Wyoming Driving Records

Driving records, which provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's driving history, play a crucial role in Wyoming. They detail traffic violations, driving under the influence (DUI) offenses, and insurance compliance. These records are maintained under the Wyoming Public Records Act (WPRA) for transparency and accessibility while protecting individual privacy.

These reports serve as essential tools for employers, insurance companies, and legal professionals. Driving records impact job opportunities, insurance premiums, and legal proceedings, which highlight their importance in risk management and regulatory compliance.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is responsible for maintaining and managing driving records through its Driver Services Program (DSP) Division.

The WYDOT ensures the accuracy and security of these records by handling updates and corrections as needed. They manage record requests to guarantee authorized entities receive information for valid purposes.

Types of Driving Records Available in Wyoming

In Wyoming, motorists can request three types of driving records from the WYDOT through its DSP Division. Each type covers a different period of driving history:

Three-Year Driving Record

This record details the driving activities of the past three years and encompasses:

• Traffic violations: Records of moving infractions.
• Financial responsibility issues: Instances where proof of financial responsibility was withdrawn.
• Administrative actions: Documentation of administrative orders and refusals per se.
• Uninsured accidents: Records of accidents involving vehicles without insurance.
• Compulsory insurance violations: Failures to adhere to mandatory insurance requirements.
• Interstate violations: Infractions related to the Non-resident Violator Compact.

Five-Year Driving Record

Covering the past five years, this record provides detailed information on:

• DUI: Incidents involving impairment from alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless driving: Records of dangerously negligent driving behavior.
• Accident judgments: Court rulings related to driving-related accidents.
• Vehicular homicide: Fatalities resulting from driving incidents.
• Hit and run: Cases of fleeing the scene after causing an injury accident.
• Felony convictions: Felony charges arising from driving offenses.
• Minor transport violations: Offenses involving the illegal transport of alcohol to minors.

Ten-Year Driving Record

This extensive record covers a decade of driving history, incorporating all details from three-year and five-year records. It is commonly required for job applications or formal reviews.

Attested vs. Unattested Driving Records

When requesting driving records, drivers must understand the distinction between attested and unattested records. 

Attested driving records are formally certified copies that confirm their accuracy. These records are often required for legal proceedings or official documentation.

In contrast, unattested driving records are standard copies that do not have formal certification. They are typically used for personal review or less formal situations where official verification is unnecessary.

How To Request a Wyoming Driving History Report?

Motorists seeking their driving record or driving history report in Wyoming have two main methods for obtaining such reports: in person or by mail. Unfortunately, online requests are not available. Both methods require completing the Release of Driving Record & Personal Information Form (DFSR-11e Form) and paying a $5 fee per record.

In-Person Requests

To request a driving record in person, individuals must visit a Wyoming driver examination station. They should present a valid Wyoming driver’s license or identification card and fill out the DFSR-11e Form, including their full name, address, date of birth, and driver’s license number. 

The record fee is $5, payable by check, money order, or credit card. Credit card transactions incur a $2.50 service fee. The processing time is typically 7 to 10 business days, with results delivered by mail, email, or fax.

Mail Requests

For mail requests, the completed DFSR-11e Form should be sent to:

Wyoming Department of Transportation
Driver Services, Driving Records
5300 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY 82009–3340

Mail requests follow the same fee structure, processing times, and delivery methods as in-person requests.

Third parties, including employers and insurance companies, can use the same methods to request records. They must complete and sign the form and ensure they meet the usage qualifications specified on the release form.

Uses of Wyoming Driving Records

Driving records in Wyoming are protected by strict privacy regulations. According to Title 18, United States Code (USC), Section 2721, personal information from these records can only be disclosed for specific purposes. 

These purposes include improving vehicle and driver safety, preventing theft, managing emissions, handling product recalls, and monitoring vehicle performance.

Authorized entities like government agencies, law enforcement, and participants in legal proceedings can access this information. Businesses may use driving records to verify individual details, focusing on fraud prevention and debt collection. Insurance companies are also permitted to access records for claims investigations, underwriting, and fraud prevention.

Additionally, records can be used to notify vehicle owners of towing or impoundment and by licensed private investigators for specific legal purposes. Any disclosure outside these specified uses requires explicit consent from the individual. Unauthorized resale or redistribution of driving records is prohibited unless explicitly allowed for specific purposes.

