New Wisconsin Drunk Driving Rule Signed Into Law

MOUNT PLEASANT, WI — On Wednesday morning, Gov. Scott Walker signed SB 135 into law, which permanently revokes the driver’s licenses of individuals convicted of 4 or more drunk driving-related offenses.

Under the new law, if a person is convicted of 4 or more drunk-driving related offenses, the Department of Transportation must permanently revoke that individual’s driver’s license. A drunk driving-related offense includes Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), homicide by OWI, homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and any felony crime under the motor vehicle code and others. The fourth offense must occur within 15 years of the previous conviction.

The bill is not retroactive, although an individual who has been previously convicted of 3 OWI- Related offenses will have their license revoked after their next conviction. Offenders who drive after revocation would face a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail for the first offense. Second offenses could lead to a $10,000 fine and/or a year in jail

The bill was drafted by Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative John Spiros (R-Marshfield) to curb the problem of repeat drunk drivers.

“I know we need to do more to curb scourge the problem of drunk driving in Wisconsin,” Wanggaard said. “This is a meaningful step in the drunk driving fight. We need to get repeat drunk drivers off the road -permanently.”

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