Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles · 2026
Wisconsin DMV Test Cheat Sheet
Every number and rule you need to memorize — all on one page. Print this out.
Speed Limits
| Location | Speed |
|---|
| Rural interstate | 70 mph |
| Rural divided highway | 60 mph |
| Urban interstate (50K+ pop) | 55 mph |
| Non-divided state highway | 55 mph |
| City/town (urban) | 30 mph |
| School zone (children present) | 15 mph |
| Mobile home parks | 15 mph |
| School bus (non-interstate roads) | 40 mph |
Parking Clearances
| Object | Minimum Distance |
|---|
| Fire hydrant | 10 feet |
| Crosswalk at intersection | 15 feet |
| Fire station driveway | 20 feet |
| Stop sign / yield sign / traffic signal | 30 feet |
| Railroad crossing (nearest rail) | 50 feet |
| Parallel parking (from curb) | 12 inches max |
OWI / Alcohol Laws
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| BAC limit (21+) | 0.08% |
| BAC limit (under 21) | 0.00% (absolute zero tolerance) |
| Enhanced OWI penalties | 0.15%+ BAC |
| Refusing chemical test | 1-year loss of driving privileges (revocation) |
| 1st OWI (BAC under .15%) | Civil forfeiture — $150–$300 fine, 6–9 month license revocation |
| 1st OWI (BAC .15%+) | Civil forfeiture — mandatory IID; doubled fines at .17%, tripled at .20% |
| 2nd OWI within 10 years | Misdemeanor — 5 days to 6 months jail (Wisconsin 10-year lookback) |
| Cannabis | ILLEGAL in Wisconsin — any possession is a criminal offense |
Teen / GDL Rules
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Instruction permit minimum age | 15 (driver's ed required for all under-18) |
| Supervised driving required | 50 hours (40 daylight + 10 night) |
| Permit hold period | 180 days (6 months) |
| Required practice hours | 50 hours (10 at night) |
| Supervisor minimum age | Parent/spouse/instructor: 19+; others: 21+; darkness driving: 25+ |
| License age (with driver's ed) | 16 years + 90 days |
| Curfew (probationary license) | Midnight – 5:00 AM every day for 9 months |
| No change after 180 days | Curfew stays midnight–5 AM — Wisconsin has NO 11 PM variation |
| GDL restrictions lift | Age 18 (or after 9 months, whichever first) |
| Phone laws | No statewide hands-free law; texting banned all; permit/prob: emergency only |
Distances & Equipment
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Following distance | 4 seconds (Wisconsin Four-Second Rule) (more in bad conditions) |
| Signal before turning | 100 feet (handbook Section 3K: 3 seconds = 100 ft) |
| Dim high beams — oncoming | 500 feet |
| Dim high beams — following | 300 feet |
| Headlights on when | Sunset to sunrise + any time wipers are on |
| Headlights visibility required | 500 feet |
| Horn audible from | 200 feet |
| Turn signals visible from | 300 feet |
| Passing clearance for cyclists | 3 feet minimum |
| Stop from railroad tracks | 15–50 feet from nearest rail |
| License renewal period | Every 8 years (handbook Section 2D) |
| Retake exam after fail | Next business day |
| Retake driving test after fail | 7 days |
Print tip: Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print this page. Keep it by your desk while studying, then leave it home on test day — you've got this.