Motorists’ Handbook WISCONSIN DEPARAugustTMENT 2021 OF TRANSPORTATION August 2021 CONTENTS CONTENTS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION 1 BEFORE YOU DRIVE 10 Address change 1 Plan ahead and save fuel 10 Obtain services online 1 Check the vehicle 10 Obtain information 1 Clean glass surfaces 12 Consider saving a life Adjust seat and mirrors 12 by becoming an organ donor 2 Use safety belts and child restraints 13 Absolute sobriety 2 Wisconsin Graduated Driver Licensing RULES OF THE ROAD 15 Supervised Driving Log, HS-303 2 Traffic control devices 15 This manual 2 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 16 DRIVER LICENSE 2 Requirements 3 TRAFFIC SIGNS 18 Carrying the driver license and license Warning signs 18 replacement 4 Regulatory signs 20 Out of state transfers 4 Railroad crossing warning signs 23 Construction signs 25 INSTRUCTION PERMIT 5 Guide signs 25 Restrictions of the instruction permit 6 PAVEMENT MARKINGS 26 PROBATIONARY LICENSE 6 Edge and lane lines 27 Restrictions of the probationary license 7 White lane markings 27 The skills test 7 Crosswalks and stop lines 27 KEEPING THE DRIVER LICENSE 8 Yellow lane markings 27 Point system 8 Shared center lane 28 Habitual offender 9 OTHER LANE CONTROLS 29 Occupational license 9 Reversible lanes 29 Reinstating a revoked or suspended license 9 Reserved lanes 29 Driver license renewal 9 Flex Lane 30 Motor vehicle liability insurance METERED RAMPS 31 requirement 9 How to use a ramp meter 31 COVER i CONTENTS RULES FOR DRIVING SCHOOL BUSES 44 ROUNDABOUTS 32 General information for PARKING 45 all roundabouts 32 How to park on a hill 45 Truck apron 32 No parking zones 46 Steps for driving a roundabout 32 How to parallel park 46 Emergency vehicles in the roundabout 32 DIVERGING DIAMOND Driving a one-lane roundabout 33 INTERCHANGE (DDI) 47 Driving a roundabout with Advantages of a Diverging two or more lanes 34 Diamond Interchange (DDI) 47 Navigating a Diverging GENERAL RULES ABOUT Diamond Interchange (DDI) 47 TRAFFIC LANES 35 SAFE DRIVING TIPS 48 General driving 35 Starting 48 Passing 36 Accelerating 48 TURNING 36 Steering 48 Multiple turn lanes 36 Stopping 49 Right turns 36 SPEED LIMITS 49 Left turns 38 U-turn 40 SEEING WELL 50 Y-turn 40 Scanning 50 Watch out for deer 54 RIGHT-OF-WAY 41 Use your lights 54 Intersections 41 Passing 41 COMMUNICATING 55 Pedestrians 41 Let others know you are there 55 Left turns/U-turns 42 Let others know what you are doing 58 Emergency vehicles 43 Move over or slow down law 43 ADJUSTING SPEED 59 Animals 43 Adjusting to road conditions 59 Funeral processions 43 WINTER DRIVING SAFETY TIPS 60 COVER ii CONTENTS ADJUSTING TO TRAFFIC 61 OTHERS DRUGS AND DRIVING 75 Keep pace with traffic 61 HEALTH 76 Entering traffic 61 Some potentially dangerous health Leaving traffic 61 conditions 76 Slow moving traffic 61 Emotions 76 HOW WELL CAN YOU SEE 62 EMERGENCIES 77 Tips you can follow to be a safer driver 62 Vehicle emergencies 77 CUSHION OF SPACE 64 Avoiding collisions 78 Space ahead 64 Protect yourself in collisions 80 Space behind 65 CRASHES 80 pace to the side 66 S If you are in a crash 80 7 Space to merge 6 If someone is injured 81 Space to cross or enter 67 Report the crash 81 Space to pass 67 Space for dangerous situations 69 WHAT TO DO 82 Farm safety/rural driving 70 What to do in case of a crash, stalled vehicle or other emergency 82 INATTENTIVE DRIVING 70 What to do if you hit a deer 82 Distractions while driving 70 What to do when stopped by law enforcement: general BE IN SHAPE TO DRIVE 72 guidelines for motorists 82 Vision 72 STUDY QUESTIONS 83 Hearing 73 Questions 83 Fatigue 73 Answers 84 DRINKING AND DRIVING 74 WISDOT CONTACT INFORMATION 85 Alcohol content 74 Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 85 Why is drinking and driving Wisconsin State Patrol 85 so dangerous? 74 If you drink, when can you drive? 74 Wisconsin’s alcohol laws 75 COVER iii CONTENTS PRELIMINARY • Find out when you’ll receive your title INFORMATION • Check if there is a lien on a vehicle Address change • And more! The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Obtain information mails important correspondence to wisconsindmv.gov your last known address. If you move, • Acceptable documentation please change your address at the DMV • How to obtain a driver license within ten days of having moved. • How to obtain an Change your address online at identification (ID) card wisconsindmv.gov/online, by • REAL ID telephone (608) 266-2353 or mail to • Fees Division of Motor Vehicles, P. O. Box 7917, Madison, WI 53707-7917. • Crashes and crash reports • Medical concerns Obtain services online • Driving schools wisconsindmv.gov/online • Teen drivers • Find your closest DMV • Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and check wait times • Parents and sponsors • Schedule, cancel or verify a • Driver handbooks road test appointment • Practice knowledge test • Change