Utah Driver Handbook 2018-2019
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UTAH DRIVER HANDBOOK 2018-2019 THIS HANDBOOK IS AVAILABLE AT dld.utah.gov Department of Public Safety Gary R. Herbert, Governor Driver License Division State of Utah PO Box 144501 Jess L. Anderson, Commissioner Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4501 Department of Public Safety 801.965.4437; 888.353.4224 Chris Caras, Director dld.utah.gov Driver License Division STATE OF UTAH UTAH DRIVER HANDBOOK AAMVA MODEL NON-COMMERCIAL This handbook is a collaborative effort between AAMVA and the Utah Driver License Division and contains the rules which should be followed when operating any vehicle on Utah roads. The operator of a bicycle must obey the same rules of the road, and has the same rights and duties as the operator of a motor vehicle or other vehicle. For additional driver license information and forms visit our website at dld.utah.gov. Please be aware of imitator sites that do not end in .gov. Help conserve our natural resources. When you are finished with this book, please pass it on to a friend or return it to your local Driver License Office. Test your knowledge on the rules of the road with our online practice written knowledge test at https://dld.utah.gov/licensingid-cards/practice-written-test/. Driver License Division (DLD) Services: Driver License, Commercial Driver License (CDL), Driving Privilege Cards (DPC), Limited- Term Driver License, Identification Cards, Limited-Term Identification Cards, Endorsements (CDL, Taxi, Motorcycle) Utah Driving Records (MVR) Reinstatement Fees Driver Review Exams Voter Registration Organ Donor Registration NEW 2018 LAWS Effective May 8, 2018 Ignition Interlock HB65—If you are convicted of driving under the influence and the conviction does not in- volve alcohol, you are not required to be an interlock restricted driver. Suspensions HB144—The Driver License Division may not suspend a person’s driver license for certain offenses, unless the person was an operator of a motor vehicle at the time of offense. Pedestrian Safety HB145—Pedestrians are restricted from certain conduct that may impede and block traffic to include roads with a median, whether raised or flat, a highway where a fixed guideway or rail line shares the right-of-way with the highway. Auto Registration Requirements HB161—You no longer have to carry a registration card in your vehicle to be presented to a peace officer. Limited-Term License Revisions HB189—The term for a limited-term driver license certificate and renewal for an approved asylee or refugee changed from four years to five years. Effective July 1, 2018 Public Safety Fee Revisions SB16—Changes fee amounts for services provided by the Driver License Division. Effective December 30, 2018 Driving Under the Influence Revisions HB345—Reduces the blood alcohol concentration limit from .08 to a .05. DRIVER LICENSE HISTORY Interesting facts about the Utah Driver License Division The Bureau of Driver License Services was created on January 1, 1934, when Utah officially adopted the “Uniform Operator’s and Chauffeurs’ License Act.” (Prior to this, the State of Utah had no driver license law.) This act required that “every operator of a motor vehicle shall not drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless such person was licensed to do so.” Originally, the Bureau of Driver License Services was an agency within the State Tax Commission. The first license in Utah was issued on December 5, 1933. It cost 25¢ and was good until revoked. It was printed in blue on white paper. The application card was 6” x 3½” and only asked for name, address, brief description, a few questions and a signa- ture. No examination was given until January 1935, when the eye test, written knowledge test, and an occasional driving skills test was given. The “good-until-revoked” licenses were issued until December 31, 1935. Beginning January 1, 1936, the law was changed to have the driver license expire three years after issuance (not on the birthdate.) The fee was still 25¢. One of the biggest changes came in 1951 when the Bureau of Driver License Services moved from the State Tax Commission and became an agency within the Department of Public Safety. In 1980, the state decided to reward “good drivers” by developing a system for the applicant to renew their driver license through the mail. The Driver License Division began issuing a commercial driver license in 1989. The Driver License Division began offering more online services including MVRs and appointments. In January 2010, the citizens of Utah started a 5-year process that required all Utah drivers to bring in their identifica- tion documents once again. This process was a beginning step to meet the licensing practices for the Federal REAL ID Act. January 2010, the renewal-by-mail program was suspended. February 