WYDOT Safe Pass Program

What is the WY22 Safe Pass program?

The WY22 Safe Pass program is designed to enhance safety on Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass. Self-certification is required annually for drivers operating:

1. Recreational vehicles (RVs),
2. Vehicles towing trailers, and/or
3. Vehicles that meet the following weight thresholds:
   • Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 10,000 pounds or more,
   • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 10,000 pounds or more, or
   • Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) 10,000 pounds or more.

WYDOT recommends that all drivers review these materials and improve awareness of steep mountain pass risks.

What topics/safety concepts does Safe Pass cover?

Safe Pass topics include proper gear selection, brake fade protocols, pre-trip inspections, and trailer/weight restrictions.

Why did WYDOT implement the WY22 Safe Pass program?

WYDOT implemented this program to ensure drivers understand the specific mountain driving risks on Teton Pass. With 10 percent grades that are twice as steep as average mountain passes, WY 22 can catch tourists, commercial drivers and even commuters off guard. Additionally, self-certification helps drivers stay compliant with Wyoming highway regulations and avoid enhanced penalties under Wyoming statute 24-1-109(d) for illegal travel during restricted conditions.

Can a vehicle with an automatic transmission be kept in low gear?

Yes! All too often when drivers lose their brakes on Teton Pass and are asked why they were not in low gear, the Patrol gets the answer "But it's an automatic". Each vehicle is different in how to achieve limiting your gear, please read your operator manual for your specific vehicle on how to be in a low enough gear to not overuse your brakes.

Do I really need to participate in this program? What are the alternatives?

In the interest of public safety, if you are driving 1) an RV, 2) pulling a trailer of any kind and/or 3) operating a vehicle with a GVW, GVWR, GVCWR of 10,000 pounds or more and wish to travel on WYO 22 Teton Pass, you are legally required to participate in the program. Drivers who do not wish to participate in the program and are operating vehicles subject to the travel restriction can detour around Wyoming State Highway 22 Teton Pass via US 26 Swan Valley and Alpine.

I’m just a tourist driving to the National Parks in my rental RV – do I still need to do this?

Yes! You are one of the key demographics for this educational messaging. Teton Pass can be extra challenging for unfamiliar drivers in unfamiliar vehicles. This information could save your life! Note: if you don’t plan on driving Teton Pass again, you will not be required to re-certify annually; your account will be deleted if you do not renew by your expiration date.

What is GVW, GVWR, and GCWR and how do I find out how much my vehicle weighs?

These are different measures of your vehicle’s weight and vehicle weight rating.

• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the actual weight of your vehicle and its contents, including a load on a trailer.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the amount of weight your vehicle is safe to haul according to its manufacturer. It’s common to see the GVWR listed on a sticker located on the driver’s door frame.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle, including its trailer, cargo, passengers, and fuel when fully loaded. It is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and is crucial for safe towing and vehicle operation.

You are responsible for knowing the GVW, GVWR, and/or GCWR of your vehicle. You can often find GVWR in your owner’s manual, on a sticker located on the driver-side door. Commercial vehicle drivers can find weight information on their manifest.

What are the consequences of not self-certifying? If I’m not able to complete the certification, am I permitted to drive the pass?

Fines for not self-certifying are outlined in Wyo. Stat. §§ 24-1-109 (a) and (d). If you are not able to complete the self-certification and are driving a vehicle that falls into the categories listed above, you are not permitted to drive the pass and must take an alternative route. Beyond the potential citations and fines, drivers who do not take the educational materials seriously could be putting themselves and others at risk through brake failure or other serious hazards.

Does WYDOT have the authority to enforce this program, and if so, under what statute?

Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 24-1-106, Wyo. Stat. § 24-1-109 and Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-956, WYDOT has authority to restrict, close or condition travel on state highways, including the following actions:

• Mandating chain laws;
• Enforcing enhanced legal penalties to safeguard public safety;
• Preserving road infrastructure; and
• Maintaining regulatory control.

Is an email address required to participate in the program?

An email address is required for online applications. Drivers will receive automated electronic confirmation and have their self-certification pass delivered directly to their inbox. Offline applications are made available at WYDOT’s Jackson Office, located at 1040 Evans Road, and at the following roadside pullouts: Eastbound traffic pullouts on the west side of Teton Pass at the state line milepost WYO 22 17.49 (ID 33 mp 155) and ID 33 mile post 154, located one mile ahead of the stateline.

WYDOT recommends that those who regularly travel the pass complete the online application to ensure you always have proof of self-certification and that you receive reminders to complete your annual recertification.

How do I show proof of self-certification?

Be ready to present your certification letter electronically or physically if requested by law enforcement. Participants in the WY22 Safe Pass program can access and present their digital or physical proof of self-certification in several ways:

• (Recommended option) Download the self-certification pass directly upon completing the online educational materials and safety acknowledgments at safepass.wyoroad.info.
• Log into your WY22 Safe Pass account anytime at safepass.wyoroad.info to view and print your active certification. Keep a copy in all vehicles you may drive that meet the criteria. One certification covers all vehicles a person drives.
• If you self-certified offline, present your completed hard-copy certificate.

I’ve gone through the certification process, and I’m not sure I/my vehicle can handle this route. What should I do?

Use an alternate route. The next shortest route to Jackson from Idaho is along US 26 through Swan Valley and Alpine. Don’t test Teton Pass!

How can I see where the runaway vehicle systems and brake check areas are on Teton Pass?

WYDOT’s interactive 511 map features a layer option for runaway vehicle systems.

What makes Teton Pass different from other mountain passes?

Teton Pass is deceivingly steep. Typical highway steep grades are 5-6% and Teton Pass is more of an extreme at 10%. This steeper grade wears brakes out faster when overused. WY 22 is also a vital commuter route between communities in Idaho and Jackson and for tourists heading to the national parks. The variety of vehicles and amount of traffic can create additional challenges for vehicle brakes on the steep grade.

Why don’t all vehicles have to do this program?

This program is targeted at vehicles that face the most challenges traveling Teton Pass. Although it’s not required for everyone, we recommend all drivers complete the self-certification program to improve their awareness of vehicle and grade risks when traveling Teton Pass. The steep grades can be challenging for all drivers, but the education provided through the self-certification can help everyone make safer driving decisions.

Why do I have to renew my certification every year?

It’s important that drivers regularly take time to remind themselves of the challenging conditions they’ll experience driving over Teton Pass. Yearly re-certification ensures that drivers will have a continual mindset of proper vehicle maintenance and safe driving procedures. WYDOT may change the requirements for certification from year to year. If you are a tourist or otherwise will not drive Teton Pass again, you do not need to recertify. WYDOT will delete your account once it has expired for the year.

I’m not able to log-in to my account or reset my password. What could be the reason?

WYDOT will remove inactive user accounts (i.e. accounts with certificates that have expired for longer then 1 month past their 1 year period). If it's been more than 13 months since you've tried logging in, you'll need to create a new account altogether, since old user information is not saved in the database.