Wisconsin driving lesson · Progression of Licenses
Instruction Permit
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.
The instruction permit lets you practice driving before the road test, but never alone. Who may sit beside you depends on their age, their license and whether it's dark.
Know the rule
If you are 18 or older, you get a permit by passing the knowledge test, the highway signs test and the vision screening.
The person supervising you needs at least two years of licensed driving experience and a valid regular license, not a probationary or occupational license, and must ride in the passenger seat beside you.
If the permit holder is under 18, the accompanying licensed person must have written authorization from the minor's parent or guardian before you drive.
Once you are at least 16, one other licensed person age 25 or older with at least 2 years of driving experience may also ride, in a seat other than the front seat.
To drive during hours of darkness, the person beside you must be a qualified instructor or a licensed person age 25 with at least two years of licensed driving experience.
You're 15 with a permit and your 20-year-old brother, who has had a regular license for three years, offers to ride with you. He can't: he isn't an instructor, parent, guardian or spouse, and he's under 21.
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.
If you are 18 or older, what must you pass before getting an instruction permit?
The skills test, knowledge test and a driver education course
Only the vision screening
A defensive driving course
The knowledge test, highway signs test and vision screening
Answer: The knowledge test, highway signs test and vision screening
Applicants 18+ start by passing the knowledge test, signs test and vision screening.