LRB-2247/2
EVM:cdc
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 614
October 31, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives S. JOHNSON, JOERS, OHNSTAD,
CONSIDINE, SINICKI, ANDRACA, PENTERMAN, DONOVAN and ROZAR, cosponsored
by Senators JAMES, SPREITZER, ROYS and BALLWEG. Referred to Committee on
Transportation.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to amend 343.16 (3) (a); and to create 38.04 (4) (e) 9., 115.28 (11) (h),
343.16 (1) (a) 2. am., 343.16 (3) (c) and 343.71 (5) (i) of the statutes; relating
to: driver education and testing related to school bus safety.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, most operator's licenses issued by the Department of
Transportation must be renewed every eight years. In general, an applicant for
renewal of an operator's license must pass an eyesight test and have his or her
photograph taken. Under this bill, an applicant for renewal must also complete a
verbal school bus safety examination that includes a test of the applicant's
awareness of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and
passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the statutes that
require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights. The
applicant's performance on the examination does not affect whether or not the
applicant's license is renewed and, to the extent feasible, DOT must ensure that the
examination does not extend the time necessary to compete the renewal procedure.
Currently, applicants for an initial operator's license must generally complete
a knowledge test and driving skills test. The bill specifies that the knowledge test
administered to these applicants must include material testing the applicant's
knowledge of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and
passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the provisions of the
statutes that require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights.
Also under the bill, driver education courses offered by school districts,
technical colleges, and licensed private driver schools must provide instruction in the
1
2
3 - 2 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-2247/2
EVM:cdc
ASSEMBLY BILL 614
the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading
onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of the statutes that
require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 38.04 (4) (e) 9. of the statutes is created to read:
38.04 (4) (e) 9. Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by other motor
vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses
and with the provisions of s. 346.48.
SECTION 2. 115.28 (11) (h) of the statutes is created to read:
115.28 (11) (h) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by other motor
vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses
and with the provisions of s. 346.48.
SECTION 3. 343.16 (1) (a) 2. am. of the statutes is created to read:
343.16 (1) (a) 2. am. The knowledge test administered to applicants for initial
issuance of an operator's license shall include material testing the applicant's
knowledge of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and
passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the provisions of s.
346.48.
SECTION 4. 343.16 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
343.16 (3) (a) Except as provided in s. 343.165 (4) (d), the department shall
examine every applicant for the renewal of an operator's license once every 8 years.
The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such
examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 - 3 -2023 - 2024 Legislature
LRB-2247/2
EVM:cdc
SECTION 4
ASSEMBLY BILL 614
uniform rate of examinations. Subject to par. pars. (ag) and (am), the examination
shall consist of a test of eyesight and a school bus safety test under par. (c). The
department shall make provisions for giving such examinations at examining
stations in each county to all applicants for an operator's license. The person to be
examined shall appear at the examining station nearest the person's place of
residence or at such time and place as the department designates in answer to an
applicant's request.
(ag) In lieu of examination of eyesight, the applicant may present or mail to the
department a report of examination of the applicant's eyesight by an
ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician licensed to practice medicine. The report
shall be based on an examination made not more than 3 months prior to the date it
is submitted. The report shall be on a form furnished and in the form required by
the department. The department shall decide whether, in each case, the eyesight
reported is sufficient to meet the current eyesight standards.
SECTION 5. 343.16 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
343.16 (3) (c) Prior to renewal, the department shall administer and the
applicant shall complete a verbal school bus safety examination that includes a test
of the applicant's awareness of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school
buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the
provisions of s. 346.48. The department may not consider the performance of the
applicant on the examination under this paragraph in the determination of whether
or not to renew the applicant's operator's license. To the extent feasible, the
department shall ensure that the examination under this paragraph does not extend
the time necessary to compete the license renewal procedure.
SECTION 6. 343.71 (5) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 - 4 -2023 - 2024 Legislature LRB-2247/2
EVM:cdc
SECTION 6 ASSEMBLY BILL 614
343.71 (5) (i) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by other motor
vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses
and with the provisions of s. 346.48.
(END)
1
2
3
4