your address mobile application • Get a duplicate driver license • Motorcycle/moped license • See if your driver license is valid • Occupational license • Check eligibility for an • Revoked or suspended driver license occupational license • Traffic safety courses • Find out how long you • New residents need SR22 insurance • Forms and publications • Check eligibility and reinstate • Commercial drivers your driving privilege • Points system • Get a duplicate or renew your ID card • Buy or sell a vehicle • Title and register a vehicle • Transfer a vehicle • Renew your license plates • Vehicle title/plates • Apply for replacement license plate(s) • Vehicle emissions testing • Order a replacement title • Special plates • Check personalized plate • Vehicle title message availability • Title-registration service providers • Print a copy of your current • Lemon law vehicle registration • And more! COVER 1 CONTENTS Have a question or need more information? This manual Email your question to driverrecords. This manual is intended to inform the [email protected] or call (608) 264-7447. user of the rules of the road (Wisconsin state laws and administrative rules) and Consider saving a life by provide important safety tips. Information becoming an organ donor in this and other handbooks and manuals www.DonorRegistry.wisconsin.gov published by the Division of Motor Vehicles You will be asked if you wish to register is not all-inclusive and is subject to change as an organ, tissue and eye donor when at any time due to new or revised laws. you apply for or renew your Identification This manual gives you information (ID) card, instruction permit or driver on driving rules and practices to help license. Upon death, donors help save and you become a safe driver of a car improve lives through transplantation, or light truck (Class D license). therapy, research or education. If you are If you want a Commercial Driver License 18 or older, checking the box indicates your (CDL) to drive a commercial motor legal consent for donation. Check the box vehicle (heavy truck, bus, Class A, B, to include your name in the donor registry or C), you should study the Wisconsin every time you update your driver record. Commercial Driver’s Manual. Please share your decision with your family. If you want a license to operate a Absolute sobriety motorcycle (Class M license), you should Wisconsin has an Absolute Sobriety or “Not study the Motorcyclists’ Handbook. a Drop” law. This means that drivers under 21 may not have a drop of alcohol in their DRIVER LICENSE system when operating a motor vehicle. Wisconsin DMV issues REAL ID- Wisconsin Graduated Driver compliant driver licenses (marked with Licensing Supervised a ) in accordance with the Federal Driving Log, HS-303 Real ID Act of 2005. Parents must certify that their teen has a Beginning May 3, 2023 the Department minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving, of Homeland Security will require with at least 10 hours at night. Keep track of that you have REAL ID-compliant driving time and experience with a printable identification to board federally-regulated supervised driving log or download a free commercial aircraft or enter federal mobile app from the Parent’s Supervised facilities requiring identification. Don’t Driving Program. The more time you get left behind without a REAL ID. spend practicing with your teen, the Learn more about REAL ID on the better driver they will be on their own. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) web site at wisconsindmv.gov. COVER 2 CONTENTS Requirements 4. Present proof of your identity, such as a: Anyone who operates a motor vehicle • Social Security card with or motor-driven cycle on public your signature; roadways in Wisconsin is required • Valid Wisconsin or out-of-state to have a valid driver license. ID card with your photograph; You may obtain a Wisconsin Class D driver • U.S. Military ID card with license (cars and light trucks) if you: your photograph. 1. Are at least 16 years of age. 5. Present two (2) proofs of your 2. Present proof of U.S. citizenship, legal Wisconsin residency, such as: immigration status or legal temporary • Utility bill for water, gas, electricity, visitor status in the U.S., such as a: internet or telephone service with • Certified copy of your U.S. your name and Wisconsin address; birth certificate; • Financial statement for checking, • Valid U.S. passport; savings, brokerage, credit card • Valid foreign passport with or loan account with your name appropriate immigration documents. and Wisconsin address. 6. Provide your Social Security number All documents presented as proof must be (SSN). Your SSN must correspond with original. Photocopies are not acceptable. the number issued to you by the Social 3. Present proof of your name and Security Administration. date of birth, such as a: If you are not eligible for a Social • Certified copy of your U.S.