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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 TypeBAC Limit
Standard (21+)0.08%
Commercial (CDL)0.04%
Under 210.02%
Enhanced Penalty0.15%

Penalties by Offense

OffenseClassificationJail TimeFinesLicense SuspensionIID
1st OffenseMisdemeanorUp to 6 months (no mandatory minimum for standard first offense)Up to $75090 daysNot required for standard first offense; may be ordered at court discretion or as condition for restricted license
2nd OffenseMisdemeanor7 days to 6 months (mandatory minimum 7 days; at least 5 days cannot be suspended or converted)Up to $7501 yearRequired for 1 year as condition of restricted license (if eligible)
3rd OffenseFelonyUp to 5 years in state prison (mandatory minimum 30 days; at least 30 days cannot be suspended)Up to $10,0003 yearsRequired for 2 years upon any license reinstatement
FelonyFelonyUp to 5 years in Wyoming State Penitentiary (mandatory minimum 30 days that cannot be suspended)Up to $10,0003 years; may face longer revocation for subsequent felony DUIRequired for 2+ years upon any license reinstatement

Felony threshold: 3rd offense within 10 years. Lookback period: 10 years.

Additional Penalty Details

OffenseCommunity ServiceProbationDUI School
1st OffenseMay be ordered as condition of probationUp to 6 months supervised or unsupervised probationMandatory substance abuse assessment; completion of recommended education/treatment program required for license reinstatement
2nd OffenseMay be ordered as condition of probation; commonly 100+ hoursUp to 1 year supervised probationMandatory substance abuse assessment and completion of recommended treatment program
3rd OffenseAs ordered by the courtUp to 5 years supervised probation; strict conditionsCourt-ordered intensive substance abuse treatment program; may require residential treatment
FelonyAs ordered by the courtUp to 5 years supervised probation with intensive monitoringMandatory 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

FactorImpact
BAC of 0.15% or higherEnhanced penalties at court discretion; may affect plea negotiations and sentencing recommendations
Passenger under 16 in the vehicleEnhanced penalties; potential child endangerment charges under separate statutes
DUI causing serious bodily injuryAggravated 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 licenseSeparate 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

Zero tolerance: Yes
BAC limit: 0.02%

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?
A first DUI in Wyoming is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail (no mandatory minimum for standard BAC), fines up to $750, a 90-day license suspension, and a mandatory substance abuse assessment with completion of recommended education or treatment. Many first offenders receive probation rather than jail time. License reinstatement requires completion of the substance abuse assessment recommendations and payment of reinstatement fees.
When does a DUI become a felony in Wyoming?
A DUI becomes a felony in Wyoming on the third offense within 10 years. A felony DUI carries up to 5 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, a 3-year license suspension, and mandatory intensive substance abuse treatment. DUI causing death (vehicular homicide) is always a felony with up to 20 years in prison, regardless of prior offenses.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Wyoming?
A DUI conviction stays on your Wyoming criminal record permanently. For sentencing enhancement purposes (determining second or third offense status), Wyoming uses a 10-year lookback period. DUI convictions remain on your driving record for at least 10 years. Wyoming does not currently allow expungement of DUI convictions.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Wyoming?
Refusing a chemical test in Wyoming results in an automatic license suspension: 6 months for a first refusal and 18 months for a second or subsequent refusal. These suspensions are in addition to any DUI-related suspension. No restricted license is available during a refusal suspension. The refusal is also admissible as evidence against you at trial.
Can you get a restricted license after a DUI in Wyoming?
Wyoming offers limited restricted driving privileges for some DUI offenders. A restricted license may allow driving to work, school, and treatment programs during the suspension period. Eligibility depends on the offense level, BAC, and whether the suspension was for a test refusal (no restricted license available for refusals). An ignition interlock device may be required as a condition of restricted driving.
How much does a DUI cost in Wyoming?
A first DUI in Wyoming typically costs $4,000 to $12,000 when factoring in court fines (up to $750), attorney fees ($2,000–$6,000), substance abuse assessment ($100–$300), treatment program costs ($200–$2,000+), insurance increases (SR-22 required), license reinstatement fees ($50), potential IID costs ($70–$150/month if ordered), and lost wages from court appearances.
Is there a mandatory jail sentence for a second DUI in Wyoming?
Yes. A second DUI in Wyoming within 10 years carries a mandatory minimum of 7 days in jail, with at least 5 days that cannot be suspended or converted to alternative sentencing. The maximum sentence is 6 months, with fines up to $750, a 1-year license suspension, a mandatory ignition interlock device for 1 year, and mandatory substance abuse treatment.
What is Wyoming's implied consent law?
Wyoming's implied consent law (Wyo. Stat. § 31-6-102) means that by driving on Wyoming roads, you automatically consent to chemical testing if an officer has probable cause to believe you are driving under the influence. You do have the right to request additional independent testing at your own expense. However, refusing the officer's test triggers an automatic license suspension separate from any DUI penalties.

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.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. DUI laws change frequently. Verify current requirements with Wyoming's statutes or consult a qualified DUI attorney in Wyoming.