

Trans 101.10(2) (2) 

Trans 101.10(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department shall extend graduated driver license restrictions required under s. 343.085 (2m) (a), Stats., if the person has committed any offense for which demerit points are assessed under this chapter or any of the following offenses:

Trans 101.10(2)(a)1. 1. Operation of a motor vehicle by a person who has not attained the legal drinking age while having an alcohol concentration greater than 0.0 and less than 0.1.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)2. 2. Refusal of chemical testing under the implied consent law.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)3. 3. Operation of a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration greater than 0.04 and less than 0.10.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)4. 4. Operation of a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration above 0.0, within 4 hours of having consumed or having been under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, or while possessing an alcoholic beverage.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)5. 5. Failure to notify the owner of any property on or adjacent to a highway that is damaged in an accident.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)6. 6. Any offense committed in another jurisdiction for which demerit points would be assessed if the offense were committed in this state.

Trans 101.10(2)(a)7. 7. Child safety restraint, seat belt and defective speedometer violations.

Trans 101.10(2)(b) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the department may not extend the graduated driver license restrictions required under s. 343.085 (2m) (a), Stats., solely for committing any of the following offenses:

Trans 101.10(2)(b)1. 1. Any violation of ch. 347, Stats., resulting in the assignment of 2 or fewer demerit points under this chapter, except child safety restraint, seat belt and defective speedometer violations, or a similar violation under the law of another jurisdiction.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)2. 2. Illegal riding of a moped or motorcycle.

Trans 101.10 Note Note: These offenses are specified in ss. 346.595 and 347.487, Stats.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)3. 3. Operating with multiple licenses.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)4. 4. Operating without having obtained an operator’s license, without a proper license endorsement, without proper license classification for the vehicle being operated, or with a license which has expired, and including the following:

Trans 101.10(2)(b)4.a. a. Operating a commercial motor vehicle without having obtained a commercial driver license.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)4.b. b. Operating a school bus without having obtained a school bus endorsement.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)4.c. c. Operating a Type 1 motorcycle without a license authorizing the operation of class “M” vehicles.

Trans 101.10 Note Note: The Division of Motor Vehicles’ charge codes for these offenses are OWL — “Operating Without a License,” s. 343.05 (3), Stats., and CUL — “Commercial Unlawful License,” s. 343.05 (2), Stats.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)5. 5. Operating while suspended or revoked.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)6. 6. Operating while disqualified.

Trans 101.10(2)(b)7. 7. Unnecessary acceleration.

Trans 101.10(2)(c) (c) Only one extension of graduated driver license restrictions may result from any one incident or occurrence.

Trans 101.10 Note Note: Unnecessary acceleration is not a violation of ch. 110, 194, 341 to 349, or 351, Stats., but is an ordinance violation. Because s. 343.085 (2m) (b) 1. a., Stats., provides that GDL restrictions can only be extended for “moving violations” and ordinance violations for ordinances not conforming to chs. 110, 194, 341 to 349, or 351, Stats., are not “moving violations,” as that term is defined in s. 343.01 (2) (cg), Stats., GDL restrictions cannot be extended for unnecessary acceleration or squealing tire violations.

Trans 101.10 History History: Cr. Register, August, 2000, No. 536, eff. 9-1-00; CR 07-081: cr. (2) (a) 7. Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08; CR 10-040: am. (1) (b) and (2) (b) 2., cr. (2) (b) 7. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.