DRIVERS LICENSES
Section 1. Authority.
These Rules of Practice and Procedure are promulgated by authority of W.S. 24-2-105, 31-7-103, 31-7-305, and 31-7-310.
Section 2. Purpose of the Rules.
These rules are intended to provide a uniform and understandable interpretation of the undefined portion of the Drivers License Act; W.S. 31-7-101 through W.S. 31-7-140 and the Uniform Commer- cial Drivers License Act; W.S. 31-7-301 through W.S. 31-7-314. These rules include applications and examinations for obtaining drivers licenses, commercial drivers licenses, temporary and instructional permits; extension or expiration of a valid drivers license; grounds for cancellation or denial of license and/or permit; grounds for suspension and/or disqualification; notice of intent to suspend, deny, dis- qualify, revoke or cancel and procedures for providing hearings.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) The following definitions shall be construed as supplemental to statutory definitions as set forth in W.S. 31-7-102.
(i) Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:
- (A) Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or
- (B) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
- (C) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- (D) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazard- ous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F).
- (ii) Department means the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
(iii) Serious Traffic Violation means conviction, when operating a commercial vehicle, of:
- (A) Improper or erratic traffic lane changes;
- (B) Following the vehicle ahead too closely; or
- (C) A violation, arising in connection with a fatal accident, of state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control.
- (iv) State means any state of the United States and the provinces of Canada.
(b) As used in these rules and regulations, the following terms, when used, have the following meanings:
(i) Certified copy referred to in W.S. 31-7-111(a) means:
- (A) An original official document with original signatures, seals and entries of information.
- (B) Any reproduction of an official document which has been reproduced from an original document on file at a government agency; provided the reproduced copy:
- (C) Bears a certification by the custodian that it is a true and accurate copy of the document on file, bears the original signature of the certifying person, and if the office has a seal bears the seal of the office.
- (ii) Domicile as referred to in W.S. 31-7-117(c) means the domicile of the parent or guardian having legal custody and signing the affidavit of extreme inconvenience.
- (iii) FMCSR means Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Parts 383, 390 through 397 and 399.
- (iv) Individual means any man, woman, or child, or individual business or organiza- tion on whom a department keeps records or maintains information.
- (v) Motor vehicle record means any record that pertains to a motor vehicle operator or drivers license or permit, motor vehicle registration, motor vehicle title, or identification document issued by the department or other state or local agency authorized to issue any of such forms or creden- tials.
- (vi) Moving Violations means an act of control or lack of control by the driver of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, which results in a conviction, and includes a conviction or driving in violation of the restriction for lenses and/or outside mirrors.
- (vii) National Driver Register means Public Law 86-660 of 1960 setting forth the National Driver Register. This law was expanded in 1966 under Public Law 89-563 and again in 1982 under Title II, National Driver Register Act to establish an index on Adverse Driver Licensing Actions taken by State Administrators.
- (viii) Personal information: means information that identifies an individual, including an individuals photograph, computerized image, signature, social security number, driver identification number, name, address, telephone number, and medical or disability information, but does not include vehicular accidents, driving or equipment-related violations, and driver license status.
- (ix) Record means any grouping of information about an individual that is maintained in the file of a department or organization that contains a name, identifying number, or symbol assigned to the individual and is used to make a decision about the rights, character, opportunities, benefits, or liabilities of the individual to whom the record pertains. This includes all books, papers, photographs, photostats, cards, films, tapes, recordings electronic data, printouts or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics.
- (x) Regular job referred to in W.S. 31-7-117 (c) means any employment that requires a minimum of ten (10) hours of work within a one (1) week period.
(xi) Restrictions means the following restrictions in an encoded form which may be imposed and placed on the drivers license or permit;
- (A) Restrictions for licenses issued on or before November 14, 1986 are Auto- matic Transmission - T; City Driving Only - U; Corrective Lenses - L; Daylight Driving - D; Gas Pedal, Left Foot - P; Hand Controls - H; No Interstate or Primary Highway Driving - X; To Submit Annual Medical/Vision Certificates - Y; Outside Rearview Mirrors - V; or Power Steering - S. Any other restrictions imposed shall also be set forth on the license form.
- (B) Restrictions for licenses issued on or after November 15, 1986 are Me- chanical Aids (Special Brakes, Hand Controls or Other Adaptive Devices) - H; Valid Without Photo - J; Corrective Lenses -L; Daylight Driving - N; Outside Rearview Mirrors - O; Prosthetic Aids -P; Limited Others (assigned by the Department and must be contacted for details of this restriction) -U; Automatic Transmission - V; Four-Year Vision -W; Four-Year Medical - X; Annual Vision - Y; or Annual Medical Z.
- (C) Restrictions for licenses issued on or after January 1, 1990 are Mechanical Aids (Special Brakes, hand Controls or Adaptive Devices) -H; Commercial Drivers License Intrastate Only -I; Valid Without Photo - J; Corrective Lenses - L; Daylight Driving Only - N; Outside Rearview Mirrors - O; Prosthetic Aids - P; Limited Others (Assigned by the Department and must be contacted for details of this restriction) -U; Automatic Transmission -V; Four Year Vision -W; Four Year Medical - X; Annual Vision -Y; or Annual Medical - Z.
