343.14
343.14
Application for license. 343.14(1)
(1) Every application to the department for a license or identification card or for renewal thereof shall be made upon the appropriate form furnished by the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee.
343.14(2)
(2) The forms for application shall be determined by the department and shall include:
343.14(2)(a)
(a) The full name and residence address of the applicant;
343.14(2)(b)
(b) The applicant's date of birth, color of eyes, color of hair, sex, height, weight and race;
343.14(2)(bm)
(bm) Except as provided in
par. (br), the applicant's social security number.
343.14(2)(br)
(br) 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 workforce development. A license that is issued or renewed under
s. 343.17 in reliance on a statement submitted under this paragraph is invalid if the statement is false.
343.14(2)(c)
(c) A statement as to whether the applicant has heretofore been licensed as an operator of any motor vehicle and, if so, when and by what jurisdiction;
343.14(2)(d)
(d) Whether any previous license or operating privilege has ever been suspended or revoked or whether application has ever been refused and, if so, the date and place of such suspension, revocation or refusal;
343.14(2)(e)
(e) If the application is made by a person under 18 years of age, documentary proof that the applicant is enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and is not a habitual truant as defined in
s. 118.16 (1) (a), has graduated from high school or been granted a declaration of high school graduation equivalency or is enrolled in a home-based private educational program, as defined in
s. 115.001 (3g). For purposes of this paragraph, "documentary proof" means the signature and verification of an adult sponsor as provided in
s. 343.15 (1) or the applicant as provided in
s. 343.15 (4) (b);
343.14(2)(em)
(em) If the application is made by a male who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, the form shall notify the applicant that, by submitting the application to the department, the applicant gives his consent to be registered, if required by federal law, with the selective service system and that he authorizes the department to forward information to the selective service system under
s. 343.234.
343.14(2)(f)
(f) Such further information as the department considers appropriate to identify the applicant, including biometric data, and such information as the department may reasonably require to enable it to determine whether the applicant is by law entitled to the license applied for;
343.14(2)(g)
(g) A question as to whether the applicant wishes to include his or her name as a donor of an anatomical gift in the record of potential donors maintained by the department. The form shall indicate the following:
343.14(2)(g)1.
1. The applicant is not required to respond to the question under this paragraph in order to obtain a license.
343.14(2)(g)2.
2. The purpose of maintaining the record of potential donors is to facilitate the determination of whether a person is a potential donor in the event of his or her death.
343.14(2)(g)3.
3. An affirmative response to the question under this paragraph does not in itself authorize an anatomical gift. To authorize an anatomical gift, an applicant shall comply with
s. 157.06 or
343.175 (2);
343.14(2)(h)
(h) A certification by the applicant that the motor vehicle in which the person takes the driving skills test is a representative vehicle of the vehicle group that the person operates or expects to operate; and
343.14(2)(i)
(i) A certification by the applicant for a commercial driver license that he or she either:
343.14(2)(i)1.
1. Meets all of the driver qualifications contained in either
49 CFR 391 or in an alternative federally approved driver qualification program established by the department by rule. The department may require the applicant to show the medical certificate of physical examination required by
49 CFR 391.43; or
343.14(2)(i)2.
2. Meets all of the driver qualifications for drivers in intrastate commerce as established by the department by rule and is applying for a commercial driver license valid only in this state for noninterstate operation.
343.14(2j)(a)(a) Subject to any exceptions provided for in a memorandum of understanding entered into under
s. 49.857 (2), the department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license if the applicant has not included his or her social security number in the application, or, if the applicant does not have a social security number, has not included a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number in the application.
343.14(2j)(b)
(b) Except as otherwise required to administer and enforce this chapter, the department of transportation may not disclose a social security number obtained from an applicant for a license under
sub. (2) (bm) to any person except to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of administering
s. 49.22.
343.14(2m)
(2m) The forms for application for a license or identification card or for renewal thereof shall include the information required under
s. 85.103 (2).
343.14(3)
(3) The department shall, as part of the application process, take a photograph of the applicant to comply with
s. 343.17 (3) (a) 2. Except where specifically exempted by statute or by rule of the department, no application may be processed without the photograph being taken. In the case of renewal licenses, the photograph shall be taken once every 8 years, and shall coincide with the appearance for examination which is required under
s. 343.16 (3). The department may make provision for issuance of a license without a photograph if the applicant is stationed outside the state in military service and in specific situations where the department deems such action appropriate.
