Wisconsin Driver License: Tests, Permits, the Probationary License, Points and Insurance

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Tests, Permits, the Probationary License, Points and Insurance. Free, no account needed.

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1. An applicant has 20/40 vision in one eye without correction. Does this meet the requirement for a car license?

  1. No, vision must be at least 20/20 in one eye
  2. No, both eyes must be 20/40 or better
  3. Yes, but only if the vision is corrected with glasses
  4. Yes, as long as the field of vision is at least 70 degrees from the center of each eye

Answer: D — Yes, as long as the field of vision is at least 70 degrees from the center of each eye

Car and motorcycle applicants need acuity of at least 20/40 in one eye, corrected or not, plus a 70-degree field of vision.

2. How many questions are on the highway signs test, and how many must be answered correctly to pass?

  1. 15 questions, 12 correct
  2. 15 questions, 10 correct
  3. 50 questions, 40 correct
  4. 20 questions, 16 correct

Answer: A — 15 questions, 12 correct

The signs test has 15 questions and requires 12 correct answers (80 percent).

3. A 16-year-old wants to take the real knowledge test online instead of at a service center. Is this allowed, and at what cost?

  1. Not allowed online for anyone under 18
  2. Allowed for ages 15 to 17 for a $10 fee
  3. Allowed for ages 15 to 17, but only for the highway signs test
  4. Allowed for any age, free of charge

Answer: B — Allowed for ages 15 to 17 for a $10 fee

Applicants aged 15 to 17 may take the real knowledge test online for a $10 fee.

4. Before starting the skills test, what does the examiner check first?

  1. The horn, lights and signals, plates, doors, and mirrors
  2. The applicant's knowledge test score
  3. Tire tread depth and fuel level
  4. The vehicle's registration history

Answer: A — The horn, lights and signals, plates, doors, and mirrors

The examiner first checks the horn, lights and signals, plates, doors, mirrors and more.

5. How many documents proving Wisconsin residency must a Class D applicant bring?

  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. One
  4. None, residency is verified electronically

Answer: A — Two

Applicants must bring two documents proving they live in Wisconsin, such as a utility bill or financial statement.

6. A 16-year-old lives with neither parent and has no guardian, but has an aunt willing to help. Can the aunt sign as sponsor?

  1. Yes, but only if the aunt is at least 21
  2. No, a foster parent is the only substitute the state allows
  3. Yes, an aunt or uncle may sponsor if the teen does not live with a parent or guardian
  4. No, only a parent or legal guardian may sponsor

Answer: C — Yes, an aunt or uncle may sponsor if the teen does not live with a parent or guardian

If the teen does not live with a parent or guardian, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, sibling or spouse 18 or older, or a foster parent may sponsor.

7. A minor is a full-time wage earner living apart from their parents and has no sponsor available. What must they file instead of having a sponsor?

  1. An affidavit from an employer
  2. A court order of emancipation
  3. A notarized parental waiver
  4. Proof of insurance

Answer: D — Proof of insurance

A minor living apart from parents as a full-time wage earner files proof of insurance instead of having a sponsor.

8. What responsibility does a sponsor accept when signing a minor's license application?

  1. Responsibility only until the minor gets the probationary license
  2. Only responsibility for verifying practice hours
  3. No ongoing responsibility once the application is signed
  4. Legal and financial responsibility for what the minor does while driving

Answer: D — Legal and financial responsibility for what the minor does while driving

The sponsor accepts liability, meaning legal and financial responsibility for what the minor does while driving.

9. A 19-year-old wants an instruction permit. What must they do to qualify?

  1. Pass the knowledge test, the signs test and the vision screening
  2. Hold a probationary license for six months first
  3. Complete 50 hours of supervised practice first
  4. Enroll in a driver education program

Answer: A — Pass the knowledge test, the signs test and the vision screening

At 18 or older, an applicant qualifies for the permit by passing the knowledge test, the signs test and the vision screening.

10. A 17-year-old permit holder is driving at night. Who is allowed to supervise from the passenger seat?

  1. Any family member regardless of age
  2. A licensed driver aged 21 or older with one year of experience
  3. A qualified instructor or a licensed driver aged 25 or older with two years of experience
  4. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older

Answer: C — A qualified instructor or a licensed driver aged 25 or older with two years of experience

In darkness the supervising person must be a qualified instructor or a licensed driver aged 25 or older with two years of experience.

