Wisconsin State Identification Card (WI ID)

Students who are not eligible for a Wisconsin driver's license can obtain a WI ID card to use as proof of age or identity. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation offers a non-driver state ID card. 

Minimum stay requirement: Wisconsin will issue a state ID to non-immigrant students and visitors who will have legal status in the United States for a minimum of 6 months and who are eligible to remain in the United States for at least 3 months at the time of applying for the ID card.

The following items are needed to apply for a Wisconsin State Identification Card:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students)
  • Form I-94 or printed I-94 verification
  • One other form of identification (such as your Marquette student ID card)
  • Social Security number or a form titled “Certification of Non-Eligibility for Social Security Number” which states that you are not eligible for a Social Security number. (You may obtain a copy of this form at the Department of Transportation when you apply for the card or at the Social Security Administration office.)
  • Proof of Wisconsin residency, such as a copy of your apartment lease, bank statement from a Wisconsin bank, or electric utility bill showing your residence address.

Apply for a Wisconsin State ID at the following location:
State of Wisconsin Office Building
819 North Sixth Street, room 190, Milwaukee

Hours of operation: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.

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Driving an Automobile in Wisconsin

Wisconsin (WI) Drivers License

A driver's license from a country outside the U.S. may be valid for one year after arrival in Wisconsin, as long as the driver's license from the home country is valid. In addition to having a valid foreign driver’s license, visitors are advised to carry an International Driving Permit obtained in their home country. Otherwise, all drivers are required to be licensed in Wisconsin as soon as possible after arrival.

New residents seeking a Wisconsin driver’s license must take a Wisconsin driver examination and vision test. A road test may also be necessary. A $28 fee is charged for an original 4-year Wisconsin driver's license.

Minimum stay requirement: Wisconsin will issue a driver’s license to non-immigrant students and visitors who will have legal status in the United States for a minimum of one year and who are eligible to remain in the United States for at least 6 months at the time of applying for the license.

The following items are needed to apply for a Wisconsin Driver’s license:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students)
  • Form I-94 or printed I-94 verification
  • One other form of identification (such as your Marquette student ID card)
  • Social Security number or a form titled “Certification of Non-Eligibility for Social Security Number” which states that you are not eligible for a Social Security number. (You may obtain a copy of this form at the Department of Transportation when you apply for the card or at the Social Security Administration office.)
  • Proof of Wisconsin residency such as a copy of your apartment lease, bank statement from a Wisconsin bank, or electric utility bill showing your residence address.

Applications for a driver's license are available at the following location:
State Motor Vehicle Division
State of Wisconsin Office Building
819 North 6th Street, Milwaukee

Parking

Parking is prohibited on City of Milwaukee streets between 3 am and 6 am, except Saturday night. An overnight parking permit is available and cars with a permit can park on alternating sides of the street each night. To obtain a permit, visit any Milwaukee police station. The nearest police station to Marquette is located at 749 West State Street. If you do not purchase a permit, you must call the Milwaukee Police Night Parking Division between 8 pm-12:30 am for permission to park overnight: 414-286-8300. Parking may also be further restricted during the winter months.

For more information on parking, call the Milwaukee Police, non-emergency phone number: 414-933-4444 or refer to the City of Milwaukee website.

Parking at Marquette

Daily as well as overnight parking is available on the Marquette campus.

The Parking Service Office is responsible for all parking on campus, including surface parking lots, parking structures and restricted areas such as the malls and loading zones. Please visit Marquette's Parking Services website for information about the various options and fees.

Auto Registration

Out-of-State vehicles must be registered with the State of Wisconsin after the owner becomes a Wisconsin resident. Applications and certificates of title are available at the State Motor Vehicle Division, located in various locations around the Milwaukee area. You will receive original Wisconsin license plates when you register the vehicle, and then you pay for a renewal registration sticker each following year. Vehicles purchased in Wisconsin, or purchased within 90 days of your moving here, are subject to sales tax, unless you already paid an equivalent tax in another state. For information about vehicle registration, call (414) 266-1000 or refer to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.

Vehicle Emissions

All Wisconsin vehicles must operate within Wisconsin vehicle emission standards. This means that your car must be tested to determine that it does not pollute the environment. Vehicles which do not pass the test must be repaired. New Wisconsin residents do not need to have their vehicles tested in their first year of residence. After a year, Vehicles must be tested at a vehicle emission testing station in order to renew the vehicle registration sticker. For more information, call (414) 266-1080 or refer to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.

Insurance

Everyone who drives a car should carry appropriate insurance on the vehicle and its occupants.