Step 1: Get a learner’s permit

To get an instruction permit in Wisconsin, you need to provide a bunch of documentation and pass the knowledge test. A full list is available here. The knowledge test is walk-in for both DMVs in Madison.

3 hours of doing practice exams is enough as long as you know the basics of driving. I prepared for the exam by grinding through practice exams on DMV Genie, and there are a few numbers that need to be memorized on the official Motorists Handbook.

Once you fill out the application, finish the knowledge test, pass the vision test, and pay the fees, just wait for the permit to be delivered.

Step 2: Learn to drive

If you plan to take the road test using a zipcar, it’s crucial for you to get familiarized with the performance of your vehicle before the exam. If you are not familiar with the vehicle, you might get an auto-fail in the parking lot even before you start the test!

When I learned to drive, I got a ton of help from Weijie Wang, so if you want to learn to drive, I will be happy to help :)

Step 3: Pass the road test and get the license

There are two DMVs in Madison. Most people I know take the test at the West DMV. To pass a test, you need to:

• Get deducted 25 points or less
• Drive without any disqualifications (auto-fails)

The following is an evaluation sheet used by Wisconsin road test proctors.

And here is the test route! Be careful with the speed limit.

Step 4: Bonus! Zipcar-ing

Zipcards cannot be delivered to some apartments like Lucky and X01 as they have mailboxes inside the building (or something like that, I don’t really know lol). After three failed attempts, I finally got my zipcard delivered to a friend’s dorm.

The rate for on-campus zipcars are $5.5/hr. It’s really awesome for weekend road trips or grocery shoppings!

If you feel this tutorial helped you, please consider using my Zipcar referral link when registering for a zipcar account :P When searching for an organization, choose University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW) - Student Leaders so you can drive without having to pay for an annual fee!