Wisconsin motorist handbook 2012 pdf

This manual gives you information on driving rules and practices to help you become a safe driver of a car or light truck Class D license. If you want a Commercial Driver Wisconsin motorist. If you want a license to operate a motorcycle Class M license.

In Wisconsin, the Department of Transportation DOT offers various resources to help you become a safer driver, including the WI motorist handbook, motorcyclists' handbook, and commercial Wisconsin motorist. The Negro Motorist Green Book was a paperback guide published for black motorists traveling in the United States in an era when they might be denied service or even find themselves threatened in many locations.

The creator of the guide, Harlem resident Victor H. Green, began producing the book in the s as a part-time project, but growing demand for its information made it an. This book was purposefully compiled by the DOT to make sure that every commercial driving student has easy access to accurate and up-to-date material. The process can be pretty tricky, so you will need the experienced Wisconsin car crash attorneys at Hupy and Abraham to guide you.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is part of your car insurance package. Gives cities, population, routes, story of the town, local and historical points of interest, industries, tourist camp sites a valuable hand book for the motorist in Wisconsin.

B etween andthe Negro Motorist Green Book was essential for the survival of thousands of black Americans in an era of segregation cemented into the American legal system through Jim Crow laws, sundown towns where African Americans were under threat of violence after sunset, and a sharp increase in lynchings and other forms of hate crimes.

You may want to protect your assets by purchasing more coverage than the minimum required in Wisconsin. Higher limits are usually available, but you may have to pay additional File Size: KB.

The Green Book. By studying the Wisconsin motorcycle manual, you can gain key knowledge that will help you become a safe and legally licensed motorcycle can obtain information about the steps you need to take to get your motorcycle onally, you will learn about motorcycle laws, handling your motorcycle, and how. Wisconsin motorist [monthly]. CT April 1, Updated a. CT April 2, Get the definitive source on insurance law in Wisconsin Anderson on Wisconsin Insurance Law delivers concise explanations of cases and court decisions that affect how insurance policies are written, interpreted, and applied in Wisconsin.

This book will help you understand the basic rulesFile Size: 1MB. Green Author out of 5 stars ratings. See all 3 formats and editions. Hide other formats and editions. This means you can miss no more than 10 questions. The recommended time allowed for the written knowledge test in Wisconsin is 45 minutes. What You Should Know about the Test.

The book has two intentions: to guide the motorist through Wisconsin and to provide background knowledge of the state. All three sections fit together to fulfill these intentions and represent a single picture of Wisconsin. If you want to apply for your motorcycle license, you'll need to read the Wisconsin Motorcyclists' Handbook Form BDS , which is also available in Spanish.

The motorcycle DMV handbook covers everything you need to know about riding a motorcycle in the state, including:. In addition to studying the motorcycle DMV manual. You may also find it helpful to take an online Wisconsin motorcycle practice test before taking the DOT written test. For additional preparation, visit our online CDL practice test page to learn how you can test your knowledge of the CDL driving manual. The Wisconsin DOT also provides other drivers manuals online, including the:.

Besides the Wisconsin DMV handbooks and driving manuals, you can find other resources for your driving information needs. You can access the Wisconsin Vehicle Code online if you want to read about the laws concerning vehicles, roads, drivers, pedestrians, motor homes, and more. If you swing wide, the driver behind you may think you are changing lanes or going to turn left and may try to pass you on the right. If you swing wide as you complete the turn, drivers who are in the far lane will not expect to see you there.

Caution: Watch for large trucks and buses making right turns. In order to make the turn, they may need to swing left before turning right. Do not attempt to pass these vehicles on the right.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 One way onto one way. One way onto two way. One way with multiple turn lanes onto one way. Two way onto one way.

Left turns. On a left turn or U-turn, turn into the travel lane farthest to the left going in your direction; See Figures for examples of the lanes to use when making a left turn. This way, you will cross the fewest lanes of traffic. After checking traffic to the rear and signaling, move into the turn lane if there is one or the travel lane farthest to the left. Before starting to turn, look left, right, across the intersection, then left again.

