Utah driver's licenses are valid for eight years if you are under 65, and four years if you are 65 or older

A standard Utah driver's license issued to someone under age 65 does not expire until eight years after the issue date printed on the card. If you are 65 or older when you renew or get your first license, the state issues a four-year license instead. The expiration date is always printed on the front of your card in the bottom right corner.

Your license remains valid through the entire day listed as the expiration date. You do not need to renew it until the day after that date. If you let your license expire, you cannot legally drive in Utah or any other state until you renew it — even if you only miss the important date by one day.

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow different rules: they are valid for four years regardless of your age, and some medical certifications tied to a CDL may expire sooner than the license itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Utah driver's licenses last eight years for drivers under 65 and four years for drivers 65 and older.
  • The expiration date is printed on the front of your card in the bottom right corner and is the last day you can legally drive on that license.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.
  • Commercial driver's licenses expire after four years, and medical certifications may expire before the CDL itself does.

When to renew before your license expires

Utah allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2026, you can walk into a Driver License Division office on March 15, 2025, and renew it without penalty. Renewing early does not shorten the life of your new license — your new license will still be valid for eight years (or four years if you are 65 or older) from the date you renew.

Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date or because they need a new card for travel or identification purposes. Renewing early is a smart move if your license is expiring during a busy season or if you travel frequently and want a fresh card.

What happens if your license expires

Driving on an expired Utah license is illegal. If you are pulled over, you can be cited for driving without a valid license, which carries fines and can affect your driving record. An expired license is not the same as a suspended or revoked license, but law enforcement will still treat it as invalid.

If your license has been expired for more than a few days, you will need to renew it in person at a Driver License Division office. You cannot renew an expired license online or by mail, even if your license was originally issued for a standard eight-year or four-year term. Bring your current (expired) license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.

Renewing your license in person at the Driver License Division

To renew a standard driver's license in Utah, visit any Driver License Division office with your expired or expiring license, proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. You will fill out an process form (DL-43), have your photograph taken, and pay the renewal fee. The fee for an eight-year license is $35; a four-year license costs $20.

Processing times vary. If you renew in person, you typically receive your new license in the mail within 10 to 15 business days. Some offices offer a rush service for an additional fee if you need the license sooner, though this varies by location. Call your local Driver License Division office to ask whether rush service is available.

You do not need an appointment at most Utah Driver License Division offices, but wait times can be long during peak hours. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon often means a shorter wait.

Online renewal for licenses that have not yet expired

If your Utah driver's license has not yet expired, you may be able to renew it online through the Utah Driver License Division website. Online renewal is available only if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must not have any outstanding traffic violations or unpaid fines, and you must have a valid email address on file.

Online renewal costs $20 and takes about 10 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 to 15 business days. You will not have a new photograph taken during online renewal — your existing photo will be used on your new card. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.

Not all licenses are may be able to access for online renewal. If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Driver License Division office in person.

Medical certifications and commercial driver's licenses

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), your license is valid for four years, but you may also need to maintain a medical certification. The medical certificate itself expires every two years, and you must have a valid one on file with the state to legally operate a commercial vehicle. Your CDL will not be suspended if your medical certificate expires, but you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle without one.

You obtain a medical certificate from a certified medical examiner, not from the Driver License Division. The examiner sends the certificate directly to the state. Keep track of when your medical certificate expires — it is not the same as your CDL expiration date — and schedule your next exam before the current one runs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on my license the day it expires?

Yes. Your license is valid through the entire day shown as the expiration date. You can legally drive on that day. You cannot drive the day after the expiration date unless you have renewed your license.

What if I turn 65 before my current license expires?

Your current license remains valid until its printed expiration date, even if you turn 65 before then. When you renew, the state will issue you a four-year license instead of an eight-year one. You do not need to renew early just because of your age.

Do I need to renew my license if I move to another state?

No. Your Utah license remains valid in every other state until it expires. However, if you become a resident of another state, that state may require you to get a license from them within a certain time frame. Check the requirements of your new state.

How much does it cost to renew a Utah driver's license?

An eight-year license costs $35 to renew in person. A four-year license costs $20. Online renewal costs $20. Fees do not change based on how early you renew or whether you renew in person or online.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

If your license is lost or stolen, you must visit a Driver License Division office in person to get a replacement. Bring proof of identity and residency. A replacement license costs $20 and is valid for the same length of time as your original license would have been.