I'm a new resident in Utah: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Utah. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Utah

Each rule comes from the Utah driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Liability insurance

  Bodily injury and property damage liability insurance is mandatory; keep proof in the vehicle (electronic allowed).

  What the manual says

  • Bodily injury and property damage liability is mandatory coverage that pays for injuries or damage you cause by negligence.
  • The law requires proof of insurance in the vehicle to be shown to any peace officer who asks, and it may be shown electronically.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 69

• Change of address

  Notify the division of a new address within 10 days of moving.

  What the manual says

  • Class D drivers must notify the division of a new address within 10 days of moving.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 19

• How long the license lasts

  Eight years, expiring on your birthday; provisional license under 21: five years.

  What the manual says

  • An original license for an applicant over 21 expires on the applicant's birthday eight years after it is issued.
  • A provisional license, issued to an applicant under 21, expires on the applicant's birthday five years after issue.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 18

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Licensed at 16: no driving midnight-5 a.m. unless with licensed driver 21+ or going to/from work (more exceptions).

  What the manual says

  • Licensed drivers aged 16: night driving

    If you are 16 and have a driver license (not a permit), you may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless one of these applies:

    • you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older;
    • you are traveling to or from work;
    • it is an emergency situation;
    • you are doing agricultural operations; or
    • you are driving to or from school-sponsored activities.

  • Licensed drivers aged 16: night driving

    If you are 16 and have a driver license (not a permit), you may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless one of these applies:

    • you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older;
    • you are traveling to or from work;
    • it is an emergency situation;
    • you are doing agricultural operations; or
    • you are driving to or from school-sponsored activities.

  • Licensed drivers aged 16: night driving

    If you are 16 and have a driver license (not a permit), you may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless one of these applies:

    • you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older;
    • you are traveling to or from work;
    • it is an emergency situation;
    • you are doing agricultural operations; or
    • you are driving to or from school-sponsored activities.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Licensed at 16: first six months, immediate family passengers only, unless licensed driver 21+ in passenger seat (more exceptions).

  What the manual says

  • Licensed drivers aged 16: passengers

    If you are 16 and have a driver license (not a permit), for the first six months you cannot drive with passengers who are not immediate family members (no friends), unless a licensed driver at least 21 is sitting in the passenger seat, you are doing agricultural operations, or you are responding to an emergency.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: any measurable alcohol is an offense; first offense denies all driving privileges for six months.

  What the manual says

  • A first Not-a-Drop offense means all driving privileges are denied for six months.
  • A first Not-a-Drop offense means all driving privileges are denied for six months.
  • A repeat offense within 10 years costs the driver two years or until 21, whichever is longer.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 52

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means consent to a chemical test; refusal revokes your license 18 months, 36 months for repeats.

  What the manual says

  • When you drive in Utah, you are considered to have agreed to a chemical test to determine alcohol or drug content.
  • Refusing a chemical test costs you your license for 18 months on a first offense.
  • The revocation grows to 36 months for a second or subsequent refusal.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 53

• Seat belts

  Everyone must use belts. Police may stop for unbelted under-16s; 16+ cited if stopped for another reason.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook says everyone in the vehicle must have a fastened safety belt or child seat.
  • You may be stopped and cited if anyone under 16 years of age is unrestrained.
  • Occupants 16 and older may be cited for a belt violation when the vehicle is stopped for another reason.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 27, 28

• Child safety seats

  Ages 8 and under: child seat unless 57 inches tall; rear-facing until at least age 2 and 30 lb.

  What the manual says

  • Children aged eight and under need an approved child safety seat unless they are 57 inches tall.
  • Children must ride rear-facing in the back seat until at least two years old and 30 pounds, or longer if the seat allows.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 28

• Phone use while driving

  While driving, no manually writing, sending or reading texts, dialing, accessing the internet, or viewing or recording video.

  What the manual says

  • The rule bars manually writing, sending or reading written communication, which includes dialing a number, accessing the internet and viewing or recording video.
  • Utah law allows drivers over 18 to talk on an HWC device while driving as long as voice commands are used to connect to the call.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 58, 59

• School buses

  Stop for flashing red lights; two-lane roads both directions, with a median only vehicles behind the bus.

  What the manual says

  • You must stop immediately before reaching a school bus that displays alternating flashing red lights.
  • On a two-lane roadway, traffic in both directions must stop.
  • With a median separating the traffic, only vehicles in both lanes behind the bus must stop, not the opposite direction.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 36

• Move Over law

  Roadside incident or stopped vehicle with flashing lights: slow down, give space, change lanes if practical, safe.

  What the manual says

  • Move over laws require drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident.
  • Drivers must reduce speed, give as much space as practical, and if practical and safe, move to a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 77

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • Utah allows a right turn on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 46

• Speed limits

  Unposted: 25 mph business/residential; 20 mph as children go to/from school or lights flash; rural interstates 65/70/75/80 mph.

  What the manual says

  • The permitted speed in any business or residential area is 25 miles per hour.
  • During school opening or closing hours or when flashing lights are operating, the permitted speed is 20 miles per hour.
  • Rural interstates are listed at 65, 70, 75 or 80 miles per hour.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 44

• Left lane and keeping right

  The left lane is for passing slower vehicles; move safely right when another vehicle approaches from behind.

  What the manual says

  • The handbook says the left lane on multi-lane roads is for passing slower vehicles.
  • The left lane driver must move safely to the right to avoid impeding traffic.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 34, 39

• Points and suspension

  Enough points can lead to suspension; hearing at 200+ points in 3 years (70+ under 21).

  What the manual says

  • Enough convictions to fall under the division point system is a listed ground for suspension.
  • A driver over 21 with 200 or more points in three years is asked to appear for a hearing.
  • A driver under 21 with 70 points or more in three years is asked to appear for a hearing.

  Source: Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition (new 2026 laws effective May 6, 2026)), page 71, 72

Official steps for moving to Utah

• When you need a Utah license

  A person who becomes a Utah resident, for example by entering the state to make Utah home or by staying six months or more during a calendar year, must have a valid Utah driver license, learner permit or temporary driver license to drive on public roads. Your out-of-state driver license must be surrendered when you apply for a Utah driver license.

  Source: [1]

• Out-of-state and out-of-country transfers

  The DLD website has separate pages for each type of license, including pages for out-of-state transfers and out-of-country transfers. Read the page for your situation before you go. For a first Utah license, the handbook asks for proof of driving experience: evidence of completing driver education if you are under 19, or evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country.

  Source: [1] [3]

• Military personnel

  Non-resident military service personnel and their dependents who are temporarily assigned in Utah may drive with a valid out-of-state or out-of-country driver license. Military personnel, and the dependents who live with them, who had a valid Utah driver license when they entered the service and who are stationed or residing outside Utah may keep using it up to 90 days after discharge or the end of orders.

  Source: [1]

Sources

1. Utah Driver Handbook (2026 edition, with NEW 2026 LAWS effective May 6, 2026) (dld.utah.gov) — Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division
2. Teen Driver Restrictions (dld.utah.gov) — Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division
3. Driver Licensing Services (service menu) (dld.utah.gov) — Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division