This Utah permit test cheat sheet puts the numbers from the Utah Driver Handbook on one page: the test rules, the 0.05 alcohol limit, speed limits, signal and following times, and parking distances. Every figure was checked against the Driver License Division (DLD) at dld.utah.gov. Use it to study. The written test is closed book, so you need these numbers in your head, not in your pocket.
Utah permit test: 50 questions and the rules around it
| Detail | Number |
|---|---|
| Questions (never licensed before) | 50, closed book |
| Passing score | 80% or better, so 40 of 50 |
| Time limit | None. The handbook says it usually takes 30 to 45 minutes |
| Tests per day | Up to 2, if the office can fit you in |
| Attempts covered by the fee | 3 within 12 months |
| Minimum age for a learner permit | 15 |
| Learner permit fee | $19 |
| Test score and permit valid | 18 months |
You take the test at a Driver License Division office by appointment. Our full guide covers documents and what happens if you fail.
The second test most families do not expect
If you have never been licensed, the DLD also requires the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam before your permanent license. It is online only, has 40 questions in four sections of 10, and requires 100% to pass. You can retake it as often as you need and you may use resources while you take it. You can only take it after you apply for your learner permit, and the DLD says to finish it before your driving skills test.
Alcohol
| Rule | Number |
|---|---|
| Drivers 21 and older | Illegal at 0.05% BAC or higher |
| Drivers under 21 | Not a Drop: any detectable alcohol |
| Commercial drivers | 0.04% or higher |
Utah's adult limit is 0.05, not the 0.08 most other states use. If you study with a general practice test, watch for that difference.
Timing and following distance
| Rule | Number |
|---|---|
| Signal before turning or changing lanes | At least 2 seconds |
| Following distance | At least 2 seconds, more in bad weather |
| Return to your lane after passing | No less than 200 feet before oncoming traffic |
| U-turn on a curve or hill | Not allowed unless you can be seen from 500 feet both ways |
| Shared center left-turn lane | Do not enter more than 500 feet before your turn |
| Railroad crossing stop | More than 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail |
Speed limits when no sign is posted
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Near a school during recess, or when children are arriving or leaving | 20 mph |
| Business or residential areas | 25 mph |
| Major highways | 55 mph unless posted |
| Rural interstates | 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph as posted |
The handbook also warns that a posted speed can still be too fast. Its examples: 10 mph on an icy road, or 25 mph on an open highway on a rainy night, may be too fast.
Parking distances
| Do not park | Distance |
|---|---|
| Near a fire hydrant | Within 15 feet |
| Near a crosswalk | On it or within 20 feet |
| Near a stop sign, yield sign, flashing beacon or traffic signal | Within 30 feet |
| Near a fire station driveway | Within 20 feet (75 feet on the opposite side when posted) |
| Near a railroad track | Within 50 feet of the nearest rail |
| From the curb | Rear wheel no more than 12 inches away |
Teen permit and license numbers
- Supervised practice for ages 15 to 18: 40 hours with a parent or guardian, 10 of them after sunset.
- Hold the permit 6 months before a first license if you are 16 or 17.
- With a learner permit at 15 to 17, the front seat passenger must be a parent, guardian, driving instructor, or a licensed adult 21 or older with authorization.
- Age 16 with a license: no driving from midnight to 5 a.m., with exceptions such as work and school activities.
- Age 16 with a license: passengers limited to immediate family for the first 6 months.
- Children 8 and under ride in an approved car seat unless they are 57 inches tall.
- Vision standard: 20/40 and a 90 degree field of vision in at least one eye.
How to use this as a Utah permit test study guide
- Read the Utah Driver Handbook from dld.utah.gov a chapter a day.
- Copy each table onto flash cards, the rule on the front and the number on the back.
- Take full 50-question practice tests. Short quizzes do not build the stamina a 50-question closed-book test needs.
- Write down every number you miss and add it to a single review card.
- Book the test when you score 45 or better on full practice tests several times in a row.
FAQ
Is there a Utah permit test cheat sheet I can print?
Yes. Print this page or copy the tables onto cards. It is for studying only, since the written test is closed book.
How many questions are on the Utah permit test?
50 questions for people who have never been licensed. You need 80%, which is 40 correct.
Utah permit test 50 questions: how many can I miss?
You can miss 10 and still pass with 40 of 50.
What is the best Utah permit test study guide?
The Utah Driver Handbook from the Driver License Division. Use this cheat sheet and full-length practice tests to check what you have learned.
What is the Utah Traffic Safety and Trends Exam?
An online 40-question exam for first-time drivers that requires 100% to pass. You can retake it as often as needed, and you complete it before your driving skills test.
