How to get your license back after a DUI in Utah
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Utah Driver License Division (Utah Department of Public Safety) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the suspension or revocation period (or qualify for early reinstatement)
The Driver License Division states that for a driver 21 or older a first-offense Per-Se arrest suspension is 120 days and a second or subsequent offense is 2 years; under Utah Code § 41-6a-509(1)(a) a first DUI conviction carries a 120-day suspension and a second within 10 years a two-year revocation. DLD's DUI Early Reinstatement process allows a first-offense 120-day suspension, or a second-offense two-year suspension after at least 90 days served, to be reinstated early as an ignition interlock-restricted driver.
What the source says
“Driver Age 21 and Over at the Time of Arrest If this is your first offense , these are the suspension periods: Per-Se arrest (regular arrest) - 120 days”
- 2
Petition the division through a hearing officer (early reinstatement)
For DUI Early Reinstatement, DLD states the driver must petition the division to become an ignition interlock-restricted driver by contacting a hearing officer, who reviews the driving record; for a second or subsequent offense the charge must be a misdemeanor.
What the source says
“Step 2: Contact a Hearing Officer You must petition the division to become an ignition interlock-restricted driver by contacting a hearing officer. The hearing officer will review your driving record to determine whether the license may be reinstated.”
- 3
Install an ignition interlock device
DLD lists installation of an ignition interlock device in any vehicle owned or driven by the person as Step 3 of early reinstatement. DLD's IID page states an ignition interlock suspension is cleared by payment of the reinstatement fee and receipt of electronic notification from an ignition interlock system provider showing proof of installation.
What the source says
“Step 3: Install an Ignition Interlock Device Install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle owned or driven by you.”
- 4
Attend the Driver License Division hearing
DLD states the hearing may be held at a driver license office, by telephone, or via web meeting, and that the hearing officer reviews the driving record and verifies installation of the ignition interlock device.
What the source says
“Step 4: Hearing The hearing may be held at a driver license office, by telephone, or via web meeting. The hearing officer will review the driving record and verify the installation of an ignition interlock device.”
- 5
Pay the reinstatement and administrative fees
DLD's Reinstate a License page states that for an alcohol/drug-related offense there is an $85.00 reinstatement fee plus an additional administrative fee of $262.00; a reinstatement fee may be required for each department action (citation) on the record. Fees may be paid in person by appointment or by phone.
What the source says
“For an alcohol/drug-related offense, there is a $85.00 reinstatement fee, plus an additional administrative fee of $262.00. The fees depend on the sanctions taken against the record.”
- 6
Complete any required testing
DLD states additional testing may be required when reinstating a driver license record, and that a driver whose license has been suspended or revoked since the last issuance must pass a 25-question open-book test when renewing.
What the source says
“Written Knowledge Test If your license has been suspended or revoked since your last issuance, you will be required to pass a 25-question open-book test when you renew.”
- 7
Complete court-ordered screening, assessment, educational series, or treatment
Under Utah Code § 41-6a-509(10), the court notifies the Driver License Division if a person fails to complete court-ordered screenings, assessments, educational series, substance abuse treatment, or compensatory-service hours, and the division then suspends the driving privilege. For a Not-a-Drop (under-21) suspension, DLD requires an assessment from a Local Substance Abuse Authority program, or a Prime for Life DUI class, before reinstatement.
What the source says
“The court shall notify the Driver License Division if a person fails to complete all court ordered: (i) screenings; (ii) assessments; (iii) educational series; (iv) substance abuse treatment; and (v) hours of work in a compensatory-service work program.”
Official reinstatement page: Utah Driver License Division (Utah Department of Public Safety)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $85 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | No — details |
| Ignition interlock | Utah interlock rule |
| Required program | Screening, assessment, and educational series (Utah Code § 41-6a-505); Local Substance Abuse Authority assessment or Prime for Life DUI class (DLD) |
| Driving during the suspension | Hardship "Limited" License (alcohol/drug-related limited license); DUI Early Reinstatement as an ignition interlock-restricted driver |
Required program: Screening, assessment, and educational series (Utah Code § 41-6a-505); Local Substance Abuse Authority assessment or Prime for Life DUI class (DLD)
Utah Code § 41-6a-505 requires the sentencing court, for a first DUI conviction, to order a screening, an assessment if the screening finds it appropriate, and an educational series if the court does not order substance abuse treatment; the court may order substance abuse treatment. DLD states that for a Not-a-Drop suspension an assessment and recommendation from a substance abuse program (Local Substance Abuse Authority) is required to reinstate, and that DLD accepts evidence of completion of a Prime for Life DUI class in lieu of the assessment; the Prime for Life provider list is published by the Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
“order the individual to participate in a screening; (iii) order the individual to participate in an assessment, if it is found appropriate by a screening under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) ; (iv) order the individual to participate in an educational series if the court does not order substance abuse treatm”
Driving during the suspension: Hardship "Limited" License (alcohol/drug-related limited license); DUI Early Reinstatement as an ignition interlock-restricted driver
DLD states that under Utah Code §§ 53-3-220(4) and 53-3-221(6) the division may issue a limited license for certain sanctions, restricting driving to and from specific locations such as work, school, or child visitation; eligibility is determined by a hearing officer. For an alcohol/drug-related limited license DLD lists: be violation-free for at least one year; clear all outstanding indefinite department actions; pay all reinstatement and licensing fees; complete all required testing; the original sanction period extended for a minimum of three years; written physician verification regarding drug use and impairment; and an employer letter or class schedule. Separately, DLD's DUI Early Reinstatement allows a driver under a 120-day (first) or two-year (second) administrative suspension to petition to become an ignition interlock-restricted driver under Utah Code § 53-3-223(10)-(11), remaining interlock-restricted for 120 days or two years from the original effective date of the suspension.
