Patrick Marley

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Madison — Those who complete driver’s education programs could get licenses without having to take a road test at the Division of Motor Vehicles under a proposal by Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.

The change to how licenses are given would be introduced on a limited basis and be expanded only if it was successful, according to the DMV.

If fully implemented, the program would provide convenience for new drivers but limited savings to taxpayers. The state would be able to trim just three jobs as a result of the changes — which would amount to a rounding error in a transportation budget that spends more than $3 billion a year.

In a sense, the DMV would outsource its road testing to driver’s schools credentialed by the state. Graduates of those schools would automatically receive a license without having to take an additional test at the DMV, as they must now.

The idea is modeled on programs in Arizona, Indiana and Tennessee. Officials in those states said their programs had been successful.

In interviews, Wisconsin legislators didn’t reject the idea out of hand but said the state should proceed cautiously.

“Gut reaction, without knowing more, it would make me feel a bit less safe,” said Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee).

The DMV last week made the proposal as part of a budget request it submitted to Walker. The governor is reviewing the proposal and will decide by February whether to include it in the budget he files with the Legislature, according to his office.

For now, the DMV wants to create a pilot program that could later be expanded. The DMV would test a random sample of those who got licenses through the new program to double check their skills.

“This audit procedure will ensure that the schools are accurately reporting the ability of the driver, which will help ensure public safety,” DMV spokeswoman Patty Mayers said by email.

If the program were expanded statewide and 60% of those under 18 participated in it, the state would be able to cut three DMV jobs, Mayers said.

Last year, more than 115,000 tests were given at DMV stations, with nearly two-thirds of them administered to those under 18.

The program would be aimed at privately operated driver’s education courses. Some high schools in Wisconsin run their driver’s education programs themselves, but those students would not be eligible for the alternative program.

Officials in other states said their programs had been successful.

Tennessee’s program has operated well for years, said Michael Hogan, the state’s director of driver services.

Hogan’s agency has the authority to retest anyone who gets a license through a driver school. Retesting occurs when law enforcement questions a driver’s skills or when state auditors find a particular school passes an unusually high number of students, he said.

“I think it’s a good idea," Hogan said. “It helps the state out because you have additional outlets (for testing).”

In Indiana’s program, students must complete 30 hours in the classroom and six hours behind the wheel and must pass a road test offered by the school. The road test must be administered by a different instructor than the one who taught the student to drive, said Dennis Buterbaugh, a spokesman for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Arizona launched a similar program in January 2015 that has gone smoothly, according to Dough Nick, a spokesman for the state’s Motor Vehicles Division.

Wisconsin state Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Allouez) said he hadn’t reviewed the proposal but would be happy to study it.

Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) called the proposal interesting but said the program would need to be vetted and controlled well. He said he also had concerns that wealthy people who can afford going to driver’s schools would “get a shortcut” not available to others.