The Utah permit test is a 50-question, closed-book written knowledge test, and you need 80% or better to pass, which is 40 correct. In Utah it is run by the Driver License Division (DLD), part of the Utah Department of Public Safety, not a "DMV", so look for dld.utah.gov when you book.
Utah permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Utah Driver License Division (DLD), dld.utah.gov |
| Minimum age | 15 for the learner permit |
| Questions | 50, closed book, for people never licensed before |
| Pass mark | 80% or better, so 40 of 50 |
| Time | Not timed. The handbook says it usually takes 30 to 45 minutes |
| Where | In person at a Driver License Division office, by appointment |
| Online test | No online option is listed |
| Fee | $19 for the learner permit |
| Languages | English plus Spanish, Arabic, French, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Vietnamese and several more |
| Retakes | Up to two tests a day. The fee covers three attempts within 12 months |
How many questions are on the Utah permit test?
The Utah permit test has 50 questions if you have never been licensed. The Utah Driver Handbook says you must score 80% or better, so you can miss up to 10 questions. People who were licensed before take a shorter 25-question open-book test, but most new drivers get the 50-question version.
Is the Utah permit test hard?
It is longer than most states' tests, and it is closed book, so you cannot look anything up. That is the main reason people find it hard. The upside is that 10 misses give you some room. If you can score 90% on full-length practice tests, you are in good shape.
What's on the test
Questions come from the Utah Driver Handbook. Expect traffic laws, road signs, safe driving and Utah-specific rules.
- Road signs and pavement markings.
- Signaling: Utah requires a signal for two seconds before turning or changing lanes.
- Following distance: use the two-second rule and add more in bad weather.
- Parking: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Next to a curb, the back wheel must be no more than 12 inches away.
- Hills: turn your wheels toward the curb when parked downhill and away from the curb uphill.
- Alcohol: Utah was the first state to set a 0.05 BAC limit, in December 2018.
- School buses: on a two-lane road, traffic in both directions stops for a bus with flashing red lights.
DLD, not DMV, and closed book
Two things surprise Utah families. First, the agency is the Driver License Division, so searching for "Utah DMV" often lands on vehicle registration pages instead. Second, the never-licensed test is closed book and 50 questions long, so short daily study works better than cramming.
Two-second signal, two-second following distance: Utah's handbook uses the same number for both. Write them on the same flash card.
How to study for the Utah permit test
- Read the Utah Driver Handbook a chapter a day.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Put every number (feet, seconds, BAC, ages) on one page.
- Take full 50-question practice tests to build stamina, not just short quizzes.
- Review your misses and repeat until you score 90% or better.
What to bring and how to book
You need an appointment at a Driver License Division office to apply for a learner permit. Book through the learner appointment link on dld.utah.gov. Bring:
- Proof of identity, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate or passport.
- Proof of your Social Security number.
- Two proofs of your Utah address.
- Lawful presence documents if you are not a U.S. citizen.
- A parent or legal guardian if you are under 18, to sign for financial responsibility.
- The $19 learner permit fee.
Use the Required Documents page on dld.utah.gov to check what counts. Your test score and permit are valid for 18 months.
Can you take the Utah permit test online?
No. The DLD lists no online option for the official written test. You take it in person at a Driver License Division office. The practice test on the DLD site is for study only.
What happens if you fail the Utah permit test?
You can try again soon. The handbook says you can take two written tests per day if the office can fit you in, and the fee covers up to three attempts within 12 months. After three failures, you pay a second fee. To retest, schedule another appointment.
Our guide on what happens if you fail your permit test has a simple plan for the second try.
Utah permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Utah permit test?
50 questions for people never licensed before. It is closed book.
How many questions can you miss on the Utah permit test?
10. You need 80% or better, which is 40 of 50.
Is the Utah permit test hard?
It is long and closed book, which makes it feel hard. Steady study and full-length practice tests make a big difference.
How much is the Utah learner permit?
$19, according to the Driver License Division fee list.
Can I take the Utah permit test in Spanish?
Yes. The DLD offers the written test in Spanish and many other languages, in audio or text depending on the language.
