Lifetime Revocation (2017 Wisconsin Act 172) is effective December 1, 2018. 

Any alcohol related violations received on or after December 1, 2018, if convicted could result in a Lifetime revocation.

2017 Wisconsin Act 172 requires the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to revoke the operating privilege of a person permanently.

• When the person is convicted, revoked, or suspended for four or more operating while intoxicated (OWI) offenses and the fourth OWI offense occurs within 15 years of the previous offense.
• When a person has two alcohol related conviction, suspension or revocation within a 25-year period and has two or more qualifying convictions*.
• A person who is permanently revoked under any of these provisions is not eligible for an occupational license.

*Qualifying conviction is defined to mean either of the following:

• A conviction for second-degree reckless homicide, homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, or homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
• A conviction for a crime punishable as a felony under the Motor Vehicle Statute or a felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.

A person may apply for reinstatement after 10 years of the revocation period have elapsed if the person meets the general requirements for license reinstatement and satisfies both of the following:

• The person has not been convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors related to motor vehicle operation during the 10-year period immediately preceding the application for reinstatement.
• The person submits to, and complies with, an alcohol or drug assessment by an approved public treatment facility, not more than 45 days before applying for reinstatement. 

Act 172 creates a permanent or Lifetime revocation and has created the following statutes:

• §.343.31(1m)(b) - If the number of convictions as counted under §.940.09(1) or §.940.25 plus convictions as counted under §.343.307(1) equals 4 or more and the 4th conviction occurs within 15 years of the previous conviction the department shall revoke for the person's operating privilege permanently.
• §.343.31(1m)(c) - If the number of convictions as counted under §.940.09(1) or §.940.25 plus convictions as counted under §.343.307(1) equal 2 or more within 25 years and the person has 2 or more qualifying convictions**, the department shall revoke the person's operating privilege permanently.

**Qualifying convictions means any of the following: 

• §.343.31(1m)(a)1 - A conviction for a violation under §.940.06, §.940.09 or §.940.10 involving the use of a vehicle.
• §.343.31(1m)(a)2 - A conviction for a crime punishable as a felony under chapters 341 to 348 or a felony in the commission of which a vehicle is used.
  

More information regarding 2017 Wisconsin Act 172.

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