343.14(4m)
(4m) The department shall develop designs for licenses and identification cards which are resistant to tampering and forgery no later than January 1, 1989. Licenses and identification cards issued on or after January 1, 1989, shall incorporate the designs required under this subsection.
343.14(5)
(5) No person may use a false or fictitious name or knowingly make a false statement or knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in an application for any of the following:
343.14(6)
(6) The department shall disseminate information to applicants for a license relating to the anatomical donation opportunity available under
s. 343.175. The department shall maintain a record of applicants who respond in the affirmative to the question under
sub. (2) (g). In the event of the death of a person, at the request of a law enforcement officer or other appropriate person, as determined by the department, the department shall examine its record of potential donors and shall advise the law enforcement officer or other person as to whether a decedent is recorded as a potential donor.
343.14(7)
(7) A person may notify the department in writing at any time if he or she wishes to include his or her name in the record of potential donors maintained by the department. A donor who revokes his or her gift and who has requested that his or her name be included in the record shall request the department in writing to remove his or her name from the record.
343.14(8)
(8) The department shall annually distribute materials, as provided by the department, explaining the voluntary program that is specified in
s. 71.55 (10) (b) to applicants for a license who are aged 65 years or older.
343.14(9)
(9) Any person who violates
sub. (5) may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.
343.14 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (a), (e);
1977 c. 124,
360,
447;
1979 c. 306;
1981 c. 20 s.
1848r;
1985 a. 227;
1987 a. 27;
1987 a. 403 s.
256;
1989 a. 105,
294,
298,
359;
1991 a. 269;
1993 a. 363;
1995 a. 113;
1997 a. 27,
119,
191;
1999 a. 9,
80,
88;
2001 a. 93.
343.15
343.15
Application of persons under 18; liability of sponsors; release from liability; notification of juvenile violation. 343.15(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
sub. (4), the application of any person under 18 years of age for a license shall be signed and verified by either of the applicant's parents, or a stepparent of the applicant or other adult sponsor, as defined by the department by rule. The application shall be signed and verified before a traffic officer, a duly authorized agent of the department or a person duly authorized to administer oaths.
343.15(1)(b)
(b) The adult sponsor under
par. (a) shall sign and verify on the application that the person under 18 years of age is enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and is not a habitual truant as defined in
s. 118.16 (1) (a), has graduated from high school or been granted a declaration of high school graduation equivalency or is enrolled in a home-based private educational program, as defined in
s. 115.001 (3g).
343.15(2)(b)
(b) Any negligence or willful misconduct of a person under the age of 18 years when operating a motor vehicle upon the highways is imputed to the parents where both have custody and either parent signed as sponsor, otherwise, it is imputed to the adult sponsor who signed the application for such person's license. The parents or the adult sponsor is jointly and severally liable with such operator for any damages caused by such negligent or willful misconduct.
343.15(3)
(3) Any adult who signed the application of a person under the age of 18 years for a license may thereafter file with the department a verified written request that the license of such minor be canceled. Within 10 days after the receipt of such request the department shall cancel the license. When the license has been so canceled, the adult who signed the application and the parents or guardian of such minor is relieved from the liability which otherwise would be imposed under
sub. (2) by reason of having signed such application, or being a parent or guardian, insofar as any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the minor while operating a motor vehicle subsequent to the cancellation concerned.
343.15(4)(a)(a) The department may issue a license to a person who is under 18 years of age even though an adult sponsor has not signed the application for license if such person is in one of the classes specified in this paragraph or in a substantially similar class specified by the department by rule and if a certificate of insurance to the effect that such person is covered by a motor vehicle policy of liability insurance meeting the requirements of
s. 344.33 has been filed with the department. Such policy may be canceled or terminated only after notice as provided in
s. 344.34.
343.15(4)(a)2.
2. A person who does not reside with his or her parents and who is a full-time student or earning a living.
343.15(4)(a)3.
3. A person who is a ward of the state, county or court and who has been placed in a foster home or a treatment foster home or in the care of a religious welfare service.
343.15(4)(a)4.
4. A person who is married and whose spouse is under 18 years of age.
343.15(4)(b)
(b) A person who is not required to have an adult sponsor under
par. (a) shall sign and verify on the application that he or she is enrolled in a school program or high school equivalency program and is not a habitual truant as defined in
s. 118.16 (1) (a), has graduated from high school or been granted a declaration of high school graduation equivalency or is enrolled in a home-based private educational program, as defined in
s. 115.001 (3g).