“Alcohol/Drug-Related Limited License Requirements for obtaining an alcohol/drug-related limited license include: Be violation-free for at least one year to be eligible. Clear all outstanding indefinite department actions. Pay all reinstatement fees.”
When the interlock can be removed
Under Utah Code § 41-6a-518.2(2)(b), the interlock restriction for a first DUI conviction ends 18 months from the day the driver provides proof of installation and reinstates the driving privilege (two years for a second offense within 10 years, three years for felony DUI, four years for automobile homicide). Under § 41-6a-518.2(2)(c), if the device is removed before the period ends, the period is extended by the number of days it was removed. DLD states that effective May 3, 2023 each notice of a breath violation or failure to calibrate/monitor the device results in a 60-day extension, and that if the IID is removed before the restriction end date the license is re-suspended until an IID is installed and an additional reinstatement fee is paid. Under § 41-6a-518.2(2)(d), a first-offense driver who was 21 or older, has no prior conviction within 10 years, and is at least two years past conviction may petition DLD for removal of the restriction if the driver certifies not having driven and has no traffic violations or crashes on record. Certified providers must send DLD electronic notice of installation and removal; no separate removal-authorization document or removal fee cap is stated.
Compliance period: none stated (no violation-free window; each breath violation or calibration/monitoring failure adds 60 days per DLD, and days without the device installed are added to the period per § 41-6a-518.2(2)(c))
“If an ignition interlock system is removed from the vehicle before the restriction period under Subsection (2)(b) has ended, the ignition interlock restriction period is extended by the number of days the ignition interlock system was removed from the person's vehicle.”
Questions about reinstatement in Utah
- What does the Utah Driver License Division require to reinstate a license after a DUI suspension?
- DLD pages state the driver serves the suspension (120 days for a first Per-Se arrest or conviction for drivers 21 and older; two years for a second) or petitions a hearing officer for DUI Early Reinstatement, installs an ignition interlock device, attends a hearing, pays the $85 alcohol/drug-related reinstatement fee plus the $262 administrative fee, and completes any required testing, including a 25-question open-book test at renewal.
- When can the ignition interlock be removed after a first DUI in Utah?
- Under Utah Code § 41-6a-518.2(2)(b), the first-offense restriction ends 18 months after the driver provides proof of installation and reinstates the driving privilege; days the device is removed are added to the period. DLD states each breath violation or calibration failure adds 60 days. Under § 41-6a-518.2(2)(d), a qualifying first offender may petition DLD for removal two years after conviction if the driver certifies not having driven.
- Does Utah offer a restricted license during a DUI suspension?
- DLD describes a Hardship "Limited" License under Utah Code §§ 53-3-220(4) and 53-3-221(6); for alcohol/drug-related sanctions the driver must be violation-free for at least one year, clear indefinite actions, pay fees, complete testing, and have the original sanction period extended a minimum of three years. Separately, DLD's DUI Early Reinstatement lets a driver become an ignition interlock-restricted driver for 120 days (first) or two years (second) from the suspension date.
Sources
- Utah Driver License Division – Reinstate a License (reinstatement fees)
- Utah Driver License Division – DUI Early Reinstatement (Steps 1-5)
- Utah Driver License Division – DUI Suspension Times (suspension periods, written test, assessment / Prime for Life)
- Utah Driver License Division – Ignition Interlock Device (IID) (clearing an IID suspension, 60-day extensions, removal before end date)
- Utah Driver License Division – Hardship "Limited" License
- Utah Driver License Division – Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Utah Driver License Division – Alcohol-Restricted Driver
- Utah Code § 41-6a-518.2 – Interlock restricted driver (restriction periods, extension, petition for removal) (effective 7/1/2024 version file)
- Utah Code § 41-6a-518 – Ignition interlock devices; probation condition (effective 5/3/2023 version file)
- Utah Code § 41-6a-505 – Sentencing requirements (screening, assessment, educational series) (effective 7/1/2026 version file)
- Utah Code § 41-6a-509 – Driver license suspension or revocation for a DUI violation (effective 3/17/2026 version file)
- Utah Code § 53-3-223 – Chemical test / administrative suspension; interlock-restricted-driver election (effective 7/1/2026 version file)