According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Driver and Vehicle Services proof of financial responsibility in this state is certifying that you have liability insurance in the amounts of at least $25,000 and $50,000 for personal injury or death and $10,000 for property damage.

The WI required proof of insurance is filed by obtaining an SR-22 certificate issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in Wisconsin. In some cases, substitutions, such as a bond from an insurance company or a cash deposit of $60,000 posted with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will be accepted.

This proof of insurance (SR-22) is necessary to obtain an occupational license or to reinstate a driver license after operating privileges or vehicle registration has been revoked. So, yes the WisDOT states that the SR-22 is required to get an occupational license. It does not matter if you already have full coverage, you can have more insurance than what the state requires for proof of insurance but you will still need your insurer to file the SR-22 since it is a requirement for obtaining an occupational license.

WisDOT notes that insurance must be filed for three years from the reinstatement eligibility date, or for three years from the court entry date of a damage judgment that was effective before September 1, 2000.

If you are a Wisconsin resident, you may be eligible to obtain an occupational license if your operating privilege was revoked or suspended under the following circumstances:

• Under Chapter 343 (the Operators License portion) of the Wisconsin Statutes
• A drug conviction under WI statute 961.50 (uniform controlled substances act). The exception is juveniles who are not eligible.
• Nonpayment of child support (under statute 767.303)
• A Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) (under Chapter 351 of WI statutes)

Some revocation/suspension cases require that you serve a mandatory waiting period before you are eligible for an occupational license. The waiting period begins on the effective date of your revocation/suspension case. If you have multiple revocation/suspension cases, you must serve all waiting periods.

The waiting period may vary depending on your previous driving history and the reason for the current revocation/suspension. All revocation/suspension cases require a 15-day waiting period except certain violations whose waiting period times differ. These offenses and waiting time range from having no waiting period (i.e. Demerit points) up to 2 years for a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).

An occupational license cannot be issued in Wisconsin under the following circumstances:

• If you are not a resident of Wisconsin.
• If you are a juvenile who committed offenses (under Chapter 938)
• If you are under suspension for failing to pay a forfeiture (such as a traffic ticket or municipal citation).
• If your license has been canceled (rather than revoked or suspended).
• If you have never held a driver license.
• If you are eligible to reinstate your driver license after revocation or suspension.
• If you have two or more revocation or suspension cases from separate incidents in a one-year period. If you have two or more revocation or suspension cases from separate incidents in a one-year period.
• If you have not served all mandatory waiting periods for an occupational license.
• For a commercial driver license (CDL).

For more information on what is needed to get an occupational license in Wisconsin contact WisDOT. If your current insurance provider does not file the SR-22 form then you will need to obtain new auto insurance coverages through an insurance carrier who does work with SR22s.