Wisconsin motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 22 Wisconsin numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 12 number questions in our Wisconsin bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

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Numbers flashcards

12 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

Each deck starts with 20 free cards. Swipe right if you knew it, left to see it again.

See 3 of the cards
  • Alcohol & drugs

    For a first OWI conviction in Wisconsin, how long will your license be revoked?

    At least six months

    A first OWI conviction in Wisconsin brings a fine and a license revocation of at least six months, plus other sanctions.

    Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 21

  • Fines, points & penalties

    A Wisconsin officer stops you and finds that your motorcycle has no liability insurance in effect. What fine could you face?

    Up to $500

    No one may ride a motorcycle in Wisconsin unless liability insurance is in effect for it, and you must carry proof of it. Police may ask for proof at any traffic stop or crash, and having no insurance could mean a fine of up to $500.

    Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 12

  • Distances & following gaps

    In Wisconsin, a rider does not have to wear eye protection if the motorcycle has a windshield that rises at least how far above the handlebars?

    15 inches

    All Wisconsin operators must wear eye protection unless the cycle has a windshield rising at least 15 inches above the handlebars.

    Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 12

Every Wisconsin motorcycle number, by topic

Official Wisconsin laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

7 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driversdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
If the person has 2 or fewer prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations, as counted under s. 343.307 (1) , an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
0%BAC limit for underage driversdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
If a person has not attained the legal drinking age, as defined in s. 125.02 (8m) , the person may not drive or operate a motor vehicle while he or she has an alcohol concentration of more than 0.0 but not more than 0.08.
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehicledocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
No person may drive or operate a commercial motor vehicle while the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.08.
one yearDrunk driving (DUI)First improper refusal: operating privilege revoked for one yeardocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
If the person has 2 or fewer prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations, as counted under s. 343.307 (1) , an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
six monthsFor a first OWI conviction in Wisconsin, how long will your license be revoked?Answer: At least six monthsWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 21
Quote
If you are found guilty of an OWI violation and it is your first conviction, you will be fined. Your license will be revoked for at least six months
one yearA Wisconsin officer asks you to take a test for alcohol concentration and you refuse. What happens?Answer: You are arrested and lose driving privileges for at least one yearWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 21
Quote
If you refuse, the officer must arrest you for violation of the Implied Consent Law. You will lose your driving privileges for at least one year
two hoursOn a long trip, how often should you stop and get off your motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 22
Quote
Take frequent rest breaks: stop, and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

2 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$500A Wisconsin officer stops you and finds that your motorcycle has no liability insurance in effect. What fine could you face?Answer: Up to $500Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 12
Quote
Law enforcement may ask for proof of insurance at any traffic stop or crash. Failure to have insurance could result in up to a $500 fine.
three points, 12 monthsCompleting a Basic RiderCourse can reduce demerit points on your Wisconsin driving record. Which points qualify?Answer: Up to three points for motorcycle violations in the past 12 monthsWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 53
Quote
Successful completion of either the Basic RiderCourse or Advanced RiderCourse may be used to reduce up to three demerit points on your driving record for motorcycle violations of which you have been convicted in the previous 12 months.

Distances & following gaps

4 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
15 inchesIn Wisconsin, a rider does not have to wear eye protection if the motorcycle has a windshield that rises at least how far above the handlebars?Answer: 15 inchesWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 12
Quote
All operators must wear eye protection except when the cycle is equipped with a windshield rising at least 15 inches above the handlebars.
45 secondsYou stop at a red light you believe is vehicle-activated, but it has not detected your motorcycle and no other vehicles are present. Under Wisconsin law, when may you cautiously go through?Answer: After stopping for at least 45 seconds and yielding to othersWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 13
Quote
No other vehicles are present to activate the signal 9 You have stopped at the signal for at least 45 seconds
Four secondsWhat is the minimum following distance this handbook recommends behind another vehicle in ideal conditions?Answer: Four secondsWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 27
Quote
A minimum of four seconds following distance is recommended under ideal driving conditions.
one secondIn a staggered group formation, where does the second rider ride?Answer: In the right side of the lane, one second behind the leaderWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 48
Quote
The leader rides in the left side of the lane, while the second rider stays one second behind in the right side of the lane.

Ages, permits & the test

7 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$32Feewisconsindot.gov
Quote
Motorcycle license endorsement: Fees Instruction permit (6 months) $32
6 monthsMotorcycle permit6 monthsdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
The permit for motorcycle operation shall be valid for 6 months. The department shall issue no more than 3 permits for motorcycle operation to a person unless the person has successfully completed a rider course approved by the department.
2 yearsMotorcycle permitNo passengers except a passenger-instructor with at least 2 years of licensed experience and a motorcycle endorsementdocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
No passenger may accompany the permittee except that a person with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience and whose license is endorsed for motorcycle operation may ride as a passenger-instructor.
under 18Motorcycle permitApplicants under 18 must complete an approved basic rider course before a Class M license is issued (the handbook adds that proof of enrollment is needed for the permit)docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
The department shall not issue a license to any person under the age of 18 authorizing the operation of “Class M” vehicles unless the person has successfully completed a basic rider course approved by the Wisconsin department of transportation motorcycle safety program.
6 monthsHow long is a Wisconsin Cycle Instruction Permit (CYCI) valid?Answer: 6 monthsWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 8
Quote
Upon meeting all requirements and paying a fee, you will receive a Cycle Instruction Permit (CYCI) which is valid for 6 months.
two yearsWith a Wisconsin cycle instruction permit, what is required to ride during hours of darkness?Answer: Being accompanied by a Class M holder who is 25 or older with two years' experienceWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 9
Quote
During hours of darkness, you must be accompanied by a licensed person who: » Is at least 25 years old » Has at least two years licensed driving experience
at least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. How should you cross it?Answer: Move away and cross at an angle of at least 45 degreesWisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, page 42
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45°. Then, make a quick, sharp turn.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

2 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsRiders under 18 and anyone riding on a motorcycle instruction permit must wear a DOT-compliant helmet with the chin strap fasteneddocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
No person who holds an instructional permit under s. 343.07 (4) or who is under 18 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle on any highway unless the person is wearing protective headgear
15 inchesHelmetsAll operators need a face shield, glasses or goggles unless the motorcycle has a windshield at least 15 inches above the handlebardocs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Quote
if the vehicle is an autocycle equipped with a windshield or a motorcycle equipped with a windshield that rises a minimum of 15 inches above the handlebar, the use of other eye protective devices is not mandatory.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Wisconsin motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 22 of them for Wisconsin, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook, Wisconsin statutes or DMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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