13, 2013, the Driver License Division was notified by the Department of Homeland Security that Utah meets the licensing practices of the Federal REAL ID Act. April 2013, the renewal-by-mail program was reinstated and renewal-by-internet was a new service. May 2015, the Driver License Division began offering online CDL MVR services to authorized drivers and employers. In 2016, the Driver License Division stopped conducting driving skills test on an enclosed range. All driving skills tests are performed on public roads. In March 2017, tablets were implemented to score driving skills tests rather than paper. In December 2018, Utah is the first state in the country to have a blood alcohol concentrate of .05. Did you know the Driver License Division is not part of the DMV? Our friends at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles, under the Utah State Tax Commission) can assist you at 801.297.7780 or dmv.utah.gov. THE TOP FIVE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH ON UTAH HIGHWAYS 1. Speed Too Fast 37% 2. Unrestrained Occupants 31% 3. Drunk Driving 13% 4. Failed to Yield Right-of-Way 11% 5. Failed to Keep in Proper Lane 11% THE TOP FIVE LEADING CAUSES OF CRASHES ON UTAH HIGHWAYS 1. Following too Closely 22% 2. Failed to Yield Right-of-Way 18% 3. Speed Too Fast 18% 4. Failed to Keep in Proper Lane 12% 5. Distracted Driving 10% THE TOP FIVE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH ON UTAH HIGHWAYS (TEENAGERS) 1. Speed Too Fast 33% 2. Failed to Keep in Proper Lane 23% 3. Disregard Traffic Signal/Sign 17% 4. Overcorrected 17% 5. Failed to Yield, Driver Distraction 13% THE TOP FIVE LEADING CAUSE OF CRASHES ON UTAH HIGHWAYS (TEENAGERS) 1. Following Too Closely 21% 2. Failed to Yield Right-of-Way 18% 3. Speed Too Fast 12% 4. Driver Distraction 9% 5. Failed to Keep In Proper Lane 8% Information based on 2015 statistics provided by the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Highway Safety office. The percentages are for the top five causes. To see all causes for crashes and fatalities, please visit: highwaysafe- ty.utah.gov. UTAH DRIVER HANDBOOK Table of Contents Section I. Your Driver License D. Pavement Markings ........................... 19 A. Definitions ............................................ 1 E. Other Lane Controls ........................... 19 B. Licensing Requirements ...................... 2 C. Driver License Compact ....................... 3 Section VIII. General Driving D. Obtaining a Driver License ................... 3 A. Turning ............................................... 21 E. Driver License Examinations ................ 4 B. Traffic Roundabouts ........................... 21 C. Single Point Urban Interchange.......... 21 Section II. Driver Education and Learner Permits D. Changing Lanes ................................. 21 A. Driver Education ................................... 5 E. Intersections....................................... 22 B. Entry Level Learner Permit ................... 5 F. Entering a Multi-Lane Highway........... 23 C. Driver License Fees ............................. 6 G. Ramp Meters ..................................... 23 H. Freeway Driving ................................. 23 Section III. Driver License Information I. Passing .............................................. 23 A. License Types ...................................... 7 J. Exiting a Roadway ............................. 24 B. Identity and Residency Requirements .. 8 K. School Bus ......................................... 24 C. Out-of-State Driver License ................ 11 L. Parking ............................................... 24 D. Utah Renewal, Duplicate, Lapsed ...... 11 M. Two and Three Point Turns ................ 25 E. Address Change ................................ 11 N. U-Turns .............................................. 26 F. Identification Card .............................. 11 O. Stopping ............................................. 26 Section IV. Ready to Drive Section IX. Managing Time and Space A. Fatigue ............................................... 12 A. Seeing What’s Critical ........................ 27 B. Driver Distractions .............................. 12 B. Managing Speed ................................ 27 C. Aggressive Driving ............................. 12 C. Adjusting for Road Conditions ............ 27 D. Stopping Distance .............................. 27 Section V. Before You Drive E. Managing Space ................................ 27 A. Adjusting Your Seat............................ 13 F. Communicating .................................. 28 B. Adjusting Your Mirrors ........................ 13 C. Safety Belts and Car Seats ................ 13 Section X. Avoiding Crashes D. Airbags ............................................... 14 A. Defensive Driving ............................... 29 B. Emergencies