Towing an RV Over Wyoming’s Teton Pass? There’s a New Certification Requirement

One of the things I’ve learned over our years of RV travel is that you need to pay attention to the different rules and regulations when traveling from state to state. Most of us are familiar with differences in speed limits, towing lengths and weight restrictions, but Wyoming has introduced something a little different.

Effective October 1, 2026, Wyoming requires drivers of RVs, vehicles towing trailers and certain heavier vehicles to complete a safety certification before traveling over Teton Pass on Wyoming Highway 22.

I came across the new requirement and decided to look into it. I went through the online program myself and now have my certificate.

Why Teton Pass?

Teton Pass connects the Jackson, Wyoming, area with Idaho. It’s a beautiful mountain route, but it can also be a dangerous one, particularly for drivers unfamiliar with steep mountain grades.

The pass has grades reaching 10%, considerably steeper than the 5% to 6% grades commonly found on mountain highways.

Anyone who has pulled a large fifth wheel through the mountains knows that going downhill can be considerably more challenging than climbing the grade. Controlling your speed, selecting the proper gear and understanding how your truck’s engine braking system works are all important.

Repeatedly riding the brakes on a long descent can cause them to overheat and lose effectiveness. That’s not something you want to experience while pulling several tons of RV down a mountain.

Wyoming developed the WY22 Safe Pass program to help drivers understand these risks before attempting the crossing.

Who Needs the Certification?

The requirement applies to drivers operating:

• Recreational vehicles, including motorhomes.
• Any vehicle towing a trailer, regardless of trailer size.
• Vehicles with an actual gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combined weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more.

That last requirement is worth noting. Even some heavy-duty pickup trucks traveling without a trailer will need certification.

The requirement applies to visitors as well as Wyoming residents.

What’s Involved in Getting Certified?

The program is free and available online. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Drivers create an account and review safety information covering several important topics, including:

• Proper gear selection and engine braking on steep downhill grades.
• Avoiding overheated brakes and recognizing brake fade.
• Inspecting tires, brakes and trailer connections before traveling.
• Understanding vehicle weight and towing restrictions.
• Knowing the locations and purpose of runaway vehicle ramps and emergency stopping systems.

There is no traditional written or driving test. Instead, drivers review the information and acknowledge that they understand the requirements and their responsibilities.

Once completed, you receive a certificate that is valid for one year. You can save it electronically or print a copy to carry with you.

I’ve completed the process and received my certificate. Even though we’ve had experience towing our fifth wheel through mountainous areas, I think reviewing this information is worthwhile.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Certificate?

If you’re operating a vehicle covered by the requirement, you cannot legally travel over Teton Pass without completing the certification.

The requirement is enforceable, and drivers who fail to comply may be subject to citations and penalties.

Having the certificate also doesn’t eliminate other restrictions. Teton Pass has a 60,000-pound gross vehicle weight limit, and trailer traffic is prohibited from November 15 through April 1. Additional restrictions or closures may occur because of road and weather conditions.

If you don’t want to complete the certification, or aren’t comfortable taking your rig over the pass, an alternate route is available using US Highway 26 through Swan Valley and Alpine.

Where to Get Certified

The Wyoming Department of Transportation operates the program through its official website.

WY22 Safe Pass Certification:

https://safepass.wyoroad.info

You can also find additional information, including frequently asked questions, on the Wyoming Department of Transportation website.

https://dot.state.wy.us/home/travel/mountain-driving/safe-pass-program-faq.html

My Thoughts

I’ve been towing RVs for years, including our large fifth wheel, so most of the information covered in the course was stuff I already knew. There really wasn’t anything that surprised me, but that doesn’t mean the information isn’t valuable.

For someone new to towing, especially someone who hasn’t experienced steep mountain grades, I think the course could be a worthwhile learning experience. Understanding how to use engine braking, selecting the proper gear before starting downhill and knowing what can happen when brakes overheat and how to use the runaway lanes are all important lessons.

I understand why Wyoming is doing it. Teton Pass is not a place where you want someone learning the hard way how to handle a heavy trailer on a steep downhill grade.

Will a short online course make someone a better driver? Probably not by itself. There’s no substitute for experience behind the wheel, but if it gets someone thinking about the challenges before they encounter them, that’s a good thing.

I also wonder whether other states with challenging mountain passes will eventually consider similar requirements.

For me, completing the certification was simple enough, and now I have it should we ever decide to travel that route. Whether you agree with the requirement or not, if you’re planning to cross Teton Pass with an RV or trailer, it’s something you’ll need to take care of before making the trip.

And regardless of whether a certificate is required, understanding your equipment and knowing how to safely handle mountain grades is something every RV driver should take seriously.