Suspended license in Utah: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Utah, the first points threshold is 150 points within 3 years: Warning letter (150 to 199 points). A Defensive Driving Course (DDC) removes 50 points, once every three years. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $40.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Utah Driver License Division (Utah Department of Public Safety) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The Utah Points System assesses points to the driving record on conviction of, or forfeiture of bail for, a moving violation. An adult who accumulates 200 or more points in three years may be suspended for three months to a year; a driver 20 and under who accumulates 70 or more points in three years may be suspended or denied for 30 days to a year.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 points | 3 years | Warning letter (150 to 199 points) | rules.utah.gov |
| 200 points | 3 years | Hearing required; driver may be placed on probation or suspended for three months (200 to 299 points) | rules.utah.gov |
| 300 points | 3 years | 3-month suspension (300 to 399 points) | rules.utah.gov |
| 400 points | 3 years | 6-month suspension (400 to 599 points) | rules.utah.gov |
| 600 points | 3 years | 1-year suspension (600 or more points); suspension time doubles, up to one year, for a second suspension within three years | rules.utah.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 3 years. Points for a conviction are removed three years after the date of violation. One full year without a moving-violation conviction removes half the points; two successive years without a conviction removes all points. The driving record (MVR) displays most information for three years and DUI or drug-related charges for ten years.
“150 to 199 points: driver is sent a warning letter;”
“Points for individual convictions are automatically removed from your record three years after the date of violation.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Reckless Driving | 80 |
| Careless Driving | 50 |
| Speeding 1-10 MPH Over | 35 |
| Speeding 11-20 MPH Over | 55 |
| Speeding 21 MPH Over | 75 |
| Failure to Yield Right-of-Way | 60 |
Check points or the driving record: dld.utah.gov
The statute: Utah Code § 53-3-221(4)
“The division shall assign a number of points to each type of moving traffic violation as a measure of its seriousness.”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Defensive Driving Course (DDC) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| Points removed | 50 |
| How often | once every three years |
A defensive driving course approved by the Driver License Division reduces the points on a record by a maximum of 50 points and may be used once every three years. Courses are accepted through the Utah Safety Council or National Safety Council, as a live 4-hour course or online. Under Utah Admin. Code R708-3-6(3), a driver within a threshold may be considered for action at a lower threshold if the course has lowered the point total.
“A DDC approved by the Driver License Division may be used for point reduction. This DDC may only be used once every three years and will reduce the points on a record by a maximum of 50 points.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too many points on your driving record | Suspension for accumulating 200 or more points in three years (adult) or 70 or more points in three years (age 20 and under); the length depends on the point threshold reached under Utah Admin. Code R708-3. | Serve the suspension and pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee. | $40 |
| No insurance conviction | A conviction for driving without insurance or without proof of insurance mandates suspension of the license and an SR22 filing with the Driver License Division; the SR22 requirement typically extends three years from the date of conviction. | Carry an SR22 insurance policy filed by a Utah-licensed insurer and pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee. | $40 |
| Failed to appear in court (FTA) | A suspension after a ticket when the driver failed to appear in court. Utah Code § 53-3-221(2) allows suspension when an individual has failed to comply with the terms stated on a traffic citation, after 30 days' notice; § 53-3-221(3) states the division may not suspend based solely on a failure to appear or failure to pay an outstanding penalty. | Pay the court fees, bring in a court docket showing the FTA was cleared, and pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee. | $40 |
| Office of Recovery Services (ORS) suspension | Under Utah Code § 53-3-221(6), the division suspends a license when the Office of Recovery Services orders it, and the suspension remains until ORS rescinds the order. A 90-day temporary limited permit for employment, education or child visitation is available on application. | Notice from the Office of Recovery Services rescinding the order; all applicable reinstatement fees before a limited license is issued. | — |
| Reckless driving causing an accident | Under Utah Code § 53-3-221(1)(b), the division may deny, suspend, disqualify or revoke a license when it has reason to believe the individual has, by reckless driving, caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death, injury or property damage. | Reinstatement fee and any testing the division requires; the statute provides for notice and a hearing. | — |
| Incompetent to drive or unsafe due to a mental or physical disability | Under Utah Code § 53-3-221(1)(c), the division may act when it has reason to believe the individual is incompetent to drive or has a mental or physical disability rendering it unsafe to drive. | Medical clearance and any reexamination the division requires; the statute provides for notice and a hearing. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Too many points on your driving record
“If you have been suspended for too many points on your driving record, you will be required to pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee.”
No insurance conviction
“If you have a no insurance conviction, you will be required to carry an SR22 insurance policy and pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee.”
Failed to appear in court (FTA)
“If you have received a ticket and you failed to appear in court (FTA), you will be required to pay the court fees, bring in a court docket showing the FTA was cleared, and pay a $40.00 reinstatement fee.”
Office of Recovery Services (ORS) suspension
“the division shall suspend an individual's license when the division receives notice from the Office of Recovery Services that the Office of Recovery Services has ordered the suspension of the individual's license.”
