Wyoming (WY) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

While there are several bustling cities in the state of Wyoming, most of the state is rural. This means, driving is the only way for most of the population to travel from place to place. This makes it difficult to restrict teens from driving until age 17 or 18. Wyoming teens must be at least 15 to begin the state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, but if a teen lives more than 5 miles away from school and no other options are available, the teen may apply for a restricted driver’s license at the age of 14. Fortunately, the teen must still meet certain requirements and adhere to specific rules under Wyoming’s strict GDL program.

Continue reading to learn more about Wyoming’s Graduated Driver Licensing program and how start on the path from permit to full licensing.

Wyoming Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Wyoming’s Graduated Driver Licensing program has three phases of licensing:

1.    Instruction Permit
2.    Intermediate Permit
3.    Full License
 
To obtain an instruction permit, you must:

•    Be at least 15 years of age
•    Pass a vision screening
•    Pass a knowledge exam
•    Provide proof of Wyoming residency
•    Provide proof of U.S. citizenship
•    Provide proof of identity
•    Provide a social security card
•    Parental consent form

During the instruction permit phase (minimum 6 months), you must complete 50 hours of behind the wheel driving practice. 10 of the 50 hours must be completed at night. Once you have satisfied all requirements of the instruction permit phase, you may apply for an intermediate license. To obtain your intermediate license you must:

•    Be 16 years of age
•    Have held the instruction permit for at least 6 months
•    Provide a signed 40 hours Certification for Provisional License form
•    Pass the road skills test
•    Pass a vision screening
•    Provide all of the documentation listed above
•    Provide a signed release from your parent or legal guardian if under age 18

Once you have satisfied all of the requirements of the intermediate license and you have held the license for at least 6 months, you may apply for your full license. You will have to provide the documents listed above and pass a vision, written, and road test.

Wyoming Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Under the conditions of the instruction permit:

•    You may drive a car only when accompanied by a licensed driver age 18 or older. The supervising driver must be seated in the front passenger seat at all times

Under the conditions of the intermediate license:
 
•    You may not drive between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied by parent, legal guardian, or licensed driver age 18 or older wearing a seat belt, and occupying the passenger seat beside you (see exceptions below)
•    You may drive unaccompanied if you must driver to or from school, work, school activities, or religious activity

The full license does not carry any restrictions. If you violate any of the conditions of Wyoming’s Graduated Driver Licensing program, your licensing will be delayed or you may lose your driving privileges until your 18th birthday.

Restricted Licenses for Teens ages 14-16

The Wyoming Highway Patrol must approve all restricted licenses for extreme circumstances. This special restricted license is only available to teens:

•    That live more than 5 miles from school and they have no choice other options (ex. teen lives with an elderly grandparent that cannot drive)
•    That are employed and their place of employment is more than 5 miles from school

The WHP has the authority to approve a restricted driver license for other reasons as well. Under the conditions of the special restricted license, the license holder may only drive between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. within 50 miles from the legal residence. 


Wyoming Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

The state of Wyoming does not have a statewide ban on cell phone use. The city of Cheyenne has a cell phone law in place and several additional Wyoming cities are expected to follow suit. Cheyenne approved the ban in September 2009. While there are currently no real limits on cell phone use while driving in the state of Wyoming, all drivers, especially beginners and teens, should use common sense when it comes to talking on a cell phone while driving. Pull over to a safe place if you must make or take a call.

Wyoming Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Wyoming, it is a crime for any driver to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The limit for adults is 0.08%. What teens must keep in mind is, adults may get away with driving after having one or two drinks, but Wyoming has a zero tolerance policy for driver’s under the age of 21. This means, you cannot have any measurable amount of alcohol in your system while driving on Wyoming roads. Even if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.02%, you may be convicted of DUI.

A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It’s even less for others. Proof of a BAC of 0.0% is all that is needed to convict a Wyoming teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license may be suspended or revoked – this means your licensing will be delayed by several months up to a year or more.

Wyoming Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

If you operate a motor vehicle on any Wyoming road or highway you must carry at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20). Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, Wyoming auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase is around $2,171 a year.

TIP: Wyoming follows a Tort system. Under a Tort system, if you are involved in an accident, someone must be found to be the cause or fault of the accident. The person deemed at fault is responsible for all damages. Damages are usually handled through the at-fault person's insurance company. Because of this, Wyoming auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher coverages than the state minimums.