MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Starting in January, teen drivers will once again need to take road tests to get their licenses.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles is ending a pandemic-era pilot program that allows teens to get licenses with the signature of a parent or guardian.
The program was implemented in 2020 during the “Safer at Home” order as a way to reduce close contact between people.
Drivers 16 and 17 years old will be able to apply for a road test waiver until Dec. 31. To be eligible, drivers need to have completed their required driver education course, behind-the-wheel training and 50 hours of supervised driving.
Starting Jan. 1, drivers will one again need to take a road test. Appointments can be scheduled 11 weeks in advance on the DMV’s website.
As of Aug. 31, the DMV says 144,082 parents and guardians of 16- and 17-year-olds signed road test waivers.
The DMV says it tracked potential safety implications and found no negative effect on driver safety.