(D) Restrictions for licenses issued on or after December 10, 1990 are Correc- tive Lenses -B; Mechanical Aid (special brakes, hand controls) or other adaptive devices -C; Prosthetic Aid - D; Automatic Transmission - E; Outside Mirrors - F; Daylight Driving Only - G; Limit to Employ- ment Only - H; Limited Others (assigned by the Department and must be contacted for details of this restriction) - I; Valid Without Photo -J; CDL Intrastate Only - K; Vehicles Without Air Brakes (CDL only) - L; Except Class A Bus (CDL only) -M; Except Class A and B Bus (CDL only) - N; Except Tractor Trailer (CDL only) - O; Class M only, 4-Wheel Recreation Vehicle Only R; Annual Vision - Y; or Annual Medical - Z.
- (1) An applicant for a Commercial Drivers License who has not attained the age of twenty-one (21) years of age shall be restricted to a commercial drivers license intrastate only restriction except while operating under an exemption allowed by FMCSR - 49 CFR 391.
- (2) An applicant for a commercial drivers license who does not have a current valid medical examiners certificate as required by FMCSR-49 CFR 391 may be restricted to a commercial drivers license intrastate only restriction.
- (xii) School referred to in W.S. 31-7-117 (c) means the persons primary place of education where he or she attends regularly scheduled classes but does not include place or locations where extracurricular activities take place.
- (xiii) Social Security Number means the social security number assigned by the Social Security Administration, or other tracking and identification numbers or letters deemed appropriate by the Department, to be placed on drivers license, application for commercial drivers licenses and/or commercial drivers license instruction permits.
- (xiv) Subject means an individual or legal entity about whom personal information is maintained in an information system.
- (xv) System of records means a group of any records under the control of the Depart- ment from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.
Section 4. Applications for Drivers Licenses, Commercial Drivers Licenses and Renewals.
- (a) Each applicant shall prepare an application form furnished by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
- (b) The applicant is required to complete the area of the application marked To be Completed by Applicant.
- (c) In addition to the information specifically requested on the application form as called for by statute, the applicant is required to fill out additional identifying information, including color of eyes, color of hair and if the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
- (d) The applicant must answer the questions pertaining to medical history within the previous five (5) years as requested on the application. Any applicant answering in the affirmative to any of the medical questions or listing any physical or mental disabilities may be required to have a qualified doctor complete the medical form furnished by the Department.
- (e) An applicant applying for a commercial drivers license wishing a grandfathering waiver of the skills test is required to answer additional questions and make a certification regarding driving record, driving and employment experience.
- (f) An applicant applying for a commercial drivers license who is required to take a skills test is required to make a certification regarding class and type of vehicle used for the skills test.
- (g) Every applicant for a commercial drivers license is required to acknowledge that they are making application for a commercial drivers license and that they are subject to the FMCSR.
- (h) Every applicant for a commercial drivers license or commercial instruction permit shall provide the Department his or her social security number unless written documentation is provided showing proof that he or she has satisfied the federal Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service that his or her seriously held religious beliefs would be violated by use of their social security number. In the event the applicant provides satisfactory documentation from the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service of a religious objection, the Department will assign a special number provided by Federal Highway Administration for identification and system tracking purposes.
- (i) Change of name by reason of adoption, change in marital status or other legal pro- ceeding will be made upon submission of an application for such change. A certified copy of the official document which effectuates the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order must be presented to the examiner at the time of application.
- (ii) Change of name which was not affected in a legal proceeding will be granted, pro- vided the use of the name is not for any fraudulent purpose, does not infringe on the interests or rights of others, is not prohibited by any judicial or administrative adjudication, and is otherwise legal. The application for a name change must include a certified copy of the licensees birth certificate issued by a state government. the certified copy of the birth certificate must be presented to the examiner at the time of application. The application must also include a written, signed affidavit from the licensee, executed personally in Wyoming before an officer statutorily authorized to administer oaths.
(iii) The affidavit in paragraph (ii) must include:
- (A) The licensees full first, middle, and last names, as shown on the licensees birth certificate.
- (B) The licensees full first, middle and last names after the licensees name change.
- (C) The licensees date and place of birth.
- (D) The licensees present mailing address and physical address or residence if different from the mailing address.
- (E) The licensees natural or adoptive mothers full name, including her maiden name.
- (F) The licensees natural or adoptive fathers full name.
- (G) Each and every other name, if any, whether given, assumed, or fictitious, which the licensee has used during the proceeding ten (10) years. The affidavit must also show the date and places (by state, county and city) where each name was used.
- (H) Each address where the licensee has resided during the last ten (10) years and the length of time the licensee resided at each location.
- (I) The licensees current job title and employer (including the address and location of both the employer and the job worksite), and the previous job title(s) and employer(s) the licensee has had during the preceding ten (10) years (including the address and location of both the employer and job worksite).
(J) The licensees certification that the change to and use of the changed name, and the receipt and use of the amended license, in whole or in part:
- (1) Is not for any wrongful or fraudulent purpose;
- (2) Does not and will not infringe on the interest, rights or privacy of any other person;
- (3) Is not prohibited by or in violation of any judicial or administrative adjudication.
- (K) The licensees certification that the licensee understands that it is unlawful to use a false or fictitious name in any application for a drivers license and that the applicants drivers license may be canceled if the applicant fails to give the required or correct information on the applica- tion, including the applicants birth certificate and affidavit.
- (L) After January 1, 1994 any drivers license, other than restricted class C or class M drivers license, issued to an applicant who is under twenty one (21) years of age, shall expire on the applicants twenty first birthday.
Section 5. Oaths.
Each oath, affidavit or verification which is required to obtain a license, permit or to include the gift of life designation may be submitted to or administered by any authorized drivers license examiner.
Section 6. Examination.
