Wisconsin Will Soon Allow Teenagers To Get ‘Probationary Driver License’ Without Taking A Road Test

DMVs in Wisconsin stopped doing road tests in mid-March because of COVID-19. Now the Wisconsin Department of Transportation could soon be allowing 16 and 17 y.o's to get their driver’s license without completing a road test.

Starting May 11 people under the age of 18 who have completed all their course work and have parental consent will be issued a probationary driver license without completing a test. According to WCCO-CBS These are the complete requirements:

• They must hold an Instruction Permit (also known as a Learners Permit) violation free for at least six months prior to testing
• They must have completed driver education classes
• They must have completed behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor
• They must have completed at least 30 hours of driving with their parent/sponsor and their sponsor must sign the road test waiver

This waiver is not mandatory and parents can still schedule a road test beginning May 8. Testing will be starting beginning May 26 and driving test personnel will be wearing personal protective equipment and all seats in the vehicle will be covered.

But the state has said that are guessing they are dealing with a backlog of around 16,000 road test requests. Approximately 10,000 of those are eligible for the road test waiver. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation typically conducts around 2,100 road test per week.

Another program in place is to address the state’s backlog on individuals who qualify to renew an expired Wisconsin driver license online, beginning May 11. The goal of both of these programs is to eliminate the need for in-person visits to the DMV by allowing residents to do what they need to do online.