Figure 5 Pull out toward the midpoint of the intersection See center dot in Figure 5. Wait, with wheels straight, until it is clear to turn.

If the traffic light turns red, complete the turn when it is safe. Keep just left of the midpoint center dot in Figure 5 of the intersection as you turn. If your wheels are turned and you are hit from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic. See Figure 6. Be aware of traffic approaching on your left.

When you make a left turn, avoid cutting the corner so sharply that you run into traffic approaching on your left. When you make a U-turn, watch for cars turning right-on-red that may not watch for you and yield as they should. Two approaching left turns U-Turn A U-turn is a turn within the road, made in one smooth U-shaped motion, so as to end up traveling in the opposite direction. It is not recommended for use in general driving, but may be used in residential areas on streets too narrow for a U-turn.

How to Make a Y-Turn 1. Check for traffic in your mirrors and blind spot. Signal right. Pull as far right as possible and stop. Check traffic in mirrors and blind spot. When the way is clear, signal left. Make a left-angle turn to the opposite curb or side of the road.

Check traffic to left and right. Turn front wheels as far right as possible. Looking behind the vehicle, back far enough so the vehicle clears the curb when you pull forward. Check traffic to left and right and proceed when the way is clear. These rules tell who goes first and who must wait in different traffic situations. The one who must wait is yielding right-of-way to the one who goes first. The law says who must yield the right-of-way. It does not give anyone the right-of-way.

You should do everything you can to keep from hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle. This includes bicycles and animal-drawn vehicles. Intersections At an intersection where there are no signs or traffic lights, you must yield to vehicles coming from the right. At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first goes first after coming to a complete stop.

If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. You must yield to vehicles already on the main road if you are entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside.

You must yield to traffic already in a roundabout, traffic circle or rotary. You must yield to cross traffic if your roadway dead-ends. Passing When passing a vehicle traveling in the same direction, you must yield to it even if it is slowing or coming to a stop. Pedestrians You must yield where necessary to avoid striking pedestrians who are crossing the road.

You must yield to pedestrians when you are entering or exiting a driveway, alley or parking lot. You must stop before crossing a sidewalk if you are entering or crossing a highway from a driveway, alley or parking lot. It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk except to cross it.

Pedestrians using a dog guide or carrying a white cane have absolute right-of-way even if not at an intersection. Do not use your horn as it could startle the blind pedestrian.

If you see anyone in the roadway with a dog guide or a white cane, stop at least ten feet away until the person is off the roadway.

Pull over to the right edge of the road or as near to the right as possible and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. If you are in an intersection, including a roundabout, drive through the intersection before you pull over. If the emergency vehicle using lights or siren is on the other side of a divided highway, you do not need to pull over and stop.

You must not pass an emergency vehicle that is about to back into, or is backing into, the driveway entrance of a fire station. It is illegal to pass or follow within feet of a moving emergency vehicle with its red or blue lights on and siren operating.

This includes while driving on freeways or other limited access highways. Move Over Law When approaching law enforcement and other emergency vehicles, tow trucks, road machinery or highway construction or maintenance vehicles that are stopped on or near a highway and are using flashing emergency lights , you must move into a lane not nearest the stopped vehicle and travel in that lane until you have safely passed the stopped vehicle s.

If it is unsafe to move into another lane, slow down until you have safely passed the stopped vehicle s. Animals People riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles on a roadway have the same rights and duties as motor vehicle operators.

To avoid scaring the animals, do not sound your horn near them. Slow down and keep a safe distance away while passing them. You should yield the right-of-way to livestock on or along the highway.

However, the person in charge of the livestock must try to open the way for traffic. If the person in charge of the animals gives a signal of distress, you must stop or do what is necessary to avoid injury or a crash. Funeral Processions Only the first vehicle in a funeral procession must obey traffic signs and signals. Vehicles in the procession must have headlights on. Do not cut into or interfere with a funeral procession. You must stop whether the school bus is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection that you are approaching.

