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Utah DUI Laws

DUI Defense in Utah

Statutes, Penalties, and Defense Strategies

What you are facing, the deadlines that bind you, and the questions an attorney needs to answer — under Utah (UT) DUI law.

BAC Limit

0.05 (lowest in the US)

Lowest in the nation

Enhanced BAC

0.16

Higher penalties above this

Lookback Period

10 years

Prior offenses count within

⚠

10 days-Day DMV Hearing Deadline

Utah gives you 10 days days from the arrest to ask for a DMV hearing. This is the

administrative hearing

Plain language

A DMV review of the license suspension — separate from the criminal court case, with its own paperwork and deadline.

that decides the license suspension. Miss the deadline and the suspension starts on its own, even if the criminal case ends in dismissal later.

First Offense Penalties in Utah

Jail TimeUp to 180 days (mandatory 48 hours or 48 hours community service)
Fines$1,310+
License Suspension120 days
Ignition Interlock

Plain language

A breath-tester wired into the car ignition. The car will not start without a clean sample.

Required for 18 months

Implied Consent and Test Refusal

Utah has an

implied consent law

Plain language

By driving on the state's roads, you have already agreed to a chemical test if an officer has probable cause to think you are impaired.

like every state. The test can be breath, blood, or urine. Refusing carries its own penalty, listed below.

Refusal Penalty

18-month license revocation

Utah-Specific Detail

Utah has the lowest BAC limit in the nation at 0.05, significantly lower than the 0.08 standard in all other states. This went into effect December 2018. The state also imposes a mandatory 48-hour jail sentence or equivalent community service.

Is your Utah DUI defense on track?

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DUI Defense Playbook — $127

26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Utah DUI defendants.

Get the DUI Playbook — $127Read the Free DUI Guide

Other Utah defense topics

Facing a different charge in Utah? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:

Drug Possession in UtahAssault in UtahDomestic Violence in Utah

Important: This page provides general legal information about Utah DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Utah-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.