Wis. Stat. § 343.61 — WI Code / Chapter 343 / Section 343.61
Driver school requirements.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall issue and renew driver school licenses in conformity with the requirements of this subchapter. No person may operate a driver school, advertise, solicit bids for business, or provide services unless the person holds a valid driver school license issued by the department.

(2)

(a) Application for a driver school license shall be made in the form and manner prescribed by the department, shall contain such information as is required by the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. An application shall include the following:

1. Except as provided in subd. 1m. , in the case of an individual, the individual’s social security number.

1m. In the case of an individual who does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the individual does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license that is issued by the department in reliance on a statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid if the statement is false.

2. In the case of a person who is not an individual, the person’s federal employer identification number.

3. Identification of all driver school office locations and identification of all driver school classroom locations and, if instruction is to be provided by means of the Internet, a statement to this effect.

4. Proof of insurance required under sub. (3m) (a) .

(am) A driver school may provide to the department a written certification that the driver school has complied with all applicable driver school office and driver school classroom requirements imposed under this subchapter or under any rule promulgated by the department under this subchapter. For purposes of this paragraph, classroom instruction includes instruction provided by means of the Internet if the driver school provides instruction by means of the Internet.

(b) The department of transportation may not disclose any information received under par. (a) 1. or 2. to any person except to the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22 , the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 , and the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 .

(2m) The department may not issue or renew a driver school license if any of the following applies:

(a) The applicant or licensee or any officer, director, partner or other person directly interested in or actively involved in the driver school business was a former holder of, or actively involved in a driver school business operating under, a license issued under this section or a similar license issued by another jurisdiction or was directly interested in or a party actively involved in another driver school which held a license under this section or a similar license issued by another jurisdiction, or was the former holder of an instructor license issued under s. 343.62 , and any such license was revoked or suspended.

(b) Subject to ss. 111.321 , 111.322 , and 111.335 , the applicant or licensee or any officer, director, stockholder, partner or any person directly interested in or actively involved in the driver school business has been convicted of a felony, or any other disqualifying offense as established by rule by the department, in this state, or in another jurisdiction, including a conviction under the law of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, for an offense that if committed in this state would be a felony or disqualifying offense, unless the person so convicted has been officially pardoned.

(c) The applicant or licensee does not have a driver school office.

(d) The applicant or licensee is not the true owner of the driver school.

(e) The applicant or licensee fails to provide the information or statement required under sub. (2) (a) 1. to 2.

(f) The applicant has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in an application.

(3)

(a)

1. The required fee for any driver school license, or for any annual renewal thereof, is $95.

2. A driver school license expires on the date stated on the license, but not later than 24 months after the date on which the license is issued. The department may institute any system of initial license issuance that it considers advisable for the purpose of gaining a uniform rate of renewals. To put such a system into operation, the department may issue licenses that are valid for any period less than one year. If the department issues a license that is valid for less than one year, the department shall accordingly prorate the fees specified under subd. 1.

(b) In addition to the fee under par. (a) , an applicant or licensee under this section shall pay a one-time fee of $10 for each mailing address where one or more driver school classrooms are located.

(c) The fee for a duplicate license certificate provided under sub. (4) (a) is $10.

(d) The department shall charge a fee of $10 for any change to a license certificate, including a change in the location of a driver school office.

(e) If any driver school license is lost, the department shall issue a replacement upon receipt of a completed application, satisfactory proof of eligibility, satisfactory proof of loss, and a fee established by the department by rule.

(3m)

(a) A driver school shall maintain a standard liability insurance policy in the name of the school, with the minimum insurance coverage specified by rule by the department. The insurance policy shall require the insurer to notify the department not less than 30 days before the policy expires or is materially changed or canceled.

(b) A driver school shall file with the department a bond in the form and amount established by the department by rule.

(4)

(a) If the department approves an application for a driver school license and the applicant pays the required fee, the department shall issue a license, and provide a license certificate, to the applicant. The licensee shall display the certificate in the licensee’s driver school office, but is not required to display the certificate in any driver school classroom.

(b) The location of each driver school office shall be identified in the license. Except as provided by the department by rule, no licensee may establish any driver school office within 1,500 feet of a department office where operator’s licenses are issued, nor within 1,500 feet of any headquarters where official driving skills tests are given. Any change in address of any driver school office or driver school classroom must be reported to and approved by the department. A driver school may maintain driver school classrooms at locations other than the driver school office. A driver school may provide driver training instruction by means of the Internet in addition to providing instruction at a driver school classroom or, if the driver school also offers behind-the-wheel instruction in this state, instead of providing instruction at a driver school classroom.

(bm) If the department establishes requirements relating to driver school offices located in residences, the department may not apply those requirements to driver school offices in residences to which students and members of the public have no access.

(c) The use of the word “Wisconsin” or “State” in any firm name is prohibited.

(5m) Any driver school licensed under this section may be authorized by the department to provide testing, limited to knowledge and signs tests, for students of the driver schools who are under the age of 18 and for driver school instructors. Authorized driver schools providing such testing shall meet standards and follow procedures established by the department by rule.

History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a) , (e); 1977 c. 273 ; 1989 a. 31 ; 1993 a. 455 ; 1997 a. 27 , 191 , 237 ; 1999 a. 9 , 32 , 124 ; 2005 a. 397 ss. 6 to 18 , 31 to 38 , 55 , 67 , and 72 ; 2005 a. 466 ; 2007 a. 20 ; 2013 a. 36 ; 2015 a. 70 ; 2019 a. 89 .