(a) A first time applicant for a drivers license or instruction permit shall be required to take a vision screening or vision test and a test of knowledge of traffic regulations and traffic regulatory signs.
The first time applicant may be required to demonstrate ability to operate a motor vehicle of the class and type for which application is made. The applicant for a renewal of a drivers license shall be re- quired to take a vision screening or vision test and may be required to submit to a test of knowledge of traffic regulations and traffic regulatory signs, and demonstrate ability to operate a motor vehicle of the class and type for which application is made. The drivers license examinations shall include a determi- nation of legal qualifications to hold a drivers license.
- (b) The skills test may be waived at the discretion of the examiner for the first time applicant for classified drivers license provided the applicant presents at the time of application a signed certificate of completion of a drivers education course approved by the Department of Education or driver training courses certified by the Department of Transportation.
(c) An applicant for a commercial vehicle drivers license or a Wyoming class A or class B noncommercial drivers license may qualify for a grandfathering waiver of the skills test, by complet- ing a certification of qualification for grandfathering. The certification at a minimum, shall verify that the applicant during the two (2) year period immediately prior to application:
- (i) Does not have more than one (1) drivers license, in their possession;
- (ii) Has not had any drivers license or driving privileges suspended, revoked or can- celed;
- (iii) Has not had any commercial drivers license or driving privileges disqualified;
- (iv) Has not had a conviction for any serious traffic violations, or record of an at fault or uninsured accident;
- (v) Has at least two (2) years experience operating a vehicle of the type and class for which application is being made; and
- (vi) All other information required by the FMCSR.
(d) The written and skills testing requirements may be waived upon the renewal of a commercial drivers license, except that:
- (i) Testing requirements mandated by the FMCSR may not be waived;
(ii) A skills test may not be waived if the licensee:
- (A) Had any drivers license or driving privileges suspended, revoked, canceled or disqualified within the four (4) years immediately prior to renewal; or
- (B) Has been convicted of operating an uninsured vehicle within the four (4) years immediately prior to renewal;
- (iii) The licensee must provide a vehicle representative of the type and class of drivers license for which he/she is making application, in order for the Department to administer a driving skills test.
(e) Vision requirements.
(i) The drivers license examiner may approve the issuance of the license:
- (A) If the vision screening given by an examiner, optometrist or ophthalmologist shows an acuity of at least 20/40 or better with both eyes, with or without corrective lenses;
- (B) If the applicant has previously failed the vision screening and presents a written vision statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist dated within the last three (3) months showing an acuity of 20/40 or better, with both eyes;
- (C) If the vision screening or vision test shows an applicants vision to be worse than 20/40 in one eye, with or without correction, and at least 20/40 or better in the other eye, with or without correction, any vehicle the applicant operates must be equipped with outside mirrors and the license will indicate that restriction; or
- (D) If the vision screening or vision test shows the applicant has a progressive disease in one eye only and at least 20/40 or better in the other eye, with or without correction, and the vehicle the applicant operates is equipped with outside mirrors and the license indicates that restriction.
(ii) The drivers license examiner may not approve the issuance of the license but shall forward the application and test results to the Department for approval when:
- (A) A vision screening shows an acuity of worse than 20/40 with both eyes;
- (B) The applicant passed the test or screening results with or without corrective lenses, and has a progressive disease of the eyes or diabetic visual disturbance; or
- (C) Upon receipt of an application showing the applicants vision to be worse than 20/40 with both eyes with best possible correction, the Department, after an investigation, may impose on the applicants license restrictions of daylight driving only, speed, area and time of day as deemed necessary.
- (f) The knowledge test(s) may be given orally if the drivers license examiner determines it is necessary. A minimum grade of eighty percent (80%) shall be required for the test of knowledge.
- (g) Any first time applicant who has never been issued a drivers license in Wyoming or any other jurisdiction, or who has an expired Wyoming license, or who has an expired out-of-state license may be issued a Wyoming drivers license and will be checked with the National Driver Register for any adverse driving records in other states. Upon receipt of an adverse driving record from another state, any Wyoming license issued will be canceled.
- (h) The person receiving an application for extension, as provided in Section 14, whose name has been legally changed since the issuance of the last license, must renew the license in person and be rephotographed. The written test will be waived. The driving test may be required at the discretion of the examiner.
- (i) A person may be issued a valid without photo license provided the person is temporarily out of state and unable to return to Wyoming to be rephotographed.
Section 7. Affidavit of Ability or Commercial Drivers License Test History Form.
Every Affidavit of Ability or Commercial Drivers License Test History Form presented in lieu of a skills test for a vehicle of the type or class of vehicle for which the application is made must be dated within six (6) months of the date of presentation to the Department. The Affidavit of Ability or Commercial Driver License Test History Form must be executed by a person or proper official of a legal entity having entered into a third party Tester Agreement with the Department.
Section 8. Grounds for Cancellation, Denial, or Disqualification.
(a) Any person shall be denied the issuance of a license or have an existing license canceled for any of the following:
- (i) The person is not legally, physically or mentally qualified to hold a license by reason of age, not being a resident, prior disqualification, cancellation, denial, suspension, revocation, failure to meet the statutory requirements or other cause.
(ii) Upon receipt of a written vision statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist indicating the persons:
- (A) Best visual acuity with or without corrective lenses is worse than 20/100 with both eyes;
- (B) Best visual acuity is worse than 20/100 in the carrier lenses of a person wearing bioptic, telescopic or other low vision aid built in or attached to regular glasses; or
- (C) Total combined horizontal field of vision is less than one hundred twenty degrees (120o).
