(en español)

Drivers & Vehicles > Drivers > Traffic accidents >

Safety responsibility (SR) administrative hearings

A person who receives a notice of a safety responsibility suspension is given the opportunity for a hearing on the proposed suspension action. The person, called the petitioner, must request a hearing in writing prior to his/her suspension date.

The scope of an SR administrative hearing is limited to whether or not a reasonable possibility of a judgment exists against an uninsured operator involved in an accident for the amount of bond claimed, or for a lesser amount, as a result of the accident.

The hearings are formal. Drivers and witnesses are placed under oath and testify on the record. They may be represented by attorneys, bring witnesses, sworn affidavits, pictures or other evidence. On average, between 900 and 1,200 hearings are conducted each year.

Administrative hearing procedures are governed by Administrative Procedure and Review Wisconsin Statutes 227. The hearing examiner is not bound by statutory rules of evidence. Evidence must have "reasonable probative value."

Questions? Contact us: Wisconsin DMV email service
Call: (608) 266-8676

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Last modified: August 31, 2011
BDS/DIS/UMU