Utah Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI

Yes. Points are assessed for moving-violation convictions or bail forfeitures. Adults (21 and older) who accumulate 200 or more points in three years may be suspended for three months to a year. Drivers 20 and under who accumulate 70 or more points in three years may be suspended or denied for 30 days to a year. Serious violations such as DUI carry mandatory suspension or revocation and are handled outside the point system.

Speeding 1-10 mph over the limit = 35 points; 11-20 mph over = 55 points; 21 mph or more over = 75 points. Judges may vary points by 10% for most violations, but not for speeding.

Points for each conviction are automatically removed three years after the violation date. After one full year with no moving-violation conviction, half the points are removed; after two straight years without a conviction, all points are removed.

A Driver License Division-approved defensive driving course (through the Utah Safety Council or National Safety Council, live 4-hour or online) reduces the points on a record by up to 50 points; it may be used once every three years. Separately, the courts note that a driver with only a Title 41, Chapter 6a moving violation who was cited no more than 21 days ago may be eligible for Deferred Traffic Prosecution, and pleas in abeyance are available under court rule.

Pay district or justice court fines and fees online through the Utah courts' ePayments system using your court case number or citation number (case numbers are unique to a court location, not statewide, so check that the name on the case matches). A delinquent or warrant fee may have been added to the fine. For a court that does not take online payment, contact the court directly. The courts warn that texts demanding payment through links or QR codes are scams.

The Utah Driver License Division charges reinstatement fees per department action when a driving privilege is suspended, denied or revoked: $40 for a points suspension, $40 plus an SR22 policy for a no-insurance conviction, $40 plus court fees for failure to appear (bring a court docket showing the FTA was cleared), and for alcohol/drug offenses an $85 reinstatement fee plus a $262 administrative fee. Additional testing may be required. If you need a replacement license or are eligible to renew, schedule a reinstatement appointment. The Division's license status page explains status codes; for fee questions or phone payment call 801-965-4437 or 888-353-4224.

The citation states the deadline to pay the fine or the date to appear in court to dispute it. Most infractions can be resolved by paying online (ePayments, in participating courts) or by mailing the bail to the court listed on the citation. To dispute a ticket, the driver generally appears and pleads not guilty, may negotiate with the prosecutor, and otherwise goes to trial. If the driver neither pays nor appears by the date, the court can issue an arrest warrant and suspend the license. A justice court decision can be appealed to district court within 28 days.

Grounds include accumulating too many points (200 in three years for adults, 70 for drivers 20 and under), failing to pay or appear on a citation (the court can suspend the license), DUI (administrative suspension of 120 days for a first offense by a driver 21 or older), test refusal, and, for drivers under 21, driving with any measurable alcohol.

0.05 for drivers generally (blood or breath alcohol). Drivers under 21 may not drive with any measurable alcohol.

A first DUI is generally a class B misdemeanor (class A in some situations, such as having a passenger under 16). For a first conviction, the court must impose at least two days in jail or at least 48 hours of compensatory service, a fine of at least $700, a screening (and an assessment if appropriate), an educational series or treatment, and impound and towing fees; it may order probation, a 24-7 sobriety program, or treatment. For an 'extreme DUI' (as defined in Utah Code § 41-6a-501), at least five days in jail (or two days plus 30 days of electronically monitored home confinement), a fine of at least $700, and an ignition interlock unless the court finds it unnecessary. Separately, the Driver License Division suspends the license of a driver 21 or older for 120 days for a first offense.

A driver who refuses a requested chemical test after a warning faces license revocation: 18 months for a driver 21 or older (36 months with a prior qualifying offense within 10 years); for a driver under 21, until age 21 or two years, whichever is longer (36 months with a prior). Refusal can also bring criminal prosecution, a five- or ten-year 'no alcohol' driving restriction, and a two-year ignition interlock requirement. The officer gives notice of intent to revoke within 24 hours of the arrest.

Ten years. A DUI is a class A misdemeanor with one prior conviction within 10 years, and a third-degree felony with two or more prior convictions within 10 years (or any prior felony DUI). Sentencing enhancements for repeat offenders also use a 10-year window.

Drivers may not manually use a wireless device while the vehicle is moving to write or send texts, instant messages, or email; dial a phone number; access the internet; record video or take photos; enter data; read written messages; or view videos or photos. Voice calls, viewing GPS or navigation, hands-free or voice-operated technology, vehicle-integrated systems, and emergency or crime/hazard reports are allowed. A violation is a class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $100, or a class B misdemeanor if it causes serious bodily injury or with a prior conviction within three years.

In Utah, DUI is a third-degree felony if the person has two or more prior DUI-related convictions, each within 10 years of the current conviction or of the date of the current offense. It is also a third-degree felony if the current conviction comes at any time after a prior felony DUI conviction, including one later reduced under Utah Code 76-3-402. DUI-related convictions include DUI, impaired driving, driving with a measurable controlled substance, and automobile homicide (76-5-207), among others.

Under Utah's expungement law, a person may seek to expunge a misdemeanor DUI-related conviction (as defined in 41-6a-501(2)) only after 10 years have passed since the conviction or release from incarceration, parole or probation, whichever is later. Fines and restitution must be paid in full. A felony DUI-related conviction is not eligible for expungement. For felony enhancement, prior DUI convictions count if within 10 years, but a prior felony DUI counts no matter how old.

Legal with a magistrate's approval. Utah's Administrative Traffic Checkpoint Act allows a checkpoint whose primary purpose includes detecting drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but only with written authority from a magistrate. A command-level officer must submit a signed written plan covering the location, date and time, which vehicles will be stopped, staffing, signs and any advance public notice. The magistrate must independently find that the plan minimizes delay, intrusion, motorist anxiety and officer discretion, and maximizes safety.