Getting Your Utah Driver’s License in 2024 – Step-by-Step Guide

In this guide, we explain how to get a Utah driver’s license in 6 steps.

1. Get Your Learner’s Permit 
2. Complete the Driver’s Education
3. Pass the Written Test 
4. Complete the Online Traffic Safety and Trends Exam
5. Pass the Road Exam
6. Get Your License

Step 1: Get Your Learner’s Permit

Why Do You Need the Learner’s Permit?

Ages 15-18

You must get the permit if you want to drive legally. Before applying for a full driver’s license, you must hold the learner’s permit for at least 6 months and complete 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.

Ages 19 and Older 

You can skip the learner’s permit by completing driver’s education and taking a written test. Or you can hold the learner’s permit for 90 days and progress to a full driver’s license.

How to Get a Learner’s Permit?

• Collect your documents
• Fill out the application form
• Complete an eye exam
• Pass the written knowledge test
• Pay the application fee

Here is the full guide to obtaining your learner’s permit in Utah, where we list all the details you need to know.

Learner’s Permit Restrictions

17 Years and Under

• You can only drive with an approved driving instructor, parent, or legal guardian
• The adult who gave consent must be present
• Your vehicle must allow additional passengers
• A learner permit must be in possession
• For the first 6 months, no passengers under 21 are allowed in the vehicle (immediate family members are exempted)
• You can’t drive between 12 AM and 5 AM unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older

18 Years and Older

• You must be accompanied by a licensed adult over the age of 21
• A learner permit must be in possession

Step 2: Complete Driver’s Education

Driver’s Education Theory

Option #1: High School Classroom Instruction

Driver’s education is offered at several Utah state public and private high school campuses. You will need to complete 27 hours of classroom instruction and submit your high school transcript to the DPS for verification.

Option #2: Commercial/Private Driving School

Commercial and private driving schools are also prevalent across the state. The Utah DPS requires institutions to provide students with 18 hours of instruction in order to meet the driver education mandate.

Option #3: Online/Home Study Driving Course

Studying from home is a popular option for many new drivers. You will need to complete 30 hours of a state-approved course.

Behind-the-Wheel Practice

Regardless of the driver education method you choose, it will also need to incorporate 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and another 6 hours of observation.

Step 3: Pass the Written Test

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Where to Pass the Test

What to Expect During the Written Test?

The test typically consists of 25 to 50 multiple-choice or true/false questions. To pass, you need to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.

Key Topics in 2023

1. Basic Traffic Laws: Rules and regulations for driving on Utah roads, such as speed limits, turning laws, and yielding.
2. Road Sign Interpretations: Different road signs, their meanings, and how drivers should respond to them.
3. Lane Usage and Right-of-Way Rules: Proper lane usage, merging, overtaking, and determining the right of way.
4. Parking and its Types: Different parking techniques, including parallel, angle, perpendicular, and hill parking.
5. Safe Driving Practices: Defensive driving principles, maintaining safe distances, and effective use of mirrors and signals.

Step 4: Complete the Online Traffic Safety and Trends Exam

All drivers who have never been licensed before must take the online Traffic Safety and Trends Exam when applying for a Utah Class D driver’s license. The test covers driving safety topics and leading causes of traffic-related deaths.

During the exam, you will watch videos and answer questions related to their content. You must answer 100% of the questions correctly to pass, but you can go through the exam sections multiple times.

Step 5: Take the Utah Driving Skills Test

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Where to Take the Road Test

What to Expect During the Road Exam?

The duration of the driving skills test in Utah ranges from 15 to 30 minutes. You will need a properly registered and insured vehicle for the exam.

During the Road Test, you will be assessed on parallel parking, reversing, turning, merging, adherence to traffic laws, use of turn signals, speed limit compliance, situational awareness, and safe interaction with other road users.

Step 6: Receive Your Utah Driver’s License

After submitting the documents, you will get a temporary license on the same day. Your permanent Utah driver’s license will be sent to you in 8-10 weeks.

Ages 20 and Under

• Schedule a provisional driver’s license appointment
• Bring a completed license application
• Take a photo
• Present your learner’s permit
• Have a parent sign off on 40 hours of supervised driving
• Have a parent sign off for financial responsibility (for ages 17 and under)
• Pay a non-refundable fee of $39

Ages 21 and Older 

• Schedule a driver’s license appointment
• Bring a completed license application
• Take a photo
• Submit proof of Driver’s Education
• Pass the vision exam
• Pay a non-refundable fee of $52

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