UTAH ONLINE TRAFFIC SCHOOL & DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSES

Utah New Drivers

New drivers in Utah who are 15 years of age or older are eligible to apply for a learner’s permit. Applicants must pass a vision screening and a 50-question knowledge test based on the Utah Driver Handbook. Applicants must submit proof of identity and residence, pay the applicable fee, and have a parent or guardian sign a statement of financial responsibility if the applicant is 17 years of age or under. A learner’s permit allows the driver to operate a motor vehicle when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or approved driving instructor.

Applicants who are 15, 16, or 17 years old must hold a learner’s permit for at least six months before applying for a standard driver’s license. However, applicants who turn 18 during the six-month period may apply for a driver’s license immediately.

If the holder of a learner’s permit is 18 years or older, the accompanying driver can be any licensed driver over the age of 21.

Drivers under the age of 19 with a learner’s permit must complete an approved driver education class before applying for a driver’s license. Those 19 and over who hold a learner’s permit have two options for advancing to a regular driver’s license: 1) hold the learner’s permit for 90 days and complete 40 hours of practice driving, with 10 of those hours at night, or 2) complete an approved driver education course.

Additional information on Utah driver’s license requirements, including restrictions for minor drivers, can be found on the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) website.

Utah License Renewal

Drivers with a current Utah license will receive a renewal notice by mail about 90 days before their license expires. If you are eligible to renew online, the letter will include a PIN that you will need to use to access the online renewal system.

In-person renewals can be completed by scheduling an appointment online. At your appointment, your photo will be taken and you will be given a vision screening. Proof of address will be required if you have moved since your license was previously issued; a list of acceptable documentation can be found here.

An open-book knowledge exam will be given if you have had more than four citations in eight years, have had your license suspended or revoked, or your Utah driver license has been expired for more than six months. Utah driver’s licenses can be renewed up to six months prior to expiration, and they are valid for eight years.

Utah REAL ID

REAL ID is a federal program that was created in response to the terror attacks of September 11^th with a goal of increased safety and security. Utah identification cards, including driver’s licenses, are transitioning to be REAL ID compliant. If your license is renewed prior to October 1^st, 2021, you will automatically receive a REAL ID. REAL IDs look similar to Utah driver’s licenses, with the addition of a gold star in the upper right-hand corner.

If your license is not REAL ID compliant, and you are not due for renewal prior to October 1^st, you will receive a complimentary REAL ID license in the mail. This ID will have the same expiration date as your current license.

According to Utah state law, points are assigned to an individual’s driving record for each traffic violation that is cited. Points can have a negative impact on insurance premiums and can also lead to driving privileges being suspended or revoked.

However, drivers in Utah may be allowed by the court overseeing the jurisdiction in which you received a traffic ticket to take an online traffic school course. Completion of the course can result in the removal of up to 50 points from your driving record. The course can also choose to lower fines that you owe for your violation upon completion of the driving course.

Be sure to check with the appropriate Utah court to verify whether taking our course can reduce or remove points from your driving record or result in traffic ticket dismissal.