Resources For Youth

Learner’s Permit
If you want to get a driver’s license before you turn 18, you will need a learner’s permit first.

You can get a learner’s permit once you are 15 ½ years old, but you must be enrolled in high school or already have your high school diploma or GED (high school equivalency). You’ll also need to pass a written traffic law and signs test, and have an adult sponsor. If you’re in foster care, approved sponsors include grandparents, aunts or uncles, siblings 18 years of age and older, and foster parents. Your sponsor will be responsible for anything that happens while you are driving.

If you don’t have your birth certificate or don’t know your social security number, ask your case manager. You’ll need both to get your learner’s permit. You will also need to be enrolled in an approved driver’s education course before you can get your learner’s permit. The driver’s education course will help you pass the traffic law and signs test, and will provide you with “behind the wheel” instruction. If you live in the Milwaukee area, you can take driver’s education courses at several Milwaukee Public Schools. Go to Milwaukee Rec to find out more.

It’s very important that you attend all of your driver’s education classes. If you miss more than three classes, you won’t be able to complete the course, and you won’t receive a refund. (Courses through Milwaukee Public Schools or Milwaukee Rec cost $150 (not eligible for reduced fees)).

Driver’s License
You can apply to get a driver’s license after you’ve had your learner’s permit for at least six months and have had at least thirty hours of driving experience. In order to receive your license you will also need to pass a road test. Click here to view additional requirements.

After you get your license…
If you get a ticket for speeding or violating other traffic or parking laws, you must pay for it or go to court to fight the ticket. If you fail to pay or appear in court, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest. You’ll risk spending time in jail and will have to pay an even bigger fine.

 

 

 

 

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