Wyoming DUI Laws & Penalties
Wyoming DUI Laws Overview
Wyoming DUI law section 31-5-233 states that it is against the law for any person to drive a motor vehicle in the state of Wyoming while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a blood alcohol concentration level of .08% or greater.
It is not necessary for a person who has been stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence to display the signs one would typically associate with someone who is under the influence. Just the fact that a chemical test shows a blood alcohol concentration level of .08% or greater will get you arrested for DUI in the state of Wyoming.
It should also be noted that a person could still be arrested for driving under the influence in the state of Wyoming even if their blood alcohol concentration level is below the legal limit of .08% just by displaying signs that are consistent with a person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
When an officer stops someone on suspicion of DUI in Wyoming, the officer is already starting to build a case against that person by observing their driving patterns prior to initiating the DUI stop. If the officer has established reasonable grounds and suspects that someone is under the influence, the officer is going to request that the individual perform some field sobriety test (it is not required by law that you submit to the field sobriety tests. If an officer asks you to take the field sobriety test, just kindly refuse his request).
When an officer in Wyoming places you under arrest for a DUI offense he will confiscate your driver’s license and issue you a “Notice of Suspension”. You only have 20 days from the date of the Notice of Suspension in which to request a Contested Case Hearing with the Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings if you wish to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license.
Failure to request a hearing in writing to the Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings within 20 days from the date of the issuance of your Notice of Suspension will result in the officer’s suspension of your license being upheld and you will not be granted a hearing after this date. It is very important that you hire a Wyoming DUI lawyer who has experience when it comes to representing clients at administrative hearings if you hope to have any chance of having the suspension dismissed.
Wyoming First Offense DUI Penalties
A first offense DUI conviction in Wyoming is a Misdemeanor offense and carries the following penalties:
Jail time: There is no mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first offense, but can be as high as 6 months depending on the circumstances of the DUI.
Fines: A first offense conviction may result in a fine of up to $750 plus all associated court costs.
Test refusal: A first offense refusal will result in a license suspension of 6 months.
Ignition interlock: An ignition interlock will be required for 6 months for those who had a BAC of .15% or greater.
DUI Classes: You will be required to complete a first offender DUI class.
License suspension: Your license will be suspended for 90 days following a first offense. Before the Wyoming Department of Driver Services will reinstate your license following your suspension period or issue you an Probationary License you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of a Wyoming SR22 insurance policy that meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee to Driver services.
Wyoming Second Offense DUI Penalties
A second offense DUI conviction in Wyoming is a Misdemeanor offense and carries the following penalties:
Jail time: A second offense conviction within 10 years of a previous offense will result in a minimum of 7 days in jail up to a maximum of 6 months in jail.
Fines: A second offense conviction will result in a minimum fine of $200 and the maximum fine is $750 plus all associated court costs.
DUI program: You will be required to attend a State approved substance abuse program at your expense.
Test refusal: A second offense refusal will result in a license suspension of 18 months.
Ignition interlock: An ignition interlock will be required for 1 year from the date of conviction.
License suspension: Your license will be suspended for 1 year following a second offense. Second time offenders will not be eligible for a probationary license. Before the Wyoming Department of Driver Services will reinstate your license following your suspension period you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of a Wyoming SR22 insurance policy that meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee to Driver services.
Wyoming Third Offense DUI Penalties
A third offense DUI conviction in Wyoming is a Misdemeanor offense and carries the following penalties:
Jail time: A third offense within 5 years of a previous offense will result in a minimum of 1 – 6 months in jail.
Fines: A third offense will result in a minimum fine of $750 – $3,000 plus all associated court costs.
DUI education program: You will be required to attend a State approved substance abuse program at your expense.
Test refusal: A third offense refusal will result in a license suspension of 18 months.
Ignition interlock: An ignition interlock will be required for 2 years from the date of conviction.
License suspension: Your license will be suspended for 3 years following a third offense. Before the Wyoming Department of Driver Services will reinstate your license following your suspension period you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of a Wyoming SR22 policy that meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee to Driver services.
Wyoming Fourth or Subsequent Offense DUI Penalties
A fourth or subsequent offense DUI conviction in Wyoming is a Felony offense and carries the following penalties:
Jail time: A fourth or subsequent offense conviction within 10 years of a previous offense can result in a jail sentence of up to 7 years.
Fines: A fourth or subsequent offense conviction will result in a fine of up to $10,000 plus all associated court costs.
Substance abuse program: You will be required to attend a State approved substance abuse program at your expense.
Ignition interlock: An ignition interlock will be required following suspension period.
License suspension: Your license will be revoked for a period of time to be determined by the court following a fourth or subsequent offense. Before the Wyoming Department of Driver Services will reinstate your license following your revocation period you will be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of a SR22 insurance policy that meets the states minimum auto insurance liability coverage limits. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee to Driver services.
Wyoming CDL DUI Laws
A person operating a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Wyoming while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or an intoxicant with a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or greater or failing to submit to a chemical test is in violation of the state’s laws regarding CDL’s and will be arrested for DUI and your CDL will be revoked for a period of 1-year following a first offense violation. A second CDL DUI offense will result in your CDL being revoked for life.
If you were carrying hazardous materials at the time, your CDL will be revoked for 3-years. A second offense violation while carrying hazardous materials will result in a permanent CDL revocation, you will never be able to drive or operate a CMV again. A CMV operator stopped and found to have any measurable amount of alcohol less than .04% in their system will be issued an “out-of-service” notice and will not be allowed to drive for the next 24-hours.
Wyoming DUI Under 21 Years of Age
In Wyoming if you are under the age of 21 and stopped by an officer and found to have been drinking and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or greater your license will be suspended for 90 days for a first offense violation of the Wyoming “zero tolerance” law. A second offense violation will result in a license suspension period of up to 6-months if the second violations occurs within 2-years of the first offense.
You will be eligible for a probationary license as long as you have not been issued one within the past 5-years and this is a first offense DWUI. If you do not meet these qualifications you will have to wait until your suspension period is over before you will be able to legally drive.
If you are under 21 and are arrested for having a BAC level of .08% or greater you will be facing the same fines and penalties as someone over 21 would face for the same offense.
You will also be required to show proof of financial responsibility in the form of a Wyoming SR-22 insurance policy before the Department of Licensing will reinstate your license.
Wyoming SR22 Requirements
Before the Wyoming Driver Services will reinstate your license following your suspension period, they will require you to file an SR22 form with them before issuing you a new license. You will be required to carry your SR22 insurance for a period of 3-years.
At anytime during this 3-year period if there is a lapse in your Wyoming SR22 insurance coverage, your insurance provider is obligated by law to immediately inform the Wyoming Driver Services of the lapse. If a lapse in coverage occurs, Wyoming Driver Services will immediately suspend your license and you will be required to re-file an SR22 form with the Department before they will issue you another license.
Since you are going to have to have your SR22 insurance for a period of 3-years, it is important to find the cheapest policy you can before choosing one. DUI Process has partnered with the largest and most trusted SR22 insurance provider in the state of Wyoming and has worked out a special discount only available here for our website visitors.
Additional Wyoming DUI Resources
- Wyoming First Offense DUI – First offense information including penalties, fines, potential jail time, license suspension, DUI classes, and more.
- Wyoming SR22 Insurance Filing – We have compiled everything you need to know about Wyoming’s SR22 insurance and filing requirements including important addresses, phone numbers, etc.
- Wyoming DUI Classes – We offer a complete listing of state approved DUI & alcohol abuse classes.
- Wyoming Bail Bondsmen – Comprehensive list of Wyoming bail bond agents including address, phone, website, etc.