What you need to do to renew in Utah
Utah lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Division office. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, which takes about two weeks. You'll need your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or bank statement), and a way to pay the $35 renewal fee. If your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you've changed your name or address, you'll have to renew in person instead.
The online renewal process is the fastest option. You go to the Utah Driver License Division website, enter your license number and date of birth, answer security questions, pay the fee with a credit or debit card, and you're done. Your new license arrives by mail in about 10 to 14 business days. The mail-in process works similarly — you fill out a form, include a copy of your proof of residency, and send it with a check or money order to the address on the form.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, and both methods take about two weeks from the time you submit.
- Online renewal requires your current license number, date of birth, proof of residency, and a credit or debit card to pay the $35 fee.
- If your license expired more than five years ago or you've changed your name, you must renew in person at a Driver License Division office.
- Mail-in renewal uses the same form you'd pick up in person, and you send it with a check or money order and a copy of your proof of residency.
Renewing online through the Utah Driver License Division website
Start by visiting the Utah Driver License Division website and selecting the online renewal option. You'll enter your current license number and date of birth to confirm your identity. The system will ask you a series of security questions based on your driving record and personal history — these are designed to verify that you're the license holder, not someone else using your information.
After you answer the security questions, you'll review your current information and make any updates if needed — though you can only change certain details online. Address changes are allowed, but name changes require an in-person visit. Once you've confirmed everything is correct, you'll pay the $35 renewal fee with a credit or debit card. The system will give you a confirmation number when ready, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 10 to 14 business days.
If the system cannot verify your identity through the security questions, it will tell you that you need to renew in person. This sometimes happens if you haven't had many interactions with the Driver License Division or if your record doesn't match the system's data. In that case, you'll need to visit an office with your current license and proof of residency.
Renewing by mail
To renew by mail, you'll need to get the renewal form first. You can read it from the Utah Driver License Division website, or you can pick one up at any Driver License Division office or many local libraries. The form is called the process for a Driver License or Renewal, and it's straightforward — you fill in your name, address, and license number, then sign and date it.
Make a copy of your proof of residency (a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days) and include it with your form. Write a check or money order for $35 made out to the Utah Driver License Division. Put everything in an envelope and mail it to the address listed on the form — this is usually the Driver License Division's main office in Salt Lake City, though the form will confirm the current mailing address.
Mail-in renewal takes longer than online because of postal delays. Plan for about three to four weeks total — one week for your envelope to arrive, one to two weeks for processing, and one week for your new license to be mailed back to you. If you're close to your expiration date, online renewal is a safer choice because it's faster.
When you must renew in person at a Driver License Division office
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years. You also cannot use these methods if you've changed your legal name since your last license was issued — you'll need to bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you've lost your license and need a replacement, that also requires an in-person visit.
To renew in person, visit any Driver License Division office with your current license (or expired license if it's been less than five years), proof of residency, and $35. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your new license on the spot. You can drive home with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Driver License Division offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have extended hours. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Utah Driver License Division website. Walk-in service is available, but wait times vary by location and time of day — calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan.
What documents count as proof of residency
Proof of residency must show your current name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a bank or credit card statement, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, or a property tax notice. A government-issued document like a property tax bill or vehicle registration also works. The document must be an original or a certified copy — a photo of a bill on your phone won't be accepted.
If you've recently moved and don't have a document yet in your new name and address, you can use a lease agreement or a letter from your landlord on their letterhead stating your name, address, and move-in date. Some people use a utility bill from their new address even if it's dated before they officially moved in, as long as it's within 60 days of their renewal date. If you're unsure whether a specific document will work, call the Driver License Division office before you go in or before you mail your renewal.
How to check the status of your mailed or online renewal
If you renewed online, you received a confirmation number on the screen after you paid. Write this number down or take a screenshot. You can use it to check the status of your renewal on the Utah Driver License Division website — there's a section for tracking online renewals. Enter your confirmation number and it will tell you whether your license is being processed, printed, or on its way to you.
If you renewed by mail, the confirmation number is on the form you mailed in. If you didn't write it down, you can call the Driver License Division's main office and provide your license number and date of birth. They can look up your renewal and tell you where it is in the process. Most renewals are completed within two to three weeks of arrival at the office, but if yours is taking longer, a phone call can help you find out why.
If your new license doesn't arrive within four weeks of your online submission or three weeks of mailing your form, contact the Driver License Division. Licenses are occasionally lost in the mail, and the office can issue a replacement or help you figure out what happened.
The cost and what's included in your new license
A standard driver's license renewal costs $35 in Utah, regardless of whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. This fee covers an eight-year license valid from the date of issue. If you're renewing in person and need a new photo, the fee is the same — the photo is included. If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), the renewal fee is higher and varies depending on your endorsements.
Your new license will have the same number as your current one unless you've had a legal name change. The expiration date will be eight years from the date you renew. If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will still expire eight years from the renewal date, not eight years from when your old one would have expired — so renewing early doesn't extend your total time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, you can renew online or by mail even if your license is expired, as long as it expired less than five years ago. If it's been more than five years since expiration, you must renew in person. The renewal process is the same either way — you use your expired license number to start the online or mail-in process.
What if I moved and my address on my license is wrong?
You can update your address during an online renewal without visiting an office. If you're renewing by mail, include your new address on the form and send proof of residency showing that address. If your address is very different from what's on file, the system might ask you to renew in person to verify the change, but this is rare.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Online renewals are processed within one to two weeks, and your new license is mailed to you after that. Total time from submission to arrival is usually 10 to 14 business days, but can be longer during busy periods or if there are postal delays. Mail-in renewals take three to four weeks total because of mailing time on both ends.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
No, online and mail-in renewals use your photo from your current license. You only get a new photo if you renew in person at a Driver License Division office. If you want a new photo but don't need to renew yet, you can visit an office and request a photo update for a smaller fee.
What if the security questions during online renewal don't match my information?
If you can't answer the security questions correctly, the system will tell you that you need to renew in person. This can happen if your record in the system is incomplete or outdated. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and $35 to any Driver License Division office and renew there — the staff can verify your identity directly.