Reckless driving causing an accident
“has, by reckless driving of a motor vehicle, caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death or injury to any other individual, or property damage;”
Incompetent to drive or unsafe due to a mental or physical disability
“is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle or mobility vehicle or has a mental or physical disability rendering it unsafe for the individual to drive a motor vehicle or mobility vehicle upon the highways;”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $40. License reinstatement is $40.00 per department action (citation); a driver suspended for multiple reasons may owe a fee for each. Alcohol- or drug-related offenses carry an $85.00 reinstatement fee plus a $262.00 administrative fee.
“License Reinstatement | $40.00 | License Reinstatement for Alcohol/Drug-Related Offense | $85.00”
Pay the reinstatement fee for each department action
A reinstatement fee may be required for each citation when the driving privilege has been suspended, denied or revoked; payment can be made by phone through customer service.
“Reinstatement fee may be required for each citation if your driving privilege has been suspended, denied, or revoked.”
Clear the underlying action
For a failure-to-appear suspension, pay the court fees and bring a court docket showing the FTA was cleared; for a no-insurance conviction, have a Utah-licensed insurer file an SR22 with the division (it may also be sent by email, fax or in person).
“Your insurance company or agent is required to submit your SR22 to the division. However, you may submit your SR22 via email to [email protected] or by fax to 801.965.4844.”
Complete any required testing
Additional testing may be required when reinstating the driver license record.
“Additional testing may be required when reinstating your driver license record.”
Schedule a reinstatement appointment if a new card is needed
A driver who needs a replacement license, or who is eligible to renew, schedules a reinstatement appointment.
“If you need a replacement driver license, or if you are eligible to renew, schedule a reinstatement appointment.”
Official page: dld.utah.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Utah.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Regular Limited License (hardship limited license). Under Utah Code §§ 53-3-220(4) and 53-3-221(6) the division may issue a limited license for certain sanctions, restricted to travel such as work, school or child visitation. For a regular (not alcohol- or drug-related) limited license the driver clears outstanding indefinite actions, provides employer verification of work hours, a letter of recommendation from the last convicting judge, demonstrates undue hardship, and pays all reinstatement and licensing fees and completes required testing; a hearing officer reviews the record for eligibility.
“Requirements for obtaining a regular limited license (not alcohol or drug-related) include: Clear all outstanding indefinite department actions. Provide written verification from employer of hours of employment.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Utah.
Questions about a suspended license in Utah
- How many points suspend a Utah license?
- The Utah Driver License Division's points page states that an adult who accumulates 200 or more points in three years may be suspended for three months to a year, and a driver 20 and under with 70 or more points in three years may be suspended or denied for 30 days to a year. Utah Admin. Code R708-3-6 sets the adult tiers: 300-399 points three months, 400-599 six months, 600 or more one year.
- How long do points stay on a Utah driving record?
- According to the Driver License Division, points for individual convictions are automatically removed three years after the date of violation. One full year without a moving-violation conviction removes half the points, and two successive years without a conviction removes all points. Utah Code § 53-3-221(4)(e) caps the retention period at three years.
- Can a defensive driving course reduce Utah points?
- Yes. The Driver License Division states that a Division-approved Defensive Driving Course may be used once every three years to reduce the points on a record by a maximum of 50 points; courses are accepted through the Utah Safety Council or National Safety Council. Utah Admin. Code R708-3-5 lists the same 50-point decrease once in a three-year period.
- What is the Utah reinstatement fee for a points or no-insurance suspension?
- The Driver License Division's fee page lists license reinstatement at $40.00. Its reinstatement page states the $40.00 fee applies to a points suspension, a no-insurance conviction (which also requires an SR22) and a failure-to-appear suspension, and that a fee may be owed for each department action when a license is suspended for multiple reasons.
- Is a limited license available during a Utah points suspension?
- The Driver License Division's Limited License page states that under Utah Code §§ 53-3-220(4) and 53-3-221(6) the division may issue a limited license for certain sanctions. A regular limited license requires clearing indefinite actions, employer verification of hours, a recommendation from the last convicting judge, a showing of undue hardship, and payment of reinstatement and licensing fees; a hearing officer reviews eligibility.
Sources
- Utah Driver License Division - Utah Points System (schedule, thresholds, defensive driving course)
- Utah Driver License Division - Reinstate a License (reinstatement fees by cause)
- Utah Driver License Division - Fees
- Utah Driver License Division - Hardship Limited License
- Utah Driver License Division - Driving Record (MVR)
- Utah Driver License Division - SR22 Insurance
- Utah Driver License Division - Utah License Status (status codes)
- Utah Code § 53-3-221 - Offenses that may result in denial, suspension, disqualification, or revocation; point system (section page)
- Utah Code § 53-3-221 - section text, version effective 5/6/2026
- Utah Admin. Code R708-3 - Driver License Point System Administration (official RTF, rules.utah.gov)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Utah license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/utah/suspended-license/