WYOMING DUI/ DWI
Driving under influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) is an offense committed when a driver operates a vehicle after the consumption of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants. The increased alcohol level in a driver’s blood decreases mental and motor skills. This reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle and increases driver errors of judgment and often results in accidents causing severe injuries and even death!
Drunk driving is the single largest cause of motor vehicle related fatalities. It accounts for a high of 38% to 52% of the total number of motor vehicle related deaths each year.
WYOMING DUI/ DWI REGULATIONS
In Wyoming, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is set at:
0.08% -for drivers over 21 years of age
0.04%. -for commercial drivers (CDL)
0.02% -for drivers under 21 years of age
Having a license in the state of Wyoming automatically renders “implied consent”. “Implied consent” can be used by the officer to test your BAC level if you are stopped on the suspicion of drunk driving, either through a Breathalyzer test or by an actual blood test. Refusing to take the chemical test will result in your license being revoked for 1 year. If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, it is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice.
Insurance companies keep a close watch on DUI violations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums.
WYOMING DUI/ DWI PENALTIES
If convicted of a DUI/DWI the ramifications include: Heavy Fines, Points on your drivers license, and a License Suspension or Revocation, and higher Insurance Premiums! Points are assessed based on the severity of the offense and the number of convictions. All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact an STA Advisor absolutely FREE!!!
If you are over 21 years old:
1st Offense
- Imprisonment for up to 6 months.
- Fine of up to $750.
- License suspension of 90 days.
- You may be eligible for limited-driving privileges during the suspension period provided you have not been issued a probationary license in the last 5 years. The procedure to apply for limited driving privileges in explained on the form issued by the arresting officer.
2nd Offense
- A fine of $200 to $750.
- Jail time of 7 days mandatory; possible jail time of up to 6 months.
- License suspension of 1 year.
- You may have to install an ignition interlock device in all vehicles you drive.
3rd Offense
(within 5 years)
- A fine of $750 to $3,000.
- Jail time of 30 days mandatory; possible jail time of up to 6 months. (Individual must undergo alcohol assessment)
- License suspension: License will be revoked for 3 years.
4th Offense
(within 5 years)
- Fine of up to $10,000.
- Jail time of up to 7 years.
If you are under 21 years old:
- If charged for DWUI with a BAC higher than 0.02% your license will be suspended for 90 days for a first offense and for up to six months for a second offense within a two year period.
- You are eligible for limited driving privileges provided this is your first offense for DWUI and you have not been issued a probationary driving license in the last five years.
- Apart from these actions, penalties mentioned above for drivers over 21, may also apply to minors if they are convicted of DUI/DWUI.
WYOMING PENALTIES FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS (CDL)
- Barred from driving a commercial vehicle for 1 year if you are convicted for a BAC higher than 0.04%.
- You will be barred from driving a commercial vehicle for at least three years, if you are convicted for your BAC being higher than 0.04% while transporting hazardous materials.
- Barred from driving a commercial vehicle for life if you are convicted for any of these offenses for the second time.
- The arresting officer will also issue you an “out-of-service” order valid for 24 hours if any trace of alcohol is found in your system even if it is less than 0.04%.
- Aside from these actions, penalties mentioned above for drivers over 21, may also apply to commercial drivers for their first and second offenses of DUI/DWI.
WYOMING LICENSE REINSTATEMENT for DUI/ DWI SUSPENSION & REVOCATION
- If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, it will result in your license being suspended or revoked. This means that your driving privileges will be taken away and you will need to apply for a reinstatement of your license with the Transportation Department in Boise, once the period of suspension or revocation is over.
- Reinstating a license after a suspension of a year, or revocation will also mean taking the driving tests all over again. These will include the vision test, knowledge test and the road test. If you do not complete the reinstatement requirements, the license will remain suspended or revoked.
- Reinstatement of a suspended license can only happen after completion of all withdrawal actions on record. You are required to file an SR-22 from your insurer to maintain proof of financial responsibility for 3 years from the date of suspension & pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
- To complete the reinstatement requirements for a revoked license you may also have to undergo an alcohol/drug evaluation and successfully complete a rehabilitation program before you can get a new license.
- If you are being convicted for a second time, it is mandatory for the court to order an ignition interlock device to be placed for breathalyzer tests on any vehicle you drive.
- The reinstatement fee can be paid at any Wyoming driver license exam office or mailed to the Cheyenne Driver Services office.