The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced that it will be waiving the road test requirement for drivers under the age of 18 seeking to receive their licenses.
In order to deal with the backlog of demands created by the pandemic while keeping the spread of the CCP virus at bay, the WisDOT will be waiving the road tests for 16- and 17-year-olds starting May 11, the department said in a news release.
“Road tests may be waived for 16- and 17-year-olds who complete the required training and have their parent or guardian sign the road test waiver,” the department said.
Around 2,100 road tests are conducted every week on a normal basis, and almost 65 percent of those are taken by minors under the age of 18, the release stated. Most minors have a 98 percent chance of passing their road test on either their first or second attempt.
Those that qualify must meet certain criteria.
The young drivers “must hold an Instruction Permit (also known as a Learners Permit) violation free for at least six months prior to testing.” They must also have completed driver education classes, completed behind-the-wheel training with a licensed teacher, and completed ar least 30 hours of driving with their parent or sponsor and that person must sign the road test waiver.
WisDOT stated that the “restrictions of a probationary graduated driver license still apply for at least nine months” and “Wisconsin also has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) law that places strict expectations on drivers under 18.”
Waiving the road test is not mandatory, so parents who want their children to take a traditional road test may schedule an appointment with the DMV starting on May 8.
“Safe driving is a result of practice and instruction. When young people learning to drive have completed all necessary requirements and demonstrated to their instructors and to their parents or guardians that they are ready for a probationary driver license. This program, which has been safe and effective in other states for years, will allow them to move forward,” said Kristina Boardman, the DMV administrator.
“The DMV will offer road tests, but this pilot program will allow another path forward for those who qualify,” she said.