After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing, watch for children along the side of the road. Do not go until they have completely left the roadway. Unless signs say otherwise, you are not required to stop for a school bus if you are driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway. Whenever you park, be sure it is in a place far enough from any travel lane to avoid interfering with traffic and that is visible to vehicles approaching from either direction.

At such times, you may choose to leave the parking brake off. Your vehicle must be visible for at least feet in either direction. Your parking lights and taillights must be on if it is dark outside.

If you have to use the street side, check traffic before you open the door. Shut the door as soon as you can after getting out. It is a good habit to lock the doors whenever you leave your vehicle. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can. Pull over as far right as possible and stop. Slow as you are moving out of traffic. Turn your wheels sharply to the left if there is a curb and you face uphill.

Turn your wheels sharply to the right if there is no curb or if you face downhill. See the illustrations. This way, if your vehicle starts to roll, it will roll away from traffic.

Set your emergency brake and place your vehicle in park. If your vehicle has manual transmission, shift into reverse if parking downhill or into the lowest gear if parking uphill. To resume travel, put your turn signal on, check mirrors and blind spot. When safe, pull out into your traffic lane. No Parking Zones: There are many areas where you cannot park. Check for signs which may prohibit or limit parking. Some parking restrictions are indicated by painted curb markings usually yellow.

Observe other traffic, pedestrians and fixed objects throughout these steps. Check traffic in rear-view mirrors as you slow. Put your turn signal on. Stop even with the vehicle ahead and about 2 feet away from it. Turn wheels right and slowly back toward the vehicle behind. As the front door passes the back bumper of the vehicle ahead, straighten the wheels and continue to back straight.

When clear of the vehicle ahead, turn wheels sharply left and back slowly to the vehicle behind. Be looking to the sidewalk area and towards the vehicle behind you. Turn wheels right and pull toward the center of the parking space. Straighten wheels unless you are on a hill.

When the maneuver is finished, your vehicle should be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road, and at least 2 feet away from parked vehicles. Driving requires skills you can gain only through instruction and practice. The following offers some basic driving information. Make sure the parking brake is on before you start the vehicle. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, it must be in neutral. In some vehicles, the clutch must be depressed. Accelerating Accelerate gradually and smoothly.

Trying to start too fast can cause the drive wheels to spin, and will cause your vehicle to slide. With a manualshift vehicle, practice coordinating use of the clutch and accelerator to prevent killing or over-revving the engine when shifting gears. Steering Both hands should be on the steering wheel, except when making necessary adjustments to the driving controls.

Never drive with your hands at the top of the steering wheel, or with your hands, thumbs, fingers or arms resting on the center of the steering wheel.

It is recommended not to wrap your thumbs around the steering wheel spokes. When you complete a turn, straighten out the steering wheel by hand. Letting it slip through your fingers could be dangerous. Look well down the road 10 to 15 seconds ahead and on both sides of the road, not at the road just in front of your vehicle. Look for traffic situations where you will need to steer before you get to them. This way, you have time to steer smoothly and safely.

Correct hand position Incorrect hand position Stopping Be alert so you know well ahead of time when you will need to stop. Stopping suddenly is dangerous and usually means a driver was not paying attention. When you brake quickly, you could skid and lose Incorrect hand position control of your vehicle. Try to avoid panic stops by seeing events well in advance.

By slowing down or changing lanes, you may not have to stop at all and if you do, you can make a more gradual and safer stop. Do not coast transmission in neutral or clutch depressed while driving.

On any highway or freeway in Wisconsin, except on multi-lane freeways and expressways posted for 65 mph. On rural interstate highways and some posted freeways and expressways look for speed limit signs. Speed limits are posted on many roads. Posted speed limits do not tell you at what speed you should drive.

