How to get your license back after a DUI in Wyoming
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Complete the suspension period with no other suspendable offenses pending
WYDOT states that once the suspension period has ended a driver may be eligible for reinstatement, the first criterion being that the suspension period has ended and there are no additional suspendable offenses pending. WYDOT's Driving Privilege Withdrawal guide lists a 90-day suspension for a first DWUI (with credit for an Administrative Per Se suspension served for the same arrest), one year for a second offense within 10 years, and a three-year revocation for a third or subsequent offense.
What the source says
“Eligibility is determined by the following criteria: Your suspension period has ended, and there are no additional suspendable offenses pending.”
- 2
File the SR-22 through the insurance company
WYDOT states that if the offense requires an SR-22, it must have been filed through the insurance company and received by the Department. The Driving Privilege Withdrawal guide lists 'Completion of all withdrawal actions on record, SR-22, and payment of reinstatement fee' as the DWUI reinstatement requirements, states proof of financial responsibility must be maintained for three years from the date it is required (Wyo. Stat. § 31-9-401), and states that if the SR-22 is not on file by the end of the mandatory suspension the driving privilege remains suspended until it is filed.
What the source says
“If your offense requires the filing of an SR-22 insurance form, you must have filed that through your insurance company, and it has been received by the Department.”
- 3
Pay the $50 reinstatement fee
WYDOT states Wyoming law requires a $50 reinstatement fee for all suspensions (child-support suspensions carry a $5 fee), payable online through oneWYO, in person at a driver exam office, or by mail to WYDOT-Driver Services with the driver's full name and license number or date of birth. The withdrawal guide states the fee must be paid before an ignition interlock restricted license can be issued and is in addition to any new-license fees.
What the source says
“Wyoming law requires a reinstatement fee of $50 be assessed for all suspensions, except for nonpayment of child support suspensions (which is a $5 fee).”
- 4
If an ignition interlock is required, install the device and apply for the IIR license
WYDOT states that after notification of an interlock requirement (first DUI conviction with a BAC of .15 or above, or any second or subsequent conviction) the driver must have a Wyoming-approved device installed in Wyoming at an approved service center by a Wyoming-certified technician in any vehicle to be driven, provide the installation certificate to the Department, file SR-22 insurance, apply for the special 'IIR' restricted license, and pay the $50 reinstatement fee, the regular driver license fee and the $100 ignition interlock administrative fee. Under Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402(d), no restricted license is issued until the Department has a certificate of installation for every vehicle required.
What the source says
“File SR-22 insurance with the Department; Apply for a special "IIR" restricted driver's license; Pay the $50 reinstatement fee, regular driver license fee, and the $100 ignition interlock administrative fee.”
- 5
Hold the ignition interlock restricted license for the full required period
Under Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402(e), a person required to apply for an IIR license is not eligible for a license without the interlock restriction until the IIR license has been held for the period required by law (six months for a first conviction at 0.15 or more; one year second; two years third; lifetime for fourth or subsequent, per § 31-5-233(f) and WYDOT's withdrawal guide). WYDOT states the requirement time does not start until the interlock license is issued, regardless of how long the device has been installed; § 31-7-402(f) credits pre-conviction installation and compliance for the same incident.
What the source says
“A person required to apply for an ignition interlock restricted license under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall not be eligible to receive a driver's license without an ignition interlock restriction until he has held the ignition interlock license for the period required by law.”
- 6
After a revocation, complete the driver investigation and apply for a new license
WYDOT states a revocation cancels the driver license at the start of the revocation and the driver must go through an investigation before applying for a new license when the revocation has ended; the withdrawal guide states limited driving privileges are not available during a revocation (third or subsequent DWUI) and that additional re-licensing requirements apply.
What the source says
“Revocation: A revocation affects a person’s driving privileges and their driver license. The driver license is cancelled at the start of the revocation, and you’re required to go through an investigation prior to applying for a new license when the revocation has ended.”
Official reinstatement page: Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $50 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — details |
| Ignition interlock | Wyoming interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol assessment by a certified counselor and 8-hour DUI education class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health (WYDOT requirement for an alcohol-related probationary license) |
| Driving during the suspension | Ignition Interlock Restricted (IIR) License (Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402); probationary driver license for a first DWUI without an interlock requirement |
Required program: Alcohol assessment by a certified counselor and 8-hour DUI education class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health (WYDOT requirement for an alcohol-related probationary license)
WYDOT's reinstatement page lists no education or assessment requirement for reinstatement itself (suspension completed, SR-22 if required, and the reinstatement fee). WYDOT's Probationary Licenses page states that for an alcohol-related suspension an alcohol assessment completed by a counselor is required before a probationary license is issued, that the Department's minimum requirement is a standard 8-hour DUI education class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health, and that any additional treatment recommended by the counselor must also be completed. WYDOT's Certified Counselor & DUI Class Providers page states only a current certified provider listed on the Wyoming Department of Health Substance Abuse website may be used, and out-of-state residents contact the office at 307-777-4839.
“Yes, if you are approved for a probationary license for an alcohol related offense, the Department's minimum requirement is a standard 8 hour DUI education class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health. However, if the counselor recommends additional treatments, you must complete those too.”
