Wyoming Driving Laws 2026: Speed Limits, DWUI BAC and Wyoming WYDOT Road Rules for the Permit Test

What are the default speed limits in Wyoming when no sign is posted? Wyoming sets 30 mph in residential areas, 20 mph in school zones, 70 mph on secondary highways, and 80 mph on interstates. Wyoming calls drunk driving DWUI, not DUI or DWI. DWUI threshold: 0.08% for adults, 0.02% for under-21. A BAC of 0.15% or higher on a first offense requires holding an ignition interlock restricted license for 6 months before being eligible for any other type of license. Wyoming headlights: low beams illuminate only about 250 feet, the handbook explicitly states you cannot stop in time at 55 mph using low beams alone.

1. Wyoming Speed Limits: 80 MPH Interstates, 70 Secondary Highways, 30 Residential, 20 School

What is the speed limit in a residential area in Wyoming, and what happens if no sign is posted? Speed limits are set by state law; when no sign is visible, these default limits apply:

Key test point: Wyomings most-tested unique rules: (1) DWUI is Wyomings term, not DUI; (2) BAC 0.15%+ on a first offense requires a 6-month ignition interlock before any other license type; (3) low beams show only 250 feet, the handbook explicitly states you cannot stop in time at 55 mph using low beams alone; (4) child restraint law applies until the childs 9th birthday.

2. Wyoming Right-of-Way: 4-Way Stops, Blind Intersections at 15 MPH & Pedestrian Priority

Who has the right-of-way at a 4-way stop in Wyoming, and do pedestrians always go first? Right-of-way questions are among the most frequently tested; remember: right-of-way is something you give, never something you take.

4-way stop (all arrive at once)

Driver to the right

4-way stop (one arrives first)

Driver who arrived first

Roundabout / traffic circle

Vehicles already inside the circle

Emergency vehicles (lights/siren)

Emergency vehicle, pull to the right and stop

Pedestrians in crosswalk

Pedestrians always

T-intersection (no signs)

Through road traffic; drivers on the dead-end must yield

Yield sign

Cross traffic and pedestrians always

Merging onto a highway

Traffic already on the highway

3. Wyoming Turn Signal Law: 100 Feet or 45 Seconds Before Every Turn at Higher Speeds

Can you turn right on red in Wyoming, and how far in advance must you signal a turn? Intersection and turn rules are heavily tested, including when left turns on red are legal and exactly how far in advance you must signal.

Right turn on red

Permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

No right turn on red

When posted, you must wait for a green light before turning right.

Left turn on red

Only allowed from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop.

Left turn from two-way street

Start from the left lane; end in the left lane of the cross street.

Right turn

Stay as close to the right curb as possible; end in the right lane.

U-turns

Legal where not prohibited by a sign; must not interfere with traffic. Illegal in business districts in Wyoming unless at a designated intersection.

4. Wyoming Lane Rules: Keep Right on Multi-Lane Highways, Pass Safely & Wide-Load Awareness

When can you use the center turn lane in Wyoming, and what do solid versus broken yellow lines mean for passing? Lane rules determine where you drive and when you can cross a line, all commonly tested on the knowledge exam.

Center turn lane (CTSL)

Used only to begin or complete a left turn; not for through travel or merging. You may travel no more than 300 feet in the CTSL.

Solid white line

Do not cross; marks the edge of the road or a lane that should not be changed.

Solid yellow line (your side)

No passing allowed.

Broken yellow line

Passing allowed when safe.

Solid + Broken yellow centerline

Passing allowed only on the broken-line side.

5. Passing in Wyoming: Return When Both Headlights and Full Cab Are Visible in Your Mirror

When is it illegal to pass another vehicle in Wyoming, and how close to an intersection can you pass? Passing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers on the road, Wyoming law sets strict distance and visibility rules:

• Only pass on the left, using the oncoming lane, when it is safe and legal.
• Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, or curve where your view is limited. Look for the No Passing Zone pennant sign.
• The vehicle being passed must not speed up while you are overtaking.
• Return to your lane before coming within 200 feet of oncoming traffic.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, this applies in both directions on undivided roads.
• You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is a usable lane to the right.

6. Wyoming Following Distance: 3-Second Rule, Add 34 Seconds at Night on Open Highways

What is the safe following distance in Wyoming, and how does weather change it? Wyoming uses the 3-second rule as the minimum under normal conditions: pick a fixed object ahead, and when the car in front passes it, you should reach it no sooner than 3 seconds later.

7. Wyoming School Bus Law: Stop Distance, Move Over 20 MPH Under Limit & School Zones

Do you have to stop for a school bus on a divided highway in Wyoming, and what is the fine for passing one illegally? These are two of the most frequently tested topics on the Wyoming permit exam.

School Buses

• When a school bus stops with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, all traffic in both directions must stop on undivided roads.
• On roads with a true median or physical barrier, only traffic behind the bus must stop, oncoming traffic may proceed.
• A center turn lane does not count as a divider. On 4+ lane roads without a raised median or barrier, all directions must stop.
• You must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted.
• Penalty for illegally passing a school bus in Wyoming: fine up to $1,000 and possible license suspension.
• Railroad crossings: School buses must stop at ALL railroad crossings, with or without passengers, even if no lights are flashing and no train is visible. This is a frequently tested rule.