343.15(5)
(5) When a citation for a moving traffic violation, under
chs. 341 to
349 or under a local ordinance in conformity therewith, is issued to or a notice of revocation under
s. 351.027 is sent to a person who is under 18 years of age and required to have a sponsor under this section, the issuing or filing agency shall, within 7 days, notify the person's sponsor or parents of the violation or notice. When the secretary suspends or revokes the operating privilege of a person who is under 18 years of age and who possesses a license and who is required to have a sponsor under this section or when the secretary receives notice that a court has suspended or revoked the operating privilege of such a person, the secretary shall, within 14 days after the suspension or revocation or receipt of the notice of suspension or revocation by the court, respectively, notify the person's sponsor or parents of the suspension or revocation.
343.15 Annotation
A Pierringer release of minor did not bar the plaintiff's action under sub. (2) against a sponsor. Swanigan v. State Farm Ins. Co.
99 Wis. 2d 179,
299 N.W.2d 234 (1980).
343.15 Annotation
A Pierringer release of a minor barred an action for contribution by nonsettling defendants against a sponsor who was not joined in the action by the plaintiff. Jackson v. Ozaukee County,
111 Wis. 2d 462,
331 N.W.2d 338 (1983).
343.15 Annotation
Sub. (2) does not violate the constitutional guarantees of due process or equal protection. Mikaelian v. Woyak,
121 Wis. 2d 581,
360 N.W.2d 706 (Ct. App. 1984).
343.15 Annotation
Parent sponsors are liable under this section for punitive damages assessed against their child. Evidence of the sponsors' wealth is not admissible for purposes of assessing punitive damages against an underage driver. Franz v. Brennan,
150 Wis. 2d 1,
440 N.W.2d 562 (1989).
343.15 Annotation
The suspension of a minor's license does not relieve the sponsoring adult from liability if after suspension of the license the minor, while operating without a license, causes injury. Relief from liability can only be had by applying for cancelation of the license under sub. (3). Johnson v. Schlitt,
211 Wis. 2d 830,
565 N.W.2d 305 (Ct. App. 1997).
343.15 Annotation
The scope of parental liability under this section does not extend to a child's conduct distinct from operating a vehicle. The child's shooting of a gun from a car while he was driving was outside the ambit of the statute. Reyes v. Greatway Insurance Co.
227 Wis. 2d 357,
597 N.W.2d 687 (1999).
343.15 Annotation
Divorced parents with joint custody are both liable under this statute when one signed as a sponsor. It is irrelevant that one withdrew as the sponsor when the other signed the documents to assume sponsorship. Beerbohm v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. 2000 WI App 105,
235 Wis. 2d 182,
612 N.W.2d 338.
343.16
343.16
Examination of applicants; reexamination of licensed persons. 343.16(1)(1)
Required testing of knowledge and driving skills. 343.16(1)(a)(a)
General. The department shall examine every applicant for an operator's license, including applicants for license renewal as provided in
sub. (3), and every applicant for authorization to operate a vehicle class or type for which the applicant does not hold currently valid authorization, other than an instruction permit. Except as provided in
sub. (2) (cm) and
(e), the examinations of applicants for licenses authorizing operation of "Class A", "Class B", "Class C", "Class D" or "Class M" vehicles shall include both a knowledge test and an actual demonstration in the form of a driving skills test of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a representative vehicle. The department shall not administer a driving skills test to a person applying for authorization to operate "Class M" vehicles who has failed 2 previous such skills tests unless the person has successfully completed a rider course approved by the department. The department may, by rule, exempt certain persons from the rider course requirement of this paragraph. The driving skills of applicants for endorsements authorizing the operation of commercial motor vehicles equipped with air brakes, the transportation of passengers in commercial motor vehicles or the operation of school buses, as provided in
s. 343.04 (2) (b),
(d) or
(e), shall also be tested by an actual demonstration of driving skills. The department may endorse an applicant's commercial driver license for transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding, or the operation of tank vehicles or vehicles towing double or triple trailers, as described in
s. 343.04 (2) (a),
(c) or
(f), based on successful completion of a knowledge test. In administering the knowledge test, the department shall attempt to accommodate any special needs of the applicant. Except as may be required by the department for an "H" or "S" endorsement, the knowledge test is not intended to be a test for literacy or English language proficiency. This paragraph does not prohibit the department from requiring an applicant to correctly read and understand highway signs.
