Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
Font Resize
 |
|
3/23/05-Gov. Dave Freudenthal recently signed legislation to create a graduated driver’s license for Wyoming teens.
A 16-year-old in Wyoming now will be required to wait until age 17 to receive a full-fledged driver’s license.
The new law makes no changes to a 14-year-old’s ability to receive a restricted license if they can show “extreme inconvenience” and a 15-year-old’s eligibility for a learner’s permit.
Previously SF14, it allows a person to apply for an intermediate permit if at least 16 years old, has held an instructional permit for one year and has completed at least 50 hours of driving, including at least 10 hours of night driving.
The holder of an intermediate permit could not drive more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member.
In addition, it prohibits young drivers from being behind the wheel between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver 18 or older.
Drivers could only be pulled over for some other driving infraction. Any violations would not affect the driver or the parents’ insurance coverage.
Exceptions to the time restrictions include driving to or from work, school or religious activities, or driving for a medical necessity or emergency.
A teen with an intermediate permit for at least six months and has passed a driver’s education course could apply for full driving privileges.
The new law is scheduled to take effect Sept. 16, 2005.
