Utah Driving Records

Driving records are documents that provide a detailed account of your driving performance and behavior on the road. These driving history reports serve as a key resource for road safety and traffic responsibility among drivers.

Given that each state maintains its own set of DMV records, access and utilization of these documents are governed by specific state regulations. Understanding the contents and purpose of a Utah driving record is vital if you need to monitor your driving behavior, correct errors, or comply with legal requirements.

What Is a Utah Driving Record?

A Utah driving record, also officially referred to as a motor vehicle record (MVR), is a historical document that provides a detailed overview of a driver's past driving activity in the state, including traffic violations, accidents, license status, and other relevant incidents.

The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) serves as the official custodian of these records and is responsible for maintaining them per applicable federal and state regulations.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records?

An official MVR is a document issued directly by the Utah DLD. It contains a comprehensive and legally recognized history of a person's driving history, all maintained and regularly updated by the government.

Because of its accuracy and official status, an official MVR is often required for legal purposes, employment background checks (particularly in transportation or commercial driving), insurance underwriting, and court proceedings. Access to an official MVR typically requires the driver's consent due to privacy protections.

In comparison, a public driving record, such as those offered by third-party services like RecordsFinder, is a fast, convenient alternative. While it may not always be as exhaustive or government-certified as an official MVR, it is highly accessible and ideal for quick background checks, informal screenings, or preliminary research.

RecordsFinder compiles data from a wide range of public sources, making it a practical choice when immediate access is more important than formal certification.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

Below are some of the most common reasons why individuals and organizations may need a copy of Utah MVR:

• Employment Purposes: Employers in the transportation, delivery, or commercial driving industries often require a driving record to evaluate a candidate's reliability, safety habits, and eligibility for driving-related positions.
• Insurance Rate Evaluation: Insurance companies use driving history reports to assess risk and determine auto insurance premium rates
• Court or Legal Requirements: A judge or attorney may request a driver's record for traffic violation proceedings.
• Personal Review and Correction: You may request your records to check for errors or outdated information, such as old citations or incorrectly reported incidents, which could impact employment or insurance.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Compliance: CDL holders often provide updated driving reports for compliance with state and federal regulations. This helps ensure they meet safety standards and are eligible to operate commercial vehicles.
• Driver's License Renewal or Reinstatement: After suspension or revocation, a driving record may be reviewed during license renewal or reinstatement to confirm eligibility and meet all requirements.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

A Utah MVR or driver report may typically include the following:

• Driver Identification Information
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Utah driver's license number
  • Address
  • Physical description, which may include height and eye color
• Driver License Status
  • Current license status, which may be valid, expired, suspended, revoked, or disqualified
  • License class and endorsements
  • License issuance and expiration dates
  • Restrictions or conditions, like corrective lenses
• Traffic Violations and Convictions
  • Dates of violations
  • The type of violation, such as speeding or reckless driving
  • Court disposition and conviction status
  • Points assessed on the license
  • Jurisdiction (where the offense occurred)
• Accidents
  • Record of reported at-fault accidents
  • Date and location of the accident
  • Citation issued (if applicable)
• Administrative Actions
  • Suspensions or revocations (including start and end dates)
  • Related actions to driving under the influence (DUI) offenses (license confiscation, ignition interlock requirements)
  • Failure to appear or pay fines
• Commercial Driving History (if applicable)
  • CDL status and endorsements
  • Medical certification status
  • Serious violations and disqualifications

Types of Driver Records Available in Utah

Two main types of MVRs are available through the Utah DLD: the regular MVR and the commercial MVR.

A regular MVR provides a summary of an individual's personal driving history. It includes license status, traffic violations, convictions, DUI offenses, accident reports, and license issuance and expiration dates. This record type is commonly used for personal review, insurance purposes, or background checks for non-commercial employment.

Utah allows individuals to request a certified or non-certified version of a regular MVR, which may cover a limited period (such as the past three years) or reflect the driver's complete history.

A commercial MVR is intended explicitly for CDL drivers. It contains all the information on a regular MVR and additional details relevant to commercial driving, such as out-of-service orders, hazardous materials infractions, endorsement status, and medical certification information. If reported, the commercial MVR may also reflect out-of-state CDL activity.

Due to federal regulations and industry requirements, commercial MVRs are generally issued only in certified form and are often required by employers in the transportation and logistics sectors.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Utah

Utah drivers are required to obey the Utah Traffic Code, which outlines the state's laws and regulations for roadway conduct. Traffic violations occur when a driver fails to follow these rules.

The Utah Justice Court determines the appropriate penalties for traffic offenses. The severity of the penalty depends on the degree of the violation, but it may include fines, jail time, mandatory driving courses, and suspension of driving privileges.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations in Utah are generally categorized as moving or non-moving violations.

Moving violations occur when a traffic law is broken by a moving vehicle. Examples of these violations include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• DUI

Nonmoving violations involve offenses committed when the vehicle is stationary. Such offenses include:

• Parking violations
• Expired registration
• Broken taillights

Under Utah law, these offenses are further classified as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, depending on their severity.

Infractions are minor offenses, resulting in fines and demerit points on your MVR. Misdemeanors may lead to higher fines of up to $2,500 and jail time. Felonies carry the most serious consequences, leading to at least a $10,000 fine and up to 5 years to life imprisonment.

