Section 1. Section 41-8-1 is amended to read:41-8-1. Operation of vehicle by individuals younger than 15 years and six months prohibited -- Exceptions for off-highway vehicles and off-highway implements of husbandry.(1)A person under 16 years of ageAn individual younger than 15 years and six months old, whether resident or nonresident of this state, may not operate a motor vehicle upon any highway of this state.(2)This section does not apply to a person an individual operating:(a)a motor vehicle under a permit issued under Section 53-3-210.5;(b)an off-highway vehicle registered under Section 41-22-3 either:(i)on a highway designated as open for off-highway vehicle use; or(ii)in the manner prescribed by Subsections 41-22-10.3(1) through (3); or(c)an off-highway implement of husbandry in the manner prescribed by Subsections 41-22-5.5(3) through (5).(3)A violation of this section is an infraction.

Section 2. Section 41-8-3 is amended to read:41-8-3. Operation of vehicle by individuals under 16 -- Passenger limitations -- Exceptions -- Penalties.(1)In addition to the provisions of Title 53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act, a personan individual, whether resident or nonresident of this state, may not operate a motor vehicle upon any highway of this state with any passenger who is not an immediate family member of the driver until the earlier of:(a)six months from the date the person's individual's driver license was issued; or(b)the person individual reaches 18 years of ageold.(2)It is an affirmative defense to a charge under Subsection (1) that the person individual is operating a motor vehicle:(a)accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years of age who is occupying a seat next to the driver;(b)on assignment of a farmer or rancher and the driver is engaged in an agricultural operation; or(c)in an emergency.(3)In addition to any penalties imposed under Title 53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act, a violation of this section is an infraction.(4)(a)Enforcement of this section by state or local law enforcement officers shall be only as a secondary action when an operator of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of Title 41, Motor Vehicles, other than this section, or for another offense.(b)A peace officer may not seize or impound a vehicle if:(i)the operator of the vehicle is cited for a violation of this section; and(ii)the seizure or impoundment is not otherwise authorized under Section 41-1a-1101, 41-6a-1405, 41-6a-1608, or 73-18-20.1 or required under Section 41-6a-527.

