Updated for 2026

Wyoming WYDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation - Driver Services)

Comprehensive study guide for the 2026 driver's knowledge exam. Everything you need to know about laws, fees, and requirements.

Total Questions

25

Passing Score

20

Standard Fee

$45.00 (Original Class C License) / $20.00 (Learner's Permit)

Testing System

computerized touchscreen (Automated Testing System). Retests allowed usually the same day or next day depending on office volume.

Critical Failure Factors

The primary reason for failure on the Wyoming road test is the inability to properly handle 'uncontrolled intersections' in rural towns and failing to check blind spots aggressively. Examiners fail applicants immediately for exceeding the speed limit, even by a small margin, or for 'rolling stops' at stop signs. On the written test, the most common failure points are questions regarding the specific 'Road Closure' laws (ignoring a gate) and the point system suspensions (specifically the 90-day suspension rules).

Legal Statutes & Driving Codes

Wyoming traffic laws (Title 31 of Wyoming Statutes) are uniquely adapted to its status as the least populated state with vast distances. The most critical law for safety and legality is the 'Road Closure Gate' statute (W.S. 24-1-109). Wyoming highways are equipped with physical gates that swing down to close the road during blizzards or high winds. It is a misdemeanor crime to drive around a closed gate or travel on a closed road, carrying a fine of up to $750 and potential jail time/license suspension. Drivers must obey the electronic signs; if they say 'Closed', you must exit. Another defining law is the '80 MPH Speed Limit'. Wyoming allows speeds up to 80 mph on rural interstates, one of the highest in the nation. However, the 'Basic Speed Law' is strictly enforced: if conditions (ice, wind, snow) make 80 mph unsafe, you can be ticketed for 'driving too fast for conditions' even if you are well below the posted limit. Wyoming is also a strict 'Open Range' state. In designated areas, livestock have the legal right of way. If you hit a cow or sheep in an open range area, the driver is liable for the cost of the animal, and the rancher owes you nothing for your damaged car. The state also enforces a 'Move Over Law' requiring drivers to move to the farthest lane or slow down significantly (typically 20 mph below limit) for *any* emergency vehicle or authorized utility vehicle with flashing lights. Regarding alcohol, the BAC limit is 0.08%, but for commercial drivers, it is 0.04%. Uniquely, Wyoming has a 'Restricted Learner’s Permit' (Hardship) available for minors as young as 14 years old (RC) if they live more than 5 miles from school and have no other transportation; this is a relic of rural necessity but requires a complex application and affidavit.

Statistical Realities

Driving in Wyoming requires mastering the most intense Wind Conditions in the continental United States. The wind is not just a nuisance; it is a lethal hazard. Gusts regularly exceed 60-70 mph in areas like Elk Mountain (I-80) and Bordeaux (I-25). Drivers must be acutely aware of 'Blow Over' risks. The state issues specific 'Light High Profile Vehicle' (LHPV) bans when wind levels are dangerous; ignoring these bans results in criminal penalties and inevitably, overturned trucks. Drivers of passenger cars should pass semi-trucks quickly and give them space, as trailers can be blown sideways into adjacent lanes. Another environmental hazard is 'Ground Blizzards', where the sky is clear, but strong winds pick up loose snow from the ground, reducing visibility to zero instantly. The driver handbook advises keeping a 'Winter Survival Kit' (blankets, candles, food, water) in the vehicle at all times, as help may be hours away in remote areas. Wyoming has very few people but massive amounts of wildlife; specifically, the Pronghorn Antelope and Mule Deer. These animals are most active at dawn and dusk. The handbook warns that if a collision is inevitable, do not swerve; brake firmly and stay in your lane to avoid rolling the vehicle in the ditch. A unique infrastructure feature is the 'Variable Speed Limit' (VSL) system. On highways, electronic signs change the legal speed limit based on real-time weather conditions. If the digital sign reads '45 MPH' on an 80 MPH freeway, that *is* the legal limit, and radar enforcement is heavy in these zones. Finally, regarding testing, Wyoming is one of the few states that may allow the 'Written Test' to be waived if you have a valid license from another country (case-by-case basis, often for Germany/France/South Korea reciprocity), but generally requires the written test for most new applicants. The road test routes in cities like Cheyenne or Casper are known for including complex roundabouts, which are increasingly used to manage traffic in high-wind intersections where hanging traffic lights would be damaged.