The WI licensing action explained
After a OWI arrest in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (wisconsindot.gov) opens its own case against your driving privilege. It is administrative, it moves faster than the criminal case, and it is decided regardless of what the court later does with the charge.
The request for an administrative hearing is due within 10 days of arrest. Miss it and the suspension usually takes effect automatically.
Hearing requests, suspension notices, reinstatement fees and interlock paperwork.
Deadlines, forms and how the hearing is conducted.
How the WI agency runs the licence case
- The administrative action after an OWI arrest is revocation under the implied consent law, Wis. Stat. § 343.305.
- A refusal hearing may be requested to contest an implied-consent revocation under § 343.305(9).
- A first-offense OWI carries a revocation of six to nine months.
- An interlock restriction of 12 months applies at an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more, and for repeat offenders.
- The department's official OWI summary lists a $200 reinstatement fee and a $50 occupational licence fee for a first offense.
Published reinstatement fee: $200. Confirm the current amount on wisconsindot.gov before you pay.
Wisconsin licence facts
Wisconsin OWI law at a glance
Sourced from the Wisconsin code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- OWI (Wisconsin)
- Controlling statute
- Wis. Stat. § 346.63
- Implied consent
- Wis. Stat. § 343.305
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 10 days after arrest
- First-offense fine
- $150–$300
- Licence suspension
- 9 months
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the Municipal Court or Circuit Court
A first OWI is a civil forfeiture rather than a crime unless aggravating factors apply.
Getting the licence back
- Serve the full suspension or hard-suspension period the agency sets.
- Complete any ordered assessment, education or treatment programme.
- Install an ignition interlock device if the court or agency orders one.
- File any proof of financial responsibility your insurer and the agency require.
- Pay the reinstatement fee and any licence-issuance fee in full.
Fees and processing times change; confirm the current amounts on wisconsindot.gov before you travel to an office.
Wisconsin ZIP codes covered
These Wisconsin ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Wisconsin resources
Counties
Other Wisconsin official resources
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to challenge a Wisconsin licence suspension?
- The administrative hearing request is due within 10 days of arrest. Confirm the current deadline and filing method with the WI licensing agency at wisconsindot.gov before relying on it.
- How long is a first-offense suspension in Wisconsin?
- A first OWI offense generally carries a 9 months suspension in Wisconsin. Reinstatement conditions, fees and any interlock requirement are set by the licensing agency.