DUI Laws in Wyoming (DUI)
Wyoming uses the term "DUI" for impaired driving offenses. The standard BAC limit is 0.08%. The lookback period is 10 years. 3rd offense within 10 years. Below are the full details of Wyoming's DUI laws and penalties.
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Overview
Wyoming, despite its rural character and relatively small population, maintains strict DUI enforcement with penalties that escalate quickly for repeat offenders. The state uses a 10-year lookback period and classifies a third DUI as a felony carrying up to 5 years in prison. Wyoming is notable for its mandatory substance abuse assessment requirement for all DUI offenders and its relatively low BAC threshold for enhanced penalties at 0.15%. The state also lacks a formal pretrial diversion program for DUI cases, making conviction the standard outcome. Wyoming requires ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders and offers a limited restricted license option for first-time offenders.
Official term: DUI
BAC Limits
| Driver Type | BAC Limit |
|---|---|
| Standard (21+) | 0.08% |
| Commercial (CDL) | 0.04% |
| Under 21 | 0.02% |
| Enhanced Penalty | 0.15% |
Penalties by Offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail Time | Fines | License Suspension | IID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months (no mandatory minimum for standard first offense) | Up to $750 | 90 days | Not required for standard first offense; may be ordered at court discretion or as condition for restricted license |
| 2nd Offense | Misdemeanor | 7 days to 6 months (mandatory minimum 7 days; at least 5 days cannot be suspended or converted) | Up to $750 | 1 year | Required for 1 year as condition of restricted license (if eligible) |
| 3rd Offense | Felony | Up to 5 years in state prison (mandatory minimum 30 days; at least 30 days cannot be suspended) | Up to $10,000 | 3 years | Required for 2 years upon any license reinstatement |
| Felony | Felony | Up to 5 years in Wyoming State Penitentiary (mandatory minimum 30 days that cannot be suspended) | Up to $10,000 | 3 years; may face longer revocation for subsequent felony DUI | Required for 2+ years upon any license reinstatement |
Felony threshold: 3rd offense within 10 years. Lookback period: 10 years.
Additional Penalty Details
| Offense | Community Service | Probation | DUI School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | May be ordered as condition of probation | Up to 6 months supervised or unsupervised probation | Mandatory substance abuse assessment; completion of recommended education/treatment program required for license reinstatement |
| 2nd Offense | May be ordered as condition of probation; commonly 100+ hours | Up to 1 year supervised probation | Mandatory substance abuse assessment and completion of recommended treatment program |
| 3rd Offense | As ordered by the court | Up to 5 years supervised probation; strict conditions | Court-ordered intensive substance abuse treatment program; may require residential treatment |
| Felony | As ordered by the court | Up to 5 years supervised probation with intensive monitoring | Mandatory intensive substance abuse treatment program; residential treatment may be required |
Implied Consent Law
Wyoming's implied consent law (Wyo. Stat. § 31-6-102) requires all persons driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle to submit to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) when a peace officer has probable cause to believe the person is DUI. The officer must inform the driver of the consequences of refusal and that the driver has the right to have additional independent testing performed at their own expense.
Refusal penalties: First refusal: 6-month license suspension (in addition to any DUI suspension). Second or subsequent refusal: 18-month license suspension. Refusal is admissible as evidence against the driver at trial. The refusal suspension is separate from and in addition to any suspension imposed for a DUI conviction. No restricted license is available during a refusal suspension.
Aggravating Factors
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| BAC of 0.15% or higher | Enhanced penalties at court discretion; may affect plea negotiations and sentencing recommendations |
| Passenger under 16 in the vehicle | Enhanced penalties; potential child endangerment charges under separate statutes |
| DUI causing serious bodily injury | Aggravated assault charge — felony with up to 10 years in prison |
| DUI causing death (Vehicular Homicide) | Felony vehicular homicide — up to 20 years in prison under Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-106 |
| Driving on a DUI-suspended license | Separate misdemeanor charge with mandatory jail time and extended suspension |
DUI with Injury
Classification: Aggravated Assault / Vehicular Homicide — Felony
DUI causing serious bodily injury may be charged as aggravated assault (Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-502) — felony with up to 10 years in prison. DUI causing death is charged as vehicular homicide (Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-106) — felony with up to 20 years in prison. Both charges are separate from and in addition to the underlying DUI charge. Restitution to victims is mandatory.
Underage DUI
Drivers under 21 with BAC of 0.02% or higher face a zero tolerance violation: 90-day license suspension for first offense. If the minor's BAC is 0.08% or higher, they face standard adult DUI charges with all corresponding penalties. All underage offenders must complete a substance abuse assessment and comply with recommended treatment. A second underage violation results in a 6-month suspension.
Diversion Programs
Wyoming does not currently offer a formal DUI diversion program. Wyoming does not have a statewide formal pretrial diversion program for DUI offenses. DUI cases are prosecuted through standard criminal channels. Some counties may have informal arrangements or drug court programs that accept DUI cases involving substance dependency, but these are not standardized or guaranteed. The mandatory substance abuse assessment requirement serves as a treatment component but is not an alternative to prosecution.
How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record
A DUI conviction remains on your Wyoming criminal record permanently and on your driving record for at least 10 years. For sentencing enhancement purposes, Wyoming uses a 10-year lookback period to determine whether a new DUI is treated as a first, second, or third offense. Wyoming does not currently allow expungement of DUI convictions.
Key Statutes
- Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-233
- Driving or having control of vehicle while under influence — primary DUI statute
- Wyo. Stat. § 31-6-102
- Implied consent — chemical testing requirements and refusal consequences
- Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-128
- License suspension and revocation provisions for DUI offenses
- Wyo. Stat. § 31-7-401
- Ignition interlock device requirements for DUI offenders
- Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-106
- Vehicular homicide — DUI causing death
- Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-502
- Aggravated assault — may apply to DUI causing serious bodily injury
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Wyoming?
When does a DUI become a felony in Wyoming?
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Wyoming?
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Wyoming?
Can you get a restricted license after a DUI in Wyoming?
How much does a DUI cost in Wyoming?
Is there a mandatory jail sentence for a second DUI in Wyoming?
What is Wyoming's implied consent law?
Related Guide
DUI license recovery in Wyoming→Step-by-step guide to getting your license back after a DUI in Wyoming — suspension periods, IID requirements, SR-22 insurance, reinstatement fees, and process.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Wyoming DOT — Driver Services
Wyoming Department of Transportation — license reinstatement, suspension, and DUI-related driver services.
- Wyoming DUI Statutes — Official Code
Full text of Wyoming Title 31 covering motor vehicle offenses including DUI statutes.
- Wyoming State Bar — Lawyer Referral
Wyoming State Bar lawyer referral service to find DUI defense attorneys.
- Wyoming Legal Aid — Free Legal Help
Legal Aid of Wyoming — free legal assistance for qualifying individuals in Wyoming.
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