Wisconsin permit test: safe driver habits
Distracted and drowsy driving, cell phone rules and seat belts. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
- Pull off the road at a safe spot before reading or using your phone. (p. 53)
- Keep the radio low so you can hear emergency vehicles approaching. (p. 53)
- Teen and young adult drivers are at greater risk of crashes caused by drowsiness. (p. 54)
- Eat when your car is parked, not while you are driving. (p. 54)
- Drowsy driving can come from little sleep, an untreated sleep disorder or a long work shift. (p. 54)
- Wisconsin law requires the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts at any age. (p. 58)
- Report health conditions that could affect your driving to the DMV. (p. 58)
- Air bags do not replace seat belts; you still need to wear your seat belt. (p. 58)
- Children generally must ride in a child safety seat until age four, then in a booster seat until age eight. (p. 59)
- The lap belt should fit snugly across your hip bones, just under your stomach. (p. 59)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample safe driver habits questions
1.You have a regular license and need to read a long text message. What should you do?
- AHold the phone low and glance at it
- BRead it while driving more slowly
- CPull over to a safe place first
- DRead it at the next red light
Show the answer
✓ C. Pull over to a safe place first
Pull off the road at a safe spot before reading or using your phone.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 53
2.You want to listen to music through headphones while driving. What does the handbook say?
- ADo not wear headphones that cover or go in both ears
- BHeadphones are fine if the radio is off
- CHeadphones are allowed only on highways
- DEarbuds in both ears are fine at low volume
Show the answer
✓ A. Do not wear headphones that cover or go in both ears
Do not drive with headsets or headphones that cover or go in both ears, so you can still hear what is around you.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 53
3.Which of these can cause drowsy driving?
- AAn untreated sleep disorder
- BDriving with the window open
- CDrinking a glass of water
- DListening to quiet music
Show the answer
✓ A. An untreated sleep disorder
Drowsy driving can come from little sleep, an untreated sleep disorder or a long work shift.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 54
4.Besides preventing injury, how does a seat belt help you while driving?
- AIt keeps you in position to control the vehicle
- BIt keeps the air bag from opening
- CIt lets you sit farther back from the wheel
- DIt allows you to drive faster safely
Show the answer
✓ A. It keeps you in position to control the vehicle
A seat belt keeps you in a position where you can control the vehicle, in addition to protecting you in a crash.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 58