Renewing your Utah driver's license in person or by mail

You can renew your Utah driver's license either in person at a Driver License Division office or by mail, depending on whether your license is still valid and what type of renewal you need. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you may be able to renew by mail without visiting an office. If your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to update your photo or address, you must renew in person.

The Driver License Division processes renewals at 15 locations across Utah, with the main office in Salt Lake City and satellite offices in most counties. Processing times vary: in-person renewals typically take 15 to 30 minutes, while mail renewals take two to three weeks from the date the Division receives your process.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail renewal is available only if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need to update your photo or address.
  • In-person renewal requires your current or expired license, proof of identity, and proof of Utah residency, brought to any Driver License Division office.
  • The renewal fee is $30 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, check, or card at the office or included with your mail process.
  • You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date.
  • If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must take the written knowledge test and vision test again, in addition to renewing in person.

What documents you need to bring for in-person renewal

Bring three things to any Driver License Division office: your current or expired Utah driver's license, one form of proof of identity, and one form of proof of Utah residency. If you do not have your license with you, a passport, military ID, or tribal ID will work as your proof of identity.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax notice in your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your new address, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager confirming your residency, along with an older utility bill from your previous address.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Division will not process a renewal if your name on the process does not match your proof of identity.

How to renew by mail if your license is still recent

To renew by mail, your license must have expired fewer than five years ago, and you cannot be renewing because of a name change, address change, or the need for a new photo. read the Driver License Renewal process (Form DL-43) from the Utah Driver License Division website, or call 801-965-4437 to request a form by mail.

Complete the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($30 for four years or $60 for eight years), and mail both to the Driver License Division at 1095 Motor Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current license with your process. The Division will mail your new license to the address on file, which takes two to three weeks after they receive your process.

If you need to update your address before renewing by mail, you must do so in person at a Driver License Division office first. Once your address is current in the system, you can then renew by mail.

In-person renewal at a Driver License Division office

Visit any of the 15 Driver License Division offices across Utah during business hours. The main office in Salt Lake City is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. County offices have varying hours; check the Division's website or call 801-965-4437 to confirm hours before you go. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal.

Bring your documents to the office, complete the Driver License process (Form DL-43) at the counter, and pay the renewal fee in cash, by check, or by card. You will have your photo taken at the office. If you are renewing an eight-year license, you will also take a vision test at the office. The new license is mailed to your address within 10 business days.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must also pass the written knowledge test and vision test, even if you are renewing in person. Plan for an additional 30 to 45 minutes for testing. You can study the Utah Driver Handbook on the Division's website before you go.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

Utah offers two renewal options: a four-year license for $30 or an eight-year license for $60. Both are valid for driving in Utah and across the United States. The eight-year license is more economical over time because you renew less often, but the four-year option costs less upfront if money is tight right now.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date to start the process. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it as long as it expired fewer than five years ago (for mail renewal) or within any timeframe (for in-person renewal, though you may face additional testing if it has been expired more than five years).

What happens if your license expired more than five years ago

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at a Driver License Division office and retake both the written knowledge test and the vision test, as if you were getting a license for the first time.

Study the Utah Driver Handbook before your visit; it covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The written test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. The vision test checks that you can see clearly enough to drive safely. If you fail either test, you can retake it the same day or return another day at no additional cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No, Utah does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last five years and you do not need to update your photo or address, or you can renew in person at any Driver License Division office.

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

You can still renew in person by bringing your proof of identity and proof of residency instead of your license. The Division will issue a new license with a new number. If your license was lost or stolen, you may also want to report it to the Division by calling 801-965-4437.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No appointment is required for a standard renewal. Walk-in service is available at all Driver License Division offices during business hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day; calling ahead can help you choose the least busy time to visit.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Yes, you can renew your license even if you have an outstanding ticket or fine. However, the court may suspend your license if you do not pay or resolve the ticket. Renewing does not clear any court debt, so contact the court that issued the ticket to resolve it separately.

What if my address changed since my last license?

If you are renewing in person, bring your new proof of residency and the Division will update your address during the renewal process. If you want to renew by mail, you must first update your address in person at a Driver License Division office, then you can renew by mail on your next renewal cycle.