The 10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Wisconsin
Driving with a suspended license in Wisconsin is illegal and can result in possible criminal charges.
Written by Matt Nightingale
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked in the state of Wisconsin for a number of reasons, from refusing a breathalyzer to driving without an appropriate
Wisconsin insurance policy
. Driving with a suspended license in Wisconsin is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $2,500 and possible criminal charges.
Getting your license suspended can happen pretty easily if you don’t know all the rules. Luckily, we've done all the digging and compiled a list of the most common reasons for license suspensions in Wisconsin.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?
You may hear the terms “suspension” and “revocation” come up a lot in reference to driver's licenses. These two words have different meanings and implications where your driver’s license is concerned.
- If your license is suspended, it means that your license has been taken away temporarily. Once the prescribed time has passed or the predetermined conditions have been met, you might be eligible for alicense reinstatement.
- License revocation means that your license has been canceled. This is usually reserved for more serious or repeat offenses. If your license has been revoked, you’ll need to apply for your license all over again to regain driving privileges.
To get your license reinstated after a suspension, you'll probably be required to file an
SR-22 certificate
that proves to the state that you meet the Wisconsin car insurance laws
.What can your license be suspended for in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) can suspend or revoke your driver’s license for many reasons. Here are the most common reasons for license suspension and revocation in Wisconsin.
1. If you fail to pay a fine
If a financial ruling has been made against you, you must settle the matter before the deadline set by the court. Failure to pay your fine in a timely manner can result in your license being suspended.
2. Using a fake ID
If you are caught using a fake ID in Wisconsin, you could face fines ranging from $300 to $1,250, community service, and suspension of your driving privileges for 30 to 90 days. Remember, it’s always a good idea to just be yourself.
3. If you fail to complete driver improvement school
Anyone convicted of a Failure to Yield violation in Wisconsin must attend a Right-of-Way course. Failure to complete this course within six months can result in a five-year license suspension.
4. If you accumulate too many violation points
Wisconsin issues demerit points for each traffic violation you commit. Twelve points are enough to earn you a two-month license suspension, and more than 30 points will get your license suspended for one year.
5. If you don’t pay child support
Some people are surprised to learn that their child support payments can affect their driver’s license. In Wisconsin, your license can be suspended if you owe more than $1,000 in back-child support, or if you’ve fallen behind on your child support payments by three months or more.
6. If you commit a violation that causes death or serious injury
Your driver’s license will be suspended for a period between three and nine months for traffic violations that result in the serious injury or death of another person, including a
hit and run
. A conviction for homicide resulting from negligent operation of a vehicle will get you a lifetime revocation.7. If you get out-of-state citations
Any citations that you receive in other states can be applied to your
Wisconsin driving record
. Be sure to familiarize yourself with local traffic laws when driving out of state. You wouldn’t want that speeding ticket you got on vacation to get your license suspended in Wisconsin.8. If you have a BAC of over 0.08%
If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, you will be charged with
operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI)
and your license will be revoked—even for a first offense. Repeat offenders face even harsher punishments of up to six years in prison and lifetime license revocation.Drivers under 21 are expected to maintain absolute sobriety behind the wheel, and driving with any trace of intoxicants in their system is illegal.
9. If you refuse a breathalyzer test
While driving over the legal BAC limit will result in license revocation, don’t think that refusing a breathalyzer test will save your driving privileges. If you refuse a breathalyzer in Wisconsin, your license can be revoked for one year, which can be worse than the six- to nine-month revocation for a first-time OWI offense.
10. If you don’t maintain Wisconsin car insurance
The state of Wisconsin requires drivers to maintain valid
car insurance
. The minimum liability coverage
required by law is:How to save money on car insurance in Wisconsin
Whether your driving record is clean or not-so-clean, you can find the best available rate on car insurance in Wisconsin by downloading the
Jerry
app. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.
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