What is a Learner's Permit?

Learner's permits are issued to drivers ages 14 years and older to assist in the learning process, or re-learning process, so that the driver will have a specified period of time to practice driving. Generally, learner's permits are issued for one year at a time, and may be renewed. If you are issued a learner's permit, you must hold that permit for a minimum of 10 days before you are eligible to apply for full driving privileges. An intermediate permit must be held a minimum of six months before you are eligible to apply for full driving privileges. Full driving privileges are allowed at age 17, even if you have never held a permit.

Wyoming law describes the types of licensing permits that are available and what restrictions are required for each permit.

Restricted Learner's Permit

A Restricted Learner's Permit ( Ages 14-15 years): is also known as a "hardship permit." Minors who meet the following criteria may be eligible for the permit:

• Minor's residence is more than 5 miles from the school they attend
• Minor has a regular job (a minimum of 10 hours per week) more than 5 miles from the minor’s residence
• Minor must have a license to work in his/her parents’ business
• Any other circumstances which the Highway Patrol finds to be an extreme inconvenience

Extreme Inconvenience:  the need to provide transportation for long-term medical treatment or conditions (not to include routine medical office visits). Contact the Highway Patrol at 307-777-4301 for verification requirements for medical purposes.

Applying for a Restricted Learner's Permit:

• Complete the Affidavit for a Restricted License forms FSDL-708A & FSDL-708B .
• On the form, you must indicate the number of licensed drivers living in the same household, along with a clear explanation of why these drivers are not able to provide transportation for the minor.
• The affidavit must state the class of license desired as being either “RC” (car or pickup), “RM” (motorcycle), or "RCM" (both motorcycle and car/pickup).
• If appropriate, the following forms must be submitted with the affidavit. Information supplied on these forms will be used to determine the restrictions of the license.

1. School Attendance Verification form must be attached, if the license is to be used for transportation to or from school, or in conjunction with extracurricular school activities.
2. Work Verification form must be attached, if the license is to be used for transportation to and from work.
3. Verification of Parental Ownership of Business form must be attached, if the license is to be used in conjunction with a parental business.
4. Insurance Verification form must be completed and attached.
5. Restrictions form must be completed by WHP

The completed affidavit must be signed, notarized and mailed along with all other required forms to:

Wyoming Highway Patrol
Restricted License Investigations
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY  82009-3340. 

If your child is approved for the restricted learner's permit, the following documents are required by the Federal Real ID Act of 2005 to be presented at the local driver exam office for the issuance of the permit:

 Real ID requirements: present all of the following documents:

• Valid U.S. passport or state-certified birth certificate **
• Proof of Social Security Number (W-2 form, IRS tax form, SSN card, etc.)
• Two (2) current forms of proof of Wyoming residency (Utility bill in your name & residential address, car registration, voter registration certificate, etc.)

**Legal proof of a name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.) if your child's name is now different or has changed from the birth certificate or U.S. passport

You must accompany your minor child if you are their legal parent/guardian. The minor will be required to pass the written exam and vision screening at the time of application for the learner's permit. These special permits are issued for a period of 60 days; however, the minor is required to hold the permit for a minimum period of 10 days before applying for a full restricted driver's license. A licensed adult, age 18 years or older, must accompany the minor driving with a restricted permit. The cost of the restricted permit is $10.. 

The permit and driving privilege will be suspended:

1.  Upon conviction of a moving violation,
2.  For driving outside the approved hours of 5 a.m. through 8 p.m.,  
3.  For driving beyond the 50-mile radius of domicile; and/or
4.  Upon conviction of violating the restrictions of the license

Once the minor has held the restricted permit for a minimum of 10 days, they may apply for a full "RC" license which restricts them to driving only within the hours of 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and only within a 50-mile radius of their domicile; as well as any other restrictions deemed appropriate by the approval authority - the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Regular Learner's Permit

A regular learner's permit is generally issued to a minor, 15 - 16 years of age, who is learning how to drive. The minor may need the permit to apply for a driver's education course. It may also be issued to an adult who needs to improve their driving habits or needs time to practice driving.

The permit restricts the driver to operating a motor vehicle only when another person, at least 18 years old, occupies the front passenger seat. The person sitting beside the driver must hold a valid driver license.  

Applying for a learner's permit: You must appear in person at your local driver exam office to be photographed. If you have never been issued a Wyoming permit before, a state-certified copy of your birth certificate is required. For minors under the age of 18, the legal parent or legal guardian must accompany you. If your parent or guardian cannot come with you, you may download (or be mailed) the application form and have your parent/guardian sign the front of the form in the presence of a notary. The notary must stamp the back of the form and sign it. You should be prepared to take and pass the written test, as well as the vision screening. The cost of the permit is $20.

