This bill proposes stricter penalties for repeat drunk driving offenses by increasing license revocation periods and fines for individuals with two or more qualifying convictions within a 10-year window. It directly affects drivers convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, particularly those with prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations that count toward the two-conviction threshold. The legislation establishes specific revocation durations ranging from one to two years, allows for occupational licenses after a waiting period if the driver completes required assessments and safety plans, and sets minimum fines between $350 and $1,100 with mandatory jail time of at least five days. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for tribal court revocations to align with state penalties and outlines conditions under which reduced jail sentences may apply if probation with treatment is successfully completed.
SB 1022 requires drivers aged 75 and older to pass a driving skills test before their 76th birthday and every five years thereafter. The test assesses the ability to safely operate a vehicle and must be administered at county DMV examination stations. This applies directly to seniors holding operator’s licenses who reach age 75, replacing previous renewal requirements for this age group. The bill amends statutes to establish this testing requirement, with license cancellation possible for those who refuse the mandated examination.
AB 1042 requires drivers aged 75 and older to pass a driving skills test before turning 76 and every five years thereafter. The test evaluates their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The state must provide testing at county-level locations for this age group. This applies to license renewals and replaces prior requirements for seniors under the existing statutes.
SB 935 prohibits probationary license holders (new drivers) and those with instruction permits from using wireless phones while driving, except to report emergencies. The bill amends existing law to specifically apply this restriction to these driver categories, expanding the current ban which previously covered only full license holders. Violations would incur penalties under the statute, though the bill text doesn't detail the specific penalty amount. This change directly affects new drivers learning to operate vehicles under supervision or with restricted licenses. The bill applies to violations occurring on its effective date.
SB 831 creates an Autonomous Driving Safety Board within the Department of Transportation to regulate autonomous vehicle operations on state highways. The bill requires operators to obtain a board-approved permit, involving an application, public hearing, and two-thirds board vote for approval before operating, while prohibiting use on interstate highways. It sets a strict blood alcohol limit of 0.02 for anyone operating an autonomous vehicle and imposes a $1,000 penalty for operating without a valid permit. Permit holders must register vehicles, provide insurance coverage, submit annual safety reports, and share protocols for emergency services interaction.
AB 848 creates an Autonomous Driving Safety Board within the Department of Transportation to regulate autonomous vehicle operations on state highways. Operators must obtain a board-approved permit, requiring a public hearing, a two-thirds board vote for approval, and adherence to safety standards like maintaining financial responsibility for damages. The bill sets a lower blood alcohol limit (0.02%) for autonomous vehicle operators and prohibits operation on interstate highways. Violating the permit requirement carries a $1,000 penalty, while operators must submit annual safety reports detailing traffic interactions and incident data.
This bill changes eligibility requirements for state grants supporting commercial driver training. To qualify, training must meet federal standards, be provided by a registry-listed provider at a state-based facility, and trainees must obtain a commercial license in Wisconsin after March 2024 (with a specific exception for non-training-provider applicants). It also limits grants to one per trainee. The bill directly affects training providers and applicants seeking state funding for driver education programs.
SB 722 creates a permit system allowing trucks with 6 or more axles to transport grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer at weights exceeding standard limits, capped at 91,000 pounds total. It requires a $325 permit from the Department of Transportation for such transport on state trunk highways, with routes specified by the department and no approval for interstate highways without federal compliance. Permits are suspended during spring thaw periods and cannot cover non-trunk highways without additional route approval from other highway authorities. This directly affects agricultural haulers and trucking companies moving these specific commodities, adding a regulated pathway for heavier loads within defined limits.
AB 766 amends Wisconsin's commercial driver training grant program rules. It requires training providers to meet federal standards (49 CFR part 380), be listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR), and deliver training at TPR-registered facilities. The bill also mandates that trainees obtain their initial Wisconsin commercial driver license (CDL) after March 23, 2024 (or a later date for non-training-providers), and prevents multiple grants for the same trainee. These changes directly affect training providers applying for state grants and individuals receiving training under the program.
SB 392 requires all driver education courses to include specific safety instruction about school buses. It mandates teaching students how to properly cross in front of school buses, recognize school bus lights, and understand when drivers must stop for stopped school buses - including how road design affects these rules. This applies to all driver education courses starting on the bill's effective date. The law directly affects driver education curricula and students learning road safety.
