Occupational License in Wisconsin

When a driver’s license is suspended or revoked in Wisconsin, they may be able to apply for an occupational license, which limits their amount of driving to only necessary purposes. Drivers with an occupational license may generally drive to work, school, church, or other specified places such as medical appointments. Occupational licenses are not intended to help the driver get to recreational activities. There are usually limits as to the total hours driven each day or week, and there are also limitations about the time of day the driver may operate a vehicle. If the driver drives outside of these parameters, they will obviously lose their license and can also be arrested.

Drivers with an occupational license who need to travel out of state for legitimate reasons need to check with the state of arrival; not every state honors an occupational license from Wisconsin.

Only drivers who lost their license under certain circumstances may apply for an occupational license. Convictions for minor drug offenses, nonpayment of child support, or a “habitual traffic offender” can apply for an occupational license. They are not, however, guaranteed approval.

Certain offenses make a driver ineligible to even apply for an occupational license. These circumstances include: a juvenile offender; an offender who has never held a driver’s license; non residents of Wisconsin; drivers who are under suspension for not paying previous traffic tickets or fines; or for a commercial driver license (CDL). In addition, some drivers have a provision of their license suspension that makes them ineligible for an occupational license based upon individual circumstances; for example, if their conviction was for a serious traffic offense, the court may believe they are not capable of honoring the privileges of an occupational license. Other ineligible circumstances include if the driver has had too many traffic offenses in a short period of time, if they fail to meet the mandatory waiting periods for an occupational license, or if their license is canceled as opposed to revoked.

If a driver’s application for an occupational license is denied, they have the option to appeal the decision with their county’s circuit court.