REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN UTAH

There are a variety of reasons why your Utah driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Utah driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Driving Under the Influence: Your Utah driver’s license will be suspended if you refuse to submit to a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) test requested by a law enforcement officer or are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension varies between 90 days for a 1st offense and 1 year for 2nd or subsequent offenses. A mandatory jail term or requirement to perform community service will be ordered on a conviction of driving under the influence. You must also participate in an assessment and educational series at a State approved alcohol or drug dependency rehabilitation facility before you can regain your driving privileges.
• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Utah operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 200 or more points on your current driver record in a 3-year period (70 points if under 21 years old), you may be placed on probation, requested to take a Defensive Driving Course or your license may be suspended for periods ranging from 3 months to 1 year.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license may lead to a jail term of 90 days and a fine of up to $750. In addition your license will be suspended for an additional time equal to the time of the original suspension.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Utah must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Utah driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving or are found to be at fault in a fatal accident.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include refusal to take or failing to pass a review examination ordered by the Driver License Division failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges and not paying child support.

For more on the specifics surrounding driver’s license suspension and revocation and a full list of applicable offenses, consult the Utah Driver Handbook and our page titled Utah Suspended License.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR UTAH DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

Having your Utah driver’s license suspended is a serious matter and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Depending on the reasons for your license suspension, you may be eligible for a limited license that will allow you to drive to and from work and other necessary appointments during the suspension period, but you will have to prove to a court or the Driver License Division that your livelihood depends on being able to do so.

CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

UTAH SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you receive a suspension notice from the DMV, and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes 50 points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. It is a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

The DLD may request that you come in for an administrative hearing if you’ve committed a violation that may lead to suspension (for example, accumulating too many DMV points).

The results of the hearing will determine whether your license is suspended, you’re put on probation, or if you have to complete a defensive driver course.

DUI Hearings: If an arresting officer confiscates your UT driver’s license as a result of a DUI offense, you have 10 days to request a hearing by completing a Hearing Request form and faxing the form to the Driver License Division at (801) 964-4499.

NOTE: The DLD cannot reverse a decision made by the court. If you wish to appeal a court conviction, you must do so with the court.

RESTRICTED OR TEMPORARY UTAH LICENSE

In some cases, you may receive a limited license that allows you to drive only to and from work, but you’ll have to have a hearing to apply for one. You must also be violation-free for 1 year. The Utah DPS lists the requirements needed to apply for a limited license, but know that you must provide:

• Proof that you need the license or you face hardship. For example, a letter from your employer that details your work schedule (if a license is needed for work).
• A letter from the most recent convicting judge.
• Written verification from your doctor that you are not unable to drive due to a controlled substance or any impairment.

Before you’ll be issued a limited license, you’ll have to:

• Pay all your reinstatement fees. (See “Fees for Suspended Licenses in UT” below)
• Pay the license fee.
• Complete any required tests.
• Meet all department actions that are outstanding.

REINSTATE YOUR UTAH DRIVER’S LICENSE

In order to have your Utah driver’s license reinstated, you must first wait until your suspension period expires. Once you are eligible for reinstatement, you’ll need to fulfill any requirements issued to you by the DLD or the court. Requirements may involve:

• Defensive driving courses.
• Showing proof of auto insurance.
• Applying for a new Utah license and taking any related tests.
• Paying any reinstatement fees and other related fines. (See “Fees for Suspended Licenses in UT” below)

Contact the Utah DLD to learn more about what specific requirements apply to you.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR UTAH DRIVER’S LICENSE

In addition to paying any court-imposed fines, you’ll pay the Utah Driver License Division a fee to reinstate your license when you become eligible to do so, plus an administrative fee. Forms are available at driver license field offices, and fees are as follows:

• Reinstatement: $30.
• Reinstatement for an alcohol or drug-related offense: $65.
• This is in addition to your reinstatement fee.
• Administrative fee for alcohol or drug-related offenses: $170.
• Administrative fee for license reinstatement after confiscation (pick-up order): $30.