They only say you cannot go faster than the speed shown. By law, you must go slower if conditions make the posted speed unsafe. It is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit.

Racing on the highway and driving recklessly are not allowed. You may not exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle. Speeding does not save you much time. If you travel 20 miles at 66 mph in a 55 mph zone, you only save 3. You can be stopped and ticketed, in which case you would lose more than 3.

Note: Wisconsin law says you must not drive so slowly that you interfere with the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. You can be ticketed for impeding traffic. Some highways have minimum posted speed limits. To be a good driver, you need to see well. The single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to see what is happening. You must look down the road, to the sides and behind your vehicle, and be alert for unexpected events.

You must be alert to what is going on around you. Many crashes occur because drivers do not pay enough attention to their driving. Do not take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds at any one time. If you need to look at a map, pull safely off the road before you try to look at it. Do not try to read the map while you are driving. In many crashes with motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, drivers say they looked but did not see them.

Never underestimate the size or speed of an approaching truck or bus. Because of their large size, they often appear to be traveling at a slower speed than they actually are.

Give them extra room. Do not slow down just to look at a crash, someone getting a ticket or other roadside activity. This could cause you to be in a crash. If you take your eyes off the road to look at something, you could run into a vehicle ahead that has slowed or stopped. When you pass these roadside activities, keep your eyes on the road and get past them as soon and as safely as you can. You must look ahead, to the sides and behind the vehicle. Scanning helps you see problems ahead, vehicles and people that may be in the road by the time you reach them, signs warning of problems ahead and signs giving you directions.

In order to avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn, you should look well down the road. By looking well ahead and being ready to stop or change lanes if needed, you can drive more safely, save on fuel, help keep traffic moving at a steady pace and allow yourself time to see better around your vehicle and alongside the road.

Looking well down the road will also help you to steer straighter with less weaving. Safer drivers tend to look 10 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicle.

How far is this? It is the distance your vehicle will travel in 10 to 15 seconds. In the city, 10 to 15 seconds is about one block.

When you drive in city traffic, you should try to look at least one block ahead. On the highway, 10 to 15 seconds is about 4 city blocks, or a quarter of a mile. How do you know how many seconds you are looking ahead? Here is how to figure how far ahead you are looking. Find a non-moving object like a sign or tree near the road about as far ahead as you are looking.

Start counting: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three, etc. The number of seconds you have counted is the number of seconds you were looking ahead. You can be a safer driver by looking well ahead. You can reduce the need to stop or turn quickly. The less you have to stop or turn quickly, the less likely you are to run into someone or have someone run into you. By looking well ahead, you can save on fuel. Every time you have to stop quickly, it takes time and fuel to get your vehicle back up to speed.

Drivers who look ahead can slow down gradually, or change lanes to avoid unnecessary braking that leads to lower miles-per-gallon. Traffic flows more smoothly when everyone looks well ahead. Making driving changes before the last moment gives drivers behind you more time to react.

The earlier you act, the less often someone behind you has to quickly react to your vehicle. By seeing needed driving changes early, you can drive more safely and that helps drivers behind you drive more safely, too. It also keeps traffic moving at a steady pace. Look to the sides. Because other vehicles or pedestrians may cross or enter your path anytime, you should look to the sides to make sure no one is coming.

This is especially true at intersections and railroad crossings. In fact, deer are the third most commonly struck object in Wisconsin, with other vehicles and fixed objects topping the list.

However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of hitting a deer. Scan the sides of the road to watch for the reflection of your vehicle headlights in the eyes of deer. Blow the horn and be ready to stop. Always watch for more than one deer. Deer may cross anywhere, anytime. They include cross streets, side streets, driveways and shopping center or parking lot entrances, and railroad crossings. If stopped, look to both the left and right just before you start moving.

Look across the intersection before you start to move to make sure the path is clear all the way through the intersection, and that you will not block it if you have to stop. Then look left again. Do not rely on traffic signals or signs to tell you that no one will be crossing in front of you. Some drivers do not obey, or may not notice, traffic signals or signs. At an intersection, look left and right, even if other traffic has a red light or a stop sign. This is especially important just after the light has turned green.

