A driver whose license has been suspended or revoked following arrest for a DUI/DWI charge may sometimes apply for an occupational or restricted driver’s license to perform essential life functions until the driver is able to seek to have their driver’s license reinstated. This temporary and limited driver’s license is known by a number of names, including an occupational license, a restricted license, an essential need license, a hardship license, or a limited driving privilege (LDP) license.

Laws regarding the availability and use of such restricted licenses vary from state to state but generally allow the driver to drive to and from (1) work; (2) school, college, or university; (3) places the driver must visit to maintain the household, including the grocery store or market, pharmacy, laundromat, and gas station; (4) church or place of worship; (5) medical appointments; and (6) court-ordered alcohol treatment and rehabilitation programs. Driving to visit family or friends or to attend social events is not permitted on a restricted license.

A person applying for an occupational or restricted driver’s license will be required to pay application fees to the department of motor vehicles and will often be required to submit an SR-22 proof of insurance form (see the related subtopic).

Laws regarding the availability and use of restricted licenses following a DUI/DWI arrest are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the vehicle code, motor vehicle code, or transportation code.

In Wyoming, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI charge may be eligible to apply for a restricted driver's license, sometimes referred to as a 'probationary driver's license.' This type of license allows them to drive under certain conditions and is intended to enable them to perform essential life functions. The restricted license typically permits driving to and from work, school, medical appointments, substance abuse treatment programs, and other necessary locations for maintaining a household, such as grocery stores or pharmacies. However, it does not allow for driving for non-essential purposes like visiting family or attending social events. To apply for a restricted license, the individual must pay the required application fees to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and provide an SR-22 insurance form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. The specific regulations and procedures for obtaining a restricted license in Wyoming can be found in the state's statutes, and applicants may need to meet additional requirements as stipulated by the state's laws or by the court's order.