11. A 21-year-old family friend, with no written authorization, wants to supervise a 17-year-old permit holder during the day. Is this allowed?

  1. Yes, but only if the friend has three years of driving experience
  2. Yes, anyone 21 or older may supervise without any authorization
  3. No, anyone 21 or older supervising a permit holder under 18 needs the parent's or guardian's written authorization
  4. No, only qualified instructors may supervise permit holders under 18

Answer: C — No, anyone 21 or older supervising a permit holder under 18 needs the parent's or guardian's written authorization

A person 21 or older supervising a permit holder under 18 must have the parent's or guardian's written authorization.

12. What is the minimum age to obtain a probationary license?

  1. 18
  2. 15
  3. 17
  4. 16

Answer: D — 16

The probationary license requires age 16.

13. A 17-year-old probationary driver logged 45 hours of supervised practice, with 38 in daylight and 7 in darkness. Does this meet the practice hour requirement?

  1. No, at least 50 hours are required, including 40 in daylight and 10 in darkness
  2. No, but only because the darkness hours are short
  3. Yes, 45 hours is sufficient regardless of the daylight/darkness split
  4. Yes, as long as a sponsor verifies any amount of practice

Answer: A — No, at least 50 hours are required, including 40 in daylight and 10 in darkness

At least 50 hours of supervised practice are required, with 40 in daylight and 10 in darkness.

14. Under the GDL restrictions, can a probationary driver use a phone while driving?

  1. Phone use is allowed after the first six months of the probationary period
  2. No phone use is allowed except to report an emergency
  3. Hands-free calls are always allowed
  4. Phones may be used for navigation only

Answer: B — No phone use is allowed except to report an emergency

Phones are not allowed while driving except to report an emergency.

15. A probationary driver under 18 is caught driving alone at 1 a.m. to a friend's house that is not home, school, or work. Does this violate GDL restrictions?

  1. Yes, from midnight to 5 a.m. driving alone is limited to trips between home, school and work
  2. No, driving alone is allowed anywhere at any hour
  3. No, as long as it is before 2 a.m.
  4. Yes, but only because it involves a friend's house specifically

Answer: A — Yes, from midnight to 5 a.m. driving alone is limited to trips between home, school and work

From midnight to 5 a.m. a probationary driver may drive alone only between home, school and work.

16. How long do the GDL hour and passenger restrictions last for a probationary driver who was 16 at the time of licensing?

  1. Six months only
  2. A full two years regardless of age
  3. Nine months, or until turning 18, whichever comes first
  4. Until the driver turns 21

Answer: C — Nine months, or until turning 18, whichever comes first

For the first nine months, or until turning 18, the GDL restrictions apply; at 18 the hour and passenger limits end.

17. How often must a regular license be renewed, and how early can renewal happen?

  1. Every eight years, but only within 90 days of expiration
  2. Every eight years, up to a year early
  3. Every ten years, up to a year early
  4. Every five years, up to six months early

Answer: B — Every eight years, up to a year early

A regular license is renewed every eight years and may be renewed up to a year early.

18. A new Wisconsin resident moved from another state and holds an out-of-state commercial license. Within how many days must they apply for a Wisconsin license?

  1. 60 days
  2. 90 days
  3. 15 days
  4. 30 days

Answer: D — 30 days

A new resident should apply within 30 days of moving for a commercial license (60 days for a non-commercial license).

19. A driver moves to Wisconsin holding a REAL ID from their previous state. Can they skip resubmitting documents for a Wisconsin REAL ID?

  1. Yes, but only the residency documents need to be resubmitted
  2. No, REAL ID is never available to new residents
  3. Yes, REAL ID status transfers automatically between states
  4. No, a REAL ID from another state does not carry over and all documents must be presented again

Answer: D — No, a REAL ID from another state does not carry over and all documents must be presented again

A REAL ID from another state does not carry over; all documents must be presented again.

20. What does a traveler need in order to fly within the US, and from what date is it required?

  1. Any state-issued ID regardless of REAL ID compliance
  2. A REAL ID, passport or other acceptable ID, required from May 7, 2025
  3. A birth certificate presented at the gate
  4. A REAL ID, passport or other acceptable ID, required from January 1, 2025

Answer: B — A REAL ID, passport or other acceptable ID, required from May 7, 2025

From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID (or a passport or another acceptable ID) is needed to fly within the US.

