Transportation (Driver Licensing) in Wisconsin

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 393: Relating to: school bus operation by drivers over 70 and drivers with medical conditions.

AB 393 modifies restrictions on school bus drivers over 70 years old and those with certain medical conditions, allowing them to operate school buses under new medical review requirements. The bill requires school districts to implement a standardized medical evaluation process for qualifying drivers. This directly affects school bus drivers in these categories and their employers. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee after recent amendments.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 508: Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

SB 508 allows school buses to install cameras to record drivers illegally passing them. Bus operators or third-party vendors can submit photo/video evidence of violations to traffic officers, who can then issue fines. The bill establishes fines of $30-$500 for drivers who pass school buses illegally, with no license suspension or demerit points added to driving records. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, creating a new process for evidence-based enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 455: Relating to: eligibility for an occupational license for individuals with four or more convictions of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

SB 455 permanently revokes driving privileges for individuals with four or more convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI), with a 15-year gap between convictions allowing reinstatement. It prohibits applicants from obtaining an occupational license (for essential work driving) during the first 180 days after the permanent revocation takes effect. After 10 years of the revocation period, individuals may apply for full license reinstatement under separate procedures. The bill specifically targets repeat DUI offenders by tightening license eligibility rules without altering ignition interlock device requirements for those who previously held licenses.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 72: Relating to: ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE)

Assembly Bill 72 (AB 72) proposes that the state join the Driver License Compact, an agreement among states to share information about driving offenses. This directly affects drivers who operate vehicles in different states and the state's motor vehicle licensing authority. Under this compact, states would report convictions for motor vehicle violations to a driver's home state. The home state would then apply its own laws regarding license suspension, revocation, or limitation, giving the same effect to certain serious out-of-state offenses (like DUI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred within its borders. Additionally, it would prevent individuals with suspended or revoked licenses from another compact state from obtaining a new license until the original suspension or revocation period has ended.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 679: Relating to: weight limits for vehicles transporting grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer. (FE)

AB 679 creates a new permit system for trucks carrying grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer that exceed standard weight limits. It allows vehicles with 6 or more axles to operate at up to 91,000 pounds gross weight on state highways, provided they meet axle weight distribution rules and follow department-specified routes. The bill directly affects agricultural haulers and trucking companies transporting these materials, requiring a $325 permit for such operations. Permits are invalid on interstate highways (except as permitted by federal law) and may be suspended during spring thaw conditions. This bill does not change base weight limits but establishes a regulated pathway for heavier agricultural transport.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Freight Roads & Highways

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 29: Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

AB 29 allows police to seize (impound) vehicles used in specific traffic violations, such as a second speeding offense exceeding 25 mph over the limit, repeated DUI-related violations, or reckless driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of these offenses, requiring vehicles to be held for 90 days unless released earlier through owner request (if they didn’t operate the vehicle during the violation) or court order. Owners can petition a court for immediate release within 30 days if charges are dismissed or if they prove ownership and lack of consent during the violation. If convicted, courts may adjust the impound period, and drivers must cover law enforcement’s reasonable impoundment costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 63: Relating to: ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE)

Senate Bill 63 proposes to enact the Driver License Compact into state law. This compact aims to improve highway safety by promoting compliance with motor vehicle laws across participating states. It requires states to share information about convictions for traffic offenses, allowing a driver's home state to give the same effect to certain serious out-of-state violations (like OWI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred locally. The bill also prevents individuals from obtaining a new license in a different compact state while their license is suspended or revoked in another.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 143: Relating to: allowing an unlicensed person to use a motor vehicle and providing a penalty.

AB 143 modifies vehicle law to clarify that vehicle owners or renters can be held liable for allowing unlicensed drivers to operate a vehicle, regardless of whether they knew the driver lacked a license. It adds new provisions (343.45(2m) and 343.46(2m)) stating that authorization or rental rules apply without requiring knowledge of the operator's license status. Violations carry fines: up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects vehicle owners, renters, and businesses that rent vehicles, as they face penalties if unlicensed operators use their vehicles. It does not change licensing requirements for drivers but shifts liability to those who permit unlicensed operation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 393: Relating to: school bus operation by drivers over 70 and drivers with medical conditions.

SB 393 allows school bus drivers over 70 or those whose endorsement was canceled due to medical conditions to reinstate their license by providing a healthcare provider's certification confirming they can safely operate a school bus. It requires drivers aged 70 or older to submit annual medical certification and undergo a medical review every four years to maintain their school bus endorsement. The bill establishes a clear reinstatement process: the department must reinstate the endorsement upon receiving proper medical documentation unless a reviewing board determines it's inappropriate. This directly affects school bus drivers in these categories by modifying medical review and reinstatement procedures.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 561: Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

AB 561 allows school buses to install and monitor cameras to record vehicles illegally passing them, and permits school bus operators or third-party vendors to submit photo or video evidence of these violations to local traffic authorities. Traffic officers can then issue citations based on this evidence, imposing fines of $30 to $500 on the vehicle owner. The bill specifies that these fines do not result in license suspension or demerit points. This law directly affects drivers who illegally pass school buses and the school bus operators or vendors reporting violations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

All transportation bills