So, you need to get a Utah driver’s license. Depending on your age and driving experience, it’s relatively easy, assuming that your driving privilege is not suspended, revoked, disqualified, or denied in any other U.S. state (most states have this first requirement in place).
Read on for the information and steps you’ll need to get your Utah driver’s license.
How to Get Your Utah Driver’s License
Beginning July 1, 2012, Utah deemed that anyone under 19 years of age needs to complete a state-approved driver’s education program before getting their first Utah license.
If you’re older than 19, you can bypass the driver’s ed program if you’ve demonstrated a lawful/legal presence and:
- Obtained a Utah learner’s permit at least 90 days prior or presented a valid driver’s license from another state or country
- Presented two current proofs of Utah residence (e.g., utility bills, credit card or bank statements, etc.), valid identification/proof of age (government-issued ID, birth certificate, passport/passport card, etc.), and unlaminated Social Security card OR
- Citizenship/naturalization form/permanent resident card if you’re an international driver (Form I-551, N-550, N-570, N-560, or N-561), issued by DHS
What Other Documentation/Residency Verification Is Accepted to Get My Utah Driver’s License?
Other acceptable forms of Social Security verification documents include at least one of the following (if you don’t have your Social Security card available):
- Letter from the Social Security Administration indicating ineligibility to obtain a Social Security number due to your current legal/lawful presence status
- Documentation that contains your name and SSN, like:
- W-2
- 1099
- Paystub showing your name and SSN
Note: If you’re applying for your first Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) you are required to present your Social Security card.
For Utah physical address (residency) verification, required proof must show your name and primary physical Utah residence address (No PO Boxes) also includes:
- Valid Utah vehicle registration or title
- School transcript (< 90 days)
- Current mortgage or rental contract (< 60 days)
- Property tax notice (< 1 year)
- Court documents (dated < 60 days)
- Other documentation may be acceptable to the Utah DL Division, but only one document printed from the internet can be accepted
Note that required documentation varies depending upon whether you’re a natural-born U.S. citizen, naturalized citizen, non-U.S. citizen, or resident. Find an official list of accepted documentation here.
What’s the Process for Obtaining a Utah Driver’s License With the Required Documentation?
Once you’ve got your documentation in hand, go to any Utah state licensing office or third-party testing location. You’ll have your photo taken and you’ll need to complete an application, after which you’ll present the required documentation, and pay applicable fees ($52 for a standard license, including age 65 and up, and $18 for a motorcycle license).
Then you’ll have to pass a 50-question written/online test and also a driving test.
What Does the Utah Written/Online Driver’s Test Cover?
As of January 1, 2016, anyone applying to obtain their first Utah driver’s license will need to pass an open-book, 50-question online test over fatal auto accidents. You’ll need to get all questions correct, but you can take the test as many times as you need to. You’ll also need to have completed this test before going to the driver testing site.
What Does the Utah Driving Test Cover?
If you’ve never had a driver’s license in any other state or country before applying for your Utah license, you must complete a driving test at one of the state offices or at a third-party road test provider. The Utah driving test covers your knowledge of road rules, speed limits, safe (defensive) driving, and some mandatory technical driving skill maneuvers, including:
- Backing up in a straight line
- Parallel Parking
- Parking on a Hill (uphill, downhill, or both)
- Making a U-Turn
- Making a Three-Point Turn
Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to before starting the test. You won’t be able to ask your tester questions during the test. If you’re taking the driving test in your vehicle, you need to have proof of insurance, working turn signals, headlights/tail lights, and brake lights.
Take your time and relax during your test. Bad driving habits you’ll want to be especially careful to avoid (as they may cause you to fail your driving test) include:
- Speeding
- Driving aggressively
- Making “rolling stops” (e.g., not coming to a complete stop when required, such as when negotiating a stop sign or red light)
- Not checking for oncoming traffic and not checking your blind spots when turning, changing lanes, etc. before proceeding
Once you’ve completed and passed your road test, you can receive a temporary photo license until your official license arrives in the mail. Your tester can tell you where to obtain your temporary license. Your official license should arrive in the mail within about three weeks.
How Much Does a Utah Driver’s License Cost?
Now that you’ve taken and passed your written/online Utah driver’s and road tests, you’ll just need to pay the license fee via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.
- Your first standard Class D Utah license (including for senior drivers older than 65): $52.00
- Utah Learner permits: $19.00
- Utah Class D provisional 5-year license: $39.00
- Utah Motorcycle endorsement: $18.00
Renewed standard Class D licenses also cost $52.00 ($27.00 for senior drivers over 65 years).
What Does a Utah “Class D” License Mean?
Utah’s Class D driver’s license designates a regular adult license and does not include a license to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CDL) or motorcycle.
What Is a “Class C” Driver’s License in Utah?
A Utah Class C license is for vehicles with a gross weight rating below 26,001 pounds and carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver. Class C licenses are also for driving vehicles designated to transport hazardous materials.
How Much Does a Utah State Non-Driver ID Cost?
With the same kind of identification/residency verification, you can obtain a Utah-issued state non-driver ID for $23.00. State-issued IDs from other states are not accepted as valid forms of identification.
So, How Do I Get a Utah Driver’s License?
First-time Utah driver’s license applicants need to be at least 16 years of age and have completed a state-approved driver training course (if under 19 years of age). These drivers must also obtain a Utah learning permit and have completed 40 hours of practice driving with a licensed Utah driver. New residents and international drivers must provide proper identification, proof of right to work/reside in the U.S., and current proof of Utah residency. All drivers obtaining a Utah license must at least complete and pass an open-book, 50-question driver’s test, and those with no previous valid driver’s license from another state or country must take and pass a road test and pay the appropriate licensing fees.