Crashes, insurance and registration in Wisconsin

By the end of this topic you can

• You can follow the right steps at a crash scene.
• You can tell when a crash must be reported to police.
• You can explain why liability insurance is required.
• You can use your brakes and hazard lights to warn other drivers.

What you need to know and understand

• You must stop if you are involved in a crash.
• Report a crash to police if anyone is hurt or killed, if property damage is $1,000 or more, or if damage to government property is $200 or more.
• Liability insurance is required in Wisconsin. Check the current minimum amounts with the DMV or your insurer.
• For an under-18 driver, the sponsor accepts financial responsibility unless proof of insurance is filed instead.
• If you hit a deer, call the police so they can tag it.
• Your vehicle needs valid registration and plates, and the examiner checks them before the road test.

Steps at a crash scene

1. Stop as close to the scene as is safe, without blocking traffic more than needed.
2. Turn on your hazard lights and check for injuries.
3. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
4. Exchange names, addresses, license and insurance details with the other drivers.
5. Report to police when the injury or damage limits are met.
6. Tell your insurance company.

Avoiding a crash in the first place

• Keep a four-second gap so you have time to react.
• Tap your brake pedal three or four times to warn drivers behind you of a hazard ahead.
• With anti-lock brakes, press firmly and keep pressing. Without them, pump gently on slippery roads.
• If your car breaks down, pull well off the road and use your hazard lights.

Insurance and registration basics

Liability insurance pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. Before you drive any car, make sure it is insured and that you are covered as a driver. If your license is suspended, you may need to file proof of insurance, called an SR-22, before you can drive again.

Keep your registration current. An expired registration can stop your road test before it starts. Check the DMV for current registration fees and steps.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the scene of a minor crash without exchanging details.
• Assuming small damage never needs reporting. Repair costs reach $1,000 quickly.
• Driving a family car without checking you are on the insurance.
• Arriving at the road test with an expired registration.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in Wisconsin

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin 50 Hour Driving Log and Sponsor Rules
• Wisconsin Permit Test