Wisconsin Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI
Wisconsin driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.
Quick answers for Wisconsin
- Point system
- Yes. Courts report traffic convictions and DMV assesses demerit points. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period (based on violation dates) leads to suspension. For a regular license: 12-16 points = 2 months; WisDOT DMV, Wisconsin's point system; Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 101
- Points for speeding
- Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit = 3 points; more than 10 but less than 20 mph over = 4 points; 20 mph or more over = 6 points. Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 101.02
- Legal BAC limit
- 0.08 for drivers with two or fewer prior OWI convictions, suspensions, or revocations; more than 0.02 for drivers with three or more priors (or under an ignition interlock order). Wis. Stat. §§ 340.01(46m), 346.63(1), (2m)
- First-offense DUI penalties
- A first OWI is generally a civil offense with a forfeiture of $150 to $300 (higher penalties apply in some situations, such as a minor passenger). Wis. Stat. §§ 346.65(2)(am)1., 343.30(1q)(b)2.
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Tickets and points
| Point system | Yes. Courts report traffic convictions and DMV assesses demerit points. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period (based on violation dates) leads to suspension. For a regular license: 12-16 points = 2 months; 17-22 = 4 months; 23-30 = 6 months; more than 30 = 1 year. For a probationary license, instruction permit, or no license: 12-30 points = 6 months; more than 30 = 1 year, and points are doubled for second and later convictions. eNotify subscribers with 6-11 points get a warning. |
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| Points for speeding | Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit = 3 points; more than 10 but less than 20 mph over = 4 points; 20 mph or more over = 6 points. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 101.02 |
| How long points last | Most convictions can be removed from the driving record five years after the conviction date; alcohol-related convictions stay indefinitely. As long as a conviction remains on the record, its points can be counted toward 12 points in any 12-month period (measured by violation dates). |
| Traffic school | Completing an approved in-person traffic safety course at a Wisconsin technical college reduces demerit points by three; online courses do not count. The driver has 30 days after completing the course to ask DMV for the reduction, and only one reduction is allowed every three years. If a driver is already suspended with 12, 13, or 14 points, the suspension may be released after the course. The course reduces points; it does not dismiss the ticket. |
| Paying or looking up a ticket online | Circuit court fees and fines in all Wisconsin counties can be paid online through the Wisconsin Court System's payment service. To pay a citation before the court date, click Continue, use Simple Search to find the case, open the case number, choose View Case Details and then Pay Citation Online. US Bank charges a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee for Visa and MasterCard or a $1.95 flat fee for electronic checks; Discover and American Express are not accepted. Juvenile and confidential cases are not shown; contact the county where the case was filed. This service covers circuit court only; tickets in a municipal court are paid to that municipal court. Municipal court websites: https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/municipal/mcsites.htm |
License suspension
| License suspension | Grounds include accumulating 12 or more demerit points in 12 months (2 months to 1 year depending on points and license type), OWI convictions (revocation of 6 to 9 months for a first offense), and improperly refusing a chemical test (one-year revocation for a first refusal). Suspensions for unpaid fines or no insurance and reinstatement fees were not confirmed. |
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| Hardship or restricted license | An occupational license is available under Wis. Stat. § 343.10: at any time after a first OWI conviction revocation, after 30 days of a first refusal revocation, and at any time for an under-21 absolute sobriety violation. Occupational license eligibility after a points suspension was not confirmed. |
