wisconsindmv.gov                             SPRING 2018
New locations for WisDOT, Madison West DMV
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently moved to a new building. Although the Driver Training School Unit's PO Box remains the same, the department's street address has changed.
 
A ll express mail or overnight mail should be sent to:
       WisDOT
Attn: Driver Training Schools
4822 Madison Yards Way 
Madison, WI 53705 
 
You may continue to use the following PO Box address:
WisDOT
PO Box 7920
Madison WI 53707

In addition, Madison West DMV Customer Service Center has moved to 8417 Excelsior Drive, just off the Madison West Beltline. The Odana Renewal Center in Madison has closed.

Learn about this and other DMV  changes.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Did you know: Students can find other convenient DMV Customer Service Centers, check wait times, learn about services and schedule appointments at some locations by using the DMV Locator?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Failure-to-Yield/Right-of-Way Law Changes
These are the changes to the Failure to Yield Right of Way that were implemented on December 2, 2017:
  • There are now more citations which require an individual to take a right-of-way course. All citations which may result in the requirement of right-of-way course are listed in WI SS. 343.31(2t)(b) 
  • Penalties for right-of-way convictions also changed. See WisDOT's Right-of-Way/Failure-to-Yield for details. 
The law change does not require that right-of-way curriculum be updated.  However, if you wish to update your school's right-of-way course and include information on what new citations will result in more required courses, you may do so.  All changes to the current curriculum must be submitted for approval prior to the course beginning. 
Audit Updates
The department conducted 15 audits in January 2018. As we move closer to our goal of visiting each school at least once per year, we will continue to audit monthly. Here are some common questions and answers pertaining to audits:
 
Question: What should I do if I am being audited?
Answer: Make sure that all your records are on-site and are kept in a readily accessible format. The auditor will review student record cards, contracts and receipts.
 
Question: Can I ask questions during my audit?
Answer: The individual conducting the audit may be unable to answer your specific questions. You should submit all questions via e-mail to:  dotdrvrtrnschool@dot.wi.gov
 
Question: I found documents after the auditor left. Where should I send them?
Answer: Once the auditor has left, the on-site audit has been completed. You do not need to send any additional records unless you are contacted and requested to do so.
 
Most common violations found in the January audits:
  • Student record cards not being updated within the required time frame  [105.05(3)]
  • Student record cards without vehicle information for the vehicle used for behind-the-wheel training [105.05(3)]
  • Students permitted to complete online-classroom and behind-the-wheel concurrently while attending two different schools [105.07(3)]
  • Student completion reported inaccurately for classroom transfers [105.11(4)(c)(4)]
  • Student record cards not present or not in a readily accessible format [105.05(2)(a)]
Plans for 2018 Driver Training School and Instructor Traffic Safety Workshop
In December, WisDMV sent a survey out to all driver training schools to assess interest in attending a continuing education workshop in the Spring of 2018. The workshops are funded solely by registration fees collected from those in attendance. Due to the low number of individuals expressing interest, WisDMV will not be hosting a workshop in 2018.

WisDMV will send another survey out in the fall/winter of 2018 to assess the interest for a workshop in 2019.
Please add the examination date 
Did you fill in the examination date?

The Driver Training School Unit continues to receive many instructor applications, which do not contain the required "examination date." Incomplete applications or those without an "examination date" will not be processed and will be returned.
Updates on Motorists' Handbook
Due to the evolution in student use of technology and the escalating cost of production, the department now makes the Motorists' Handbooks available in multiple formats online and has discontinued printing hard copies. 

The Motorists' Handbook can be downloaded and read on a mobile phone, eReader device, tablet, desktop computer or as a PDF. The customizable formatting lets the user set up the content to left aligned, portrait, one column, increased line-spacing, no hyphenation and white light. Student drivers can have access to up-to-date information anytime -- except when they're driving.

Other online formats include:
Online has latest updates
In addition to formatting updates to optimize for mobile and other technology, new topics in the online Motorist Handbook include:
  • The latest information on the blue "report problem or emergency sign" now displayed at every highway railroad crossing (Page 24). (See sidebar)
  • "What to do when stopped by law enforcement: general guidelines for motorists" (Page 81).
Student drivers receive free booklet
Student drivers younger than 18, or their parent or legal guardian receive a free copy of the Parents Supervised Driving Program booklet. Click for more information for instructors . 





 


In this issue
Opt in for eNotify
DMV customers can sign up for text or email alerts when it's time to renew their DL or plates and  for security verification when changes occur on their DMV account.  Learn 
more and sign up  eNotify 
--------------------------
How many renewals?
Each year, nearly 472,000 Wisconsin driver licenses and IDs come up for renewal.
New driver license-under 21
Get ready to vote
Wisconsin voters can use their driver license as proof of identification at the polls. 
Blue signs show emergency contact information for rail road crossings.
Focus on the road
Please continue to stress to inexperienced -- and all drivers -- that a car is not a phone booth. Put away all distractions. 
Since 2014, DMV has offered the option for customers to pledge a $2 donation to Donate Life Wisconsin when they're getting their driver license or ID card. In 2017 alone, DMV collected and disbursed more than $150,000 in voluntary contributions for organ donation educational efforts.
High schoolers throughout the state saw the very real dangers of driving distracted - by their phones, their friends, anything. They tested their skills on a driving simulator and watched a powerful PSA like this from @ItCanWait.

Ask your students to  pledge to never drive distracted.

This statewide program was sponsored by Wisconsin State Patrol, AT&T and AAA. 

Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles | Driver Training
dotdrvrtrnschool@dot.wi.gov
4822 Madison Yards Way, 225 South
Madison, WI 53705


Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved.