Apply for a License (Drivers 18+) in Utah
Getting Your New Utah Driver's License
Want to legally drive in Utah? Then you need to apply for a new Utah driver's license right away.
The Utah Department of Public Safety Driver License Division helps you earn your UT driver's license—whether this is your first license, you've just moved to the state, or you're a legally present non-citizen.
Utah REAL ID Driver's License
The UT DPS began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in 2010. As of October 1, 2021, only the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings.
For more detail on Utah REAL IDs, visit the DPS' guide and FAQs.
New to Utah?
Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.
If you are a new Utah resident, you'll want to get your driver's license as soon as possible. The UT Driver License Division makes it really easy. Just visit your local driver license office and follow the steps listed below in “Apply for Your UT Driver's License."
Remember, if your license is valid, you will NOT need to hold a UT learner permit for any amount of time, nor will you be required to submit proof of driver's education*.
You will be required to take the written test; however, you might not be required to take the road test. The Driver License Office indicates that one or both tests may be required.
* If you are 18 years old or younger and do not yet have a license from your previous state (but have completed driver's education), see our section on eligibility requirements below.
Types of Utah Driver's Licenses
You'll learn all about applying for a regular Class D license on this page, but if you're interested in applying for another type of license, check out the following pages:
- Teen Drivers
- Covers licensing requirements for teen drivers, including driver's ed, permit, and testing requirements.
- Motorcycles
- Learn how to add a motorcycle endorsement onto your license.
- Commercial Vehicles
- Find out how to get your Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements.
Utah Driver's License Eligibility Requirements
Drivers applying for a license for the very first time are subject to certain eligibility requirements.
Driver's Education
Driver education is no longer required for all drivers applying for a new license. Requirements are as follows:
- If you are 18 years old or younger, you must complete a driver's education course.
- If you are 19 years old or older, you do not need to complete a driver's education course IF you hold a permit for 90 days and complete at least 40 hours of practice driving (10 hours must be at night).
New residents with a valid license do not need to complete driver education. However, if you are a new resident who does not yet hold a license but has completed driver education, your course must meet the following standards to be accepted in UT:
- A minimum of 27 hours of classroom instruction.
- A minimum of 18 hours of classroom instruction for commercial license.
- At least 6 hours of practical driving instruction.
Learn more about the requirement and find classes by visiting our page on UT drivers education.
Learner's Permits
If you are applying for a license for the first time (anywhere) and you have not completed driver education, you'll need to obtain a learner permit and hold it for at least 90 days before taking your Utah driving test.
This requirement does not apply to new residents surrendering a valid license from out of the state or country.
To learn more about Utah learner's permits, please visit our page on obtaining a permit in Utah.
Apply for Your New Utah Driver's License
Applying for your new driver's license in Utah is easy. Just visit your local driver license office and take the following steps:
- Submit a completed application for a driver license (Form DLD6a).
- Provide proof of driver education, if applicable.
- See “UT Driver's License Eligibility Requirements" above for details on who needs to submit proof.
- Pass the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam, available online at theDPS website.
- This test covers driving safety and the major causes of traffic-related deaths.
- You must receive a 100% to pass the test.
- You can retake the test as many times as necessary to pass.
- Get your picture taken.
- Take and pass a vision exam.
- Complete the medical questionnaire.
- Provide proof of ID. The UT Driver License Division provides a full list of accepted documents, but expect to provide proof of:
- Identity, such as:
- Certified copy of your birth certificate.
- Valid U.S. Passport.
- Social Security number, such as:
- Social Security card.
- W-2 form.
- Residency (2 documents dated within 90 days*) such as:
- Bank statement.
- Current mortgage contract.
- Identity, such as:
- Pass a written permit test.
- Pass a driving test.
- See “Driving Test" below for more information about your options for taking the driving test.
- Pay the $52 new driver's license fee.
*Documents dated over 90 days will be reviewed by the Division.
NOTE: The Driver License Division recommends scheduling an appointment to avoid long lines. You can quickly make an appointment via the department's online appointment scheduler.
New Driver's License Driving Test
If you are required to take a driving test (if, for example, this is your first time getting a license anywhere), you have two options:
- Schedule an appointment at a driver license office (after meeting all other licensing requirements, including the written test.)
- Schedule a road test with a certified commercial school Third-Party Tester.
In order to use a Third-Party Tester:
- You must hold a license from another country or learner permit from the Utah Driver License Division.
- Present proof of identification.
You are not eligible to use a Third-Party Tester IF:
- You hold a Utah driver's license but have been asked to take a road test by a doctor, other medical profession, or police officer.
- You've been asked by the Driver License Division to complete additional driver education hours.
Non-Citizens and Utah Driver's Licenses
If you are applying for a Utah driver's license as a non-citizen, you will receive either a Limited-Term License or a Driving Privilege Card, based on your legal status in the U.S.:
- Persons residing in the U.S. legally who are not U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, or Permanent Resident Aliens will receive a Limited-Term License.
- Undocumented immigrants in the United States will receive a Driving Privilege Card.
Limited-Term Licenses
Non-citizens who have legal status in the U.S. will receive a Limited-Term Driver License, which has the following conditions:
- The license will expire on the date of expiration on your legal presence document, or in 5 years, whichever is sooner.
- If there is no expiration date, it will expire 1 year from the date it was issued.
The process of applying for a Limited-Term License are the same as those described in “Apply for Your UT Driver License" above.
Driving Privilege Cards
A Driving Privilege Card (DPC) is issued to applicants who are:
- Unable to establish legal presence in the United States.
- Ineligible for a Social Security number (required to get an Individual Tax Identification Number [ITIN] from the IRS).
DPCs have the following conditions:
- In order to get a DPC, you must be a Utah resident.
- A valid DPC will allow you to drive legally in Utah but it cannot be used as a proof of ID by a government entity.
- A DPC expires on the the document-holder's birthday in the first year following the issue date.
In order to apply for a DPC, all steps will be the same as in “Apply for Your Utah Driver License" above; however, you'll also need to get a fingerprint card and photograph from a local agency. A $25 fee will apply for the fingerprint card (in addition to the normal license fee of $52).
Proof of ID for Non-Citizens
Non-citizens applying for any type of license have specific ID requirements.
The Utah Driver License Division provides a full list of accepted documents based on your status in the U.S.