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Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways in Wisconsin is required to have a valid driver license. If you have not previously held a driver license, you must first get a learner’s permit at a WI DMV Service Center. To get an instruction permit, you must be at least 15 years, six months of age, and pass the knowledge and highway signs tests and vision screening. The Wisconsin DMV written test covers the contents of the Wisconsin Driver's Manual, and includes questions on road rules, road signs and safe driving practices. The WI DMV written test consists of 50 questions, and you'll need at least 40 correct answers to pass (80%). Practice with this sample test to get ready for the official Wisconsin DMV driver's license test.
1. BAC is expressed in:
ounces of alcohol in your blood.
AAI (Acute Alcohol Intoxication) level.
percentage of blood to alcohol.
percentage of alcohol to blood.
2. After stopping for a school bus that is unloading children you should:
accelerate quickly and pass.
wait at least 4 minutes.
put on your emergency flashers.
watch for children walking along the side of the road.
3. If you continually pass the other vehicles on a road with one lane in each direction, you will:
get to your destination much faster.
help prevent the chances of a crash occurring due to traffic congestion.
increase your chances of being involved in an accident.
4. You go with a group of friends to a social event, and you plan to have a few drinks. You should:
stop drinking several minutes before you intend to leave.
make alcohol the focus of the event.
avoid alternating between drinks with alcohol and drinks without any alcohol.
arrange to ride home with a friend who does not drink.
5. Parking is not allowed:
in a crosswalk.
on the road side of a parked vehicle.
in a tunnel.
All of the above.
6. On slippery roads, drivers should:
not drive faster than 25 MPH.
go faster.
increase their speed to avoid hydroplaning.
slow down.
7. This sign warns that:
reduction of lanes sign
traffic must merge left.
the pavement ends.
the bridge ahead is wide enough for only one vehicle at a time.
traffic must merge right.
8. This road sign means:
divided highway ahead sign
The right lane ends soon
Divided highway ahead
Merging traffic
Watch for vehicles entering from the side
9. To reduce their chances of colliding with an animal, drivers should:
Look well down the road and far off to each side.
Scan the sides of the road to watch for the reflection of vehicle headlights in the eyes of animals.
Slow down when approaching animals that are standing near the road.
All of the above.
10. This sign indicates:
low clearance sign 2
the maximum legal height allowed in this State.
the overpass ahead has a low clearance.
the maximum width of a vehicle allowed on the highway.
a steep grade is ahead.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

If you're between 15 and 18, you must comply with the Graduated Driver License program. You can obtain an instruction permit at 15 years old. Then, once you're at least 16 years old and have held the permit for at least six months, you can apply for a probationary driver license. To obtain a regular driver license (class D), you must be at least 19 years old.

If you're 18 years old or older, you must hold the permit for a minimum of seven days before applying for a probationary driver license.

You cannot schedule appointments for the DMV written test because they are conducted on a walk-in basis. Verify if your chosen Wisconsin DMV office provides permit tests before you go. Keep in mind that it usually takes around 45 minutes to finish, so make sure to arrive with enough time before the office's closing hours to complete the exam.

You'll need to bring specific documents to prove your eligibility:
  • A completed Wisconsin Driver License Application. If you're under 18 years old, your application must be signed by the instructor of the driver education program you're enrolled in, and you must have the signature of a parent/guardian or sponsor. 
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status.
  • Proof of your name and date of birth.
  • Proof of identity.
  • Proof of Wisconsin residency if you're 18 or older.
  • Proof of Social Security number.
  • Proof of enrollment in school or a high school diploma (for applicants under 18).
The DMV written test in Wisconsin is offered in English, American Sign Language, Burmese, Chinese, Croatian, Hmong, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish. Audio assist option is available upon request.

To prepare for the DMV written test, read the Wisconsin Driver's Handbook. Pay attention to road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Test your knowledge with our practice tests or sign up for Premium, which offers extra resources to get ready for your exam.

If you operate with an instruction permit in Wisconsin, there are specific restrictions:
- You must be accompanied by a licensed parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 19 years old and has at least two years of driving experience, seated beside you. Alternatively, you may be accompanied by a person 21 years or older with written authorization from your parent/guardian (if you are a minor).
- If you are 16 or older, you can transport one other licensed driver who is at least 25 years of age and has at least two years of driving experience, in addition to your supervisor.

If you operate with a probationary license, the following restrictions apply during the first nine months:
- You can drive alone between 5 a.m. to midnight and transport siblings and one licensed adult with two years or more of driver experience. 
- From midnight to 5 a.m., you can only drive alone for work or school activities, or you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, an instructor/spouse who is 19 or older, or a person 21 or older.

If you're under 21 years old, it's prohibited to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.

A Wisconsin class D instruction permit is valid for 18 months, and it can be renewed online within 8 years (if you are 64 or younger). It is not required to retake the DMV test within 8 years of its expiration. Applicants under 18 years old must provide proof of enrollment or completion of a driver education course.

If you don't pass your DMV written test in Wisconsin, you can retake it the next day. You have five attempts in one year. After the fifth failure, you'll need to get special permission from DMV staff before trying again.

WI DMV Permit Practice Test

Number of questions: 50
Correct answers to pass:40
Passing score:80%
Minimum age to apply: 15
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