Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1022

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 343.14 (3), 343.16 (1) (a) 1., 343.16 (3) (title) and 343.25 (7); to create 343.16 (3) (c) of the statutes; Relating to: driving skills tests for certain drivers. (FE)

Summary

SB1022 would require Wisconsin drivers age 75 and older to undergo a driving skills examination before their 76th birthday and then every five years thereafter. The test would assess the person’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle, and the Department of Transportation would be required to make these examinations available at testing stations in each county. The bill also makes related changes to the driver licensing statutes. It clarifies that the DOT must examine every applicant for an operator’s license, including renewal applicants where applicable, and it updates the title of the renewal-testing statute to reflect periodic testing of certain persons. In addition, if a person who is required to take the new age-based examination fails or refuses to do so, the person’s operator’s license must be cancelled until compliance occurs or the requirement is rescinded.

Impact

The bill would amend Wisconsin statutes governing driver licensing and examinations, primarily chs. 343.14, 343.16, and 343.25. Its practical effect would be to impose a recurring road-skills testing requirement on older drivers beginning at age 75, create a new statutory basis for periodic testing, and authorize license cancellation for noncompliance. The Department of Transportation would need to administer and staff these examinations statewide, including at county testing locations, and affected parties would be older licensed drivers subject to the new renewal and testing schedule.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge detailed sentiment. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears to be a safety-focused proposal aimed at periodic reassessment of older drivers, but the lack of discussion and the bill’s failure to advance indicate that it did not gain sufficient legislative support to pass.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the age-based testing mandate itself: supporters would view it as a roadway safety measure, while opponents may see it as discriminatory, burdensome, or unnecessary for all drivers over a certain age. Another likely issue is administrative feasibility, since the bill requires DOT to provide examinations in each county and to cancel licenses for those who do not comply. No specific objections or named opponents are available in the provided record.