Ace Your Wisconsin Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions You'll Likely See

The Wisconsin instruction permit test, also known as the knowledge test, is the first major hurdle on your path to getting a driver's license. Passing this 50-question exam proves you have the essential knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices needed to begin your behind-the-wheel training.

While the idea of a test can be intimidating, proper preparation is the key to success. This guide features 15 practice questions designed to mirror the types of questions you'll encounter on the official Wisconsin DMV permit test. Use them to gauge your knowledge, pinpoint areas for improvement, and build the confidence you need to pass on your first try.

About the Wisconsin Permit Test

The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions based on the official Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook. To pass, you must answer at least 40 questions correctly (an 80% score). The questions will cover a wide range of topics, so a thorough understanding of the handbook is crucial.

Practice Questions

Take your time, read each question carefully, and select the best answer. The correct answers and detailed explanations are provided at the end of this section.

1. In Wisconsin, you must signal your intention to turn at least ____ before the turn. a) 50 feet b) 100 feet c) 150 feet d) 200 feet

2. A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline means: a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) Passing is not allowed. c) You are approaching a school zone. d) The road is ending.

3. When are you required to have your headlights on in Wisconsin? a) Only from sunset to sunrise. b) When you are driving in rain, snow, or fog where you cannot see 500 feet ahead. c) When your windshield wipers are on due to weather conditions. d) All of the above.

4. The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and older in Wisconsin is: a) 0.02% b) 0.05% c) 0.08% d) 0.10%

5. At an uncontrolled intersection where two vehicles arrive at the same time, which driver has the right-of-way? a) The driver on the left. b) The driver who is going faster. c) The driver on the right. d) The driver of the larger vehicle.

6. A round, yellow sign with a black "X" and "RR" is a warning for: a) A hospital ahead. b) A railroad crossing. c) A four-way stop. d) A restricted road.

7. Under Wisconsin's GDL program, what is the nighttime driving restriction for a probationary license holder under 18? a) No driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. b) No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. c) No driving from midnight to 5 a.m. d) No driving after sunset.

8. What is the maximum speed limit in a residential or business district in Wisconsin, unless otherwise posted? a) 15 mph b) 25 mph c) 35 mph d) 45 mph

9. A diamond-shaped sign is used for what purpose? a) To give a command (regulatory). b) To provide guidance or information. c) To warn of existing or possible hazards. d) To indicate a recreational area.

10. When parking your vehicle uphill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) Toward the curb. c) Away from the curb. d) It doesn't matter.

11. When a school bus is stopped on an undivided road with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must: a) Slow down to 15 mph and pass with caution. b) Stop at least 20 feet away and wait for the lights to be turned off. c) Honk to let the driver know you are there. d) Stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the bus.

12. "Following distance" is the space between you and the vehicle ahead. What is the recommended minimum following distance under normal conditions? a) One car length. b) Two seconds. c) Three seconds. d) Four seconds.

13. A flashing red traffic light has the same meaning as a: a) Yield sign. b) Green light. c) Stop sign. d) Flashing yellow light.

14. Under the GDL passenger restrictions, a teen with a probationary license (in the first 9 months) can drive with how many non-family peers? a) Zero. b) One. c) Two. d) Three.

15. What does an orange-colored sign indicate? a) A recreational area. b) A state park. c) A construction or work zone. d) An upcoming stop.

Answers and Explanations

1. b) 100 feet. The Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook requires you to signal continuously for at least 100 feet before you turn.

2. b) Passing is not allowed. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means it is unsafe and illegal to pass other vehicles.

3. d) All of the above. Wisconsin law requires headlights to be on from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, during inclement weather when visibility is less than 500 feet, and anytime your wipers are on.

4. c) 0.08%. It is illegal for a driver aged 21 or over to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or more. For drivers under 21, Wisconsin has an "Absolute Sobriety" or "Not a Drop" law, meaning any amount of alcohol is illegal.

5. c) The driver on the right. At an intersection with no signs or signals, you must yield to the vehicle on your right if you arrive at the same time.

6. b) A railroad crossing. This is the advance warning sign for a railroad crossing. You should slow down, look, and listen for a train.

7. c) No driving from midnight to 5 a.m. Unless traveling to or from work or school, teen drivers with a probationary license cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

8. b) 25 mph. The speed limit in any business or residential district is 25 mph unless a different speed is posted.

9. c) To warn of existing or possible hazards. Diamond-shaped signs (typically yellow) are warning signs that alert you to things like curves, intersections, or slippery roads.

10. c) Away from the curb. When parking uphill with a curb, turn your wheels to the left (away from the curb). If your brakes fail, the car will roll into the curb and stop.

11. b) Stop at least 20 feet away and wait for the lights to be turned off. On an undivided road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

12. d) Four seconds. The Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook recommends a minimum following distance of four seconds to allow you enough time to react and stop safely.

13. c) Stop sign. A flashing red light means you must come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe.

14. b) One. For the first nine months, a teen with a probationary license can have only one peer (non-family member) as a passenger.

15. c) A construction or work zone. Orange is the color used for all warning signs in construction and maintenance work areas. Be extra cautious when you see them.

Your Path to Success

How did you do? If you missed a few, don't worry! The point of this exercise is to learn. The single best way to prepare is to read the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook thoroughly. You can find it on the official Wisconsin DMV website. After studying the handbook, take more online practice tests. The more you familiarize yourself with the material, the more confident and prepared you will be on test day.