(iii) The person is afflicted with a disorder which results in a loss, interruption or lapse of consciousness and/or motor function.
(A) The denial or cancellation shall not be reconsidered until satisfactory proof is received by the Department in the form of a written statement, from a qualified doctor, which states that:
- (1) There has been no loss of consciousness and/or motor function as the result of the affliction for at least one (1) year; or
- (2) The affliction no longer exists; or
- (3) The affliction has been medically controlled for a minimum period of three (3) months.
- (iv) Any person who is afflicted with a medical or other disorder which results in disori- entation or inability to react to driving conditions in a reasonable manner.
(v) The person is not able to demonstrate ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle as evidenced by the results of a driver improvement investigation. Reapplication for a drivers license shall be denied unless a recommendation is made by a certified examiner to issue an instruction permit, and:
- (A) The person applies for and is issued an instruction permit subject to any restrictions and/or conditions imposed by the Department, and has held the instruction permit for a period of at least three (3) months; and
- (B) After the applicant has held the instruction permit for at least three (3) months, the applicant may make a written request to the Department to conduct another investigation to determine if a license should be issued.
- (vi) A person who violates a restriction or condition imposed by the Department as a result of an investigation shall have the license canceled and cannot make reapplication until ninety (90) days after the date the license is canceled.
- (vii) A person who gives false or fictitious information upon the application shall have the license canceled and cannot make reapplication until ninety (90) days after the date the license has been canceled.
(viii) Any commercial drivers license disqualified under any of the disqualifying provi- sions of W.S. 31-7-305 shall be canceled.
- (A) The cancellation shall become effective on the same date as the disqualifica- tion.
(B) The person shall not be issued a new commercial drivers license until the disqualification has been ended or reduced by the Department; and
- (1) The person is otherwise eligible to be issued a commercial drivers license;
- (2) Completes and successfully passes all required knowledge and skills tests; and
- (3) Pays the required fee.
- (C) The person whose commercial drivers license has been canceled and is otherwise eligible may be issued a Class C, CM, or M drivers license.
(ix) A person answering No to the question on the application form--Are you a U.S.
Citizen?--may be issued a Wyoming drivers license, provided:
(A) The Department does not receive a report of an adverse record from the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
- (1) Upon receipt of an adverse record the Department will cancel the license.
- (2) The license will remain canceled and the applicant will not be allowed to reapply until the Department receives evidence from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that the applicants status is acceptable for licensing.
(B) That the applicants visa does not include one of the following status codes:
- (1) A-1, A-2, A-3, foreign government officials who are eligible to be licensed as diplomats by the U.S. Department of State;
- (2) B-1, B-2, visitors, except, visitors with a B-2 coding who enter the United States pursuant to the International Fair Trade Agreement;
- (3) C - transients;
- (4) D - crewman;
- (5) G - international organization officials, who are eligible to be licensed as diplomats by the U.S. Department of State;
- (6) K - fiancees of military service personnel; or
- (7) N - NATO representatives who are eligible to be licensed as diplomats by the U.S. Department of State.
- (C) Any license issued to an alien other than a resident alien shall be a temporary license and the license shall be valid only for the period authorized on the U.S. Immigration and Natural- ization Service documents presented. That period shall not exceed four (4) years.
- (D) Any license issued to an alien other than a resident alien shall be identified with a suffix code of NR (nonresident alien) in the class field of the license.
(b) The Department shall conduct an investigation of the driving ability, character and habits of an individual when the individual applies for reinstatement, after completion of a revocation and/or disqualification period, and the individual had a license or driving privilege revoked or disqualified as the result of involvement with alcohol and/or a controlled substance. The Department shall also conduct an investigation of driving ability, character and habits of an individual when the Department has docu- mented evidence that the person has an alcohol and/or substances abuse problem. In both instances, the license will be denied until each of the requirements set out below are satisfied. The individual must:
- (i) Obtain a current alcohol and/or controlled substance evaluation with a recommended course of treatment and/or counseling. This evaluation shall include information on how long the person has been alcohol or substance free.
- (ii) Submit evidence of satisfactory completion of or current attendance in a recom- mended course of treatment or counseling program. This evidence must include information on how long the person has been alcohol or substance abuse free.
- (iii) Provide verifiable evidence the person has been alcohol or substance abuse free for at least six (6) months.
(iv) If during the investigation of the character and habits of the person whose license has been revoked and/or disqualified, the Department becomes aware of any incidents or convictions of driving during the revocation and/or disqualification period, or any incidents involving alcohol con- sumption and/or controlled substance usage within the six (6) months immediately prior to the date of the scheduled investigation, the Department shall:
- (A) Deny issuance of a new license,
- (B) Deny application for a period of at least six (6) months, and
(C) Place at least the following restriction or conditions on any license subse- quently issued upon completion of the investigation as required in Section 8(b):
- (1) Remain free of any use of alcohol and/or any controlled substance during the four (4) year term of the license; and
- (2) Make application for a duplicate license within ten (10) days of any change of address.
- (c) A person who violates a restriction or condition imposed by the Department under Section 8
(b) , shall have the license immediately canceled, and cannot make application for a new license until proof is submitted that:
- (i) The person has enrolled in and completed an approved in-patient alcohol and/or controlled substance program, or
- (ii) Is currently enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in an alcohol and/or con- trolled substance treatment program; and
- (iii) The person has remained alcohol and/or controlled substance free for at least a six
- (6) month period.
