Driver Education

In 2005, Wyoming implemented a graduated driver licensing law to help young drivers safely gain experience before being allowed to drive under more dangerous circumstances. Prospective drivers younger than 17 years of age now must undergo a series of skill-building steps before attaining a driver's license with full driving privileges.

Graduated licensing is all about stages: Stage one requires soon-to-be drivers to get an Instruction Permit. Stage two is the Intermediate Permit. This stage is the last hurdle to leap before you get a full driver's license when you turn 17.

Applying for an Instruction Permit

Phase one of the learning process begins with getting an Instruction Permit. This permit allows the driver to operate a motor vehicle only if accompanied by a licensed passenger 18 years of age or older. The permit is valid for one year and costs $20.

While you have the permit, you must complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel-training, with 10 of these hours being at night. The Wyoming Department of Transportation provides a log sheet to record the hours.

Once you've driven 50 hours, the log sheet must be signed by a parent, guardian, or other licensed driver who can evaluate your driving ability.

You'll need to fulfill the following requirements to be issued an Instruction Permit:

• You must be at least 15 years old.

• Appear in person at a driver's license examination station.

• Present a valid birth certificate or other acceptable identification.

• Pass a written test (80% or higher).

• Pass a vision test (20/40 or better without corrective lenses).

• Have minor's release form (available at exam offices) signed by a parent or guardian.

• Pay a $20 fee.

Applying for an Intermediate Permit

Phase two of the skill-building process is acquiring an Intermediate Permit. This involves many of the same processes as applying for a driver's license (you will take the on-road test), but it is still considered a permit, and it comes with restrictions. The permit expires 30 days after you turn 17 years old. The fee is $15.

Here's what you need to do to get your Intermediate Permit:

• You must be at least 16 years old.

• You must have owned an Instruction Permit for a minimum of 10 days.

• Appear in person at a driver's license examination station.

• Present valid identification. This can include the instruction permit, birth certificate, or other form of acceptable identification.

• Submit the log showing the completion of 50 hours of driving time, including 10 of those being at night. The log needs to be signed by a parent, a legal guardian, or a licensed driver older than 18 years of age that has the ability to assess your driving skills.

• Pass a vision test (20/40 or better without corrective lenses).

• Pass the driving skills (on-road) test.

• Have a minor's release form (available at exam offices) signed by a parent or guardian.

• Pay a $15 fee.

Restrictions

• A permit holder operating a vehicle can only have one passenger younger than 18 years old in the vehicle (immediate family members are OK, though). Of course, if all your buddies are older than 18 and each owns a valid driver's license, you are in the clear.

• You cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. without a licensed driver over 18 years of age in the vehicle. This is unless you qualify for one of the numerous exceptions, such as a medical emergency or the need to drive for work or school.

If you do not abide by these restrictions, you can lose your permit for up to 30 days. Exception forms need to be filled out if you plan to drive during the restricted hours.

Driver Education Courses

In order to receive full driving privileges at age 16 1/2, which is the earliest you can do so, you will also need to show evidence of completing an approved driver education course. These courses may be available though your high school, a local community college, or other authorized business. A certificate of completion coupled with the Intermediate Permit allows you to skip the driving skills test and simply be awarded a license.

The driving course you sign up for must offer a minimum of 30 hours of classroom learning and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. You can use a driving simulator for up to three of those on-road hours, but you'll need four simulated hours to equal one actual behind-the-wheel hour. If using a simulator, you will still need to show confirmation that you had at least three hours of actual behind-the-wheel instruction.

Once you turn 17, if you can wait that long, all of this is irrelevant. Seventeen-year-olds can apply for a full license without first having an Intermediate Permit or attending a driver's education class.

For more information on driver's education or the graduated licensing process, contact WYDOT at (303) 777-4800.