Drivers Education

Behind the Wheel instruction will be offered only to students who have successfully completed the required 30 hours of classroom instruction in the district and when Certified Driver's Education teachers are available during the summer and school year. Students who take the classroom portion outside of the district, must use a Private Driving School for Behind the Wheel Instruction.

Class & Program steps

Traffic Safety Class

Behind the Wheel Training

The district will offer the required Behind the Wheel (BTW) instruction for students under 18 years of age. Driving times are scheduled through the District Support Center (DSC) and sent via email to students. BTW instruction will be offered to students who have successfully completed the required 30 hours of classroom instruction in the district and when Certified Driver's Education teachers are available during the summer and school year.

The Sun Prairie Area School District Drivers Ed program does not maintain a waitlist. Students must have successfully completed the required 30 hours of Traffic Safety class (offered through Summer School only) to apply for Behind the Wheel training. Students who successfully complete the classroom portion will receive a certificate of completion in their district email. When applying for Behind the Wheel, the students will be sent information on the forms that must be completed and submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a temporary driving permit.
Students who have completed Traffic Safety Class in-district may submit the Behind the Wheel Application to be added to the list for future scheduling.
Students who complete BTW in the district will be emailed their completion certificate and information on arranging a test for a license at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Due to limited opportunities within the district we encourage students who are eager to complete their license to pursue Private Driving Schools.

Students Pursuing a Temporary License

This information includes details on the two forms students are required to have.

If students completed their required 30 hours of classroom instruction - Traffic Safety prior to JUN 2022, they may not have received their DMV classroom completion certificate via email. (See the classroom completion form in the information above). All students who complete their training in district will receive their classroom and BTW completion certificates via their student district email starting in JUN 2022.
18 year olds do not have to take a BTW class and do not have to pursue a Temporary License.
All testing is done at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Grant Program

Wisconsin residents who are 14–19 years of age, are eligible for or are receiving free & reduced lunch, and have not previously held a driver license are eligible to have their classroom and behind-the-wheel driver training paid for through the Driver Education Grant Program. Students with grants can enroll in any driver education program offered by an authorized driver education provider. To learn more and apply, visit the Wisconsin DOT website.

Safe Winter Driving Tips for Teens

Winter Driving Reminders

Winter Driving Reminders:

As winter approaches, the Children’s Wisconsin Teen Driving Program is encouraging you to share teen driving safety messaging. Here are some reminders for teen drivers this winter:

Practice driving in different weather conditions with an adult.
Drive slow in poor weather conditions.
Keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you.
Always clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving.
Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent fuel lines from freezing and to provide necessary fuel in an emergency.
Be prepared by keeping winter safety equipment in your vehicle.

Safe Roads Challenge

Safe Roads Challenge:

Encourage students to participate in the Safe Roads Challenge to engage in safe driving this winter. Here is how you can help teens get involved:

Encourage students to download the TrypScore app: Help students download the TrypScore app and create an account to be entered in the challenge.
Drive Safe: The app will automatically track their driving trips and provide a score based on driving behaviors such as braking, acceleration, swerving, speed, and phone use.
Collect Trips: The app detects car movement, so no need to start or stop the trip. After driving, the app will ask the teen to select if they were the driver or passenger.
Win prizes: Good driving scores mean entries into prize drawings. Teens can win gift cards to their favorite stores, including a chance to win a $500 gift card from now until December 15th! They can also compete in weekly skill challenges.

Impact Teen Drivers

Impact Teen Drivers:

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Impact Teen Drivers is an organization dedicated to reducing teen car crashes caused by distracted and reckless driving. The organization offers a variety of evidence-based programs and resources to educate young people on safe driving behaviors. There are programs for elementary students, middle school students, and high school students, along with resources for parents and coaches.

Impact Teen Drivers offers free train-the-trainer workshops. In these workshops, you can be trained to present the programs in your community. When you attend the training, you receive access to all the programs and materials. If you are interested in attending a training, please fill out this form.

If you are interested in additional teen driving resources, you can emailteendriving@childrenswi.org

Language Support Services

ESPANOL | Para la interpretación en español, comuníquese con:
Dania Cannon
Email | 608.834.6553 | 608.513.8879

HMONG | Yog koj xav tau kev pab txhais ua lus Hmoob, thov tuaj rau:

Jennifer Myna Yang
Email | 608.834.6539 | 608.712.0190

More information

Requirements for a WI Probationary License

Students may begin participating in classroom instruction at the age of 14 years 5 months.
Students must successfully complete 30 hours of classroom instruction over the course of 3 weeks to qualify for participating in Behind the Wheel training.

The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles shares that after successful completion of Traffic Safety Classes, students can receive a Temporary Instructional Driving Permit (TEMPS) at the age of 15.

Students are required to hold the permit for a minimum of 6 months and cannot receive a probationary license until 16.
Students are required to complete 50 hours of driving, 10 at night, with a licensed driver.
- .Students must complete Adult Supervised Driving & Complete the Wisconsin Graduated License Drivers Log

Students may obtain a Temporary Instructional Driving Permit (Temps) through the Wisconsin DMV when they are in Behind the Wheel Training.

When students have reached the age of 15 years they will be eligible to participate in Behind the Wheel training.

Certified Driver's Education teachers ONLY will submit the names of district students who have successfully completed the Traffic Safety class to a coordinator who will schedule them for Behind the Wheel training.
- Students may enroll in private (non-district) Driving Schools
Students may obtain a Temporary Instructional Driving Permit (Temps) through the Wisconsin DMV when they are in Behind the Wheel Training.
- Department of Transportation Instruction Permit Information
- Instructions on application student must complete and BTW Instructor must sign
  - Application is on the second page. Student must take completed and signed application to a DMV Customer Center to obtain an Instruction Permit

Students must complete Adult Supervised Driving & Complete the Wisconsin Graduated License Drivers Log

Students who have met all of the requirements included above may apply for a road test with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Department of Transportation Information on Scheduling a Road Test

Upon successful completion of a road test, students may apply for a probationary license

Department of Transportation Probationary Driver’s License Information

Behind the Wheel Training FAQ

Behind the Wheel Class Application

Can I get a refund?
If you paid for the District Behind the Wheel training and would like your money back so you can pursue a private school, please see this information on Behind the Wheel Refunds.

What students will be removed from the list?
Students who are 18 years old are not required to participate in BTW and if a student is 18, they will be removed from the list. We will notify them via email.

Following is the information from the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles:

At what age does the driver education requirement no longer apply?
Once you turn 18, you may take tests and apply for a driver license without being enrolled in a driver education program.

Provide proof of Wisconsin residency if you are 18 years of age or older. Provide your Social Security number (you can fulfill your proof of identity requirement by presenting your Social Security card). Pass the appropriate knowledge, sign and vision tests. Pay the appropriate driver licensing fees.

Students who will graduate from high school are no longer eligible to participate in district sponsored BTW classes and will be removed from the list (we will notify them via email).

How will students be added to the list for in-district Behind the Wheel Training?
Once students successfully complete the in-district Traffic Safety Class (offered through Summer School only), they will be given the opportunity to register for Behind the Wheel training. They will be added to the list behind those who have completed the Traffic Safety class on an earlier date. Only students who participated in Traffic Safety in the district are eligible to register for Behind the Wheel in-district.