Understanding Wyoming Driving Laws

Below are some of the critical driving laws that all motorists in Wyoming must be fully aware of:

Licensing Requirements and Penalties

Wyoming Statutes (WS) Section 31-7-106 mandates that drivers must hold a valid license to operate a vehicle. Violating this requirement by driving without a license or with a suspended or revoked license results in significant penalties.

First-time offenders face fines of about $150. Repeated violations lead to harsher consequences: fines up to $750 and six months in jail. Subsequent offenses during the same suspension period result in at least seven days of incarceration and a $200 fine. 

For those suspended due to DUI convictions, penalties include a $750 fine, mandatory seven-day jail time, and an additional $200 fine upon release. 

Speed Limits and Related Penalties

Speeding violations in Wyoming are governed by WS Section 31-5-301, which includes both "basic speeding law" and "absolute limits." Drivers must adjust their speed according to road, weather, and traffic conditions. 

Speed limits are set at 20 miles per hour (mph) near schools, 30 mph in residential areas, 75 mph on interstate highways, and 65 mph on paved roads (55 mph on unpaved roads). 

Fines for speeding begin at $65, with an additional $2 per mile over the limit. Serious violations incur fines starting at $270, with an extra $7 per mile. Extreme speeding can result in reckless or careless driving charges, and severe cases leading to fatalities may be classified as "homicide by vehicle," with penalties under WS Section 6-2-106.

Reckless and Careless Driving Regulations 

Reckless driving, as defined by WS Section 31-5-229, involves a "willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." 

This misdemeanor offense can result in up to six months in jail, fines up to $750, and surcharges of $150 to $350 for a first offense, increasing to $200 to $400 for subsequent offenses. A third conviction within five years leads to license revocation. 

Careless driving, while less severe, involves operating a vehicle without due care, creating unreasonable risk. Penalties include fines up to $200 for a first offense, rising to $300 for a second offense within a year, and up to $500 for a third or subsequent offense within a year. 

DUI Laws and Consequences

Wyoming’s zero-tolerance laws, such as WS Section 31-5-233, address DUI offenses. Drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher, or .04% for commercial drivers, face severe penalties. A first DUI offense can result in up to six months in jail, fines up to $750, and a 90-day license suspension.

A BAC of .15% or higher requires a six-month ignition interlock device (IID). A second DUI offense leads to seven days to six months in jail, fines from $200 to $750, a one-year license suspension, and a one-year IID requirement.

A third DUI offense incurs 30 days to six months in jail, fines from $750 to $3,000, a three-year license suspension, and a two-year IID. Fourth or subsequent offenses are felonies, with up to seven years in prison and fines up to $10,000. DUI-related injuries or fatalities result in harsher penalties, including possible prison terms of up to 20 years.

Auto Insurance Requirements and Penalties

Wyoming car insurance laws mandate that all drivers carry proof of financial responsibility, typically through insurance. Driving without insurance is a serious offense, resulting in fines and potential vehicle impoundment.

First-time offenders face fines up to $500 and possible license suspension until proof of insurance is provided. Repeat offenders encounter higher fines and extended license suspensions.

In some cases, offenders may need to pay additional fees to reinstate their driving privileges. Insufficient insurance coverage also incurs penalties, with fines and consequences depending on the extent to which coverage falls short of legal requirements.

The Point System in Wyoming

In most states, driving violations are tracked using a points-based system. Each infraction adds points to a driver’s record, and accumulating too many points can lead to penalties such as fines, higher insurance premiums, or license suspension.

Wyoming, however, takes a different approach. Instead of a points system, the WYDOT logs each moving violation directly on a driver’s record.

Moving violations, such as speeding and DUI, occur while a vehicle is in motion and are closely monitored due to their direct effect on road safety. In contrast, non-moving violations, like failing to maintain insurance or expired registration, do not involve vehicle movement and are recorded differently.

This alternative approach to tracking driving violations ensures that each driver's record accurately reflects their driving history and behavior without relying on points.

In Wyoming, accumulating four moving violations within a 12-month period can result in a 90-day license suspension, with each additional violation leading to further 90-day suspensions. 