- (d) A person who has had a license revoked for a reason other than Section 8(b), shall be denied license until after an investigation has been conducted by the Department and the person complies with any restrictions or conditions imposed by the Department as a result of the investigation.
(e) An investigation shall be conducted by a certified examiner if a person who has been dis- qualified for life from driving or being in control of a commercial vehicle makes a written request to the Department upon completion of ten (10) calendar years from the date of disqualification if the lifetime disqualification resulted wholly or in part from involvement with alcohol or controlled substances. A commercial drivers license, if issued, shall be subject to at least the following restrictions and/or condi- tions:
- (i) Obtain a current alcohol and/or controlled substance evaluation with recommended course of treatment and/or counseling;
- (ii) Satisfactory completion or attendance in a recommended course of treatment or counseling program;
- (iii) Remain free of any use of alcohol and/or any controlled substance during the four
- (4) year term of the license;
- (iv) Make application for a duplicate license within ten (10) days of any change of address; and
- (v) The person is prohibited from driving or being in control of any vehicle transporting hazardous material required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR 172.500 through 172.558.
(f) A person who violates a restriction or condition imposed by the Department under Section 8(e) shall immediately be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle. The person cannot make application for a new commercial drivers license until proof is submitted that:
- (i) The person has enrolled in and completed an approved in-patient alcohol and/or controlled substance program; or
- (ii) Is currently enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in an alcohol and/or con- trolled substance treatment program; and
- (iii) The person has remained alcohol and/or controlled substance free for at least a six
- (6) month period.
- (g) An investigation shall be conducted by a certified examiner if a person who has been dis- qualified for life from driving or being in control of a commercial vehicle makes a written request to the Department upon completion of ten (10) calendar years from the date of disqualification. If the lifetime disqualification resulted for reasons other than involvement with alcohol or a controlled substance, a commercial drivers license shall not be issued until after an investigation is conducted by the Depart- ment and the person complies with any restrictions and/or conditions imposed by the Department.
- (h) A third or subsequent conviction of any offense as defined in W.S. 31-7-305(a) shall result in permanent lifetime disqualification.
- (i) The disqualification for life from driving or being in control of a commercial vehicle under the provisions of W.S. 31-7-305(e) shall not be reduced to ten (10) years.
(j) An investigation examination shall consist of at least a driving test in a vehicle representative of the type and class of the license being held or applied for by the person. Prior to conducting the driving test, the certified examiner will:
- (i) Verify the existence of a valid Motor Vehicle Liability Policy issued to or for the benefit of the person being tested as required and defined by Wyoming Statutes;
- (ii) Conduct an inspection of the vehicle to be used on the driving test and verify that the equipment upon the vehicle is in good working order as required, in accordance with guidelines and procedures outlined in the Wyoming Driver Improvement Manual, federal waiver program and stan- dards provided by the American Association of Automotive Medicine (AAAM), by Wyoming Statutes and the vehicle is in such safe mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupants or any person upon the highway; and
- (iii) Require seat belts, if installed, to be properly fastened.
- (k) If after an examination, the certified examiner has determined special mechanical devices should be required on any motor vehicle which the person may drive, the devices must be properly installed and inspected and another driving test administered prior to issuing the license.
- (l) Any person whose Wyoming commercial drivers license is disqualified as a result of viola- tions of Wyoming Statutes or the FMCSR may be issued a (noncommercial) Wyoming class C, class M or class CM drivers license.
Section 9. Valid Without Photo Licenses.
- (a) Except as provided for in paragraph (d) of this section a temporary license known as a valid without photo, may or may not be issued by the Department.
(b) The valid without photo license shall be issued providing:
- (i) A person makes application with the Department for a renewal or duplicate of a valid Wyoming drivers license and is unable to return to Wyoming or an equipment malfunction caused the license to be unusable and the person has left the state for an extended period of time,
- (ii) The person complies with the vision requirements provided for in W.S. 31-7-119(g).
- (iii) The renewal or duplicate fee is submitted to the Department.
- (c) The Department shall request a record check from the National Driver Register on any person issued a valid without photo license while temporarily out of state. Upon receipt of an adverse driving record from another state, the Wyoming license will be immediately canceled.
- (d) A person holding a valid without photo license shall not be eligible for an extension as provided for in W.S. 31-7-119(f) and Section 13.
(e) When an applicant for renewal of a commercial drivers license is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and unable to return to Wyoming to appear in person he/she shall not be eligible for a deferral of the expiration date of the commercial drivers license provided for in W.S.
31-7-119. However, the applicant may be issued a Wyoming valid without photo noncommercial drivers license class A, class B, class C, class M, class CM, class BM, or class AM.
- (f) An applicant for renewal of a commercial drivers license is not eligible for a valid without photo license. However, the applicant may be issued a valid without photo noncommercial license class C, class M or class CM.
- (g) A person holding a valid without photo license shall within thirty (30) days after returning to Wyoming, surrender the valid without photo license and obtain a Wyoming license with a photo- graph, and pay the required fee.
Section 10. Extreme Inconvenience Class C or M Licenses.
(a) The application from an applicant for a restricted license shall be signed by the parent or guardian having legal custody, be accompanied by an official copy of the applicants birth certificate, an affidavit of extreme inconvenience signed by the parent or guardian having legal custody and include a finding by the Highway Patrol that the extreme inconvenience actually exists. The affidavit shall also:
- (i) Set forth the purpose or purposes for which there is a need for the applicant to drive;
- (ii) State the names and relationship of persons possessing valid drivers licenses resid- ing at the same domicile as the applicant and a statement of the reasons these licensed drivers cannot provide transportation for the applicant;
- (iii) State the class of license desired; and
- (iv) Include statements from the school superintendent or principal and/or employer verifying enrollment, employment, activities and hours of work and/or extracurricular activities.
