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Wyoming’s intermediate license lets 16-year-olds drive alone, but only between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., with no more than one non-family passenger under 18, and with everyone buckled up. You can move to full privileges at 16 and a half if you finish approved driver education and have held the intermediate license for six months. Otherwise you wait until 17. This page is for teens and parents planning those steps.
Key facts
- Name: the WYDOT manual calls it an intermediate license. Wyoming law and the WYDOT website call it an intermediate permit, class “I2”.
- Eligibility: age 16, plus 10 days on a learner’s permit (or a restricted RC license), 50 certified hours (10 at night) and a skills test.
- Curfew: no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a signed exception form.
- Passengers: no more than one under 18 who is not immediate family.
- Penalty for breaking the restrictions: a 30-day suspension.
- Expiry: 30 days after your 17th birthday.
How to get a Wyoming intermediate license
- Be 16 and have held a learner’s permit for at least 10 days, or have held a restricted Class C (RC) license.
- Complete 50 hours behind the wheel, including 10 at night. A parent or guardian signs the certification form. See Wyoming 50 hour behind-the-wheel certification.
- Go in person to a driver exam office. Surrender your current permit, show your REAL ID documents and be photographed.
- Pass a vision screening and a driving skills test. The test may be waived for approved driver education: see Wyoming driving skills test and driver ed waiver.
- A parent or guardian signs the minor’s release, and you pay the fee.
The 2021 manual lists the intermediate license fee as $30. The current WYDOT fee list does not show a separate intermediate fee, so check the amount with your exam office before you go.
Wyoming intermediate license restrictions
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hours | Drive only between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless you carry an exception form |
| Passengers | No more than one passenger under 18 who is not an immediate family member |
| Seat belts | You must make sure every occupant wears one |
| Texting | Reading or sending texts while driving is illegal for all Wyoming drivers |
The restrictions do not apply when the front-seat passenger is 18 or older and holds a valid license with full driving privileges.
Driving after 11 p.m.: the exception form
WYDOT’s Intermediate Permit Driving Exception Form (FSGDL-02) lets you drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in these cases:
| Reason | Who signs |
|---|---|
| Medical necessity | A medical doctor or medical professional |
| To or from work | Your employer |
| To or from school or a school activity | Your parent or legal guardian |
| An organized youth sports activity or a religious activity | Your parent or legal guardian |
- Carry the form in the vehicle and show it to police if you are stopped.
- Exception forms are not blanket permissions. Fill out a new one whenever the reason, time or date changes. For example, each out-of-town game you drive home from late needs its own form.
- In a genuine medical emergency where you have no choice but to drive to the hospital, you do not need the form.
Full driving privileges: 16 and a half or 17
| At 16 and a half | At 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate license needed? | Yes, held at least 6 months | No. You can apply directly |
| Driver education | Approved course with behind-the-wheel driving, shown by a signed certificate | Not required |
| Tests | Vision screening | Vision screening, written test and skills test (if you have not already passed them) |
| Other | Proof of identity, minor’s release signed by a parent or guardian, fee | Proof of identity, minor’s release, fee |
| Blocked if | Your current restricted privileges are suspended | Your current restricted privileges are suspended |
WYDOT says that if you are under 17 and have not completed driver education, you are not eligible for full privileges. Without a course, the earliest is your 17th birthday.
If you do nothing, the intermediate license expires 30 days after you turn 17.
Example timelines
With driver education
Permit at 15. Driver ed and 50 hours while on the permit. Intermediate license on your 16th birthday, with the skills test possibly waived. Full privileges at 16 and a half.
Without driver education
Permit at 15 or later. 50 hours. Intermediate license at 16 after passing the skills test. Full privileges at 17.
What gets an intermediate license suspended?
- Any violation of the intermediate restrictions (curfew, passengers, seat belts): 30-day suspension.
- A fourth moving violation within 12 months: 90-day suspension, the same as for all drivers.
- Alcohol: drivers under 21 face a 90-day suspension at 0.02% or more. See zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.
A suspension of your restricted privileges also blocks your move to full privileges.
Common questions
What time can a 16-year-old drive in Wyoming?
From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on an intermediate license, unless you carry a signed exception form or a fully licensed adult 18 or older is in the front seat.
How many friends can I drive with in Wyoming at 16?
One passenger under 18 who is not immediate family. Immediate family members do not count toward the limit.
Can I get my full license at 16 and a half?
Yes, if you finished an approved driver education course with behind-the-wheel training and have held your intermediate license for at least six months with no suspension.
Do I need another road test at 17?
If you already hold an intermediate license, WYDOT does not list a new test. If you apply at 17 without any intermediate license, you must pass the vision, written and skills tests.
Can my parent sign an exception form for work?
No. For work, your employer signs. Parents sign for school, school activities, organized youth sports and religious activities.
Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Wyoming. Compare with other states: US graduated driver licensing compared.
Sources
- Wyoming Department of Transportation, “Rules of the Road: State of Wyoming Driver License Manual, Class C (2021)” (dot.state.wy.us)
- WYDOT Driver Services, “Learner Permits” (dot.state.wy.us)
- WYDOT Driver Services, “Classification Guide” (dot.state.wy.us)
- WYDOT Driver Services, “Intermediate Permit Driving Exception Form (FSGDL-02)” (dot.state.wy.us)
- WYDOT Driver Services, “Frequently Asked Questions” (dot.state.wy.us)