Criminal vs. Civil Driving Offenses in Wyoming

In Wyoming, driving offenses are categorized into criminal and civil violations, each carrying distinct penalties.

Criminal Driving Offenses

Criminal driving offenses in Wyoming include felonies and misdemeanors, which result in significant legal consequences. Felonies are punishable by more than one year in prison or even death.

Examples of felonies include aggravated fleeing from law enforcement, aggravated vehicular homicide, and document forgery. Penalties for these offenses can include long prison terms and fines of up to $10,000. Additionally, offenders may face license suspension or revocation.

Though less severe, misdemeanor traffic violations still carry serious penalties. These include fleeing from a police vehicle, DUI, and reckless driving. Under Wyoming law, first-time misdemeanor offenders may face fines up to $200, with subsequent offenses within a year resulting in fines up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

Circuit Courts handle more serious misdemeanors, while Municipal Courts address less severe ones. Offenders may also incur court costs and administrative fees.

Civil Driving Offenses

In Wyoming, civil driving offenses, or infractions, are less severe and primarily result in fines. These include minor violations like parking infractions, seatbelt violations, and improper lane changes. For instance, non-compliance with the Wyoming Chain Law (WS Section 31-5-956) and child safety restraint violations fall under this category.

Infractions usually do not require a court appearance and are resolved by paying fines, which typically range from $25 to several hundred dollars. Minor speeding violations or failing to secure a license plate are some examples. 

While infractions are less serious, repeated violations can affect a driver’s record and lead to higher insurance premiums. 

Wyoming Driving Statistics and Goals

In Wyoming, traffic fatalities mirror national patterns but face unique challenges. Wyoming recorded 127 deaths in 2020, down from 147 in 2019. As of May 2024, deaths decreased by 38% compared to 2023. Contributing factors include long distances, high-speed rural roads, limited emergency services, and wildlife collisions. 

The state's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2026 Highway Safety Plan aims to reduce fatalities to 113 by 2026 and serious injuries to 500 annually. Key initiatives include enhancing law enforcement visibility, promoting seat belt use, improving rural road safety, and increasing DUI checkpoints.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Driving Records

The following are some of the most common questions regarding driving records in Wyoming:

Who Can Request a Driving Record?

In Wyoming, driving records are accessible only to the individuals listed on the record and authorized parties with a valid release form. Authorized parties include government agencies, employers, legal entities involved in court proceedings, researchers, insurance companies, tow operators, and toll agencies.

How Long Do Different Traffic Violations Stay on a Driver’s Record?

Speeding violations can remain on a driver's record for up to 12 years. DUI offenses, which carry criminal and administrative consequences, stay on the record for five years. Severe violations, such as vehicular homicide, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and felony convictions, are also recorded for five years.

Less serious offenses, including minor moving violations, compulsory insurance violations, uninsured accidents, and non-resident violator compact infractions, are documented for three years. 

Can Traffic Violations Be Expunged or Sealed from Driving Records?

Traffic violations cannot be expunged or sealed from driving records in Wyoming. The state's statutes on expungement are limited and do not cover traffic offenses.

Under WS Section 7–13–1501, individuals can petition to expunge certain misdemeanor convictions after five years, but this is only allowed once per offender. Specific felonies can also be expunged after ten years, but this excludes traffic offenses like felony DUIs and aggravated homicide by vehicle.

Helpful Links and Resources

Drivers in Wyoming can refer to these links and resources for comprehensive information and details.

• Guidelines for obtaining a copy of driving records through WYDOT's DSP Division:  https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/driver_license_records/formsapplications/driving_records.html#:~:text=Download%20%22Release%20of%20Driving%20Record,money%20order%20payable%20to%20WYDOT
• Wyoming Motor Vehicle Code (WS Title 31): https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title31.pdf
• 2023 WYDOT Highway Safety Program Report on Traffic Crashes: https://wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2024/08-202406037-132023Wyo

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Counties in Wyoming

• Albany
• Big Horn
• Campbell
• Carbon
• Converse
• Crook
• Fremont
• Goshen
• Hot Springs
• Johnson
• Laramie
• Lincoln
• Natrona
• Niobrara
• Park
• Platte
• Sheridan
• Sublette
• Sweetwater
• Teton
• Uinta
• Washakie
• Weston