What is the Process? How does this Work?

The process that your teen must go through to obtain his or her driver’s license isn’t overly difficult.  If we as instructors and guardians can impart upon them the importance of what we are trying to teach them and if they as pupils can focus their attention enough to soak it in, they should have no problem grasping the concepts. Most of it is common sense, but there are some very specific steps that must be followed.

Below are the steps that every teen (at least in Wisconsin) must follow to get their driver’s license.

1. Sign up for the Required driver’s ed training – 30 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, 6 hours observation  Register Now
2. Attend the 30 hours of classroom training (in-person or online) – many schools will administer the Signs and Knowledge test on the last day of class, but if not, then the test must be taken at the DMV.  Study for The Test
3. Pass the Signs and Knowledge test with a score of 80% or better.
4. Student must be at least 15 years old to get their temps.
5. They must go to the DMV and pass the vision test and bring the following items. (they must also take the Signs and Knowledge test if they didn’t take it or failed it in class.)
   1. original birth certificate
   2. social security card
   3. proof of address
   4. parent or guardian
   5. money for fees
6. They should now have their temps, you can let them drive home.  (I still remember the day I did this)
7. Students must always carry their temps with them when they drive.
8. Students must hold their temps for a minimum of six months, violation free.
9. They must follow all of the rules for having their temps.  Click for Temps Rules
10. They must take 6 behind the wheel lessons with a licensed instructor. (student driving, instructor teaching)
11. They must take 6 observation lessons with a licensed instructor. (some other student driving, an instructor teaching and them observing from the back seat)
12. They must drive for a total of 50 hours.  The lessons with the instructor count for 11 of the 50 and at least 10 hours must be in the dark.
13. Practice, Practice, Practice – The best teen drivers are the ones who spend a lot of time behind the wheel experiencing all sorts of situations.  Simply driving to school every day doesn’t teach them much, get them out there and into new and challenging situations.
14. Schedule a road test at the DMV.  Schedule a Road Test
15. Pass the road test with no critical errors and a score of 25 or less. Get Tips to Pass the Road Test
16. Now you have your probationary license.  Click for Probationary License Rules .
17. Follow all of the Graduated Driver License Rules for the next 9 months. Click for Graduated Driver’s License Rules
18. Teens must keep their probationary license without having it revoked or suspended.
19. They must go in to the DMV to get their regular license when they are at least 19 years of age and their probationary license comes up for renewal.

There you have it, step by step.

Not so bad, but now the challenge is for them to remember everything that they’ve learned and to be lifelong safe and conscientious drivers.   Wouldn’t it be a nice world if everyone could do that.