343.16 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
Trans 129, Wis. adm. code.
343.16(1)(b)
(b)
Third-party testing. The department may contract with a person, including an agency or department of this state or its political subdivisions or another state, or a private employer of commercial motor vehicle drivers, to administer commercial motor vehicle skills tests required by
49 CFR 383.110 to
383.135, examinations required to be administered under
s. 343.12 (2) (h) and abbreviated driving skills tests required by
sub. (3) (b). The department may not enter into such testing contracts with a private driver training school or other private institution. A contract with a 3rd-party tester shall include all of the following provisions:
343.16(1)(b)1.
1. All tests and examinations conducted by the 3rd-party tester shall be the same as those given by the department.
343.16(1)(b)2.
2. The department, the federal highway administration or its representative may conduct random examinations, inspections and audits of the 3rd-party tester without any prior notice.
343.16(1)(b)3.
3. At least annually, the department shall conduct an on-site inspection of the 3rd-party tester to determine compliance with the contract and with department and federal standards for testing applicants for commercial driver licenses and with department standards for testing applicants for school bus endorsements. At least annually, the department shall also evaluate testing given by the 3rd-party by one of the following means:
343.16(1)(b)3.a.
a. Department employees shall take the tests and examinations actually administered by the 3rd-party tester as if the department employee were an applicant.
343.16(1)(b)3.b.
b. The department shall retest a sample of drivers who were examined by the 3rd-party to compare the pass and fail results.
343.16(1)(b)4.
4. Examiners of the 3rd-party tester shall meet the same qualifications and training standards as the department's license examiners to the extent established by the department as necessary to satisfactorily perform the skills tests required by
49 CFR 383.110 to
383.135, examinations required to be administered under
s. 343.12 (2) (h) and abbreviated driving skills tests required by
sub. (3) (b).
343.16(1)(b)5.
5. The department shall take prompt and appropriate remedial action against the 3rd-party tester in the event that the tester fails to comply with department or federal standards for commercial driver license testing, department standards for school bus endorsement testing or any provision of the contract. Such action may include immediate termination of testing by the 3rd-party tester and recovery of damages.
343.16(1)(c)
(c)
Driver education course. The department may, after consultation with the department of public instruction and the technical college system board, provide for administration of and certification of the results of the test of an applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws and ability to read and understand highway signs in conjunction with a course in driver education specified in this paragraph, by an instructor in that course. The test under this paragraph does not include that part of a driver's examination involving the actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle required for the issuance of a license other than an instruction permit. The test under this paragraph may be administered and certified by an instructor in any of the following:
343.16(1)(c)1.
1. A course in driver education in public schools approved by the department of public instruction.
343.16(1)(c)2.
2. A course in driver education in technical colleges approved by the technical college system board.
343.16(1)(c)3.
3. A course in driver education in nonpublic and private schools that meets the minimum standards set by the department of public instruction.
343.16(1)(d)
(d)
Foreign license reciprocity. The chief administrator of the division of motor vehicles may, with the appropriate official of another country or of a province or other subdivision of another country, enter into a reciprocal agreement under which this state and the other country, province or other subdivision agree to waive any knowledge test and driving skills test of an applicant for an operator's license to operate "Class D" vehicles, as described in
s. 343.04 (1) (d), or "Class M" vehicles, as described in
s. 343.04 (1) (e), or both, if the applicant possesses a valid license to operate those vehicles, other than an instructional permit, issued by this state or the other country, province or other subdivision. The chief administrator may enter into an agreement under this paragraph only if the criteria for any knowledge test and driving skills test required by the other country, province or other subdivision for those types of vehicles are at least as stringent as the requirements of this state. The agreement shall specify all of the following:
343.16(1)(d)1.
1. That the department will issue a regular license, as described in
s. 343.03 (3) (a), to any person moving to this state who has been licensed by the other country, province or other subdivision for at least 3 years, who presently holds a license to operate that type of vehicle, other than an instructional permit, from the other country, province or other subdivision and who is at least 21 years of age. Notwithstanding
s. 343.03 (3) (a), a regular license issued under this subdivision may be endorsed to permit operation of Type 1 motorcycles, but may not be endorsed to permit operation of school buses. The department shall issue a probationary license under
s. 343.085 to any other applicant who holds a valid operator's license issued by the other country, province or other subdivision.
