Roadwise States Wisconsin Driving lessons GDL Restrictions Wisconsin driving lesson · Progression of Licenses
GDL Restrictions A 3-minute lesson from the Wisconsin course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Progression of Licenses
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 10, 11 A probationary license for someone under 18 is also called a graduated driver license (GDL). For the first months it limits when you drive and who rides with you, to cut distractions for new drivers.
9 months How long GDL restrictions last, unless you turn 18 sooner
Handbook p. 10 ↗ Know the rule
You don't need a new license when the GDL restrictions end.
Handbook p. 10 ↗ From 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight), you can drive Alone and go anywhere With any number of immediate family members With one person with a regular license (2+ years) who is an instructor or spouse 19+, or anyone 21+ With one other person Handbook p. 10 ↗ From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., you can drive Alone, only if driving between home, school and/or work With one person with a regular license (2+ years) who is an instructor or spouse 19+, or anyone 21+ With one other person Handbook p. 11 ↗ 6 months How long GDL restrictions are extended after a violation
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Your GDL restrictions are extended six months if You are convicted of a moving traffic violation You violate any of the restrictions Your license is suspended or revoked for any reason Handbook p. 11 ↗ Know the rule
As with the permit, points on your second and later convictions are doubled; enough points and your license can be taken away.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Know the rule
Once you turn 18, the GDL hour and passenger restrictions no longer apply.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Put it into practice
It's 12:30 a.m. and you're driving home alone from your job. That's allowed. Stopping at a friend's house on the way, alone at that hour, is not: after midnight you may drive alone only between home, school and/or work.
A useful reminder The GDL clock: 9 months of restrictions, plus 6 more for any ticket or violation, and all of it ends at 18.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
GDL passenger and hour restrictions apply for how long, unless the driver turns 18 sooner? The first twelve months The first three months The first nine months The first six months Answer: The first nine months
GDL restrictions apply for the first nine months of the probationary license.
Handbook p. 10 ↗ Between 5 a.m. and midnight, an unsupervised probationary driver under 18 may have how many non-family passengers in the car? One other person No other passengers Two other people Any number of friends Answer: One other person
During this window, one other (non-family) passenger is allowed, plus any number of immediate family.
Handbook p. 10 ↗ Between midnight and 5 a.m., an unsupervised probationary driver under 18 may drive alone only if going: Anywhere within their home county Between home, school and/or work Anywhere, with no restriction To a friend's house Answer: Between home, school and/or work
Overnight, an unsupervised probationary driver may only drive alone between home, school and/or work.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Which of these extends a probationary driver's GDL restrictions by six months? Turning 17 years old Completing a defensive driving course A conviction for a moving traffic violation Getting a part-time job Answer: A conviction for a moving traffic violation
A moving violation conviction, a restriction violation, or a suspension/revocation extends GDL restrictions six months.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Once a probationary driver turns 18, the GDL hour and passenger restrictions no longer apply. True False Answer: True
GDL hour and passenger restrictions end once the driver turns 18.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Points are doubled for a probationary license holder's first conviction only. True False Answer: False
Points double starting with the second conviction and any thereafter, not the first.
Handbook p. 11 ↗ Previous lesson Probationary License: Earning It Next lesson Regular License, Transfers & REAL ID More in Progression of Licenses About the source Roadwise’s Wisconsin course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 10, 11. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Wisconsin’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.