(v) Any other circumstance which the Highway Patrol finds is an extreme inconvenience shall be limited to the need to provide for transportation to individuals living in the applicants domicile for medical or health purposes, provided;
- (A) The medical or health reason is a long term condition that will require trans- portation for a period of at least six (6) months, and
- (B) A signed statement from a medical doctor or vision specialist who is familiar with the medical or health condition stating what the condition is, the duration of the condition and the need for transportation as the result of the condition.
- (b) Affidavits approved by the Highway Patrol shall be valid only for thirty (30) days from the date the affidavit was signed and dated by the approving officer.
- (c) The application for a restricted class C or M drivers licenses shall be denied if applica- tion is not made prior to the thirty (30) day expiration of the approved affidavit.
Section 11. Duplicate License.
Every person making application for a duplicate license shall present legal identification to the Department.
Section 12. License Not Delivered.
- (a) A license which is returned to the Department, undelivered, shall be held by the Department for sixty (60) days from the date it was mailed. If the license is not called for within the sixty (60) days, the license shall be subject to cancellation.
- (b) Any person who does not receive a license within sixty (60) days from the date it was mailed by the Department, and whose license has not been returned to the Department, shall be issued another license without fee or examination providing the persons mailing address on the date the Department mailed the license has not changed from the address provided on the original application.
Section 13. Application for Extension.
(a) Applications for extension of the drivers license for a four (4) year period shall be mailed to the eligible licensed drivers unless the:
- (i) persons drivers license and/or driving privilege in the four (4) years proceeding expiration has been denied, disqualified, or canceled;
- (ii) person is the holder of a valid without photo license as provided for in Section 9;
- (iii) person holds an instructional permit issued pursuant to W.S. 31-7-110;
- (iv) person holds a restricted license issued pursuant to W.S. 31-7-117(c);
- (v) Person holds a commercial drivers license issued pursuant to W.S. 31-7-301 through 31-7-131; or
- (vi) Person is licensed as a nonresident alien.
(b) Applications for extension of the drivers license for a four (4) year period pursuant to W.S.
31-7-119(g) may be mailed to Wyoming residents who are temporarily out of state.
(c) Applications for extension of the drivers license pursuant to W.S. 31-7-119(c) shall be processed in the same manner as provided for in W.S. 31-7-119(f) and (g).
- (i) Applications for extension mailed to the Department with a postmark after the license has expired will be denied and the applicant will be notified and the fees paid shall be credited or re- funded.
- (ii) Application for extensions presented to drivers license examiners after the license has expired shall be denied and the applicant shall be processed as a first time applicant and required to pay the required fee.
(d) Persons qualifying for the extension provisions of W.S. 31-7-119(f) and (g) and receiving an extension application through the mail, may be issued a new license in lieu of an extension sticker for the following reasons:
- (i) Persons who have a legal name change;
- (ii) Persons required by the Department to have restrictions or conditions placed upon their license other than corrective lenses and/or outside mirrors; or
- (iii) Persons providing information to correct descriptive information on the license.
Section 14. Fees
(a) A commercial drivers license skills test will not be scheduled and/or conducted until the required fee has been received by the Department.
(i) The required commercial drivers license fee shall be forfeited by the applicant and not refunded upon:
(A) Failure to appear at the scheduled time and location, unless the persons failure to appear was caused by factors beyond the persons control, such as road closures and/or docu- mented medical emergencies.
- (1) Failure to obtain, or the unavailability of a vehicle of the proper class and type, shall not be deemed as beyond the persons control and the fee will be forfeited.
- (B) Failure of any portion of the required skills test.
- (C) Rejection of the vehicle by the examiner due to faulty or unsafe equipment or improper class and/or type.
- (ii) A commercial drivers license skills test will not be rescheduled until the Department receives the required skills test fee.
- (iii) The skills test fee shall be required for a person who requires a skills test in order to be issued a non-CDL class A or class B drivers license.
(b) The Department will accept personal checks for payment of application, commercial drivers license, skills test, contested case, record review and reinstatement fees, provided:
- (i) The personal check is drawn on a Wyoming bank or financial institution and made payable to the Department of Transportation,
- (ii) The personal check bears the name and current address of the person issuing the check, and
(iii) The personal check is for the amount(s) of the required fee(s) being paid.
- (A) Two party, payroll checks or checks drawn for an amount greater than the required fee(s) will not be accepted.
- (c) For each individual record supplied in written format, five dollars ($5.00).
- (d) For each individual record on magnetic tape, three dollars ($3.00). The three dollar ($3.00) charge is not based on records actually located and produced, but those requested and searched. A minimum charge of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each request for information on magnetic tape applies as a credit toward the total cost if more than one hundred (100) records are searched.
- (e) For bulk distribution of personal information for surveys, marketing or solicitations, two thousand-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
Section 15. Grounds for Suspension.
