Wisconsin Traffic Law
Information on Wisconsin traffic law and Wisconsin driving laws...
Wisconsin's Point System
In accordance with Wisconsin driving laws, demerit points are assessed to drivers when they are convicted of a moving violation, beginning on the date of the violation.
Records of all convictions for moving Wisconsin traffic law violations are sent to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles by the court.
Double points are assessed for the second and all subsequent points for persons who hold a probationary license.
A suspension of the driving privilege is required, when 12 or more demerit points are accumulated in one year. The suspension will be for a minimum of two months.
Convictions for violations of Wisconsin driving laws remain on the driver records for five years from the date of conviction. Alcohol related and some commercial violations, however, remain on the record for 10 years to life.
Demerit Points Assessed for Convictions
Convictions for a violation of Wisconsin traffic law and the demerit points assessed for each conviction are shown below:
Convictions - Points
- Attempting to elude an officer - 6
- Failure to perform duty after accident - 6
- Operating under the influence of intoxicant or drugs - 6
- Reckless driving or racing - 6
- Speeding 20 mph or more over limit - 6
- Violation of occupational license - 6
- Deviating from traffic lane - 4
- Driving on wrong side of highway or street - 4
- Failure to yield right of way - 4
- Failure to yield to emergency vehicle - 4
- Imprudent driving, too fast for conditions, failure to have vehicle under control - 4
- Inattentive driving - 4
- Failure by operator to stop for school bus when red lights are flashing - 4
- Speeding 11 through 19 mph over limit - 4
- Unnecessary acceleration - 4
- Arterial or traffic control violation - 3
- Driving wrong way on one way street - 3
- Failure to dim lights - 3
- Failure to give proper signal - 3
- Following too closely - 3
- Illegal passing - 3
- Improper brakes or lights - 3
- Operating while revoked or suspended - 3
- Operating with expired license or without any license - 3
- Operating with multiple licenses - 3
- Prohibited or illegal turn - 3
- Speeding 1 through 10 mph over limit - 3
- Deprive any vehicle use of full traffic lane - 2
- Parking on highway in traffic lane, defective speedometer - 2
- License not in person's immediate possession - 0
- No registration plate light - 0
Demerit Point Reduction
The point total may be reduced by three points in accordance with Wisconsin driving law for attending an approved traffic safety course.
For points assessed to the A, B, C, D classification, only one reduction is allowed in a five year period.
For points assessed for class M (Motorcycle) violations of Wisconsin traffic law, one reduction of three points is also allowed in a five year period.
If in one year a person accumulates 12 or more points which would require suspension, no point reduction is permitted under Wisconsin driving laws.
For more information on Wisconsin traffic law, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Drivers & Vehicles.
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