Wisconsin Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are offenses committed while operating a motor vehicle. In Wisconsin, most routine violations (speeding, signals, and wrong lane use) are non-criminal offenses. Dangerous conduct, such as reckless driving, hit-and-run, and OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) is a criminal offense. These violations attract jail time, long-term license revocations, and the use of ignition interlock.

Learning Wisconsin’s legal framework matters (the state assigns suspensions and demerit points for traffic violations). These points not only add up, but they also lead to paying reinstatement fees, surcharges, court fees, and fines. The point system in Wisconsin also enables safe driving habits among vehicle owners.

Wisconsin runs a demerit-point system; if a driver accumulates 12+ points in a 12-month window, their license is suspended. Also, an extension is possible when there are higher points on their driving record.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Wisconsin?

Chapter 346 of the Wisconsin Statutes outlines the rules for vehicle operation on public roadways throughout the state. Common moving violations (speeding, stop sign, following another vehicle too closely) are classified as forfeitures or civil infractions.

In Wisconsin, criminal violations include leaving the scene of an accident, which is codified in § 346.67, and texting while driving (also prohibited statewide in § 346.89). Section 346.63 addresses driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OWI) and includes both administrative penalties and criminal charges.

Types of Traffic Violations in Wisconsin

The following are the types of moving violations in Wisconsin:

• Speeding/driving too fast for conditions: This constitutes a moving violation and is usually reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, potentially resulting in demerit points. In some cases, driving at excessive speeds may be classified as reckless driving and prosecuted as a criminal offense if aggravating circumstances are present.
• Running a red light or stop sign/disobeying traffic devices: The rule that governs these violations is stated under ch. 346. These types of crimes are adjudicated as civil infractions in Wisconsin's Circuit and Municipal Courts.
• Driving without a license/while suspended: These are licensing offenses that may lead to extended suspension or withdrawal of driving privileges. They appear on your driving record and may affect license reinstatement.
• Driving without insurance: Drivers in Wisconsin are legally required to have insurance. Therefore, the state requires a minimum liability coverage limit of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 and a required uninsured motorists (UM) coverage of $25,000/$50,000.
• Reckless driving: This refers to the willful or wanton disregard for safety. It carries a potential criminal liability under Wisconsin law.
• Hit-and-run/leaving the scene: Under § 346.67, it is the duty of a driver to stop, assess the situation, and provide aid if involved in an accident. Penalties escalate significantly if it involves an injury.
• Distracted driving (electronic devices): Texting while driving is illegal for motorists. Also, handheld device use is banned in construction zones and for drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license.
• OWI (Wisconsin’s DUI): Under § 346.63, Wisconsin prosecutes OWI and prohibited alcohol concentration offenses (PAC). In addition, penalties increase depending on blood alcohol content (BAC), prior offenses, and aggravating factors. Sanctions may include the mandatory use of an ignition interlock device.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) assigns demerit points to moving violations. Accumulating 12 points or more in a period of one year results in license suspension. Probationary/permit drivers receive double points on the second and subsequent convictions while holding those statuses.

Motorists may reduce their points total by 3 points once every three years by completing an approved traffic safety course. Also, if you already received a suspension when you accumulated 12 to 14 points, completing the course may lift the suspension.

Suspension duration by point total. When courts assign between 12 and 16 points, it amounts to 2 months of license suspension. The higher the points, the longer the suspension. A license may be suspended for 4 months if a driver accumulates 17 to 22 points.

A license suspension of 6 months is imposed on drivers who have a point total between 23 and 30 and a one-year suspension for 30 points or more. Teens or drivers who are novices may face point doubling and longer suspensions for high point totals.

In Wisconsin, drunk or drugged driving is classified as an OWI offense. A first-time OWI offense (involving no injury or minors in the vehicle) is a civil forfeiture. Nevertheless, offenders are required to pay fines and risk the revocation of their license, which may range between 6 and 9 months.

A mandatory ignition interlock device is required when a driver has a BAC ≥ .15 or refuses testing. Repeat offenses may involve serving jail time and stricter penalties. Wisconsin provides a detailed OWI penalty chart and sentencing guidelines; this outlines the timeline of a license revocation and requirements for installing an ignition interlock device.

Insurance consequences

When assessing risk, insurance companies prioritize violations from the last few years, typically ranging from the last 3 to 5 years. The DMV in Wisconsin retains most conviction records for 5 years, and alcohol-related offenses carry life imprisonment sentences. In Wisconsin, traffic convictions, accidents, license suspensions, and SR-22 filings have consequences that may lead to higher insurance premiums.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Wisconsin

A) Court dockets and ticket status. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal (WCCA) is a platform for accessing Circuit Court cases statewide. The public may use the Case Search page to find a forfeiture or criminal traffic record by name or case number. For eligible citations, anyone may pay them online via the eCourts Pay Online link.

Although Municipal Court (this is where many traffic tickets are filed) records are not displayed on the WCCA portal, you may contact the Municipal Court where the case was heard via their website or clerk of court.

Anyone may find Circuit Court indexes, which list the case or citation number along with the statute involved (§ 346.67 hit-and-run; § 346.89 texting; § 346.63 OWI). It also includes the events (initial appearance, motion hearing, trial, sentencing, and adjournment), case disposition, and monetary fines.

Certified copies are available with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and municipal records may be retrieved from the Clerk of Court (COC).

B) Your official driving record (MVR). You may order your personal driving record online from WisDOT for $5; this may also be printed remotely. Alternatively, you may submit a record request form by mail and use the Form MV2896. Accessing someone else’s driving record requires meeting the legal standards set by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act.

To obtain your personal record, you may schedule an in-person visit to the DMV’s office. The public has access to various types of driving records. A personal record shows your complete history, an insurance abstract (a shorter version used by insurance companies), and an employment abstract.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Wisconsin?

Based on two important factors, in Wisconsin, a traffic violation record may remain visible for a long period:

• Point exposure and suspension window: The DMV calculates demerit points based on the violation date in a 12-month period, and accumulating 12 or more points in that timeframe triggers a license suspension. Attending a traffic safety course once every three years removes 3 points from your point total and may lift a suspension if you have between 12 and 14-points.
• Conviction visibility on your MVR: Most convictions drop from your driving record after 5 years. If the violation is an alcohol-related OWI and occurred on or after January 1, 1989, it stays on your record permanently. Under the DMV policy, certain Commercial Driving License violations also stay on your record for life.

All motorists, including permit or probationary drivers, are banned from texting or using handheld devices in work zones. A violation adds to your demerit points like other moving violations and may affect insurance rates.