Driver training rules in Wisconsin

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Wisconsin for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required under 18: approved course of 30 hours classroom, 6 hours observation, 6 hours on-street behind-the-wheel (PI 21).source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours behind-the-wheel (10 in darkness) under 18. Hold instruction permit at least 6 months.source 1 · source 3
New adult drivers	None stated. The driver education requirement in the statute applies only to applicants under 18.source 1
Who licenses driving schools	Dept of Transportation licenses driver schools and instructors (Trans 105).source 4 · source 5
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Federal ELDT only: WisDOT's CDL manual (May 2026) requires ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel from an FMCSA TPR provider before skills testing; no state hours listed.source 6
CDL schools: state license	Yes. Any business teaching motor vehicle operation for compensation needs a WisDOT driver school license (Wis. Stat. 343.61); the law covers all motor vehicles.source 7
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	Federal ELDT only: WisDOT's CDL manual requires ELDT from a TPR provider before skills testing; no state hours.source 6
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. Driver school instructors need a WisDOT instructor's license (Wis. Stat. 343.62).source 8
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Not settled. The driver school license covers a business that teaches driving for compensation (Wis. Stat. 343.60(1), 343.61). No source says whether a carrier training its own employees needs one. Ask WisDOT Driver Training Schools.source 7 · source 9
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 6
Carriers: instructor rules	Not settled. A licensed instructor is a person employed by a licensed driver school who teaches for compensation (Wis. Stat. 343.60(3), 343.62). No source says whether carrier trainers are covered. Federal instructor rules apply (49 CFR 380.605, 380.713).source 7 · source 10
New school bus drivers	No state training course in the endorsement law. Required instead: physical exam and a special school bus exam.source 11
School bus refresher	No refresher training in the law. Required instead: proof of physical fitness every 2 years (yearly at 70+) and a new background check every 4 years. WisDOT may renew without retesting, except drivers over 70 (Wis. Stat. 343.12(2)(h), (3), (6)(d); Trans 112.03(3)).source 11 · source 12

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Wisconsin, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Wisconsin

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/II/06
2. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/pi/21
3. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/II/07
4. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/VI/61
5. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/ch.%20Trans%20105
6. https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds356-cdl-manual.pdf
7. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/VI
8. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/VI/62
9. https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/dts-guidelines.pdf
10. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-380/subpart-G/section-380.713
11. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/343/II/12
12. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/trans/112

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