Driver Education

Affordable driver education for Milwaukee teenagers

Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Recreation offer driver education programs in the summer, fall, and winter/spring seasons. This is a certified program to help students receive their temporary permits.

Multiple options are available, including MPS Drive (for age-eligible MPS students only) and Community-Based Driver Education (for all age-eligible community members). Please see below for additional details regarding each program, as well as the three avenues to participate in each class: in-person, online, or hybrid.

Summer Driver Education

City of Milwaukee residents & MPS students: Registration for summer driver education begins May 5 at 10 a.m.

Non-residents: Registration for summer driver education begins May 12 at 10 a.m.

Learn More

Contact

Resources

Thank you, sponsors!

MPS Drive

For MPS students only.

Requirements

Registration Details

Class Types

Refund/Re-enrollment Fee Policy

Students enrolled in MPS Drive who are unable to attend and call to cancel their registration 10 days prior to the start date of class will be given a full refund. Students calling to cancel registration less than 10 days prior to the start of class or after the scheduled start date will not receive a refund.

Students enrolled in MPS Drive that do not cancel their registration, but NEVER ATTEND class will be dropped after the third day of the session. They will forfeit the $35 registration fee and may re-enroll in the program one additional time for a fee of $35.

Students who attend at least one class and are dropped for any reason after classes begin will forfeit the $35 registration fee and will be charged the re-enrollment fee of $190 if they wish to enroll in the program at a later date.

Qualifying Schools

Alliance
Assata
Audubon
Banner Prep
Bay View
Bradley Tech
Carmen South/Southeast/Northwest (summer 2026 only - will transition to Community-Based in fall 2026)
Golda Meir
Grandview
GreenTree Prep
Groppi
Hamilton
Hmong American Peace Academy ((summer 2026 only - will transition to Community-Based in fall 2026)
Rufus King
Lad Lake Synergy
MacDowell
Madison
Marshall
MATC Emerging Scholars
MHSA
MSL
Milwaukee Virtual & Virtual Education Program
North Division
NOVA
Obama SCTE
Project STAY
Pulaski
Reagan
Riverside
Shalom
South Division
SURGE School
Transition
Vincent
Washington
WCLL

Community-Based Driver Education

For residents, non-residents, MPS students, and non-MPS students.

Requirements

Registration Details

Class Types

Refund Policy

Driver Education Class Styles

In-Person Classes

Classes meet for in-person at specific location for two hours each class.

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday (during school year).
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (during summer).
MUST attend all 30 hours to complete.

Temporary Permit Test

Tests will be given in class
Once Temporary Permit Received:
- Students will schedule the Behind-the-Wheel lessons.
- Six hours of driving and six hours of observation.
Once student completes ALL classroom and behind-the-wheel lessons:
- A completion will be entered into the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.
- Completion will be attached to the student record at the DMV.

Online Classes

Students will complete all 30 hours online.

Must have internet access and either a computer, tablet, or smartphone to log in.
No set schedule.
Students will work at their own pace. The students can work up to two hours maximum per day in the online program.
Must complete all 30 hours to move on to Behind-the-Wheel lessons.

After ALL 30 hours are completed:

Students receive paperwork to go to the DMV.
At DMV, students will take the Temporary Permit Test. Once passed, students will receive their permit and start their Behind-the-Wheel lessons.

Once student completes ALL classroom and Behind-the-Wheel lessons:

A completion will be entered into the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.
Completion will be attached to the student record at the DMV.

Hybrid Classes

Classes will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 5 days. Check schedule for dates. (10 hours):

M/W/TH for 2 hours each class.
MUST attend all 5 days to continue.
On the fifth day of in-person class, students will take their permit test in class.

After five days, students will move to online (20 hours):

Online work has no set schedule.
Students will work at their own pace. The students can work up to two hours maximum per day in the online program.
Must complete all 30 hours (10 hours in-person & 20 hours online) to move on to Behind-the-Wheel lessons.

After ALL 30 hours are completed:

Students receive paperwork to go to the DMV.
At DMV, students will receive the permit and start Behind-the-Wheel lessons.

Once student completes ALL classroom and Behind-the-Wheel lessons:

A completion will be entered into the Department of Transportation (DOT) website.
Completion will be attached to the student record at the DMV.

More Ways to Drive Safe

For MPS students who are approaching or are over the age 17.5 cutoff.

The MPS Drive driver education program is for MPS students who are between the ages of 15-17.5. The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) defines the requirements for teen drivers.

If you are a student in MPS and are approaching or exceeding the 17.5 age limit, we have gathered helpful information for you to navigate the process of legally obtaining a driver’s license in the State of Wisconsin. To obtain a driver’s license, students are first required to take a written test to gain an instructional permit (the permit fee at the DMV is $35). Then, you should practice driving with a licensed driver. Finally, you can schedule a road test with the DMV to obtain a probationary license.

See below for multiple options for students 17.5+ to secure a driver’s license:

Option #1: Wait until you are 18 years old.

If you are over 18, you do not need to show proof of enrollment/completion of a driver’s education program, but you will still have to pass the written permit test. In the meantime:

Study the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle handbook.
Study practice permit tests online. Search: Wisconsin Instructional Permit Practice Test.
Visit the DMV to take your written permit test. There are 50 multiple choice questions and and 15 signs to identify. A score of 80 percent or better is required to pass.
Practice driving with someone who holds a CLASS D driver's license (not a probationary license).
Schedule your road test at the DMV to gain your probationary license.

Option #2: Take a class at a private driving school.

Your class will include 30 hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel lessons.

The average cost of a driver education course is $500-$700 in Milwaukee (for classes that are not affiliated through Milwaukee Recreation's MPS Drive and Community-Based Driver Education programs), but you will gain critical knowledge of driving rules and practice driving with a professional.