Wyoming Teen Driving Laws: A Guide for Parents and New Drivers

For a teenager, getting a driver's license is a major milestone on the road to adulthood. For a parent, it's a moment of both pride and significant concern. To help ease this transition and keep new, inexperienced drivers safe, Wyoming has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

The GDL program is a research-based system that introduces driving privileges in stages. By limiting exposure to high-risk driving situations—like driving at night or with multiple teen passengers—the law helps young drivers build skills and maturity. This guide is designed for both parents and teens to understand these crucial rules, promoting safety and ensuring compliance with Wyoming law.

The Purpose of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

The simple truth is that driving is a complex skill, and inexperience is the leading cause of crashes among teen drivers. The GDL framework is not meant to be punitive; it's designed to be protective. It creates a structured learning environment that has been proven to reduce teen-related traffic accidents and fatalities.

Stage 1: The Learner's Permit

This is the foundational stage where all the hands-on learning begins.

Eligibility: A teen can apply for a learner's permit at age 15.
Supervision is Mandatory: A teen with a learner's permit may never drive alone. They must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and is seated in the front passenger seat.
The 50-Hour Rule: Before a teen can even apply for the next stage, they must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving practice. At least 10 of these hours must be at night. This is one of the most critical requirements of the GDL program.

The Parent's Role at the Permit Stage

This is where parental involvement is most important. The 50 hours of practice is your opportunity to teach your teen how to handle a variety of driving situations. Don't just stick to empty parking lots. Practice in:

Light residential traffic.
Heavier city traffic.
On highways and interstates.
In different weather conditions, like rain.
At night, to fulfill the 10-hour requirement.

When it's time for the road test, the parent or guardian will need to sign a legal affidavit certifying that this practice has been completed.

Stage 2: The Intermediate License

After a teen turns 16 and has held their permit for at least 10 days, completed their 50 practice hours, and passed the road test, they can receive an Intermediate License. This allows for unsupervised driving, but with critical safety restrictions.

Key Intermediate License Restrictions:

Driving Curfew: A teen with an intermediate license is prohibited from driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Exceptions: This rule does not apply if the teen is accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18. Exceptions are also made for driving to and from a school or religious activity, for work, or in a medical emergency.
Passenger Limit: This is a life-saving rule designed to minimize distractions. The teen driver is allowed to transport only one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member.
- This means they can drive their siblings, but they cannot drive a car full of their friends.
Duration of Restrictions: These curfew and passenger rules remain in effect until the driver turns 17 years old.

Beyond GDL: Continued Safety Rules

Even after the GDL restrictions are lifted, some laws continue to protect young drivers.

Zero Tolerance for Alcohol: Wyoming has a strict "zero tolerance" policy for drivers under 21. If a young driver has a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.02% or higher, they will face DUI penalties.
Seat Belts: Wyoming law requires all drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts. For drivers under 18, all occupants of the vehicle must be properly restrained.
Texting While Driving: Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers in Wyoming, regardless of age.

A Partnership for Safety: The Parent-Teen Agreement

One of the most effective tools for parents is a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. This is a written contract that lays out the rules of the road for your family. It can cover the state's GDL laws as well as your own house rules regarding:

Maintaining good grades.
Contributing to the cost of gas or insurance.
Consequences for traffic tickets or breaking the rules.
Strict rules against distracted or impaired driving.

By working together, parents and teens can ensure that earning a license is a positive and, most importantly, safe experience. Understanding and respecting Wyoming's GDL laws is the first step on a lifetime of safe driving.