Key points
Practice at least 40 hours in daylight and 10 in darkness, for 50 total hours.
Source: Handbook p. 6
“you must practice driving for at least 40 hours during daylight and 10 hours during darkness (50 total hours).”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 6Phones are not allowed while driving unless you need to report an emergency.
Source: Handbook p. 6
“Remember that phones are not allowed while driving unless you need to report an emergency.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 6Under 18, the GDL restrictions last the first nine months, unless you turn 18 sooner.
Source: Handbook p. 6
“These restrictions are required for the first nine months, unless you turn 18 years old before then.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 6From 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. you may drive alone anywhere, with any number of immediate family members.
Source: Handbook p. 6
“From 5 a.m. to 12 a.m., you can drive: Alone and go anywhere Any number of immediate family members can ride along”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 6From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. you may drive alone only between home, school and work.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., you can drive: Alone only IF driving between home, school and/or work.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 7A moving violation conviction or breaking a GDL restriction extends the restrictions by six months.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“The graduated driver license restrictions will be extended six months if: You are convicted of a moving traffic violation, or You violate any of the restrictions”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 7Points on second and later convictions double.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“The restrictions are similar to the permit as the points on second or future convictions double.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 7Once you turn 18, the GDL hour and passenger limits no longer apply.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“Once you turn 18 the graduated driver license hours and passenger restrictions no longer apply.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 7Renewal time for your regular license starts 90 days before your probationary license expires.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“Renewal time starts 90 days before your probationary license expires.”
Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 7
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 40 + 10 = 50 hours | daylight, darkness and total supervised practice hours | Handbook p. 6 |
| 9 months, age 18 | how long GDL restrictions last, unless you turn 18 first | Handbook p. 6 |
| 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. | GDL hours when you may drive alone anywhere | Handbook p. 6 |
| 6 months | extension of GDL restrictions after a violation | Handbook p. 7 |
| 90 days | renewal window opens before a probationary license expires | Handbook p. 7 |
3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test
1. What minimum supervised driving practice must a Wisconsin permit holder complete before a probationary license?
- 40 hours, all during daylight
- 50 hours, including 10 hours in darkness
- 60 hours, including 20 hours in darkness
- 25 hours, including 5 hours in darkness
Show answer
50 hours, including 10 hours in darkness. The supervised program requires 50 total hours, divided into at least 40 hours during daylight and 10 hours during darkness. The 40-hour option omits the required nighttime practice, while 60 and 25 hours do not match the handbook's minimum. The sponsor must verify the total and the nighttime portion, so keeping a driving log is useful. Think of the requirement as 40 plus 10, not simply a single total with no time-of-day condition. More practice may still be needed to demonstrate safe driving ability.
2. During the first nine months of Wisconsin GDL restrictions, when may a teen drive alone?
- From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., anywhere
- From midnight to 5 a.m., anywhere
- From 5 a.m. to midnight, anywhere
- Only during daylight hours
Show answer
From 5 a.m. to midnight, anywhere. The handbook allows a teen to drive alone and go anywhere between 5 a.m. and 12 a.m. During the midnight to 5 a.m. period, driving alone is limited to travel between home, school, and work. The overnight unrestricted choice therefore reverses the rule, and the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. window is not Wisconsin's stated schedule. Daylight is also too broad because the allowed period extends through late evening. Use the clock boundary of midnight, not sunset, as the cue.
3. During the daytime GDL period, how many immediate family members may ride with a Wisconsin probationary driver?
- Exactly two immediate family members
- Only one immediate family member
- No immediate family members
- Any number of immediate family members
Show answer
Any number of immediate family members. From 5 a.m. to midnight, a Wisconsin probationary driver may carry any number of immediate family members. The rule also lists limits for a qualifying licensed person and one other person, but those are separate passenger categories. “Only one” and “exactly two” impose numbers the handbook does not use, while a complete ban contradicts the stated family allowance. When checking a daytime passenger question, separate immediate family from the licensed adult and the additional passenger. The family category is the one with no numerical cap during this period, provided the driver still follows all other safety and licensing requirements.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Wisconsin practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 2: Progression of Licenses. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.