(a) The license of any person may be suspended for up to twelve (12) months if:
(i) The licensee is a repeated violator. The Department will consider a licensee a re- peated violator when the records of the Department show that a person has been convicted of three (3) or more moving violations with in a one (1) year period. The Department shall take the following action when a person is a repeated violator:
- (A) When the records of the Department show that the person has been convicted of three (3) moving violations within a one (1) year period, using the offense date of the violations. The Department shall give the person notice, in writing, of the record and as to the possible consequences of additional moving violations becoming a part of the persons record;
- (B) Upon receipt of a record of convictions evidencing a fourth (4th) moving violation within a one (1) year period, the Department shall suspend the license for a period of ninety
- (90) days; and
- (C) Upon receipt of subsequent convictions evidencing four (4) or more moving violations within a one (1) year period, the Department shall suspend the license for an additional period ninety days.
- (D) Moving violations used in one suspension action may be used in a subse- quent suspension action provided the record, with addition of a new moving violation or violations, shows four (4) moving violations within a one (1) year period.
(b) The Department having good cause to believe a person is a repeated violator or is otherwise not qualified to be licensed may require the person to submit to an investigation. Providing that the result of the investigation is a recommendation to suspend:
- (i) The Department shall suspend the license for a period of ninety days; or
- (ii) A period up to twelve (12) months if recommended by the investigator.
Section 16. Surrender of License or Permit.
Upon cancellation, suspension or revocation of any license or permit which by law requires the immediate surrender of the license or permit, the requirements shall be deemed to be complied with if the holder deposits the license in the United States Mail prepaid, and duly addressed to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, delivers it to an employee of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Driver Services Program, or delivers it to a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Section 17. Driver License Records.
- (a) To assure compliance with W.S. 31-7-305 (d), the Department shall maintain a perma- nent record of a persons driving history, unless otherwise provided by statute, for a period of at least ten
- (10) years. This permanent record shall be for the use of and only available to individuals reviewing their own record and possessing a valid commercial drivers license, the Department and other govern- ment agencies as authorized by the Department.
(i) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the Department shall make available a three (3) year driving record to authorized insurance companies, employers and individuals to whom the record belongs. The driving record will reflect at least the following actions:
- (A) All mandatory convictions, suspensions, revocations or disqualifications;
- (B) Uninsured accidents and accident suspensions; and
- (C) Moving violations, moving violation suspensions, administrative per se suspensions, implied consent suspensions, financial responsibility requirements and any other authorized administrative actions.
- (b) The Department shall disclose personal information for use in connection with matters of motor vehicle safety and theft, motor vehicle emissions, motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories, performance monitoring of motor vehicles and dealers by motor vehicle manufacturers, and removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers to carry out the purposes of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act, The Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992, and the Clean Air Act, and may be disclosed as follows:
(c) The Department may disclose personal information:
- (i) For use by any government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a Federal, State, or local government agency in carrying out its functions.
- (ii) For use in connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, and dealers; motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research; and removal of non-owner records from original owner records of motor vehicle manu- facturers.
(iii) For use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or its agents, employees, or contractors, but only:
- (A) to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business or its agents, employees, or contractors; and
- (B) if such information as so submitted is not correct or is no longer correct, to obtain the correct information, but only for the purposes of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedies against, or recovering on a debt or security against, the individual.
- (iv) For use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in a federal, state, or local court or agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to an order of Federal, State, or local court.
- (v) For use in research activities and statistical reports, so long as the personal informa- tion is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact individuals.
- (vi) For use by any insurer, insurance support organization, or self-insured entity, or its agents, employees, or contractors, in connection with claims investigation activities, antifraud activities, rating, or underwriting.
- (vii) For use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles.
- (viii) For use by any licensed private investigative agency or licensed security service for any purpose permitted under this subsection.
- (ix) For use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial drivers license that is required under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. App. 2710 et seq.).
- (x) For use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities.
- (xi) For any other use in response to requests for individual motor vehicle records if the Department has provided in a clear and conspicuous manner on forms for issuance or renewal of operators permits, titles, registrations, or identification cards, notice that personal information collected by the office may be disclosed to any business or person, and has provided in a clear and conspicuous manner on such forms an opportunity to prohibit such disclosures.
(xii) For bulk distribution for surveys, marketing, or soliciting if the Department has implemented methods and procedures to ensure that:
- (A) individuals are provided an opportunity, in a clear and conspicuous manner, to prohibit such uses; and
- (B) the information will be used, rented, or sold solely for bulk distribution for surveys, marketing, and solicitations, and that surveys, marketing, and solicitations will not be directed at those individuals who have requested in a timely fashion that they not be directed at them.
- (xiii) For use by any requester, if the requester demonstrates it has obtained the written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains.
Section 18. Right to a Contested Case Hearing or Record Review.
- (a) Every person whose drivers license is disqualified, suspended, revoked, canceled or denied shall be notified of the right to a contested case hearing or record review. The notification shall advise the person that:
- (b) If the only reason for requesting a hearing is to receive limited driving privileges, that the request shall be for a record review conducted by the Department.
- (c) If the request for a contested case hearing is for any purpose other than to receive limited driving privileges, that the request shall be for a contested case hearing before the Office of Administra- tive Hearings.
- (d) A request for a record review for any disqualification, suspension, revocation, cancellation or denial action which does not allow limited driving privileges to be granted will be denied.
Section 19. Request for Contested Case Hearing or Record Review.
(a) Every request for a contested case hearing or record review arising from any drivers license related action must be made in writing and addressed to the Wyoming Transportation Department, P.O.
Box 1708, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-1708. the request must be post marked within twenty (20) days of the date the Department has given notice of intent to suspend, revoke, cancel, disqualify or deny to be considered timely. A request for a contested case hearing or record review shall be considered timely if received or postmarked within twenty (20) days of the date the department gave the person notice of the departments intended action. However, a contested case hearing or record review will not be granted unless the request is accompanied by the required fee or until the required fee is received by the Depart- ment.
