Updated for 2026

Utah DLD (Driver License Division)

Comprehensive study guide for the 2026 driver's knowledge exam. Everything you need to know about laws, fees, and requirements.

Total Questions

50

Passing Score

40

Standard Fee

$19.00 (Learner Permit) / $52.00 (Original Class D License)

Testing System

computerized touchscreen (open book allowed for home tests, closed for in-office)

Critical Failure Factors

A primary reason for failure in Utah is the 'Automatic Fail' criteria on the road test, specifically hitting a cone or curb during parking maneuvers or requiring examiner intervention to prevent an accident. Additionally, many applicants fail the written test by not knowing the specific details of the '.05 BAC' law or the 'Traffic Safety Trends' statistics.

Legal Statutes & Driving Codes

Utah traffic laws are enforced under the Utah Code Title 41, known for having some of the strictest safety regulations in the United States. The most famous is the '.05 BAC Limit' (HB 155). Utah is the first and only state to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05%. This means a driver can be arrested for DUI after consuming very little alcohol, often just one or two drinks depending on body weight. For drivers under 21, the state enforces a strict 'Not a Drop' law, where any detectable amount of alcohol results in license suspension. Another unique legal requirement for new drivers is the 'Traffic Safety and Trends Exam'. Before obtaining a full Class D license, all first-time applicants (regardless of age) must pass this separate, online exam comprising 4 modules and 40 questions based on current fatality statistics; a score of 100% is required, though it can be retaken endlessly. Utah also legally mandates the 'Zipper Merge' (HB 76) in congested construction zones. Unlike in other states where early merging is common courtesy, Utah law requires drivers to use both lanes until the merge point and then take turns alternating. Merging too early and blocking traffic is technically a violation. Regarding winter driving, the 'Traction Law' is critical for driving in the Cottonwood Canyons (Big and Little). When the traction law is active, vehicles MUST have either 4WD/AWD with M+S tires, or 2WD with chains/traction devices installed. Law enforcement physically checks tires at the canyon mouth, and violators face fines. The 'Move Over Law' in Utah is comprehensive: drivers must move to a non-adjacent lane or slow down significantly for ANY stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights (emergency, tow, maintenance, or hazard lights). Finally, Utah is an 'Open Range' state; in designated rural areas, livestock have the right of way, and hitting a cow can make the driver liable to the rancher for the animal's value.

Statistical Realities

Driving in Utah involves specific cultural and environmental knowledge essential for safety in the high desert and mountains. One major hazard is 'Drowsy Driving', which Utah treats with unusual severity; specific laws allow drivers to be charged with criminal negligence if they fall asleep at the wheel and cause a fatality, comparable to drunk driving. The state aggressively promotes 'Zero Fatalities', a safety program that permeates the driver handbook and test questions. Another unique feature is the 'Continuous Flow Intersection' (CFI) and 'Diverging Diamond Interchange' (DDI). Utah has pioneered these complex intersection designs to handle traffic flow. Drivers must know that in a CFI, they will make a left turn *before* the main intersection, crossing over oncoming traffic lanes while protected by a signal. Confusion here is a common failure point. Environmental hazards include 'Inversion Fog' in the Salt Lake Valley during winter, which creates dense, freezing fog that reduces visibility to near zero and creates black ice on bridges. The handbook advises avoiding cruise control entirely in these conditions. Regarding the test itself, the fee structure is bifurcated: you pay roughly $19.00 for your learner permit (which covers the written test) and then $52.00 for the final license issuance. The written test consists of 50 questions, and you must answer 40 correctly (80%) to pass. Questions are notoriously specific about point systems; for instance, drivers under 21 accumulate points for violations, and earning just 70 points in three years can lead to a hearing, whereas adults have a 200-point threshold. Also, Utah allows for 'Driver Privilege Cards' (DPC) for undocumented residents, which grants driving privileges but cannot be used as federal ID. Finally, be aware of the 'Left Lane Loitering' law: on highways with speed limits above 65 mph, it is illegal to stay in the left lane if you are impeding traffic, regardless of your speed. You *must* yield to faster vehicles approaching from behind.