NOTE: You may be subject to additional fees imposed by the court.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN UTAH

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. Your Utah commercial drivers license (CDL) can be suspended whether you violate traffic laws or commit crimes in Utah or out of state. Additionally, your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Depending on your offense, you may face both state and federal suspensions and charges. Common reasons for the suspension or disqualification of CDLs include:

Major Offenses:

Major offenses will result in CDL disqualification, regardless of whether you were driving a commercial vehicle or non-CMV at the time. Utah considers the following major offenses:

• Alcohol and drug-related offenses, such as: Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit. The limit for CMV operation is 0.04%, refusing a breath or blood test or a DUI conviction.
• Leaving an accident scene.
• Using the CMV to commit a felony, including the manufacturing and distributing of a controlled substance. This will result in an automatic lifetime disqualification.
• Causing a death due to negligent CMV operation.
• Operating a CMV while you have a disqualified, suspended, or revoked commercial driver’s license.

NOTE: Your employer cannot allow or force you to drive without a valid CDL.

If you commit a major offense, expect to have your Utah CDL disqualified as follows:

• 1st violation: 1 year; 3 years if offense was made while transporting hazardous materials.
• 2nd violation: Lifetime disqualification.

NOTE: You cannot drive a CMV with ANY amount of detectable alcohol without facing consequences. You will be given an out-of-service order for 24 hours if you test for any amount of alcohol under the legal limit.

Serious Traffic Violations:

Utah CDL suspension can also come from serious violations committed in a commercial vehicle. Serious violations include:

• Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
• Improper lane changes.
• Following behind other vehicles too closely.
• Operating a CMV without a CDL (or one on you), or without the required endorsements on your license.

Upon committing a serious violation, your CDL will be disqualified after your:

• 2nd violation within 3 years: for at least 60 days.
• 3rd violation within 3 years: for at least 120 days.

Railroad Crossing Violations:

Railroad highway grade crossing violations are those offenses committed when you approach or cross a railroad, and include:

• Failing to slow the CMV and make sure the tracks are clear.
• Failing to stop when required.
• Driving across the tracks when there isn’t sufficient space for the CMV or sufficient undercarriage clearance.
• Failing to obey traffic control signals or enforcement official at the railroad.

You face the following CDL disqualification penalties for railroad crossing violations:

• 1st violation: Minimum of 60 days.
• 2nd violation within 3 years: Minimum of 120 days.
• 3rd violation and any subsequent violations within 3 years: Minimum of 1 year.

Out-of-Service Violations:

If you violate an out-of-service order, you face a disqualification minimum of 90 days, increasing after subsequent offenses.

To learn more about what steps you may need to take in order to reinstate your commercial driver’s license in Utah, contact the DLD at (888) 353-4224.

CHECK YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

UTAH CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

As with private vehicle license holders, CDL holders in Utah have the right to a hearing to contest or appeal certain suspensions. If your driver’s license was confiscated for a DUI-related offense, you can request a hearing within 10 days by completing a Hearing Request form and faxing the form to the DLD at (801) 964-4499.

NOTE: The DLD cannot reverse a decision made by the court. If you wish to appeal a court conviction, you must do so with the court. For questions about administrative hearings, contact the Driver License Division at (888) 353-4224.

REINSTATE YOUR UTAH CDL 

In order to reinstate your Utah CDL, you may be subject to different reinstatement requirements according to your offense. Reinstatement typically includes some or all of the following steps:

• Waiting until your disqualification period has expired.
• Paying any reinstatement fees.
• Paying another fines related to your offense.
• Fulfilling any other court-mandated requirements.
• Completing any required driver improvement courses.
• Applying for a new Utah CDL.

To learn more about what steps you may need to take in order to reinstate your commercial driver’s license in Utah, contact the DLD at (888) 353-4224.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR UTAH CDL

You may be subject to a reinstatement fee in order to re-qualify for a CDL. Remember, any reinstatement fee will be separate from and in addition to any fines or other monetary penalties associated with your violation. To learn more about reinstatement fees you may be required to pay, contact the DLD at (888) 353-4224.