Driving during the suspension: Ignition Interlock Restricted (IIR) License (Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402); probationary driver license for a first DWUI without an interlock requirement
IIR license: WYDOT states an ignition interlock device and application for an Ignition Interlock Restricted License are required for a first DUI conviction with a BAC of .15 or above and for any second or subsequent DUI conviction regardless of BAC; under Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402(c) the licensee agrees in writing to the article's terms, installs devices at the licensee's expense on all vehicles the licensee will drive (an employer's vehicle may be driven without a device during normal business activities), the license and record show the restriction, and the applicant files and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the period of the restricted license; § 31-7-402(d) requires the installation certificate before issuance. WYDOT states the IIR license is not issued to anyone not eligible or to any CDL holder, that the $100 administrative fee (statutory cap $125 under § 31-7-401(d)) is not required if the indigent assistance application is approved, and that indigent persons eligible for SNAP may have half the device costs paid by the state. Probationary driver license: WYDOT states a driver may request a record review ($15) to determine eligibility, pays a $55 issuance fee, must have an alcohol assessment for an alcohol-related suspension and an SR-22 on file if required, may hold only one probationary license in five years, and is denied if the suspension is for a second or subsequent DUI, a revocation, or if there is an ignition interlock requirement; the withdrawal guide states a first DWUI is eligible if the BAC is less than .15 percent.
“You will be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device and make application for an Ignition Interlock Restricted License if you have been convicted of Driving under the Influence of Alcohol for: First DUI conviction with a BAC of .15 or above Second or subsequent DUI conviction regardless of the ”
When the interlock can be removed
Fixed statutory period, no early removal. Under Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-233(f) (per the WheelsBack state record and WYDOT's withdrawal guide) the interlock is required for six months after a first conviction at 0.15 or more, one year for a second, two years for a third, and for the remainder of life for a fourth or subsequent conviction with the option to apply to the court for removal after five years. Under § 31-7-402(e), the person is not eligible for an unrestricted license until the IIR license has been held for the period required by law; WYDOT states the time does not start until the IIR license is issued, and § 31-7-402(f) credits pre-conviction installation and compliance. WYDOT's brochure states there is no reduction in the requirement period for good behavior, and that before removal the driver contacts Driver Services (307-777-4800) to verify eligibility; if the requirements are met, Driver Services advises whether the restriction may be removed from the license, after which the device may be removed, with additional re-licensing requirements for revocations. A data report showing the device removed results in immediate suspension or revocation of the license; under § 31-7-403 the Department suspends the IIR license when the device is no longer installed or functional or financial responsibility lapses (until cured) and may revoke it on a § 31-7-404 or § 31-5-233 conviction or when data-logger reports show habitual attempts to drive impaired; § 31-7-404 makes removal or circumvention a misdemeanor treated as a new conviction for interlock purposes. Removal costs are the licensee's (no cap stated); indigent persons may have one-half of device costs paid by the state under § 31-7-401(b)(vii).
Compliance period: none stated; fixed period (6 months / 1 year / 2 years / lifetime with court petition after 5 years) counted from issuance of the IIR license, with no early release
“The time during which a person can demonstrate installation and compliance with a department approved ignition interlock device prior to conviction for the same incident shall be credited to the person's post-conviction ignition interlock restricted license requirements.”
Questions about reinstatement in Wyoming
- What does WYDOT require to reinstate a license after a DWUI suspension?
- WYDOT's reinstatement page lists three criteria: the suspension period has ended with no additional suspendable offenses pending, the SR-22 (if required for the offense) has been filed by the insurer and received by the Department, and the $50 reinstatement fee has been paid (online via oneWYO, in person, or by mail). WYDOT's withdrawal guide lists a 90-day suspension for a first DWUI and states the SR-22 must be maintained for three years.
- When can the ignition interlock be removed in Wyoming?
- Under Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-402(e), a driver required to hold an Ignition Interlock Restricted license is not eligible for an unrestricted license until the IIR license has been held for the period required by law (six months for a first conviction at 0.15 or more; one, two years, or lifetime for later offenses). WYDOT states the time starts when the IIR license is issued, there is no reduction for good behavior, and Driver Services confirms eligibility before removal.
- Can a person drive for work during a Wyoming DWUI suspension?
- WYDOT states a probationary driver license may be issued after a $15 record review and a $55 fee if the driver has not had one in the past five years, completes an alcohol assessment and an 8-hour DUI class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health, and has any required SR-22 on file; it is denied for a second or subsequent DUI, a revocation, or an ignition interlock requirement, in which case the Ignition Interlock Restricted license applies.
Sources
- WYDOT Driver Services – Reinstatement (requirements and $50 fee)
- WYDOT Driver Services – Ignition Interlock (IIR license steps, approved companies, assistance)
- WYDOT Driver Services – Suspensions/Ignition Interlock (withdrawal definitions)
- WYDOT Driver Services – Probationary Licenses
- WYDOT Driver Services – Certified Counselor & DUI Class Providers
- WYDOT Driver Services – A Guide to Driving Privilege Withdrawals (PDF)
- WYDOT Driver Services – Ignition Interlock Program brochure (03/2018)
- WYDOT Driver Services – Frequently Asked Questions (fee list)
- Wyoming Statutes Title 31 – §§ 31-5-233, 31-7-401 to 31-7-404, 31-9-401 (Wyoming Legislature PDF)