Summary of the Utah Driver Handbook 2026

Driving in Utah is a privilege, not a right. All Utah residents must hold a valid Utah driver license. New residents must obtain a Utah license within 30 days of establishing residency.

Types of Utah Licenses

• Instruction Permit: Available at age 15½. Must pass knowledge test (50 questions, 80% to pass) and vision exam. Must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21+ at all times.
• Minor's Restricted License (Under 18): Must be at least 16 years old, hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months, and complete 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night). Must also complete an approved driver education course.
• Class C License: Standard license for non-commercial vehicles. Applicants 18+ who hold a valid out-of-state license may be exempt from the knowledge test.
• Class M License: Required to operate a motorcycle. Must pass a motorcycle knowledge and skills test or complete an approved training course.

Graduated Driver License (GDL) Restrictions

Required Documents

• Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, etc.).
• Social Security number.
• Two proofs of Utah residency (utility bills, bank statements, etc.).
• Proof of legal presence in the United States.

The Knowledge Test

• 50 questions — must score 80% or better (40 correct) to pass.
• If you fail, you may retake the test. Fees may apply for each attempt.
• The test covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and Utah-specific rules.

Right-of-way is something given, not taken. Even if you legally have the right-of-way, yield if the other driver does not. Your goal is always to prevent a crash.

Right-of-Way Rules

Utah Speed Limits

Turning Rules

• Signal at least 100 feet before turning.
• Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it.
• Left turn from a one-way street to a one-way street on red is permitted after a full stop, unless prohibited by a sign.

U-Turn Rules

• U-turns are illegal in business districts except at intersections or where a physical divider provides an opening.
• U-turns are illegal on curves or near hill crests where visibility is less than 500 feet in either direction.
• Never make a U-turn near a fire station or on a highway where there is no median.

Passing Rules

• Never pass when solid yellow lines are on your side of the road.
• Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
• Do not pass on a hill or curve with limited visibility.
• When being passed, maintain your speed — do not accelerate.

Traffic Signals

Traffic Signs by Shape & Color

• Octagon (Stop Sign): Come to a complete stop before the crosswalk or stop line. Proceed when safe.
• Triangle (Yield Sign): Slow down; yield to traffic and pedestrians.
• Diamond (Warning): Yellow background. Warns of hazards ahead — curves, hills, crossings, rough roads.
• Rectangle (Regulatory): White with black/red text. Informs of traffic laws (speed limits, turn restrictions, one-way).
• Pentagon (School Zone): Yellow-green. Slow down near schools; watch for children.
• Pennant (No Passing Zone): Yellow. Posted on the left side of the road — do not pass.
• Circle (Railroad Warning): Yellow, advance warning of a railroad crossing ahead.
• Orange Signs: Construction/work zones. Fines are doubled when workers are present.
• Blue Signs: Motorist services — gas, food, lodging, hospitals.
• Brown Signs: Recreation and cultural interest areas — parks, historic sites.

Pavement Markings

Following Distance

• Maintain a minimum 2-second following distance behind the vehicle ahead.
• Increase to 4 seconds or more in bad weather, at night, on wet roads, or when following large vehicles.
• Use the 12-second scanning rule — look ahead at least 12 seconds to identify potential hazards.

Lane Usage

• On multi-lane roads, use the right lane for slower driving and the left lane for passing.
• Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
• Do not weave in and out of traffic.

Defensive Driving Tips

• Scan the road 10–15 seconds ahead. Check mirrors every 5–8 seconds.
• Always check blind spots by turning your head and glancing over your shoulder before changing lanes.
• Anticipate the actions of other drivers — do not assume they will obey signals or signs.
• Keep an escape route — try to maintain space on at least one side of your vehicle.

Cell Phone Use

Headlights

• Use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and any time visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
• Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.
• In fog, use low beams — high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.

Adverse Weather

Highway / Freeway Driving

• When entering a freeway, use the on-ramp to accelerate and match the speed of traffic before merging.
• Stay in the right lane except to pass.
• Signal at least 100 feet before lane changes or exits.
• Never stop on a freeway except in an emergency — pull completely off the road onto the shoulder.

Handling Emergencies

Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, vision, coordination, and reaction time. Utah law applies to both alcohol and drugs — including prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Implied Consent

• By driving in Utah, you automatically consent to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if a law enforcement officer suspects you are impaired.
• Refusing a chemical test results in an automatic 1-year license revocation for the first refusal.

