Summary of Wyoming (WY) DOT Driver Manual 2026

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Driver Services Program issues Class C noncommercial driver licenses (for vehicles under 26,001 lbs GVWR), REAL ID compliant credentials, and Class M motorcycle licenses. New Wyoming residents must surrender out-of-state driver licenses within one year of establishing residency, and all drivers must notify Driver Services within 10 days of an address or legal name change.

Under Wyoming's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, teens at age 15 may obtain an Instruction Permit after passing vision (minimum 20/40 acuity) and written exams (25 multiple-choice questions with an 80 percent / 20 correct pass mark). At age 16, teens may apply for an Intermediate License held for 6 months subject to a night curfew (11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) and a passenger restriction allowing no more than one non-family passenger under 19; full unrestricted Class C licensing is granted at age 17 (or age 16½ with approved Driver Education and 50 hours of practice, including 10 hours at night). Operating a handheld wireless communication device to text while driving is strictly prohibited, carrying a $75 fine.

Under Wyoming's Mandatory Safety Belt Law, the driver and all front-seat passengers must wear safety belts whenever the vehicle is in motion.

Wyoming's Child Restraints Law mandates that all children under 9 years of age must be properly secured in an approved child safety restraint system or booster seat in a rear seat of the vehicle, unless all rear seats are occupied by younger children or the vehicle lacks rear seats.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a major criminal offense in Wyoming carrying severe penalties, license suspensions, and heavy fines. The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08 percent or higher for drivers 21 and older, 0.02 percent (zero tolerance) for drivers under 21, and 0.04 percent for CDL holders.

Under Wyoming's Implied Consent Law, chemical test refusal results in an automatic 6-month license suspension for a first offense. Drivers convicted of a DUI with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher (or repeat offenders) are required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on all operated vehicles, and must maintain an SR-22 high-risk insurance certificate.

Wyoming's basic speed rule requires driving at a reasonable and prudent speed for existing weather and road conditions regardless of posted limits. Statutory speed limits across Wyoming include 20 mph in posted school zones, 30 mph in urban residential or business districts, 65 to 70 mph on rural paved highways, and 75 to 80 mph on rural interstate highways.

Turn signals must be activated continuously at least 100 feet prior to turning in urban areas and at least 500 feet prior to turning on high-speed rural highways. Drivers must yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles, pedestrians in crosswalks, and circulating traffic in roundabouts.

Proper vehicle maneuvering requires executing turns from proper lanes, practicing zipper merges during lane closures, and completing passes safely. When passing on two-lane highways, return to the right lane before coming within 200 feet of oncoming traffic.

When parking along public streets, park parallel within 12 inches of the curb. When parking on a hill, turn front wheels toward the curb facing downhill, and away from the curb facing uphill. Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, 30 feet of a stop sign or signal, or 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

Traffic control devices communicate legal requirements across Wyoming highways. Octagon red signs mandate full stops, downward triangles indicate yield, pennant signs placed on the left side of the highway mark no-passing zones, and diamond signs warn of road hazards. Work zone warning signs feature orange backgrounds, and traffic fines are doubled in active construction zones.

Flashing red traffic signals function as a stop sign, while a flashing yellow arrow permits turns after yielding to oncoming traffic. Double solid yellow pavement lines prohibit passing in both directions, broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and shared center left-turn lanes are reserved strictly for left turns.

Motorists must safely share highways with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, commercial trucks, and farm equipment. Yield right-of-way to pedestrians crossing at crosswalks, and leave at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists.

Commercial trucks have massive blind spots called 'No-Zones' extending 20 feet in front of the cab and 200 feet behind the trailer. Under Wyoming's Move Over Law, drivers approaching stationary emergency, highway maintenance, or tow vehicles displaying flashing lights must vacate the adjacent lane or slow down to a safe speed. Scan roadsides actively for wildlife and large game animals (elk, deer, moose).

Defensive driving relies on the IPDE model (Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute). Headlights must be illuminated from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, during fog, rain, or snow, and whenever wipers are in continuous use. High-beam headlights must be dimmed within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and 200 feet when following.

Crashes resulting in injury, death, or total property damage of $1,400 or more must be reported to WYDOT within 10 days. Under the Wyoming Financial Responsibility Law, motor vehicle owners must maintain continuous liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per crash, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20).