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This page is for Utah drivers aged 16 and 17 with a new license, and for their parents. Under Utah’s graduated licensing rules, a new teen driver has three main limits: no passengers outside immediate family for the first 6 months, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m. until age 17, and no cell phone use while driving except in a few narrow cases. The tables below cover each rule and its exceptions.
Utah teen driver restrictions at a glance
| Rule | Who it applies to | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate family passengers only | Newly licensed drivers aged 16 and 17 | First 6 months of licensure, or until age 18 if sooner |
| No driving midnight to 5 a.m. | Licensed drivers under 17 | Until age 17 |
| No cell phone use while driving, including hands-free (narrow exceptions) | All drivers under 18 | Until age 18 |
| No handheld phone use | All drivers, any age | Always |
| Parent or guardian signs for financial responsibility | Under 18 | Until age 18 |
Utah teen passenger rule
For the first 6 months after you get your license, you may only carry immediate family members as passengers. Exceptions:
- a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front passenger seat
- you are on an agricultural assignment
- it is an emergency
The rule also ends when you turn 18. So if you get licensed at 17 and a half, it lasts about 6 months at most and ends on your 18th birthday.
Scenario
Jordan, 16, got a license 2 months ago and wants to drive two friends to practice. That isn’t allowed, unless a licensed adult 21 or older rides in the front passenger seat. Jordan can drive a younger brother to school.
Utah midnight to 5 a.m. rule
Licensed drivers under 17 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless one of these applies. The rule ends on your 17th birthday (Utah Code 41-8-2), though the passenger and phone rules continue.
- a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front passenger seat
- driving to or from work
- driving to or from a school-sponsored activity
- agricultural operations
- an emergency
If you rely on the work or school exception, keep proof such as a schedule in the car in case you are stopped.
Phone rules for Utah drivers under 18
- Under 18, using a cell phone while driving is illegal, hands-free included. The only exceptions are a medical emergency, reporting a safety hazard or criminal activity, and communicating with a parent or legal guardian.
- From 18, you may talk on a phone if you connect the call by voice command, and hands-free GPS is allowed.
- For every driver, manually using a handheld phone is illegal. That covers texting, email, changing music and browsing. A first offense can bring a fine of up to $100, and penalties rise for repeat offenses or when someone is seriously injured.
- The law has only a few narrow exceptions. If you need to use your phone, pull over and stop first.
National picture: hands-free and texting laws.
Parents can cancel a Utah teen license
Until you are 18, a parent or guardian signs for financial responsibility. They can withdraw that signature at any time and for any reason, and that cancels the license. Many families use a written parent and teen driving agreement that sets out house rules on top of the law.
Other rules that hit new Utah drivers hardest
- Alcohol: under 21, any measurable alcohol can mean license suspension or denial under Not a Drop; DUI is a separate charge. See Utah 0.05 and Not a Drop.
- Points: drivers under 21 face a license hearing at a far lower point total than adults. Check the current figures in the Utah Driver Handbook.
- Seat belts: everyone in the car must be properly restrained.
Common questions
Can a 16-year-old drive friends in Utah?
Not in the first 6 months of licensure, unless a licensed driver 21 or older is in the front passenger seat, or it is an agricultural assignment or an emergency.
What time can 16-year-olds drive in Utah?
Any time except midnight to 5 a.m., unless an exception applies, such as work, a school activity or a 21+ licensed adult in the front. This night rule ends at 17.
Do the rules apply to 18-year-olds?
No. The night rule ends at 17, and the passenger and under-18 phone rules end at 18. The handheld phone ban and Not a Drop (under 21) still apply.
Can I use GPS on my phone at 17?
Under 18, phone use while driving is banned apart from emergencies, reporting hazards or crimes, and contacting a parent or guardian, so set the route before you drive and don’t touch the phone. Ask a passenger to handle directions, or check with the DLD whether a built-in car system is allowed.
Do passenger limits count siblings?
No. Immediate family members are allowed.
Does a learner permit have the same passenger limit?
No. On a permit, the rule is about who sits beside you: a licensed parent or guardian, an approved instructor, or the adult who signed for you. See Utah learner permit rules.
Compare states: US graduated licensing compared. Back to the Utah learning-to-drive guide.
Sources
- Utah Violence and Injury Prevention Program, “Be Smart. Be Safe. A Parent’s Guide to Smart Teen Driving” (vipp.utah.gov)
- Utah State Board of Education, “Driver Education Law & Policy” (2024 edition) (schools.utah.gov)
- Utah Highway Safety Office, “Distracted Driving” (highwaysafety.utah.gov)