What To Do If You Have a Wyoming Speeding Ticket

Wyoming drivers can either request a mitigation hearing, pay the fine—and face a 29% increase in car insurance rates—or fight it in court.
Written by Kianna Walpole
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Brice Regling
A speeding ticket in
Wyoming
can cost you up to $155 in fines, plus an additional $7 per every mile over the speed limit. You can either pay the ticket, request a mitigation hearing, or fight it in court. Either way, you’ll likely see your
car insurance
rates raise by 29% at renewal. 

What to do after getting a speeding ticket in Wyoming

Whether you received an absolute or basic speeding ticket or a
reckless driving
charge, there are things you can do in Wyoming to help lower the impact on your driving history and car insurance. 

Ways to pay your Wyoming traffic violation

You can pay for your Wyoming moving violation online, by mail, or in-person
Paying online
If the ticket is issued through a participating circuit court, the most convenient option is to pay the ticket online through the state’s
citation payment system
. This option is not available for municipal court payments or if your ticket states you must appear in court.
Paying by mail
To pay by mail, make your cashier’s check or money order out to the circuit court indicated on your speeding ticket. Do not send cash or personal checks
Paying in-person
If you prefer to pay in-person, your ticket will include specific instructions and information regarding acceptable payment methods and the court’s physical address.

Requesting a mitigation hearing

The first step of disputing your speeding ticket is to plead with the court in charge of your case.
Municipal courts
handle traffic tickets issued by city police officers and
circuit courts
handle traffic tickets issued by the sheriff’s department or Wyoming Highway Patrol. The method for how you may submit your plea response—in person, by mail, through email—will vary from court to court.
If you’re requesting a mitigation hearing, you are still pleading guilty, but are given a chance to explain yourself to a judge. As a result, you may be able to reduce your ticket fine, pay in monthly installments, or complete community service instead.
Requesting mitigation might be worthwhile if you are in a difficult financial situation and need additional time or options to pay your fine. 

Fighting your infraction in county court

If you believe your ticket was given in error, you might benefit from pleading not guilty and fighting for a ticket dismissal. 
To contest your ticket, you can check the appropriate box on your speeding ticket and then mail it to the court. When your hearing approaches, here are a few defenses that could help you get a ticket dismissal:
icon
Faulty speedometer: If you weren’t aware that your speedometer was broken and were unable to tell your speed when your ticket was issued, you may have grounds for dismissal. Keep in mind that this may not work in every case.
icon
Law enforcement error: The state of Wyoming uses electronic speed limit signs to detect limits. If you believe the system was defective, you could get your ticket dismissed.
icon
Medical emergencies: If you or your passengers are having a medical emergency and you can prove that speeding was necessary, you might be able to have your ticket dismissed in court.
Before choosing this option, consider your current record. Drivers who have a previous
clean driving record
are more likely to receive a ticket dismissal than a driver with a history of  violations—even if they’re a few years old.
Motorists are required to know state traffic laws before getting behind the wheel. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of Wyoming or a one-time visitor, ignorance is never a viable defense and will not earn you a ticket dismissal.

Calculating your Wyoming speeding ticket penalties

Wyoming has two types of speeding laws: “absolute limits” and “basic speeding law.”
Absolute limits are posted and definitive, whereas basic speeding law prohibits "greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing."
According to Wyoming state law, speeding is a misdemeanor. Wyoming does not have a points system—therefore, violating the speed laws will result in fines, jail time, or both. If your speeding ticket is actually a reckless driving charge, you will face fees of up to $750, a surcharge of up to $400, plus up to 6 months in jail. 
Below is a breakdown of the fines and fees associated with a speeding ticket in Wyoming based upon the
Wyoming Statutes, Title 31, Chapter 5, Article 12

The Wyoming speed limit fine schedule

Speeding offense
Base fine
Additional fines
Additional penalties
1-5 mph over speed limit
$5-$25
$5 continuing education and training fee
N/A
6-10 mph over speed limit
$30
$2 for each mile per hour over legal speed limit
$5 continuing education and training fee
N/A
11-20 mph over speed limit
$45
$7 for each mile per hour over legal speed limit
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
21+ mph over speed limit
$95
$7 for each mile per hour over the legal speed limit
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
General speeding (subsequent offense)
Up to $300 for offenses committed within 1 year
Up to $500 for 3+ offenses
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
Potential jail time for up to 6 months
Speeding in construction zone
Up to $195 depending on speed
Up to $7 for each mile per hour over the legal speed limit
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
Speeding in a school zone (1-10+ mph)
Up to $200 depending on speed
Up to $10 for each mile per hour over the legal speed limit
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
Speeding in a school zone (subsequent offense)
Up to $1,000
$5 continuing education and training fee
License suspension
Reckless driving
Up to $750
$5 continuing education and training fee
Up to 6 months in jail
Commercial driver (6+ mph)
$295
$5 continuing education and training fee
90 day license suspension (up to 1 year for subsequent offenses)
icon
Drivers who fail to stop at the scene of an accident or file a report can also face charges.
If you are convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation under codes W.S. 31-5-1102 to 31-5-1108, you can experience fines of up to $200 for a first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. In addition, you can be imprisoned for between 20 days to 6 months.