343.16(1)(d)2.
2. That whenever the secretary has good cause to believe that an operator licensed under an agreement entered into under this paragraph is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, the secretary may, upon written notice of at least 5 days to the licensee, require the licensee to submit to an examination including all or part of the tests specified in
par. (a). Upon the conclusion of such examination the secretary shall take such action as is appropriate under this chapter, including cancellation of the license or permitting the licensee to retain the license subject to such restrictions as the secretary may order or without restrictions.
343.16(1)(d)3.
3. That the other country, province or other subdivision will treat operators licensed by this state similarly to how this state will treat operators licensed by the other country, province or other subdivision.
343.16(2)(a)(a)
Rules. The department shall promulgate rules setting testing standards for commercial driver license applicants. The testing standards shall comply with
49 CFR 383.71 to
383.135.
343.16(2)(b)
(b)
Specific requirements. The standards developed by the department under
par. (c) shall provide that the examination for persons making their first application for an operator's license shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight, ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning and directing traffic, knowledge of the traffic laws, including
s. 346.26, understanding of fuel-efficient driving habits and the relative costs and availability of other modes of transportation, knowledge of the need for anatomical gifts and the ability to make an anatomical gift through the use of a donor card issued under
s. 343.175 (2), and an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. The test of knowledge of the traffic laws shall include questions on the provisions of
ss. 343.30 (1q),
343.303 to
343.31 and
346.63 to
346.655, relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcohol beverages. The test of knowledge may also include questions on the social, medical and economic effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. The examination of applicants for authorization to operate `Class M' vehicles shall test an applicant's knowledge of Type 1 motorcycle safety, including proper eye protection to be worn during hours of darkness. The department may require persons changing their residence to this state from another jurisdiction and persons applying for a reinstated license after termination of a revocation period to take all or parts of the examination required of persons making their first application for an operator's license. Any applicant who is required to give an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle shall furnish a representative vehicle in safe operating condition for use in testing ability.
343.16(2)(c)
(c)
Standards. The department shall promulgate rules setting standards to govern driver license examinations and reexaminations. Such standards shall take into consideration any federal standards or requirements which may apply.
343.16(2)(cm)
(cm)
Motorcycle waiver. The department shall waive the driving skills test of a person applying for authorization to operate "Class M" vehicles if the applicant holds an instruction permit under
s. 343.07 (4) and has successfully completed a basic rider course approved by the department.
343.16 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also s.
Trans 129.03, Wis. adm. code.
343.16(2)(d)
(d)
Motor bicycle or moped waiver. The department may promulgate rules authorizing a license examiner to waive the operating skill examination of a person applying for a license to operate a motor bicycle or moped if the applicant has the physical ability to operate the vehicle safely. The rules shall ensure that the applicant demonstrates knowledge of the traffic laws necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle.
343.16(2)(e)
(e)
Farm service industry employee waiver. To the extent permitted under applicable federal law or regulation, the department may waive any knowledge test and shall waive the commercial driver license driving skills test of a person applying for an "F" endorsement, except as provided under
s. 343.16 (5) or
(6).
343.16(3)(a)(a) The department shall examine every applicant for the renewal of an operator's license once every 8 years. The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a uniform rate of examinations. The examination shall consist of a test of eyesight. The department shall make provisions for giving such examinations at examining stations in each county to all applicants for an operator's license. The person to be examined shall appear at the examining station nearest the person's place of residence or at such time and place as the department designates in answer to an applicant's request. In lieu of examination, the applicant may present or mail to the department a report of examination of the applicant's eyesight by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician licensed to practice medicine. The report shall be based on an examination made not more than 3 months prior to the date it is submitted. The report shall be on a form furnished and in the form required by the department. The department shall decide whether, in each case, the eyesight reported is sufficient to meet the current eyesight standards.
343.16(3)(b)
(b) The department shall require each applicant for the renewal of an operator's license with an endorsement authorizing the operation of school buses to take and pass the knowledge test under
sub. (1) and an abbreviated driving skills test including, but not limited to, pretrip inspection, the loading and unloading of passengers and railroad crossing procedures.
