Driver training rules in Utah
What Utah requires of driving schools, CDL training and school bus drivers, with every fact linked to its official source.
✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18
Driver training rules in Utah for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.
| Driver education (teens) | Required ages 15-18: classroom 18 hours (private school), 27 (high school) or 30 (online), plus 6 hours behind-the-wheel.source 1 · source 2 |
|---|---|
| Supervised practice (teens) | 40 practice hours (10 after sunset); hold learner permit 6 months and until age 16.source 2 |
| New adult drivers | Age 19+: driver ed optional; otherwise 90-day permit and 40 practice hours (10 after sunset).source 2 |
| Who licenses driving schools | Driver License Division licenses school operators and instructors.source 3 |
| CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT | Federal ELDT only: DLD requires ELDT before scheduling the CDL skills test; state law adds a 14-day permit hold, no state training hours (Utah Code 53-3-407).source 4 · source 5 |
| CDL schools: state license | Yes. Driver License Division licenses commercial driver training schools (Utah Code 53-3-504); the law covers training to drive any motor vehicle for a state license exam.source 3 |
| CDL schools: state hours or curriculum | Federal ELDT only: DLD requires ELDT before scheduling the CDL skills test; no state CDL training hours found.source 4 |
| CDL schools: instructor rules | Yes. Instructors and school operators need a Driver License Division license (Utah Code 53-3-504, 53-3-506).source 3 |
| Carriers training their own drivers: license | Unclear. No employer exemption; the law covers a "business enterprise" conducted for driver education and training, and exempts only colleges, universities and high schools.source 3 |
| Carriers: hours or curriculum | No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 4 |
| Carriers: instructor rules | Unclear. "Instructor" means a school operator or someone teaching for a school for compensation; a carrier's own trainers are not clearly covered.source 3 |
| New school bus drivers | Federal ELDT from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider (2020 USBE guide); no hours stated.source 6 |
| School bus refresher | 50 continuing-education credits for recertification, verified by supervisors (2019 USBE); plus 60 minutes drug/alcohol awareness instruction yearly.source 7 · source 6 |
Driving manuals and handbooks
Official publications from Utah, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.
Be Smart. Be Safe. A Parent's Guide to Smart Teen Driving
Zero Fatalities Parent Night Workbook
Commercial (CDL)Commercial Driver License Handbook, Utah, 2025 Edition
Standards for Utah School Buses and Operation, 2020 Published Edition
Motorcycle and mopedMotorcycle Operator Manual (Utah, MSF 18th edition)
2024 Utah Driver Education Law and Policy
Driving jobs in Utah
Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.
Federal rules in every state
CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.
Sources
- https://dld.utah.gov/driver-ed-15-18/
- https://dld.utah.gov/licensingid-cards/learner-permit
- https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53/Chapter3/C53-3-P5_1800010118000101.pdf
- https://dld.utah.gov/cdl-driving-test/
- https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0118.pdf
- https://www.schools.utah.gov/financialoperations/pupiltransportation/resources/UtahSchoolBusDriverInstruction.pdf
- https://www.schools.utah.gov/financialoperations/pupiltransportation/trainings/2019JuneContinuingEducationRenewalInstructions.pdf