Real ID requirements: Beginning June 1, 2011, you are required to present all of the following documents (even if you have presented them prior to that date):

• Valid U.S. passport or state-certified birth certificate **
• Proof of Social Security Number (W-2 form, IRS tax form, SSN card, etc.)
• Two (2) current forms of proof of Wyoming residency (Utility bill in your name & residential address, car registration, voter registration certificate, etc.)

**Legal proof of a name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.) if your name is now different or has changed from your birth certificate or U.S. passport. 

A learner's permit is valid for one year, and may be renewed as many times as necessary. However, it must be held for at least 10 days before you can apply for full driving privileges. 

Commercial Learner's Permit (CDP)

Should you want to learn how to operate a heavy vehicle, you will need to apply for a commercial driver permit (CDP). This permit allows you to practice driving a vehicle which requires a commercial driver license (CDL) to operate. You must be accompanied by a person who occupies the front passenger seat, who holds a valid CDL for the type of vehicle you are driving. For example, if you are driving a Class "A" type commercial vehicle, the person with you must hold a valid CDL Class "A" license. This type of permit is valid for one year and may be renewed only once in a two-year period.

Applying for a CDP: You must appear in person at your local driver exam office to be photographed. You should surrender your current Wyoming driver's license, if you have it in your possession. If you don't currently hold a Wyoming driver's license, you will be required to surrender your out-of-state driver license as well as present your state-certified birth certificate to the examiner. The cost of the permit is $20.

Real ID requirements:      Beginning June 1, 2011, you are required to present all of the following documents (even if you have presented them prior to that date):

• Valid U.S. passport or state-certified birth certificate **
• Proof of Social Security Number (W-2 form, IRS tax form, SSN card, etc.)
• Two (2) current forms of proof of Wyoming residency (Utility bill in your name & residential address, car registration, voter registration certificate, etc.)

**Legal proof of a name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.) if your name is now different or has changed from your birth certificate or U.S. passport. 

Testing: You are required to take and pass the general knowledge written test to be issued the permit. Any other written tests required for endorsements can be taken at this time, or later, prior to being issued a full CDL. You will also be required to complete a vision screening.

Graduated Driver's License

A graduated driver license is referred to in Wyoming law as an "intermediate permit."

If you are under the age of 17 years, and have not completed a driver's education course, you are not eligible for full driving privileges. 

Applying for an Intermediate Permit: You must appear in person at your local driver exam office to be photographed. If you have a current Wyoming learner's permit or restricted license, you must surrender it to the examiner. You are required to pass a vision screening and present proof that you have completed the requirement of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving time. Your parent or legal guardian must come with you to sign the application form or their signature must be notarized on the form. The intermediate permit must be held for a minimum period of six months or until you turn 17 years of age. If you have held an intermediate permit for six months, and have completed an approved driver's education course, then you can apply for full driving privileges at the minimum age of 16 1/2 yrs. The cost for the permit is $15. 

Real ID requirements:      Beginning June 1, 2011, you are required to present all of the following documents (even if you have presented them prior to that date):

• Valid U.S. passport or state-certified birth certificate **
• Proof of Social Security Number (W-2 form, IRS tax form, SSN card, etc.)
• Two (2) current forms of proof of Wyoming residency (Utility bill in your name & residential address, car registration, voter registration certificate, etc.)

**Legal proof of a name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.) if your name is now different or has changed from your birth certificate or U.S. passport. 

Requirements to be eligible for an intermediate permit are:

• You are at least 16 years old;
• You have held a learner's permit for at least 10 days; and
• You have completed 50 actual driving hours [FSGDL-01] behind the wheel of a vehicle, including 10 hours of night driving.  

Restrictions to driving associated with the intermediate permit:

• You are not allowed to drive with more than one passenger under the age of 18 years who is not a member of your immediate family;
• You and all your passengers must wear seat belts;
• You can only legally drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

There are going to be exceptions to the "rules" occasionally and for each of the following situations you must complete the exception form [FSGDL-02]  and carry it with you in your vehicle:

• You must drive for a medical necessity - a medical doctor must sign the exception form;
• You must drive to or from work beyond the hours allowed - your employer must sign the exception form; or 
• You must drive to or from school, a school activity, an organized youth sports activity or a religious activity, beyond the hours allowed - your parent or legal guardian must sign the exception form.

Exception forms are used on a limited basis; they are not global. 
For example, you are on a sports team and some of the games are out of town. You need to be able to drive home after 11 p.m. You will need an exception form for each individual out-of-town game. 

Note: Should you find yourself in a medical emergency situation where you have no choice other than to drive to the hospital, you do not need the exception form. 

The driving restrictions associated with an intermediate permit do not apply if the passenger sitting next to you in the front seat is 18 years of age or older and holds a valid driver's license with full driving privileges.