How to Get a Wyoming Hardship License

Losing your driver’s license in Wyoming can disrupt every part of your daily life—getting to work, attending school, or keeping medical appointments.

Wyoming recognizes this and offers pathways to keep you legally on the road. For adults, the state offers Probationary Licenses and Ignition Interlock Restricted Licenses, depending on your driving record. For minors aged 14 and 15, Wyoming has a highly unique “Extreme Inconvenience” program that allows young teens to drive if their family relies on them.

This guide explains the three different types of restricted licenses in Wyoming, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply so you can get back to your life.

The 3 Ways for Restricted Driving in Wyoming

Wyoming does not use a one-size-fits-all “hardship license.” You must apply for the specific program that matches your age and the reason your license was suspended.

Pathway 1: The Probationary License (For Standard Suspensions)

If you were suspended for accumulating too many moving violations or a first-time DUI (with a BAC under 0.15), you apply for a Probationary License.

• What it allows: Driving for essential purposes, such as work, school, medical care, and court-ordered programs.
• The “Once in 5 Years” Rule: WYDOT will only issue you one probationary driver license in a 5-year period.
• Who is NOT eligible: You cannot get a probationary license for an “indefinite suspension” (like failing to pay a ticket). WYDOT requires you to simply pay the fine to end the suspension. You are also disqualified if you have an Ignition Interlock requirement or if you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Pathway 2: Ignition Interlock Restricted License (IIR) (For Severe/Repeat DUIs)

If you received a first-time DUI with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, or if you have multiple DUIs, you cannot get a standard Probationary License. You must apply for an Ignition Interlock Restricted (IIR) License.

• What it allows: You may drive provided your vehicle is equipped with a state-approved Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
• Financial Assistance (SNAP): If you are low-income and qualify for SNAP benefits, Wyoming will pay for 50% of your IID costs and waive your $100 administrative fee.

Pathway 3: Minor’s Restricted License (Ages 14-15)

Wyoming allows 14- and 15-year-olds to bypass normal age restrictions if they can prove an “extreme inconvenience.”This standard is met if:

• The teen must drive to a school that is more than 5 miles away.
• The teen has a regular job (minimum 10 hours a week) more than 5 miles away.
• The teen must have a license to work in their parent’s business.

Once issued, the teen is strictly limited to driving between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. within a 50-mile radius of their home. (A 15-year-old may drive outside of these hours/radius only if a licensed adult is in the front seat).

How to Apply for a Wyoming Hardship License

Because the rules are entirely different for adults versus minors, follow the path that matches your situation.

Path A: Application Process for Adults (Probationary License)

1. Request a Record Review: Go to WYDOT’s self-service portal (oneWYO) online, or mail a written request to WYDOT-Driver Services in Cheyenne. You must include a $15 Record Review fee.
2. Wait for the Packet: WYDOT will review your record. If you are eligible, they will mail you an acceptance letter and a packet of forms.
3. Complete the Requirements: If your suspension was alcohol-related, you must complete an alcohol assessment with a counselor and an 8-hour DUI education class approved by the Wyoming Department of Health.
4. Obtain SR-22 Insurance: Have your auto insurance provider file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with WYDOT.
5. Submit Forms and Payment: Return the completed packet along with the $55 Probationary License issuance fee.

Path B: Applying for an IIR (High BAC or Repeat DUIs)

1. Install the Interlock Device: Have a Wyoming-approved IID (like Smart Start or Intoxalock) installed in your vehicle by a certified technician. Ensure they send the installation certificate to WYDOT.
2. Obtain SR-22 Insurance: Have your insurance provider file your SR-22 proof with the state.
3. Pay the Fees: You must pay a $50 reinstatement fee, the regular driver license fee, and a $100 IID administrative fee (unless you qualify for the SNAP indigent waiver).

Path C: Applying for a Minor’s “Extreme Inconvenience” License

1. Submit the Affidavit: The parent or guardian must complete the Application for a Restricted Driver License/Permit packet, including a sworn affidavit of extreme inconvenience, and mail it to the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) in Cheyenne.
2. Get a Restricted Learner’s Permit: If the WHP approves the application (which can take up to 6 weeks), the teen must go to a local driver exam office, pass a written exam and vision screening, and be issued a Restricted Learner’s Permit.
3. Wait 10 Days: The teen must hold this permit for a minimum of exactly 10 days. (Wyoming does not require the standard 50-hour driving log for this specific pathway).
4. Take the Road Test: After 10 days, the teen can take the driving skills test. If they pass, they will be issued the full Restricted Class C license.

What Happens If You Violate a Wyoming Hardship License?

A restricted license is highly scrutinized. If a teen is caught driving outside their 50-mile radius or gets a moving violation, the permit is immediately suspended.

For adults, driving outside of approved probationary hours, or attempting to tamper with an IID, is a misdemeanor. A first violation can result in up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, and a 90-day extension of your suspension. A second violation results in a mandatory one-year suspension of your hardship privileges.

Conclusion

Wyoming offers incredibly practical solutions for drivers who genuinely need to stay on the road. The key is knowing which pathway applies to you. For adults, start by requesting your $15 Record Review via the oneWYO portal. For teens, ensure your extreme inconvenience affidavit is mailed directly to the Highway Patrol. Get the paperwork right the first time, and you can significantly minimize the disruption to your livelihood.