Emergency Vehicles

• When you see or hear an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) with lights or siren: pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Do not block intersections.
• Move Over Law (Wyoming): When passing a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or highway maintenance vehicle on a multi-lane road, you must move one lane away if possible. If you cannot move over, slow to a safe speed below the posted limit.

8. Wyoming DWUI: 0.15%+ = 6-Month Interlock, 90-Day Per Se, 0.02% Under-21 Suspends

What is the legal BAC limit in Wyoming for drivers under 21, and can you refuse a breathalyzer? Wyoming DWI laws cover every driver category with different limits and strict implied consent penalties.

9. Wyoming Seat Belt Law: All Occupants Required, Child Restraint Until Age 9, $60 Fine

Who gets the ticket if a passenger is not wearing a seat belt in Wyoming, the driver or the passenger? Wyoming is a primary enforcement state, meaning officers can stop you solely for a seat belt violation.

10. Wyoming Parking Rules: 15-Foot Hydrant, Yellow Curbs, Hill Parking & Disabled Spaces

How far from a fire hydrant must you park in Wyoming, and is it legal to park on a bridge? These distance rules are frequently tested and easy to miss if you have not studied the specific numbers. Know where you cannot park:

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal
• Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
• On a sidewalk, in front of a driveway, or on a bridge
• In a no-parking zone or alongside a curb painted yellow or red
• Double parking (alongside a vehicle already parked at the curb)
• Headed downhill: turn wheels toward the curb. Headed uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from curb. Uphill without a curb: turn wheels toward the shoulder.

11. Driving in Wyoming Wind, Snow & I-80 Blizzards: The Most Weather-Closed Interstate

Are headlights required when it is raining in Wyoming, and what should you do if your car starts to hydroplane? Wyoming weather can change fast, especially in the Ozarks and River Valley; these rules tell you exactly how to adjust.

• Headlights required in Wyoming from half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise and whenever persons or vehicles cannot be seen clearly at 1,000 feet. Low beams illuminate only 250 feet, at 55 mph you cannot stop in time.
• In heavy fog, use low beams, high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.
• If you start to hydroplane, ease off the gas gently. Do not brake hard or turn sharply.
• In icy conditions, brake gently well in advance. Start slowing earlier than normal. Leave extra following distance.
• If your car goes into a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Do not overcorrect.
• Never use cruise control on wet, icy, or slippery roads.

12. Wyoming Driving Record: DWUI Suspension Schedule, SR-22 Required & CDL Rules

How many points does a speeding ticket add to your Wyoming license, and at what point do you lose it? Wyoming uses a point system where violations accumulate over 3 years; too many points leads to suspension.

Note: Completing a state-approved defensive driving course can reduce your point total by 3 points (once every 3 years).

13. Wyoming Headlight Law: 1,000-Foot Visibility, 55 MPH at Night = Overdriving Your Lights

When must you dim your high beams in Wyoming, and how far away does an oncoming car need to be? Wyoming law specifies exact distances for dimming, and the 500/300-foot rule is one of the most tested questions on the exam.

Key test point: The 500-foot / 300-foot rule is a classic exam question. Oncoming = 500 feet. Following = 300 feet. Dim accordingly.

14. Night Driving in Wyoming: 55 MPH Exceeds Low-Beam Range, High Beams on Rural Roads

What does "overdriving your headlights" mean in Wyoming, and why is it dangerous? Driving at night significantly increases crash risk; these rules cover visibility, speed, and wildlife hazards specific to Wyoming roads.

15. Wyoming Texting Law: Banned Statewide, Some Cities Ban All Phone Use, Pull Off to Call

Is it legal to use your phone while driving in Wyoming, and can a cop pull you over just for texting? Wyoming has specific primary-enforcement laws targeting handheld device use, with stricter rules for permit and intermediate license holders.

Key test point: Texting while driving is a primary offense in Wyoming, police do not need another reason to pull you over. This distinction frequently appears on the knowledge exam.

16. Wyoming Railroad Crossings: Coal & Freight Trains on Open Plains, Stop Required

How far from the tracks must you stop at a railroad crossing in Wyoming, and what vehicles must always stop even when no train is coming? Railroad crossing rules are tested on the Wyoming knowledge exam; know exactly when to stop and how far back.

Key test point: Never drive around or under a lowered crossing gate, it is illegal and extremely dangerous. Wait until gates are fully raised and all tracks are clear.

17. Wyoming Roundabouts: Yield on Entry, Lane Selection & Signaling Your Exit

Wyoming has roundabouts in Cheyenne, Casper, Jackson, and at various US highway intersections across the state. The WYDOT knowledge test covers them. Entering traffic yields to vehicles already circulating inside.

Key test point: The most common wrong answer on roundabout questions is thinking you have right-of-way when entering. You never do, yield to traffic already inside.