How to remove a Wyoming speeding ticket from your record

To remove a speeding ticket from your Wyoming driving record, drivers have the option to complete a defensive driving course
Not only will traffic school help you refresh your driving knowledge and create new skills, but it can also help you potentially avoid higher car insurance rates in the future. 
Another bonus? Several insurers offer discounts for good drivers and defensive driving courses. Enrolling in one might also qualify you for further savings with companies like Progressive and GEICO.

Improve your driving habits with telematics

Once you have a speeding ticket in Wyoming, it will be reflected on your driving record for up to 5 years. This type of infraction, even if it’s your first, will affect things like your car insurance rates.
While
telematics
can’t erase a violation from your history, it can help you build safe driving habits and prepare for the future.
app screenshot
With Jerry’s DriveShield, you can track your driving skills and get an individualized rating.
The better your score, the more rewards you can earn.
Did you know? 
Drivers who track their driving in the Jerry app earn an average safe driving discount of 12% from their auto insurance provider. 

A speeding ticket will increase your Wyoming car insurance rates—here’s how to beat it

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first infraction or your third—a speeding ticket or any traffic violation will raise your car insurance rates.
icon
Your insurance company won’t know of your speeding ticket until renewal
At this time, they’ll assess any changes to your driving record and profile, and then
determine a new rate
from there. On average, you can expect your rate to go up by about 29% after getting a speeding ticket in Wyoming.
Thankfully, Jerry can help you find potentially lower car insurance premiums based on your current driver profile.
app screenshot
Simply create an account updated with your speeding ticket, and then compare prices from several car insurance providers at once.
And when renewal comes around, you can turn on automatic reshop.
Jerry will then notify you of any savings opportunities or if another insurer has cheaper rates in your area.
logo

Expert Insurance Professional Insight

avatar
Chief Financial Officer
Based on our study, more than 63% of Americans do not shop [around] for car insurance, even though all of them believe that they're overpaying for insurance. Keep shopping to find the best savings.

Finding the best car insurance companies after a Wyoming speeding ticket

Here’s how major insurance companies tend to handle rate renewals after a speeding ticket:
Insurance company
Average rate increase after a speeding ticket
Allstate
15%
USAA
17%
American Family
22%
Nationwide
26%
State Farm
26%
Farmers
31%
Auto-Owners
36%
Travelers
37%
GEICO
38%
Progressive
43%
Remember: Not every insurer deals with traffic violations in the same way. Depending on your existing record, the number of years you’ve been with your insurer, and whether or not you plead guilty to your speeding ticket, your insurance premium could increase or decrease from what these numbers show.
Highlighticon
Where'd we get these numbers?
Jerry’s editorial team researched the average rate increase after a speeding ticket for these 10 insurance companies using expert sources from Forbes, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin, WalletHub, Liberty Mutual, The Zebra, and CarInsurance.com. Our data shows the average of the data shared by these sources.

Methodology

The quote pictured in this article is a real quote requested through the Jerry app using the following parameters: 
  • Drivers: 44-year-old single male with recent violations
  • Vehicles: 2006 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab LE
  • Location: Rock Springs, WY 82901
  • Past insurance: Continuously insured for over five years with no recent claims
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

FAQs

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Wyoming?

A speeding ticket can remain on your Wyoming driving record for up to 5 years, depending on your offense. 

How do I look up a traffic ticket in Wyoming?

To get a copy of the citation issued by the Wyoming Department of Transportation or Wyoming Highway Patrol, head to the
Public Records website
and file a request. Be aware that fees may apply.

Does Wyoming report speeding tickets to other states?

No, Wyoming does not share your driving record with other states. However, that doesn’t mean that any out-of-state tickets you acquire will not be reported to the Wyoming DMV. 

Will a Wyoming speeding ticket affect my California driver’s license?

Yes, the California DMV will put points against your California license for out-of-state tickets.

How much is a reckless driving ticket in Wyoming?

Drivers who are charged with reckless driving in Wyoming can face up to 6 months in jail and up to $750 in fines. 

What happens if you don’t pay a speeding ticket in Wyoming?

Drivers have a grace period of 10 days after their hearing date to pay their fines. If you don’t pay your speeding ticket in Wyoming, your license can be suspended and the court may impose jail time.  

How many moving violations before suspension in Wyoming?

You can have up to 4 moving violations on your record before your license is suspended for up to 90 days. Any additional violations after that within a 12-month period will result in an additional 90 day suspension. 

What are the speed laws in Wyoming?

Wyoming speed laws are as follows: 80 mph on interstate highways, 30 mph in urban areas, and 20 mph in school zones. Any other locations are considered 70 mph unless marked otherwise.

How can I avoid a speeding ticket in Wyoming?

To avoid a speeding ticket, practice safe driving techniques and consider enrolling in a traffic school program every so often to freshen up your driving knowledge.

How many points is a speeding ticket in Wyoming?

Wyoming does not use a points system. Instead, drivers pay heavier fines and face potential license suspension and jail time for violations. 

How can I check my Wyoming driving record?

To check your Wyoming driving record, you can send a written request to the Wyoming Department of Transportation with the $5 fee. You can also visit an in-person location, and present your ID card.

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings