No more waivers: Teenagers will have to pass road test once again in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The new year brings many new things, but for young drivers, an old requirement is making a comeback.

"Some catch on fast, some take a little longer, some take a lot longer. Some are not meant to be drivers," driving instructor Stevie Davis said.

Davis, who has been teaching others how to drive at Easy Method Driving School for 19 years, describes himself as a strict teacher. He tells CBS 58 he is always on top of his students, ensuring they learn the rules of the road and how to be a defensive driver. For the past three years, he has dealt with an unexpected change as road tests were waived.

Before Jan. 1, 2024, 16 and 17-year-olds who finished a driver's education course, behind-the-wheel training, and 50 hours of supervised driving could get their license without taking the test, instead with a signature from a parent or guardian.

While he said he understands why it first became an option at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis said he believes it is something that's reversal took longer than necessary.

"I deal with teenagers all the time; all teenagers think is, 'I want my license,'" he said. "I tell them, I say, if you can't pass a 15-minute skilled maneuver test, how are you going to drive with these people out here that are reckless driving? They will take you out."

In data sent to CBS 58, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) said approximately 171,794 waivers were authorized by parents/guardians since the program was implemented in May 2020. Since it was a pilot program, they tracked the potential safety implications and found no negative effect on driver safety. However, Davis feels the program allowed many to get their license without being prepared to drive.

"I've actually had people who did the wavier and then called for extra lessons because they knew they weren't ready," he said.

"You've got to learn defensive driving concepts so you know how to drive and stay alive out here, otherwise you won't last long."

Another issue is money, because the state requires minors to enroll in a driving school, which can hinder people who cannot afford the cost. However, more funding is on the way to tackle this issue. In December, Gov. Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 394. The bill directs the WisDOT to establish and administer a driver education grant program that, each year, will make $6 million available to Wisconsin high school students who qualify for free or reduced lunch so that they can afford driver's education.

Now that the pilot program is over and road tests are once again required, Davis hopes this will help young drivers get ready to get behind the wheel.

"That's called the death machine out there. [Driving] can get you killed.," he said. "You can't pass the test, you can't handle the streets."

Requirements for teenagers to get their driver's licenses can be found at wisconsindmv.gov/teendriver.