Wyoming Graduated Drivers License
Most states use certain measures to reduce the number of traffic accidents among teenage drivers and Wyoming is no exception with its Wyoming graduated drivers license program. The graduated driver license system in Wyoming uses the same tools as graduated license programs of other states, such as mandatory drivers education courses, a prolonged learners permit holding period and a number of drivers license restrictions for junior drivers. You have to remember that the Wyoming graduated license system was developed for your own safety and you should observe all graduated license restrictions at all times. Failure to do so will result in your driving privilege being suspended or canceled.
Many people wonder what is the whole point of having a graduated license system and why not let everyone who is able to pass the required tests drive without any restrictions? Doesn't your ability to pass the Wyoming permit test and a driving skills test proves that you are fit to get out there on the road like everyone else?
Unfortunately, passing the tests does not automatically make you a good and safe driver. Passing the driving skills test just proves that you have some control over your vehicle and are able to perform some basic maneuvers. However, becoming a safe driver takes countless hours of driving experience, as experience is what allows you to make the right choices in difficult traffic situations.
The Wyoming graduated drivers license program was designed to allow teen drivers to gain that essential driving experience while reducing the risks of them being involved in a traffic accident. The reason why the program applies only to teenagers who choose to apply for a drivers license before the age of 17 years is because there is a number of additional risk factors in play when it comes to this age group. Unlike older drivers, who tend to recognize the shortcomings of their driving skills, teens tend to overestimate their driving ability and take unnecessary risks. Couple this with failure to take basic safety precautions and packing a vehicle full of friends and you have a deadly combination. That's why the Wyoming graduated license program targets only teen drivers and does not apply to those who choose to apply for a Wyoming drivers license at the age of 17 years.
Wyoming Graduated License Stages
It was found that dividing the licensing procedure into a number of separate steps produces a substantial reduction in the number of traffic accidents. Each stage of the graduated license program has certain requirements that must be met before an applicant can proceed to the next level. At the moment, the graduated license program in Wyoming has the following stages:
- Learners permit
- Restricted junior license
- Full drivers license
Adult license applicants should keep in mind that even though they don't have to follow the program and can omit these licensing stages, the testing procedures still remain the same and they have to take both a knowledge exam and a Wyoming drivers test. If you want to see what the real DOT knowledge test is like, go ahead and take a free Wyoming permit practice test online.
Wyoming Learners Permit
In most cases, a minimum age when you can apply for a Wyoming learners permit is 15 years. When you are ready to take the permit test, go ahead and visit one of the DOT locations near you and submit your application for a learners permit. When you receive a drivers permit, you can start practicing driving, provided you observe the following Wyoming permit restrictions:
- Supervised driving only. You cannot drive alone and must have a licensed driver at least 18 years of age seated next to you when you are driving.
- Seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Cell phones. You cannot use any entertainment or communication devices while driving.
These restrictions will need to be observed throughout the whole permit holding period. Although the learners permit holding period is only six months, the minimum age for taking a drivers test is 16 years, which means that if you apply for a permit at the age of 15 years, you will have to hold a permit for 12 months before you can get a Wyoming drivers license.
During the permit holding stage, you must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with your parents, 10 of these hours must be completed at nighttime. In addition to these hours, you may want to sign up for and complete a Wyoming drivers education course. Completion of the course will allow you to waive the drivers test and get a full unrestricted drivers license at the age of 16 ½ years.
Restricted Drivers License
Driving under a restricted drivers license is the second stage of the Wyoming graduated driver's license program. A minimum age for a restricted drivers license is 16 years and you must already have fulfilled all learners permit requirements before graduating to this stage.
If you completed a drivers education course while operating under a permit, you will not have to take a drivers test at the DOT at the time of the application for a license. Just bring your certificate of completion for drivers education to the DOT site when you are ready for the restricted license.
A restricted drivers license allows you to drive without a supervising driver seated next to you, but it still doesn't grant you full driving privileges and you need to observe the following restrictions and requirements:
- Curfew. You cannot drive alone between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. If you need to travel during these hours, you must have a licensed driver at least 18 years of age seated next to you.
- Passenger restrictions. You cannot carry more than one passenger under the age of 18 years who is not a member of your immediate family.
- Seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Cell phones. You cannot use any entertainment or communication devices while driving.
If you completed a drivers ed course, you will only need to hold a restricted license until the age of 16 ½ years. Otherwise, you will need to hold a restricted license until you are at least 17 years of age.
Graduated License Offenses
If you are caught breaking the graduated license restrictions, a number of actions can be taken against you. In addition to paying the regular fine and receiving points against your license, your driving privilege will be suspended for a certain period of time. In case of a first violation, your driving privilege is suspended for 30 days, repeated offenders will lose the driving privilege altogether and will have to start the application process anew.
You may find more information about penalties for failure to meet the graduated driver's license requirements in the Wyoming drivers handbook or at the DOT website.