- (b) Computation of Time. The Department shall allow five (5) days from the date the order was mailed to the persons last known address on file with the Department for mail delivery. Five (5) days after the order was mailed, it is considered received. Therefore, for the computation of the twenty
(20) day period for requesting a contested case hearing or record review, the period for requesting a contested hearing or record review, shall begin on the sixth (6th) day after the Department has given
notice of its intent, and shall conclude at 5:00 p. m. on the twentieth (20th) day thereafter, unless such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which event, the period runs until the end of the next working day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
- (c) Late Request. except as provided below, no contested case hearing or record review will be granted unless the request is timely made.
- (i) Upon receiving a late request for a contested case hearing, the Departments manager of Driver Services may at his/her discretion grant a late contested case hearing, provided, satisfactory written evidence and documentation is submitted which shows the lateness was not caused by the peti- tioner, but by some external factor beyond his/her control.
(ii) Upon receiving a late request for a record review, the Departments manager of Driver Services or his/her design may, at his/her discretion grant a late record review if:
- (A) The person is otherwise entitled to be granted a probationary license, and
- (B) Satisfactory written evidence and documentation is submitted which indicates that failure to grant a probationary drivers license would cause the person an undue hardship.
- (iii) Upon the final denial of a late request for a contested case hearing or a record review, the Department shall refund the required fee.
- (d) Stay of Action. When a contested case hearing or record review is granted, the proposed action shall be stayed. The stay shall be effective the day a contested case hearing or record review is granted by the Department. Stays shall not be granted retroactively.
(i) The stay shall continue as follows:
- (A) Contested Case: until a contested case hearing is conducted before the Office of Administrative Hearings and a final order has been entered, or
- (B) Record review: until the earlier of thirty (30) days from the date the record review is granted or a probationary drivers license evidencing limited driving privileges is issued and the individual has an otherwise valid drivers license.
- (ii) Stays will not be granted when the Departments action is an immediate cancellation.
Section 20. Probationary license.
(a) Upon receipt of a timely request for a record review, the Department shall issue an order granting a probationary license provided:
- (i) The person is otherwise eligible for a probationary license, pays the required fee; and
- (ii) When required, the person files and maintains an SR-22 for a three (3) year period, and that such SR-22 must be on file with the Department prior to a probationary license being issued.
- (iii) That when required, the person submits to an alcohol evaluation by a qualified alcohol counselor, and files a satisfactory alcohol counselors report with the Department prior to a probationary license being issued.
- (iv) Upon receipt of an adverse counselors report, the Department will deny or cancel the probationary license.
- (v) The person shall be required to pay an additional fee for any probationary license that is required to be changed or reissued resulting from the persons need to drive for circumstances not contained in the original application.
(b) The order when issued will include the following information, terms and conditions:
- (i) The starting and ending dates for which the probationary license is valid,
- (ii) The persons driving privileges are limited to the days, times and reasons designated and are suspended for all other driving,
- (iii) The probationary license and the order must be carried by the person at all times when operating a motor vehicle, and
- (iv) The conviction of any traffic law, other than parking, will result in the immediate cancellation of the probationary license and suspension for the balance of the suspension period without further hearing.
- (c) Upon receipt of an order from the Office of Administrative Hearings granting a probationary license as the result of a hearing, the Department will issue a probationary license in accordance with the Office of Administrative Hearings order.
Section 21. Undue Hardship.
- (a) Subject to W.S. 31-7-105, an undue hardship exists if the person establishes that being unable to drive will result in the inability to provide the person or the persons dependents with the basic necessities of life, to include but not limited to food, clothing and shelter.
- (b) Undue hardship may also include the need to drive for educational purposes.
- (c) An undue hardship does not exist if there is another licensed driver in the household who is able to do the required driving.
Section 22. Appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Any person denied a probationary license as the result of a review of the record by the Depart- ment or who is adversely affected by a record review decision of the Department is entitled to appeal the decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings. The person has twenty (20) days from the date the Department denies the probationary license or gives notice of its record review decision to request a hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings or the opportunity for a hearing is waived. An appeal under this section shall be treated as an appeal for a contested case under W.S. 31-7-105(e).
Section 23. Exemptions
(a) Pursuant to W.S. 31-7-303, the following drivers are hereby exempted from the general requirement under W.S. 31-7-106(a) to obtain a commercial drivers license, however, they are not exempted from the requirement to obtain a non-commercial drivers license.
(i) Operators of a farm or ranch vehicle which is:
- (A) Controlled and operated by a farmer or rancher, including operation by em- ployees or family members;
- (B) Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or both to or from a farm or ranch;
- (C) Not used in the operations of a common contract motor carrier; and
- (D) Used within 150 miles of the farm or ranch.
- (ii) Firefighters and other persons who operate CMVs which are necessary to the preser- vation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions, are equipped with audible and visual signals and are not subject to normal traffic regulation. These vehicles include fire trucks, hook and ladder trucks, foam or water transport trucks, police SWAT team vehicles, ambulances, or other vehicles that are used in response to emergencies.
(iii) A driver, employed by an eligible unit of local government, operating a commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of that unit for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing or salting, if:
- (A) The properly licensed employee who ordinarily operates a commercial motor vehicle for these purposes is unable to operate the vehicle; or
- (B) The governmental entity determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance.