Utah DMV / DLD Exam FAQ 2026
Is it called the "DMV" in Utah?
Not officially. In Utah, driver's license and knowledge-test services are handled by the Utah Driver License Division (DLD). "DMV" is used as a general term across the site because it's the phrase most people search for, but your paperwork, appointments, and office signage in Utah will say DLD.
How do I get my first driver's license in Utah?
To get your first license in Utah, apply through the Driver License Division (DLD). If you are 15 to 18 you must complete driver education, then get a learner permit, log 40 hours of supervised practice driving, and hold the permit before applying for a regular Class D license at age 16. You must pass the written knowledge test, the eye test, the driving skills test, and, for first-time drivers, the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam.
What is the minimum age to get a learner permit in Utah?
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Utah learner permit. Applicants ages 15 to 18 are required to complete an approved driver education course, while it is optional for those 19 and older.
How old do I have to be to get a full driver's license in Utah?
You can apply for a regular Class D driver license in Utah at age 16. Drivers who are 16 or 17 are subject to Utah's teen (Graduated Driver License) restrictions until they turn 18.
What documents do I need to apply for a Utah driver's license?
You must bring proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents proving Utah residency (your address). Non-U.S. citizens must also provide proof of lawful presence, and documents must be original or certified copies that are unexpired.
How many questions are on the Utah knowledge test?
If you have never been licensed before, the written knowledge test is a closed-book exam with 50 questions. Drivers who have previously held a license take an open-book test with 25 questions.
What score do I need to pass the Utah written knowledge test?
You must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly to pass the Utah written knowledge test. The questions are drawn from the official Utah Driver Handbook.
What is the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam?
The Traffic Safety and Trends Exam is an additional online exam required only for applicants who have never been licensed in any U.S. state or country. You must complete it with a score of 100% before receiving your permanent Class D license, after which you get a certification number.
How long is my Utah knowledge test result and permit valid?
Written knowledge test scores and learner permits in Utah are valid for 18 months. If you do not complete the licensing process within that window, you may need to retake the test.
How many supervised driving hours does Utah require?
Utah requires 40 hours of supervised practice driving before a teen can get a license, including 10 hours completed after sunset. A parent or guardian typically certifies these hours.
What is tested on the Utah driving skills test?
The driving skills test evaluates your ability to safely operate a vehicle, including steering, proper lane use, turns and U-turns, starting, stopping, and parking (including on hills and between cars), backing, and obeying traffic signs and signals. You must schedule an appointment and, if testing at a DLD office, bring your own registered vehicle with working seat belts.
How much does a Utah driver's license cost?
A first regular Class D driver license costs $52.00 for adults and $39.00 for minors. Fees can change, so check the DLD fees page for the current amount before your visit.
What are Utah's teen driver (GDL) restrictions?
For the first six months of licensure or until turning 18, teen drivers cannot carry passengers who are not immediate family unless a licensed driver at least 21 years old is in the front seat. Drivers under 18 also cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. except for work, school activities, emergencies, agricultural work, or when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older.
Does a parent need to sign for a minor's Utah license?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian must sign for financial responsibility for any driver under the age of 18 applying for a learner permit or driver license in Utah.
How often do I renew my Utah driver's license?
A regular Utah driver license is valid for eight years. About 90 days before it expires, eligible drivers receive a letter with a PIN that allows them to renew online.
Can I renew my Utah driver's license online?
Many drivers can renew online using the PIN mailed to them before expiration. When you renew, you receive a temporary license the same day, and your permanent card is mailed in about four to six weeks.
Is the Utah driver's license REAL ID compliant?
Utah issues REAL ID-compliant driver licenses to applicants who provide the required identity, Social Security, and residency documents. By law you may not hold more than one REAL ID-compliant credential at a time, so you must surrender a license from another state.
How do I transfer an out-of-state license to Utah?
New Utah residents must visit a DLD office in person with their current out-of-state or out-of-country license, proof of identity, Social Security number, and Utah residency. You will generally take an eye test and knowledge test, and you must surrender your prior license since you cannot hold two.
What happens if I fail the Utah knowledge or driving test?
If you fail, you can reschedule and try again, but you may take only one test per day. On the driving skills test, failing three times requires paying an additional fee, and the test must be completed within six months of applying for your license.
Do I need to take a vision test in Utah?
Yes. An eye (vision) test is required when you apply for an original Utah driver license. If you do not meet the vision standard, you may be asked to provide a vision statement from an eye care professional.
How can practice tests help me pass the Utah exam?
Practice tests mirror the format and content of the official Utah knowledge exam, which is based on the Utah Driver Handbook, so they help you learn road signs, traffic laws, and safe-driving rules. Repeated practice builds confidence and improves your chances of passing on the first try with the required 80% score.