This is when people on the cross street are most likely to hurry through the intersection before the light changes to red. Individuals who have been drinking and reckless or aggressive drivers may also run red lights.

Make sure you can clearly see crossing traffic before entering a controlled intersection one with a stop sign or light. If you are stopped and your view of a cross street is blocked, slowly move ahead and stop again before entering the intersection. Check for cross traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

If you are coming to an uncontrolled intersection, slow down so you can safely see up and down the cross street before crossing it. If your view is blocked at an uncontrolled intersection, be prepared to brake, if needed, as you slowly edge forward until you can see up and down the cross street.

By slowly moving forward, crossing drivers can see the front of your vehicle and it gives them a chance to slow down and warn you that they are approaching.

Whenever there is a lot of activity along the side of the road, there is a good chance that someone will cross or enter the road. Therefore, it is very important to look to the sides when you are near shopping centers and parking lots, construction areas, busy sidewalks, playgrounds, and school yards.

Do not assume a train is not coming even if you have never seen one at that crossing before. Assuming a train is not coming is one of the leading causes of fatalities at railroad crossings. Make sure there is room for your vehicle on the far side before you cross the tracks. At crossings with more than one track, wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross. Another train may be hidden by the one that just passed. Be especially watchful if you are following a bicyclist or motorcyclist across railroad tracks.

Look behind: Besides watching traffic ahead of you, you must check traffic behind you. Check your mirrors every 6 to 8 seconds. You will need to check more often than that when traffic is heavy. This is the only way you will know if someone is following too closely or coming up too fast, and it will give you time to do something about it.

It is very important to look for vehicles behind you when you change lanes, slow down, back up, or are driving down a long or steep hill. When going down a long or steep hill, check your mirrors frequently. Vehicles often build up speed going down a steep grade. Be alert for large trucks and buses behind you that may be going too fast.

When changing lanes: Whenever you want to change lanes, you must check to make sure there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter. This means you must check for traffic to the side and behind your vehicle before you change lanes.

Changing lanes includes changing from one lane to another, merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp, and entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder. When changing lanes, you should: Look in your rear view and side mirrors. Make sure there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter. Make sure nobody is about to pass you. Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move. Be sure no one is near the rear corners of your vehicle. To see vehicles in your blind spot, you need to turn your head and look.

Check quickly: Do not take your eyes off the road ahead for more than an instant. Traffic ahead of you could stop suddenly while you are looking to the sides, rear or over your shoulder. Also, use your mirrors to check traffic while you are preparing to merge or pull onto the roadway.

This way you can keep an eye on vehicles ahead of you at the same time. Just before you change lanes, check over your shoulder for traffic in your blind spot. You must keep track of what traffic is doing in front of you and in the lane you are entering.

Check the far lane, if there is one, as someone in that lane may be planning to move into the same lane you want to enter. Blind spots 33 Check for other road users. Remember, there are other road users such as motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians that are harder to see than cars and trucks.

Children may run or ride out into the road without looking. Be especially alert when you are entering the roadway from the curb or driveway. Signal before you change direction. When you slow down: You must check behind your vehicle whenever you slow down. This is very important when you slow down quickly or at points where a driver following you would not expect you to slow down, such as private driveways or parking spaces.

When you back up: It is hard for you to see behind your vehicle. Try to do as little backing as possible. Where backing is necessary, here are some hints to help you back your vehicle safely. You should turn and look directly through the rear window. Your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing.

Use Your Lights It is much harder to see at night. Here are some things you can do that will help you see better: Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is important to use high beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, or where there may be people along the side of the road. Dim your high beams whenever you come within feet about a one block distance of an oncoming vehicle. Use your low beams when you are closer than feet behind another vehicle or when in heavy traffic.

