Section 104.03. Knowledge and pre-trip inspection tests.

 

(1)   Knowledge tests.

(a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c) , all persons applying for a license, endorsement, or the removal of a license restriction shall take and pass all knowledge tests required under this section for the class of vehicle the person seeks authority to operate, for each endorsement sought, and for each restriction the person seeks to remove. A person whose operator's license has expired by more than 4 years and who has no proof of valid, licensed operation within the 4-year period preceding application shall take all required knowledge tests as if the person had never been licensed.

(b) A person moving to Wisconsin from another jurisdiction whose operating privilege in the other jurisdiction is not suspended or revoked and who holds a license that is valid or that is not expired by more than 4 years, may not be required to submit to knowledge tests for the classes of vehicles and endorsements held under the other jurisdiction's license, except that knowledge examinations shall be required if the person is seeking a school bus or hazardous materials endorsement. If the person holds a CDL from the other jurisdiction that is not restricted to prohibit the operation of air-brake equipped vehicles, the person may not be required to take air-brake examinations to avoid imposition of an air-brake restriction.

(c) A person who provides proof of passing a "Class D" knowledge test as part of a driver education program authorized to administer "Class D" knowledge examinations under s. 343.16 (1) (c) , Stats., shall not be required to take a "Class D" knowledge examination administered by the department.

(2)   Types of knowledge tests.

(a) " Class D" license. A person applying for a "Class D" license shall take and pass the basic driver knowledge test.

(b) " Class M" license. A person applying for "Class M" operating privileges shall take and pass a motorcycle operation knowledge test.

(c) Commercial driver license. A person applying for a commercial driver license shall take and pass a CDL knowledge test. All CDL knowledge tests administered by the department shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR 383.110 to 383.135 . The knowledge test for a "Class A" license shall include a combination vehicle test.

(d) CDL and school bus endorsements. A person seeking a CDL or school bus endorsement shall take and pass a knowledge test related to the endorsement sought.

(e) CDL pre-trip inspection. A person applying for a commercial driver license shall take and pass a general pre-trip inspection test.

(f) CDL air brake restriction. A person applying for a commercial driver license that is not restricted to prohibit operation of air-brake equipped vehicles shall take and pass an air-brake knowledge test and an air-brake pre-trip inspection test.

(3)   Passing score. Knowledge tests, except for air-brake pre-trip inspection tests, shall be scored on the basis of percent of correct responses. A score of 80% or more correct is a passing grade.

(4)   Failed tests. A person who fails a knowledge or pre-trip inspection test may not retake the test sooner than the next day following the failed test. A person who fails a knowledge or pre-trip inspection test 5 or more times within one year may be authorized another attempt only after requesting and receiving permission from the department to do so. Permission to take more than 5 tests in a one year period may be granted if the person demonstrates that he or she has received additional instruction, or some other significant circumstance has changed since the last failed exam, which makes successful completion of the exam more likely.

(5)   Knowledge test requirements. A knowledge test may include a highway sign test and shall determine the applicant's knowledge of traffic laws and related matters, including knowledge of the following:

(a) The rules of the road.

(b) Highway signs.

(c) Vehicle equipment requirements.

(d) Safe driving practices.

(e) Fuel efficient operation of motor vehicles.

(f) The effects of alcohol or controlled substance use in connection with the operation of motor vehicles.

(g) The need for anatomical gifts.

(h) The need for vehicle control in the proximity of sight-impaired pedestrians.

(6)   Highway sign tests. A highway sign test shall be administered to a person:

(a) Applying for an original or renewal school bus endorsement.

(b) Being re-examined to determine the person's ability to understand the meaning of common highway signs.

(7)   CMV pre-trip inspection tests.

(a) A pre-trip inspection test shall be conducted prior to any commercial motor vehicle skills test on the vehicle in which the license applicant is to be tested.

(b) The pre-trip inspection shall test the person's ability to inspect vehicle components for road worthiness and shall include identification and inspection of:

1. Fluid systems for leaks and levels.

2. Any interference with clear visibility for the driver.

3. Wheels, rims and tires.

4. Drive train, suspension, steering and brake systems.

5. Engine components and belts.

6. Gauges, meters and indicators.

7. Lights.

8. Coupling systems.

9. Cargo loading and securing.

10. Trailer or cargo area components.

11. Required safety and emergency equipment.

(8)   Air-brake pre-trip inspection.

(a) An air-brake pre-trip inspection test shall be conducted prior to any commercial motor vehicle skills test on the vehicle in which the license applicant is to be tested if that vehicle is equipped with air brakes.

(b) To pass an air-brake pre-trip inspection a person must successfully complete all of the following air-brake system inspections:

1. Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper adjustment and that air system connections between motor vehicles have been properly made and secured.

2. Inspect the low pressure warning devices to ensure that they will activate in emergency situations.

3. Ascertain, with the engine running, that the system maintains an adequate supply of compressed air.

4. Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level.

5. Operationally test the brake system for performance.

6. Locate and verbally identify the air-brake operating controls and monitoring devices.

7. Ascertain whether the emergency braking system will activate properly.

8. Ascertain, with a fully charged air system and the engine off, the rate at which air is lost from the system.

History: Cr. Register, July, 1996, No. 487 , eff. 8-1-96; am. (4), cr. (8) (b) 6., 7., and 8., Register, August, 2000, No. 536 , eff. 9-1-00.

Note

Persons who do not speak English are encouraged to advise the Department of the languages they can read and speak when scheduling their examinations. The Department will attempt to accommodate special language needs of applicants. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 "Class D" vehicles generally are cars and light trucks. Vehicles which are not commercial motor vehicles or motorcycles are "Class D" vehicles. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 "Class M" vehicles are motorcycles. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Air brake pre-trip inspection tests are scored under s. Trans 104.03(8)(b) . Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Forms MV3542, CDL Pre-trip Inspection Combination Vehicle and MV3560, CDL Pre-trip Inspection Straight Truck/Bus are used by motor vehicle examiners to conduct these tests. Copies of the forms may be obtained from an examiner and are provided to each driver as a report of the applicant's test result. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 These tests are required under 49 CFR 383.135 and 383.113 (c)(1). Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1