Moving to Utah: How to Transfer Your Out-of-State License
How do you transfer an out-of-state driver license to Utah?
You need a Utah license once you become a Utah resident. Schedule a Driver License Division appointment, bring proof of identity, Social Security number and Utah address, and surrender your old U.S. state license. You take an eye test and a 25-question open-book written test, and maybe a driving skills test. The fee is $52 (age 21 and over) or $39 (20 and under).
Where these rules come from
This guide uses the Utah Driver License Division (DLD) pages on regular driver licenses and original and out-of-state license applications, and the Utah Code definition of a resident. It also uses the DLD pages on required documents, the eye test, the written knowledge test and the learner permit, Utah Code 53-3-202 and 53-3-204, and the Utah Driver Handbook 2026. The rules are as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Utah Driver License Division (dld.utah.gov) before you drive.
Who counts as a Utah resident?
Every Utah resident who drives on the highways must have a valid Utah license, learner permit or temporary driving permit. You become a resident when you move to Utah to make it your home, stay six months or more in a calendar year, get a Utah license or register a vehicle here, use resident-only privileges such as school tuition, or work in Utah. A temporary work assignment does not count. Utah Code 53-3-102 adds that a job counts when it is not seasonal work and you do not commute from another state. If Utah is your new home, schedule your license appointment.
Who can keep driving on an out-of-state license?
How to transfer your license to Utah, step by step
- 1Check that you can apply
You must be at least 16, and your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, disqualified or denied in another state. This regular license is for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and permanent residents. Other non-citizens with proof of lawful status get a limited-term license instead.
- 2Gather your documents
Bring your current out-of-state license and proof of identity, Social Security number and Utah address.
- 3Apply and schedule an appointment
Start the application at dld.utah.gov and schedule an appointment. You finish the process in person at a Driver License office.
- 4Take the eye test and pay the fee
At the office you get a photo, show your documents, surrender your U.S. state license and take the eye test. The non-refundable fee is $52 at 21 and over and $39 at 20 and under. A parent or legal guardian signs if you are under 18.
- 5Take the written knowledge test
Take the 25-question open-book test. You may take it in your language if it is available.
- 6Take the driving skills test if asked
The DLD may require a driving skills test from drivers who present an out-of-state or out-of-country license.
Utah tests for drivers licensed in another state
| Test | What applies to you |
|---|---|
| Written knowledge test | 25 questions, open book, because you were licensed before. A never-licensed applicant takes 50 questions, closed book. |
| Driving skills test | You may be required to pass it. |
| Eye test | Required for every original license. You need 20/40 vision and 90 degrees of side vision in at least one eye, with or without glasses. If you miss the standard, you need a Certificate of Visual Examination from your eye doctor. |
| Traffic Safety and Trends Exam | Only for applicants never licensed anywhere in the world, so you skip it. |
What happens if you fail the Utah written test?
If you fail, schedule a retake appointment. You can test twice in one day, and after three failures you pay a second fee. All questions come from the Utah Driver Handbook, so study it before your appointment.
Documents to bring to your DLD appointment
- Four documents from three categories: identity, Social Security number and Utah address.
- Identity: one document, for example a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, or a certified birth certificate from the vital statistics office of your birth state.
- Social Security number: a signed Social Security card (a stub is not accepted). Without the card, a W-2, an SSA-1099 or a pay stub with your name and full number is accepted.
- Utah address: two documents with your name and address, dated within 90 days, for example a bank statement, a current mortgage or rental contract, a utility bill, a major credit card bill, a property tax notice or a vehicle title. A minor may use mail sent to a parent or legal guardian.
- Name change: if your name differs from your birth certificate or passport, bring legal papers such as a certified marriage certificate or a divorce decree.
- Your current out-of-state license.
What happens to your old out-of-state license?
Utah accepts your valid out-of-state license as proof of your driving privilege. A license from another U.S. state is surrendered when you apply. By law you may not hold more than one REAL ID-compliant card at a time, for example a Utah license and a Colorado ID. If you come from outside the U.S., read our guide to Utah rules for foreign driver licenses.
Moving to Utah as a teen driver
If you are 16 or 17 and hold a license from another state or country, the Utah Code rules on driver training and the six-month learner permit do not apply to you. A parent or legal guardian must sign for financial responsibility. If you hold only an out-of-state learner permit, Utah counts its time toward the 6-month holding period. But you may not drive in Utah on the out-of-state permit. Our guide to Utah learner permit rules explains the Utah permit.
Changing your address after you get a Utah license
Once you hold a Utah Class D license, the law requires you to tell the DLD your new address within 10 days of a move. You can do this online. To get the new address on your card, schedule a replacement license appointment, bring two approved address documents and pay the fee. Check the rule with this practice question on the 10-day deadline.
Key takeaways
- You need a Utah license once you are a resident: Utah is your home, you stay six months or more in a calendar year, or you take a job here that is not seasonal.
- Temporarily stationed military members, out-of-state college students and people on a temporary assignment are not residents and may drive on a valid home license.
- With an out-of-state license you take the eye test and a 25-question open-book written test, and you may need a driving skills test.
- Bring four documents from three categories, surrender your old U.S. state license and pay $52 (21 and over) or $39 (20 and under).
- Next step: practice the Utah rules on the free Utah Class D practice test.
Utah license transfer: common questions
How long do I have to get a Utah license after moving?
Utah ties the duty to residency. From the day you make Utah your home or start a job here that is not seasonal, you are a resident and need a Utah license. If neither applies, you become a resident when your time in Utah adds up to six months in a calendar year. Schedule your DLD appointment soon after you arrive.
Do I have to take a driving test to transfer my license to Utah?
Maybe. Drivers with an out-of-state license take the eye test and the 25-question open-book written test, and the DLD may also require a driving skills test. You skip the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam because you were licensed before.
Can I transfer my license if it is suspended in another state?
No. When you apply for a Utah license, your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, disqualified or denied in another state. Resolve the suspension with that state first, then schedule your Utah appointment.
Can I drive while I wait for my Utah license card?
Yes. After you pass all required testing, the DLD gives you a temporary license the same day. The completed card comes by mail in about 4 to 6 weeks. You surrendered your old U.S. state license, so carry the temporary license when you drive.
How much does a Utah license cost for a new resident?
An original Utah license costs $52 if you are 21 or older and $39 if you are 20 or younger. The fee is non-refundable. The license lasts eight years at 21 and over and five years at 20 and under.
Practise for your Utah Class D Written Knowledge test
6 free practice tests with 120 questions, answers and explanations.
Start free Practice Test 1Share or ask AI about this article
Continue the conversation or send this guide to someone who needs it.
Related guides
How to Get a Class 7 Learner's Licence in Alberta (2026 Steps)
You can apply for an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence at 14. See the four steps, the knowledge test fee, the temporary licence and what you may drive.
Florida Learner's License at 15: Requirements, Hours and Rules
How to get a Florida learner's license at 15: the tests, the course, parental consent, who must ride with you, when you can drive and what comes next.
Can International Students Drive in Michigan? License Rules
Yes, if you are temporarily in the U.S., you may drive on your home license, with a translation or IDP if it is not in English. See the F-1 and J-1 documents.