Drunk and drugged driving laws in Wyoming

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the adult and under-21 alcohol limits in Wyoming.
• You can explain what implied consent means.
• You can describe the license penalties for a first and second DWUI.
• You can explain why only time lowers your blood alcohol level.

What you need to know and understand

• Adults: an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more is DWUI.
• You can still be convicted with a result above 0.05 if other evidence shows you were impaired.
• Drivers under 21: 0.02 or more brings a 90-day suspension, or 6 months for a second offense within two years.
• A test result of 0.08 or more leads to a 90-day administrative suspension, even if the court case is dismissed.
• A first DWUI conviction can bring up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
• A first offense at 0.15 or more requires an ignition interlock license for 6 months.
• Being allowed to use a drug legally, such as a prescription, is not a defense to a DWUI charge.

Implied consent and testing

By driving on a Wyoming public road, you are treated as having agreed to a chemical test of your breath, blood or urine if you are lawfully arrested for DWUI. If you refuse, the officer can seek a search warrant, and the test can then be done anyway.

If your result is 0.08 or more, WYDOT suspends your license for 90 days. This Administrative Per Se suspension usually begins 30 days after the officer gives you notice, and it stands even if the criminal charge is later dropped.

License penalties for DWUI convictions

• First offense in 10 years: 90-day suspension. A probationary license may be possible if your result was under 0.15.
• Second offense in 10 years: 1-year suspension, a 1-year ignition interlock requirement, and no limited driving privileges.
• Third offense in 10 years: 3-year revocation and a 2-year ignition interlock requirement, and you must pass a WYDOT driver investigation before you can be relicensed.
• Fourth or later offense: a lifetime ignition interlock requirement, with a right to ask the court to review it after 5 years.
• An SR-22 insurance certificate and a $50 reinstatement fee are also required.

Why time is the only cure

Your liver removes alcohol at a steady rate of about one drink per hour. Coffee, cold showers and exercise do nothing to speed this up. A 12-ounce beer, a 3 to 5-ounce glass of wine and a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor each hold about the same amount of alcohol.

Drugs matter too. Allergy pills, sleeping pills and tranquilizers can make you drowsy, and the manual notes that marijuana is illegal in Wyoming. Read medicine labels and do not drive until you know how a new medicine affects you.

Common mistakes

• Thinking one drink is fine for an 18-year-old. At 0.02 a driver under 21 faces suspension.
• Believing that refusing a test ends the matter. The officer can get a warrant.
• Driving on a new prescription without checking how it affects you.
• Waiting only an hour after several drinks. Your body clears roughly one drink per hour.

Test yourself: Drunk and drugged driving laws in Wyoming

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in Wyoming
• Wyoming 50 Hour Driving Log and Behind-the-Wheel Certification
• Wyoming Driving Test