What To Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

When you receive a traffic ticket in Utah, check it thoroughly. It will indicate the violation, the court handling your case, the deadline to respond (usually 14 days), and whether a court appearance is mandatory.

Upon review, you may either pay the fine or contest the ticket. Paying the ticket is considered an admission of guilt and may result in points on your driving record. Many Utah courts accept online payment, by mail, or in person.

If you want to contest the ticket, plead not guilty and appear at a scheduled trial. Present your case before a judge, and you will reach a verdict after the hearing. If you are convicted, you must face the charges of your violation. If acquitted, your case will be dismissed, although you might still be liable for the court costs.

Some courts also offer a plea in abeyance for eligible offenses. This option is typically for first-time offenders of minor violations. It will dismiss the case if you meet all the conditions, such as completing traffic school and avoiding violations during a specified period.

How Does the Utah Point System Work?

The Utah DLD operates a point system to monitor and penalize traffic violations. When a driver commits a moving violation, points are assessed on their driving record based on the severity of the offense.

Below is a table showing the examples of traffic violations and their assigned points in Utah:

Note: Point values may vary by more or less than 10% depending on the specifics of the violation. Certain serious offenses, such as DUI, are not assessed using the point system as they result in mandatory suspension or revocation.

The DLD tracks accumulated points over three years. The age and total points of drivers will determine the point threshold and the penalty they will face:

• Drivers under 21 years old:
  • 70 or more points in 3 years may result in license suspension or restriction
• Drivers age 21 and older:
  • 200 or more points in 3 years may result in suspension, probation, or other penalties

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

The length of time a traffic violation stays on your Utah history depends on the type and severity of the offense.

Most traffic violations remain on record for three years from the date of conviction. More serious offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving, may stay on record for up to ten years.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

Utah Clean Slate Law provides for the automatic expungement of specific eligible misdemeanor and infraction-level traffic violations. To qualify, an individual must remain conviction-free during the applicable waiting period. However, some offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving, are not eligible for automatic expungement.

In those cases, individuals may seek petition-based expungement. This process requires meeting specific eligibility criteria, including completing the required waiting period, having no additional convictions during that time, and satisfying all statutory requirements. You may file a petition for expungement with the court where the traffic case was initially adjudicated.

In addition to expungement, drivers in Utah may reduce points on their driving record by completing an approved defensive driving course. This option may be used once every three years and allows for a reduction of up to 50 points.

Safe driving also plays a key role in clearing your record. The Utah point system automatically removes points from your record if you remain violation-free for 1-3 years.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

You have three options for requesting your Utah MVR:

• Online: You may request your MVR through the Purchase MVR online portal. Provide your name, date of birth, driver's license details, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or ITIN. A credit/debit card is also needed to complete the transaction.
• In Person: Make an appointment at any Utah DLD office. Bring a completed Request for MVR Form DLD60 to your appointment and pay the required fee.

• Mail: You may request your Utah MVR by mailing a completed Request for MVR by Mail Form DLD60M along with the applicable fee to the address below:

  Driver License Division

  P.O. Box 144501

  Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4501

If you require a certified copy, include a Form DLD266M apart from the abovementioned requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Utah?

MVR in Utah costs $8, regardless of the chosen request method. If you request a certified copy by mail, the fee is $10.75.

MVRs requested online are processed immediately upon payment. For in-person requests, the processing time is within the day. Those who request via mail must wait up to 2 weeks or more for processing and delivery.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free?

While you typically have to pay for the driving record from the Utah DLD, there are a few ways to get driving history information for free.

You may access a limited traffic violation history or citation through local courts or law enforcement. Some auto insurance companies also provide a free summary of your driving history when applying for or renewing car insurance.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A driver in Utah is generally considered to have a bad driving record if they have multiple traffic violations, particularly moving violations, at-fault accidents, DUI offenses, or a history of license suspensions or revocations.

Non-moving violations like parking tickets typically do not impact a Utah driving record. Likewise, warnings issued by law enforcement, whether verbal or written, do not appear on the MVR and have no effect on the driver's record.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

Utah drivers with a bad driving record may expect to face increased auto insurance premiums. Insurance companies typically view individuals with multiple violations, at-fault accidents, or DUI convictions as high-risk, which leads to higher costs. In some cases, insurers may choose to cancel the policy or refuse to renew it due to continued risky driving behavior.

For more serious offenses, coverage may be denied altogether, and the state may require the driver to file an SR-22 certificate. This certificate verifies that the driver carries minimum liability coverage but includes additional fees and strict compliance requirements.

Furthermore, a poor driving record may adversely affect employment, especially in vehicle operation positions. Drivers with a history of traffic violations may be disqualified from driving-related jobs such as delivery, trucking, or ride-sharing.

Additionally, a consistent pattern of irresponsible driving may raise character concerns with potential employers, limiting overall employability, even outside the transportation sector.

Who Can Access Your Utah Driving History?

Your Utah driving history is protected under the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which limits the disclosure of personal information from state motor vehicle records. Utah Code Section 53-3-109 further reinforces this protection by classifying driver license records as private and restricting access.

Under these laws, only you and certain authorized parties, such as insurance companies, employers, courts, and government agencies, may access your MVR. Access typically requires your written consent or must fall within a legally defined exception under the DPPA.

FAQs About Utah Driving Records

More information regarding Utah driving records may be found through the following frequently asked questions.

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