21. A driver accumulates 13 demerit points within a 12-month period. What is the likely consequence?

  1. No consequence unless the points reach 20
  2. An automatic occupational license
  3. Suspension or revocation, since 12 or more points in 12 months triggers this
  4. Points reset automatically after 6 months

Answer: C — Suspension or revocation, since 12 or more points in 12 months triggers this

12 or more points in any 12-month period means a suspension or revocation.

22. A driver has five major violations within four years. Do they qualify as a habitual traffic offender?

  1. No, only minor violations count toward this status
  2. No, ten major violations are required
  3. Yes, since four or more major violations within five years qualifies
  4. Yes, but only if all five occurred within one year

Answer: C — Yes, since four or more major violations within five years qualifies

A habitual traffic offender has four or more major or 12 or more minor violations within five years.

23. A habitual traffic offender wants an occupational license. How long must they wait before qualifying?

  1. There is no waiting period
  2. Five years
  3. One year
  4. Two years

Answer: D — Two years

A habitual traffic offender may qualify for an occupational license after a two-year wait.

24. A driver with an occupational license needs to drive to work and also pick up groceries. How many hours per day is this license generally allowed for?

  1. Up to 24 hours a day with no weekly limit
  2. Up to 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week
  3. Up to 12 hours a day but only on weekdays
  4. Up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week

Answer: B — Up to 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week

An occupational license allows up to 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week of driving for permitted purposes including groceries and medical appointments.

25. A 17-year-old US citizen lacks some of the documents needed for a regular ID but wants to vote. What option is available?

  1. A free voting ID through a petition process
  2. A paid temporary voting permit
  3. They must wait until age 18 to get any ID
  4. A voting ID, but only after producing every standard document

Answer: A — A free voting ID through a petition process

A free voting ID is available to US citizens aged at least 17 who lack some documents, through a petition process.

26. A car has air bags installed. Does the driver still need to wear a seat belt?

  1. Yes, seat belts are required even with air bags
  2. Only the driver needs one; passengers do not
  3. Only required for passengers under 18
  4. No, air bags replace the need for a seat belt

Answer: A — Yes, seat belts are required even with air bags

Wisconsin law requires you to wear a seat belt, and you still wear one with air bags.

27. How should a properly worn shoulder belt fit, and what is a sign it's worn incorrectly?

  1. Tight enough to leave no gap at all against the chest
  2. It should rest loosely across the neck for comfort
  3. Tight enough that only a fist fits between belt and chest; wearing it under the arm is incorrect
  4. Loose enough to slide two hands underneath; under the arm is the correct position

Answer: C — Tight enough that only a fist fits between belt and chest; wearing it under the arm is incorrect

The shoulder belt should be tight enough that only a fist fits between belt and chest, never under the arm or hanging loose.

28. A child is 5 years old. Generally, what type of restraint should they be using?

  1. A child safety seat, since booster seats start at age eight
  2. No restraint is required past age four
  3. A booster seat, since child safety seats are generally used until age four
  4. An adult seat belt alone, since boosters start at age ten

Answer: C — A booster seat, since child safety seats are generally used until age four

Generally a child rides in a child safety seat until age four and a booster seat until age eight, so a 5-year-old should be in a booster seat.

29. A driver is stopped by an officer while driving a friend's car. Whose responsibility is it to ensure the car is insured?

  1. The driver's, even though it is not their car
  2. Only the car's owner is responsible
  3. Neither party is responsible if it's a short trip
  4. The insurance company is automatically liable regardless

Answer: A — The driver's, even though it is not their car

Driving someone else's car, it is your job to make sure it is insured.

30. An 18-year-old has registered as an organ and tissue donor. Can their family override this decision after they pass away?

  1. No, at 18 or older the decision cannot be overridden by family
  2. Only if the family disagreed at the time of registration
  3. No, but only if the donor was over 21
  4. Yes, family can always override regardless of age

Answer: A — No, at 18 or older the decision cannot be overridden by family

At 18 or older, the donor's decision cannot be overridden by family.

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