| Checking and reinstating a license | Wisconsin residents can check reinstatement eligibility and reinstate online with their Wisconsin DL/ID number, last four digits of their SSN and date of birth (online transactions cannot be cancelled or refunded); pending violations or unreported convictions may affect eligibility. You can also mail your full name, date of birth, license number, current address and the fee (check or money order to Registration Fee Trust) to the DMV, processed within two business days of receipt, or reinstate in person at a DMV service center with form MV3001. The reinstatement fee is $60, or $200 for OWI-related revocations or suspensions (violations on or after July 1, 2010). Eligibility and online reinstatement: https://trust.dot.state.wi.us/orsm/ ; fees: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/dmv-fees.aspx |
DUI / DWI
| Legal BAC limit | 0.08 for drivers with two or fewer prior OWI convictions, suspensions, or revocations; more than 0.02 for drivers with three or more priors (or under an ignition interlock order). Drivers under the legal drinking age (21) may not drive with any alcohol concentration above 0.0. The commercial driver limit was not confirmed. |
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| First-offense DUI penalties | A first OWI is generally a civil offense with a forfeiture of $150 to $300 (higher penalties apply in some situations, such as a minor passenger). The court revokes the operating privilege for 6 to 9 months, and the person is eligible for an occupational license at any time. Ignition interlock and assessment requirements for a first offense were not confirmed. |
| When a DUI is a felony | In Wisconsin, a 4th OWI offense is a Class H felony, with a minimum fine of $600 and at least 60 days of imprisonment. A 5th or 6th offense is a Class G felony, a 7th through 9th is a Class F felony with at least 3 years of initial confinement, and a 10th or later is a Class E felony. Offenses are counted over the person's lifetime, including prior OWI convictions, related suspensions and revocations, and convictions for homicide or great bodily harm by intoxicated use of a vehicle. A 3rd or later OWI with a passenger under 16 in the vehicle is also a felony, with doubled penalties. Causing injury while OWI is a Class H felony if the person has a prior OWI-related conviction, suspension or revocation. |
| Refusing a breath test | For a first improper refusal of a chemical test, the court revokes the operating privilege for one year; the person becomes eligible for an occupational license after the first 30 days. Longer revocations apply with prior suspensions, revocations, or convictions. 2025 Wis. Act 210 amends this subdivision effective Sept. 1, 2027. Source: Wis. Stat. § 343.305(10)(b) |
| DUI lookback period | A second OWI is a criminal offense (fine $350-$1,100 and 5 days to 6 months in jail) when the prior conviction, suspension, or revocation falls within 10 years. Third and later offenses count prior convictions, suspensions, and revocations over the person's lifetime (third: $600-$2,000 and 45 days to 1 year). Source: Wis. Stat. § 346.65(2)(am)2.-3. |
| How long a DUI stays on your record | According to Wisconsin DMV, OWI convictions with violation dates on or after January 1, 1989 stay on the Wisconsin driving record for life, which is currently defined as 55 years. Most other traffic convictions are kept for 5 years from the conviction date. |
Phones and distracted driving
| Phone and texting laws | Drivers may not compose or send a text message or email while driving (with exceptions for emergency vehicles, integrated vehicle and GPS systems, and others). In highway, railroad, or utility work zones and emergency or roadside response areas where workers are at risk, drivers may not use a cell phone at all except to report an emergency, unless using a voice-operated or hands-free device. Penalty amounts were not confirmed. Source: Wis. Stat. § 346.89(3), (4m) |
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Where to get help in Wisconsin
Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ
How does the driver point system work in Wisconsin?
Yes. Courts report traffic convictions and DMV assesses demerit points. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period (based on violation dates) leads to suspension. For a regular license: 12-16 points = 2 months; 17-22 = 4 months; 23-30 = 6 months; more than 30 = 1 year. For a probationary license, instruction permit, or no license: 12-30 points = 6 months; more than 30 = 1 year, and points are doubled for second and later convictions. eNotify subscribers with 6-11 points get a warning.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Wisconsin?
Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit = 3 points; more than 10 but less than 20 mph over = 4 points; 20 mph or more over = 6 points.
How long do points stay on your license in Wisconsin?
Most convictions can be removed from the driving record five years after the conviction date; alcohol-related convictions stay indefinitely. As long as a conviction remains on the record, its points can be counted toward 12 points in any 12-month period (measured by violation dates).
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Wisconsin?