DUI Penalties (Adults 21+)

Open Container Law

• It is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle.
• An open container violation while DUI increases penalties.

Effects of Alcohol on Driving

• The body eliminates approximately one standard drink per hour — but this varies widely.
• Factors that influence BAC: body weight, amount of food in stomach, time between drinks, and medications.
• Even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction time before reaching 0.08%.
• Nothing can speed up the elimination of alcohol — not coffee, cold showers, or exercise.

Minimum Insurance Requirements (25/50/20)

• You must carry proof of insurance at all times while driving.
• Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor — fines, license suspension, and vehicle impoundment may result.

Vehicle Registration

• Vehicles must be registered in Utah within 30 days of establishing residency.
• Emissions testing may be required in certain counties (Clark and Washoe).

Required Vehicle Equipment

Parking Rules

• Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
• Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal.
• Do not double-park, park on a sidewalk, or park on a bridge.

Parking on Hills

• Headed downhill with a curb: Turn wheels into the curb (right).
• Headed uphill with a curb: Turn wheels away from the curb (left); let the car roll back until the tire rests against the curb.
• No curb (uphill or downhill): Turn wheels to the right so the car rolls off the road, away from traffic.
• Always set the parking brake.

Railroad Crossings

• Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when a crossing gate is lowered, lights are flashing, or a train is approaching.
• Never try to beat a train. The railroad crossbuck (X-shaped sign) marks every grade crossing.
• Never stop on railroad tracks.

School Buses

• When a school bus displays flashing red lights, all traffic from both directions must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing or the driver signals you to proceed.
• Exception: You do not need to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a road divided by a physical barrier or median.

Emergency Vehicles

• Yield to all emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights.
• Pull to the right and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
• Move Over law: On highways with two or more lanes, move over one lane when approaching a stationary emergency, law enforcement, or service vehicle with flashing lights. If you cannot change lanes, slow down significantly.

Construction Zones

• Fines for traffic violations in construction zones are doubled when workers are present.
• Obey all posted speed limits and instructions from flaggers.
• Merge early and do not speed through work zones.

What to Do After a Crash

• You must stop immediately — leaving the scene is a hit-and-run, which is a serious criminal offense.
• Call 911 if there is any injury, death, or significant property damage.
• Exchange: name, address, phone number, vehicle registration, driver license number, and insurance information with all involved drivers.
• If the crash involves injury, death, or property damage of $750 or more, you must report it to the Utah DMV within 10 days.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle, stop and leave a visible note with your name, address, and a description of the crash.

Hit-and-Run Penalties

• Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony in Utah.
• Even leaving after a property-damage crash can result in misdemeanor charges.

Seat Belt Laws

• All passengers age 6 or older (or weighing 60+ lbs) must wear a seat belt.
• Utah has primary enforcement — police can stop you just for a seat belt violation.
• The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are properly restrained.

Child Safety Seats

• Children under age 6 and under 60 lbs must be in an approved child restraint system.
• Rear-facing seats are recommended for infants. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active air bag.

Defensive Driving & Safety

• Scan the road 10–15 seconds ahead. Keep a minimum 2-second following distance.
• Check all mirrors regularly and check blind spots before lane changes.
• Anticipate the actions of other drivers — always have an escape plan.

Carbon Monoxide

Never run your vehicle engine inside a closed garage. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. Symptoms include tiredness, yawning, dizziness, nausea, and headache.

Large Trucks & Buses

• "No Zones" are the large blind spots around trucks and buses where the driver cannot see you — directly behind, in front, and along the sides.
• Do not cut in front of trucks. Their stopping distance is much greater than a car.
• Never pass on the right of a turning truck — they often swing wide to complete turns.
• If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.

Motorcycles

• Give motorcyclists a full lane width — never share a lane.
• Check mirrors and blind spots before lane changes. Motorcycles are harder to see.
• The most common crash type is a car making a left turn in front of a motorcycle.

Bicycles

• Bicycles have the same rights as motor vehicles on Utah roads.
• Give cyclists plenty of space when passing.
• Do not cut across their path when turning right.
• Check for cyclists before opening your car door.

Pedestrians

• Yield to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk — a pedestrian may be crossing.
• Be especially cautious near schools, playgrounds, and residential areas.

When Stopped by Law Enforcement

• Slow down, signal right, and pull safely to the right side of the road.
• Turn off the engine, lower your window, and keep your hands visible.
• Remain in the vehicle unless instructed to exit.
• Provide your driver license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration upon request.