Lifetime revocation

Wisconsin’s lifetime revocation law strengthens the penalties for those who jeopardize the safety of others by repeatedly operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OWI). Lifetime revocation of driving privileges may be permanent under 2017 Wisconsin Act 172. (For lifetime CDL disqualifications, see CDL disqualification page.)

Wisconsin driving privileges may be revoked permanently:

  • When a person has four or more alcohol or drug impairment-related offenses (whether convicted, revoked, or suspended) and the fourth offense occurs within 15 years of the previous offense.
  • When a person has two alcohol or drug impairment-related convictions, suspensions or revocations within a 25-year period and has two or more qualifying convictions. A qualifying conviction is either:
    • 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 whose license is permanently revoked under any of these provisions is not eligible for an Occupational License.

​​Wisconsin’s law​ says there are times when a person’s driving privilege may be permanently revoked, but a person may apply for reinstatement after 10 years, as per ​Sec. 343.38(1)(d) Wis. Stats

To check when you may be eligible to apply for reinstatement, see our Eligibility and Reinstate Driving Privileges​ webpage.

  • §.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:

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