Student Services

Alcohol/Traffic Safety and Driver Education

DPI Driver Education Program Approval Application (PII 1709)

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) provides an online driver education program approval application for public school districts, technical colleges, and private high schools. The application for the upcoming fiscal year is typically available each year around March 15. All districts and private high schools seeking DPI approval must complete and submit the annual PII 1709 application online.

The Driver Education Program Approval Process (PII-1709) has been updated to collect less program data. This version will only collect data relating to four items:

  • Program Assurances
  • Participating High Schools and Instructors
  • Instructor's DPI Driver Education Teaching License Number
  • Driver Education Program Contact Person/People

After submission, DPI reviews each application to ensure all listed instructors hold current and valid driver education teacher certification. Once the review is complete, DPI issues a program approval letter to confirm the program has been approved.

It is the district’s responsibility to ensure that each instructor involved in the program is properly licensed by the DPI in driver education. No instructor is to teach unless they hold a current and valid driver education teaching license issued by the DPI.

The DPI Driver Education Program Approval Application (PII 1709) is now open! Applications are due May 1, 2026.

FY 2026-2027 DPI Driver Education Program Approval Application

Alcohol/Traffic Safety and Driver Education

The purpose of the Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) ATS program is to assist local school districts in countering the problem of drinking and driving by youth. Under s. 118.01 (2)(d)6., Wis. Stats., each school board is required to provide an instructional program on the prevention of accidents and promotion of safety on the public highways, including the relationship between highway safety and the use of alcohol and controlled substances under Ch. 961.

Professional Development Activities

Through the Alcohol/Traffic Safety Education program, school traffic safety curriculum materials, in-service/professional development workshops, conferences, and training events are also provided. Go to Save-The-Date below for more information on dates, times, and specific events.

Traffic Safety Education/Driver Education

Wisconsin requires the satisfactory completion of a driver education course (classroom and laboratory) for persons under 18 years of age electing to be licensed after the age of 16. There is no longer a State Driver Education Categorical Aid Reimbursement Program in Wisconsin. The last state categorical aid payments to districts were made in March, 2004.

Although state categorical aids have been eliminated, the DPI will continue to administer public school driver education programs as it has in the past. Districts that are planning to continue offering driver education programs will still be required to submit and have on file in the department, an approved Program Approval Application (PII 1709).

As of July 1, 2014, all state-approved driver education programs are required to use the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicle’s online Driver Education Completion System (referred to as DEC).  DEC has replaced all course completion certificates that were issued to students who successfully completed both class and lab, as well as classroom paper completion letters on school letterhead, that were previously used and allowed. Programs having any unused PI 1714 certificates (DPI Student Completion Certificates) are to destroy them.

Information about the DEC system.

Resources

Updated resources coming soon!

  • “Speak Up to Slow Down” An important video shared by a family impacted by teen driver speeding.
  • Wisconsin Information Network for Safety (WINS) Toll-Free Number is 866-511-9467