Completing an approved in-person traffic safety course at a Wisconsin technical college reduces demerit points by three; online courses do not count. The driver has 30 days after completing the course to ask DMV for the reduction, and only one reduction is allowed every three years. If a driver is already suspended with 12, 13, or 14 points, the suspension may be released after the course. The course reduces points; it does not dismiss the ticket.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Wisconsin?
Circuit court fees and fines in all Wisconsin counties can be paid online through the Wisconsin Court System's payment service. To pay a citation before the court date, click Continue, use Simple Search to find the case, open the case number, choose View Case Details and then Pay Citation Online. US Bank charges a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee for Visa and MasterCard or a $1.95 flat fee for electronic checks; Discover and American Express are not accepted. Juvenile and confidential cases are not shown; contact the county where the case was filed. This service covers circuit court only; tickets in a municipal court are paid to that municipal court.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin residents can check reinstatement eligibility and reinstate online with their Wisconsin DL/ID number, last four digits of their SSN and date of birth (online transactions cannot be cancelled or refunded); pending violations or unreported convictions may affect eligibility. You can also mail your full name, date of birth, license number, current address and the fee (check or money order to Registration Fee Trust) to the DMV, processed within two business days of receipt, or reinstate in person at a DMV service center with form MV3001. The reinstatement fee is $60, or $200 for OWI-related revocations or suspensions (violations on or after July 1, 2010).
What gets your license suspended in Wisconsin?
Grounds include accumulating 12 or more demerit points in 12 months (2 months to 1 year depending on points and license type), OWI convictions (revocation of 6 to 9 months for a first offense), and improperly refusing a chemical test (one-year revocation for a first refusal).
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Wisconsin?
0.08 for drivers with two or fewer prior OWI convictions, suspensions, or revocations; more than 0.02 for drivers with three or more priors (or under an ignition interlock order). Drivers under the legal drinking age (21) may not drive with any alcohol concentration above 0.0.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Wisconsin?
A first OWI is generally a civil offense with a forfeiture of $150 to $300 (higher penalties apply in some situations, such as a minor passenger). The court revokes the operating privilege for 6 to 9 months, and the person is eligible for an occupational license at any time.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Wisconsin?
For a first improper refusal of a chemical test, the court revokes the operating privilege for one year; the person becomes eligible for an occupational license after the first 30 days. Longer revocations apply with prior suspensions, revocations, or convictions.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Wisconsin?
A second OWI is a criminal offense (fine $350-$1,100 and 5 days to 6 months in jail) when the prior conviction, suspension, or revocation falls within 10 years. Third and later offenses count prior convictions, suspensions, and revocations over the person's lifetime (third: $600-$2,000 and 45 days to 1 year).
Can you get a hardship license in Wisconsin?
An occupational license is available under Wis. Stat. § 343.10: at any time after a first OWI conviction revocation, after 30 days of a first refusal revocation, and at any time for an under-21 absolute sobriety violation.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Wisconsin?
Drivers may not compose or send a text message or email while driving (with exceptions for emergency vehicles, integrated vehicle and GPS systems, and others). In highway, railroad, or utility work zones and emergency or roadside response areas where workers are at risk, drivers may not use a cell phone at all except to report an emergency, unless using a voice-operated or hands-free device.
Is a DUI a felony in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a 4th OWI offense is a Class H felony, with a minimum fine of $600 and at least 60 days of imprisonment. A 5th or 6th offense is a Class G felony, a 7th through 9th is a Class F felony with at least 3 years of initial confinement, and a 10th or later is a Class E felony. Offenses are counted over the person's lifetime, including prior OWI convictions, related suspensions and revocations, and convictions for homicide or great bodily harm by intoxicated use of a vehicle. A 3rd or later OWI with a passenger under 16 in the vehicle is also a felony, with doubled penalties. Causing injury while OWI is a Class H felony if the person has a prior OWI-related conviction, suspension or revocation.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Wisconsin?
According to Wisconsin DMV, OWI convictions with violation dates on or after January 1, 1989 stay on the Wisconsin driving record for life, which is currently defined as 55 years. Most other traffic convictions are kept for 5 years from the conviction date.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.