How To Acquire Your Utah Driver's License

An applicant who has never been licensed (anywhere), regardless of their age, must obtain a Utah learner permit in order to complete a driver education course and obtain a Utah Driver License.

If an applicant is 17 years of age or younger when they apply for their learner permit, they must hold the learner permit for six months before applying for a driver’s license.

However, if the applicant turns 18 during the holding period, they may apply for their driver’s license upon turning 18.

The six-month learner permit holding requirement does not apply to an applicant who is age 18 or older at the time of application for the learner permit.

Required Documentation

Identity and Legal/Lawful Status Verification (must provide one)

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card; or
Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth (hospital document, birth registration or small laminated official birth certificates issued by the Department of Health are not accepted); or
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545; or
Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551; or
Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS, Form N-550 or Form N-570; or
Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561, issued by DHS; or

Social Security Verification (must provide one)

Social Security card issued by the U.S. Government that has been signed and has not been laminated; or
If the Social Security card is not available, the applicant may present one of the following documents which contain the applicant’s name and SSN:
- W-2 Form;
- SSA-1099 Form;
- Non-SSA-1099 Form;
- Paystub showing applicant’s name and SSN; or
- Letter from the Social Security Administration indicating ineligibility to obtain a Social Security number as a result of their legal/lawful presence status.
Applicants applying for an original CDL must present the Social Security card.

Utah Residency Verification if different than current Utah Driver License record (must provide two)

Must display the applicant’s name and principal Utah residence address (NO PO BOX), which may include:
- Bank Statement (dated within 60 days);
- Court documents;
- Current mortgage or rental contract;
- Major credit card bill (dated within 60 days);
- Property tax notice (statement or receipt dated within one year);
- School transcript (dated within 90 days);
- Utility bill (billing date within 60 days), (cell phone bills will not be accepted);
- Valid Utah vehicle registration or title;
Other documents acceptable to the Division upon review, except that only one document printed from the internet will be accepted.

AND – Proof of Driving Experience required for first Utah license (not required when obtaining a learner permit)

Evidence of completion of a course in driver training; or
Evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country.

If you are in the United States legally but not a U.S. Citizen, U..S. National or Permanent Resident Alien, you must provide the following documentation to obtain a Limited-Term Driver License, Limited-Term Learner Permit, Limited-Term Identification Card, or Limited-Term Commercial Driver License:

Identity and Legal/Lawful Status Verification (must provide one)

Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by DHS, Form I-766, or Form I-688B; verified by the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlememts system (SAVE); or
Unexpired foreign passport with documentary evidence of the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States verified through SAVE;

AND

A document issued by the U.S. Federal Government that provides proof of one of the statuses listed below verifying lawful entrance into the United States of America:
- Unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States issued by the U.S. Government;
- Pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;
- Admission into the United States as a refugee;
- Pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
- Approved deferred action status; or
- Pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident or conditional resident

Social Security Verification (must provide one)

Social Security card issued by the U.S. Government that has been signed and has not been laminated; or
If the Social Security card is not available, the applicant may present one of the following documents which contain the applicant’s name and SSN:
- W-2 Form;
- SSA-1099 Form;
- Non SSA-1099 Form;
- Pay stub showing applicant’s name and SSN; or
- Letter from the Social Security Administration indicating ineligibility to obtain a Social Security number as a result of their legal/lawful presence status.
Applicants applying for an original CDL must present the Social Security card.

Utah Residency Verification if different than current Utah Driver License record (must provide two)

Must display the applicant’s name and principal Utah residence address (NO PO BOX), which may include:
- Bank Statement (dated within 60 days);
- Court documents;
- Current mortgage or rental contract;
- Major credit card bill (dated within 60 days);
- Property tax notice (statement or receipt dated within one year);
- School transcript (dated within 90 days);
- Utility bill (billing date within 60 days), (cell phone bills will not be accepted);
- Valid Utah vehicle registration or title;
Other documents acceptable to the Division upon review, except that only one document printed from the internet will be accepted.

AND – Proof of Driving Experience required for first Utah license (not required when obtaining a learner permit)

Evidence of completion of a course in driver training; or
Evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country.

