Wis. Stat. § 343.71 — WI Code / Chapter 343 / Section 343.71
Driver school records, curriculum, and operations.
Status: in_force

(1m) Every licensed driver school shall maintain all of the following records:

(a) A record showing the date, type, and duration of, and the name and address of each person receiving, all lessons, lectures, tutoring, instructions or other services relating to instructions in the operation of motor vehicles, and this record shall include the name of the instructor giving such lessons or instructions and identification of the vehicle in which any driving skills lesson is given.

(b) A file containing a copy of every agreement required under this paragraph. No driver school or instructor may provide lessons, lectures, tutoring or other services relating to instructions in the operation of motor vehicles unless a written agreement in a form approved by the department has been executed by the school and either the student if the student is at least 18 years of age or, if the student is under 18 years of age, the student’s parent or legal guardian. The driver school shall give the student, or the parent or guardian if the student is under 18 years of age, the original agreement and shall retain and preserve a duplicate copy of the agreement.

(2m) No licensee may agree to give unlimited driver lessons, nor represent or agree, orally or in writing or as a part of an inducement to sign any agreement, to give instructions until the student obtains an operator’s license.

(3m) No agreement may contain a “no refund” clause, but may contain the following: “The school will not refund any tuition or part of tuition if the school is ready, willing and able to fulfill its part of the agreement”.

(4) All records of agreement must include the following statement: “This constitutes the entire agreement between the school and the student and no verbal statement or promises will be recognized”.

(5) The department may not license a driver school unless its approved course of instruction does all of the following:

(a) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by farm machinery and animals on highways and provides instruction in safely dealing with such hazards.

(b) Provides at least 30 minutes of instruction relating to organ and tissue donation and organ and tissue donation procedures.

(c) Provides at least 30 minutes of instruction on motorcycle awareness, as approved by a recognized motorcycle safety and awareness organization, and pedestrian and bicycle awareness, as approved by a recognized pedestrian and bicycle safety and awareness organization.

(d) Includes instruction relating to passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and highway machinery equipment.

(e) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by railroad highway grade crossings and provides at least 30 minutes of instruction in safely dealing with these hazards.

(f) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by composing or sending electronic text messages or electronic mail messages while driving and with the provisions of s. 346.89 (3) .

(g) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by motor vehicles to vulnerable highway users and provides at least 30 minutes of instruction in safely dealing with these hazards.

(h) For a driver education course providing instruction in the operation of commercial motor vehicles, provides instruction in the recognition and prevention of human trafficking.

(i) Using materials determined under s. 84.01 (38) , acquaints each student with the hazards posed by highway work zones and provides at least 30 minutes of instruction in safely dealing with these hazards.

(j) Includes instruction relating to student crossing, school bus lights, and when stops are required for a stopped school bus, including how requirements are affected by highway configuration.

(6) A driver school shall notify the department of the name and address of each person who is under the age of 18 years at the commencement of a course in driver training and who fails to satisfactorily complete the course.

History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a) ; 2005 a. 397 ss. 18 , 57 to 62 , 64 to 66 ; 2005 a. 466 s. 8 ; 2007 a. 68 ; 2007 a. 96 s. 129 ; 2007 a. 97 ; 2009 a. 64 , 180 , 220 ; 2011 a. 173 ; 2013 a. 253 ; 2019 a. 27 ; 2023 a. 160 ; 2025 a. 209 .