Instruction permits and intermediate licenses

Key points

1. An instruction permit may be obtained at 15.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “At 16 an applicant may obtain limited driving privileges by acquiring an intermediate license. An instruction permit may be obtained at 15.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 7

2. With a permit, a licensed person 18 or older must ride in the front passenger seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “When operating a motor vehicle, the driver must be accompanied by a person 18 or older, who possesses a valid driver license for the type of vehicle being driven. This person must occupy the front passenger seat”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 10

3. For an intermediate license, a parent must certify 50 hours of driving, including 10 at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Has held an Instruction Permit and has completed • Has 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, including 10 hours of nighttime driving, as certified by a parent or legal guardian.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 14

4. Intermediate drivers may carry only 1 passenger under 18 who is not immediate family, unless a licensed driver 18 or older is along.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “May not transport more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member unless also accompanied by a licensed driver 18 years of age or older”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 14

5. Intermediate drivers must make sure every occupant wears a seat belt.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Must ensure that all occupants of the vehicle are wearing seat belts”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 14

6. Intermediate drivers may not drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless they qualify for an exception and carry a completed exception form.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “May not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless the holder meets an exception criteria and presents a completed exception form.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 14

7. Any violation of the intermediate license rules brings a 30 day suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “An intermediate license will be suspended for 30 days for any violation of these provisions.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 14

8. An intermediate license expires 30 days after the 17th birthday.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “An intermediate license automatically expires 30 days after the holder’s 17th birthday.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

9. Full privileges come at 17, or at 16 and a half with approved driver education and an intermediate license held 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “For full driving privileges, an applicant must be at least 17, or be 16-1/2 and have completed an approved driver education course and held an intermediate license for six months.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 7

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. What is the minimum age for a regular Wyoming instruction permit?

   1. 14
   2. 16
   3. 15
   4. 17
   Show answer

   15. A regular instruction permit may be obtained at age 15. The age 14 option is tempting because Wyoming has a restricted instruction permit for applicants ages 14 to 15 who have been approved for a restricted license, but that is a narrower exception. The regular permit belongs to the general licensing pathway. Keep the categories separate: restricted permits address approved hardship situations, while the standard instruction permit supports supervised learning before later intermediate privileges.

2. 2. For the instruction-permit route to a Wyoming intermediate license, how much behind-the-wheel driving must a parent or legal guardian certify?

   1. 30 hours, including 5 at night
   2. 40 hours, including 8 at night
   3. 60 hours, including 15 at night
   4. 50 hours, including 10 at night
   Show answer

   50 hours, including 10 at night. For the instruction-permit route, Wyoming requires 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, including 10 hours at night, certified by a parent or legal guardian. The manual also lists holding a Restricted Class C license as a separate way to qualify, so the hours are tied to the instruction-permit path named here. The lower totals in the choices miss either the total practice requirement or the nighttime portion. Track both numbers before applying for the intermediate license.

3. 3. Absent an exception, during what hours may a Wyoming intermediate license holder not drive?

   1. 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
   2. 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
   3. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
   4. Midnight to 6 a.m.
   Show answer

   11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. The manual restricts intermediate license holders from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an exception applies and the required form is carried. The other time windows shift the beginning or ending hour and therefore change the rule. Exceptions can involve medical necessity, work, school or related activities, and medical emergencies, but ordinary nighttime travel does not qualify automatically. Use 11 to 5 as the baseline interval, then check whether a documented exception is available.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Customer Service Guide: Driver Licensing. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.