Use the low beams in fog or when it is snowing or raining hard. Light from high beams will reflect back, causing glare and making it more difficult to see ahead.

Some vehicles have fog lights that you should also use under these conditions. Do not drive at any time with only your parking lights on. Parking lights are for parking only. If a driver approaching you fails to dim their headlights, you may flash your high beams to let them know. It is important for you to let other road users know you are there and what you plan to do.

It is important for other road users to know you are there. Use headlights: Besides helping you see at night, headlights help other people see you at any time. Remember to turn on your headlights whenever you have trouble seeing others. If you have trouble seeing them, they will have trouble seeing you. On rainy, snowy or foggy days, it is sometimes hard for other drivers to see your vehicle. In these conditions, headlights make your vehicle easier to see.

A good rule to follow is if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. Turn on your headlights when it begins to get dark. Even if you turn them on a little early, it will help other drivers see you.

Parking lights are for parked vehicles only. When driving away from a rising or setting sun, turn on your headlights. Drivers coming toward you may have trouble seeing your vehicle because of the glare. Your headlights will help them see you. Daytime running lights: Some newer vehicles have headlights that are on anytime the vehicle is running.

They are called daytime running lights. These lights make it easier for others to see the vehicle, even in daylight. It helps to reduce the chance of a crash. However, daytime running lights are not meant to replace the use of headlights for night driving or when it is foggy, raining or snowing. If your vehicle does not have daytime running lights, you can get the same effect by manually turning your headlights on. Just remember to turn them off when you turn the engine off.

Use your horn: People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn can get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent a crash.

If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need. However, pedestrians and bicyclists crossing at an intersection have the right-of-way. Do not use your horn in these instances, but do yield the right-of-way.

When NOT to use your horn: There are several occasions when you should not use your horn. Use emergency signals: If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure other drivers can see it. All too often, crashes occur because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it was too late to stop. Try to warn other road users that your vehicle is there. Place emergency flares or triangles behind it. This allows other drivers to change lanes if necessary.

If available, use your 2-way radio or cellphone to notify authorities that your vehicle or another has broken down. Many roadways have signs that tell you the CB channel or telephone number to call in an emergency. Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Do not try to change a tire if it means you will be in a traffic lane.

Stay out of the blind spot: Drive your vehicle where others can see you. Try to avoid driving in the area on either side of and slightly to the rear of another vehicle where you will be in their blind spot.

Either speed up or drop back so the other driver can see your vehicle more easily. The longer you stay there, the longer you are in danger because they may not see you.

Never stay alongside or right behind a large vehicle such as a truck or bus. Many drivers think truck drivers can see the road better because they sit twice as high as the driver of a car. While truckers can see ahead better, and trucks have bigger mirrors, they have very serious blind spots.

A car can disappear from their view while it is up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the truck especially alongside the cab , and up to feet behind! You must warn them when you are going to change direction or slow down. This will give them time to react, if needed, or at least to not be surprised by what you do.

No—Zone Signal when you change direction: Signaling gives other drivers time to react to your moves. You should use your turn signals before you change lanes, turn right or left, merge into traffic or park. Get into the habit of signaling every time you change direction. This includes signaling before beginning to pass another vehicle, and before completing the pass. Signal even when you do not see anyone else around.

It is easy to miss someone who needs to know what you are doing. Signal feet before your intended turn. Be careful that you do not signal too early, though. If there are streets, driveways or entrances between you and where you want to turn, wait until you have passed them to signal.

If another vehicle is about to enter the street between you and where you plan to turn, wait until you have passed it to signal your turn.

If you signal earlier, the other driver may think you plan to turn where they are and they could pull into your path. After you have made a turn or lane change, make sure your turn signal is off. Signal when you slow down: Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down. Always slow down as early as it is safe to do so. If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver may not expect it, quickly tap your brake pedal 3 or 4 times to let those behind you know you are about to slow down.

Traffic following you may expect you to continue to the intersection.