If you are an undocumented Immigrant in the United States, you must provide the following documentation to obtain a Driving Privilege Card (DPC) or Learner Permit:

Identity Verification

Foreign birth certificate or foreign passport including a certified translation if the document is not in English

And one of the following:

Church records;
Court records;
Driver license;
Employee ID;
Insurance ID card;
Matricular Consular card (issued in Utah);
Mexican Voter Registration card;
School records;
Utah DPC;
Other evidence considered acceptable by the Division Director or designee

Social Security Verification OR Individual Tax Identification Number (must provide one)

Social Security card issued by the U.S. Government that has been signed and has not been laminated; or
Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) Card issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); or
Document or letter from the IRS verifying the ITIN

Utah Residency Verification if different than current Utah Driver License record (must provide two)

Must display the applicant’s name and principal Utah residence address (NO PO BOX), which may include:
- Bank Statement (dated within 60 days);
- Court documents;
- Current mortgage or rental contract;
- Major credit card bill (dated within 60 days);
- Property tax notice (statement or receipt dated within one year);
- School transcript (dated within 90 days);
- Utility bill (billing date within 60 days), (cell phone bills will not be accepted);
- Valid Utah vehicle registration or title;
Other documents acceptable to the Division upon review, except that only one document printed from the internet will be accepted.

AND – Proof of Driving Experience required for first Utah license (not required when obtaining a learner permit)

Evidence of completion of a course in driver training; or
Evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country.

Beginning on August 1, 2006, the division, upon receiving an application for a learner permit, may issue a learner permit effective for one year to an applicant who:

is at least 15 years of age;
has passed the knowledge test (written) required by the division;
has passed the medical and eye exam;
parent/legal guardian has signed for financial responsibility; and
has submitted a nonrefundable fee of $15.00 for a learner permit

The learner permit entitles an applicant that is younger than 18 years of age to operate a regular Class D motor vehicle only if:

an approved driving instructor is occupying the seat beside the applicant;
the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat beside the applicant; or
the responsible adult who has signed for financial responsibility, who must be a licensed driver; is occupying a seat beside the applicant;
allows for other passengers in the vehicle; and
the learner permit must be in the applicant’s immediate possession

The learner permit entitles an applicant that is 18 years of age or older to operate a regular Class D motor vehicle only if:

a person 21 years of age or older, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying the seat beside the applicant; and
the learner permit must be in the applicant’s immediate possession

An application and fee for a learner permit entitle the applicant to not more than three attempts to pass the knowledge test (written) for a regular Class D license within one year. After 3 failures, you will be required to pay an additional fee.

An applicant is eligible to obtain a regular Class D driver license from the division upon:

reaching the age of 16 years;
has carried a learner permit for 6 months;
has completed an approved driver education course or have proof of license from another state or country;
passing the road test (driving) approved by the division;
completing 40 hours of driving (10 hours at night) which parent or legal guardian must sign off; and
pay the nonrefundable fee for an original or provisional Class D license application

If the person signing for minor is not the natural parent they must show legal court documents.

Example: A mother can sign for financial responsibility for her son or daughter’s license, but a step-father cannot come in and sign for financial responsibility or sign off on the 40 hours of driving without legal court documents.

To obtain a Driver’s License in the State of Utah, you must be 16 years of age.

If you are under 18 years of age there are a few requirements that will need to be met before receiving your privilege to drive.

Have you held a Utah learner permit for a minimum of 6 months?
Have you completed an approved driver education course?
Every applicant who is under 18 years of age must have the application signed by one of his/her parents or guardian. If no person has custody, then a responsible adult who is willing to assume responsibility for the minor may sign. The person who signs should realize that his/her signature is a legal assumption of financial responsibility for the applicant’s driving privilege. If canceled, this privilege may be regained only through the proper assumption of responsibility and the payment of another fee. The applicant may also be required to retake all tests;
The same parent or legal guardian signing for financial responsibility must also sign off that the minor has completed 40 hours of drive time, 10 of which are to be after dark;
Appear at licensing office;
Take a photo;
Complete an application, (fill out our online application and print ahead of time);
Present learner permit and documents required;
Pay applicable fees;
Written and driving tests

Once you have met these requirements, you are ready to take on the road with some restrictions.

When applying for a Utah driver’s license, your privilege to drive cannot be suspended, revoked, disqualified, or denied in another state.

After all requirements for a license have been successfully completed, you will receive a temporary photo license on the same day. The completed license will then be mailed to you in approximately three weeks.