A Hardship Driver’s License in the State of Wisconsin, also referred to as an Occupational License, allows you to drive a vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked for a drug or alcohol-related offense. While your driver license is suspended or revoked, you may be eligible to receive an Occupational Driver With an occupational license, you may drive to the following:
- To and from work
- To and from school, college or university
- To and from places that you need to visit to maintain your household, “Homemaker duties,” such as:
- Grocery store, gas station
- Transporting children to and from school or daycare
- Pharmacy, bank
- Laundromat
- Dependent/minor child visitation
- To and from your place of worship
- To attend to necessary family needs such as medical appointments
- To the agency where you are completing your Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP) assessment and Driver Safety Plan (DSP)
You may not use an occupational license for:
- Recreational purposes
- Visiting family or friends
- Attending a social or sporting event
- Operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CDL)
Hours you may drive
Your occupational license will state the specific hours you are permitted to operate a motor vehicle.
Your total driving time is limited to:
- 12 hours driving per day (need not be consecutive hours)
- 60 hours total driving for the week
Your occupational license will limit where you may drive:
- Specific Wisconsin counties in which you need to drive
- Other states in which you need to drive
If you list another state on your occupational license, you will need to check with the state to make sure you can legally drive in that state with a Wisconsin occupational license.
If you operate a motor vehicle outside the specified hours or for a purpose not listed on the occupational license, you can be cited for operating after suspension or revocation.
We recommend speaking with an attorney about the length of time you will need to carry an SR-22 insurance policy. The typical term is maintaining a policy for 3 years. It could possibly call for the policy to last up to 10 years. It is mandatory to maintain the high-risk insurance coverage during the time frame that the court mandates. If the policy lapses or cancels for any reason your license will be suspended again, and typically will have to start the process all over again. The State of Wisconsin may also require you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle and complete a DUI program. Below we have included information from the State of Wisconsin to assist you with this process.
Wisconsin Reinstating Your Driver’s License
Drivers License Application
Occupational Driver’s License State Info
Application For Occupational Operator License
For Reinstatement
The State of Wisconsin law mandates that every automobile insurance policy sold in the state must have these minimum coverages. The insurance policy must have limits of at least:
- $10,000 for property damage
- $25,000 for the injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person
Proof of insurance
Drivers and owners of motor vehicles are required to show proof of insurance at traffic stops/accidents if requested by law enforcement. Proof is not necessary for trailers or semi-trailers.
Operating a motor vehicle without insurance may result in a fine of up to $500.
Drivers and owners who fail to show proof of insurance at the time of the stop/accident may be fined up to $10.
Offering proof of insurance that is found to be fraudulent may result in a fine of up to $5,000.
There is no requirement that you provide proof of insurance when you obtain your driver’s license or are registering a vehicle unless that information is requested by DMV and is a requirement before reinstatement of a driver’s license after a suspension or revocation.
We recommend you fill out our contact form. Once completed, an SR-22 insurance specialist will call or email you within 24 hours.
For additional information please contact https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/contact-us/default.aspx or https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
WisDOT Central Office
Hill Farms State Office Building
4822 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705
Driver Services
General driver license or ID card questions
Email: information.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Driver license status check
Email: information.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Suspended or revoked driver license
Email: information.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Commercial driver license requirements and endorsements
Email: cdl@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 264-7447
Affordable SR-22 Insurance For The Entire State of Wisconsin, including:
Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Waukesha, Eau Clarie, Oshkosh, Janesville, West Allis, La Crosse, Wauwatosa, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Brookfield, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Wausau, and Greenfield