Section 3. Section 53-3-202 is amended to read:53-3-202. Drivers must be licensed -- Violation.(1)A human driver may not drive a motor vehicle or an autocycle on a highway in this state unless the human driver is:(a)granted the privilege to operate a motor vehicle by being licensed as a driver by the division under this chapter;(b)driving an official United States Government class D motor vehicle with a valid United States Government driver permit or license for that type of vehicle;(c)(i)driving a road roller, road machinery, or any farm tractor or implement of husbandry temporarily drawn, moved, or propelled on the highways; and(ii)driving the vehicle described in Subsection (1)(c)(i) in conjunction with a construction or agricultural activity;(d)a nonresident who is at least 1615 years and six months old and younger than 18 years old who has in the nonresident's immediate possession a valid license certificate issued to the nonresident in the nonresident's home state or country and is driving in the class or classes identified on the home state license certificate, except those persons referred to in Part 6, Drivers' License Compact, of this chapter;(e)a nonresident who is at least 18 years old and who has in the nonresident's immediate possession a valid license certificate issued to the nonresident in the nonresident's home state or country if driving in the class or classes identified on the home state license certificate, except those persons referred to in Part 6, Drivers' License Compact, of this chapter;(f)driving under a learner permit in accordance with Section 53-3-210.5;(g)driving with a temporary license certificate issued in accordance with Section 53-3-207; or(h)exempt under Title 41, Chapter 22, Off-highway Vehicles.(2)A human driver may not drive a motor vehicle or perform lateral or longitudinal vehicle motion control for a vehicle being towed by another motor vehicle upon a highway unless the human driver:(a)is licensed under this chapter to drive a motor vehicle of the type or class of motor vehicle being towed; or(b)is exempted under either Subsection (1)(b) or (1)(c).(3)(a)A human driver may not drive a motor vehicle as a taxicab on a highway of this state unless the personindividual has a valid class D driver license issued by the division.(b)A human driver may not drive a motor vehicle as a private passenger carrier on a highway of this state unless the human driver has:(i)a taxicab endorsement issued by the division on the human driver's license certificate; or(ii)a commercial driver license with:(A)a taxicab endorsement;(B)a passenger endorsement; or(C)a school bus endorsement.(c)Nothing in Subsection (3)(b) is intended to exempt a human driver driving a motor vehicle as a private passenger carrier from regulation under other statutory and regulatory schemes, including:(i)49 C.F.R. Parts 350-399, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;(ii)Title 34, Chapter 36, Transportation of Workers, and rules adopted by the Labor Commission in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and(iii)Title 72, Chapter 9, Motor Carrier Safety Act, and rules adopted by the Motor Carrier Division in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.(4)(a)Except as provided in Subsections (4)(b), (c), (d), and (e), a human driver may not operate:(i)a motorcycle unless the human driver has a valid class D driver license and a motorcycle endorsement issued under this chapter;(ii)a street legal all-terrain vehicle unless the human driver has a valid class D driver license; or(iii)a motor-driven cycle unless the human driver has a valid class D driver license and a motorcycle endorsement issued under this chapter.(b)A human driver operating a moped, as defined in Section 41-6a-102, is not required to have a motorcycle endorsement issued under this chapter.(c)An individual operating an electric assisted bicycle, as defined in Section 41-6a-102, is not required to have a valid class D driver license or a motorcycle endorsement issued under this chapter.(d)An individual is not required to have a valid class D driver license if the personindividual is:(i)operating a motor assisted scooter, as defined in Section 41-6a-102, in accordance with Section 41-6a-1115; or(ii)operating an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined in Section 41-6a-102, in accordance with Section 41-6a-1116.(e)A human driver operating an autocycle is not required to have a motorcycle endorsement issued under this chapter.(5)An automated driving system as defined in Section 41-26-102.1 is not required to have a driver license.(6)(a)A person An individual who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.(b)Except as provided in Subsection (6)(d), a person an individual who violates Subsection (4)(a)(i) or (4)(a)(iii) is subject to a minimum fine of $350.(c)The fine described in Subsection (6)(b) is in addition to any other fine for a violation of Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, or a local ordinance related to the operation of the motorcycle.(d)(i)A court shall waive the fine imposed under Subsection (6)(b) if the person individual provides to the court within 30 days of the date of the entry of a plea or sentencing, whichever is later, proof that the person individual has been issued a motorcycle endorsement as provided in this chapter.(ii)A court may extend the 30-day time period described in Subsection (6)(d)(i) for a reasonable time period for the person individual to obtain a motorcycle endorsement for good cause shown.

Section 4. Section 53-3-204 is amended to read:53-3-204. Individuals who may not be licensed.(1)(a)The division may not license a person an individual who:(i)is younger than 1615 years and six months old;(ii)if the person individual is 18 years old or younger, has not completed a course in driver training approved by the commissioner;(iii)if the person individual is 19 years old or older has not completed:(A)a course in driver training approved by the commissioner; or(B)the requirements under Subsection 53-3-210.5(6)(c);(iv)if the person individual is a minor as defined in Section 53-3-211, has not completed the driving requirement under Section 53-3-211;(v)is not a resident of the state, unless the personindividual:(A)is issued a temporary CDL under Subsection 53-3-407(2)(b) prior to July 1, 2015; or(B)qualifies for a non-domiciled CDL as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 383;(vi)if the person individual is 17 years old or younger, has not held a learner permit issued under Section 53-3-210.5 or an equivalent by another state or branch of the United States Armed Forces for six months; or(vii)is younger than 18 years old and applying for a CDL under 49 C.F.R. Part 383.(b)Subsections (1)(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi) do not apply to a personan individual:(i)who has been licensed before July 1, 1967; or(ii)who is 1615 years and six months old or older making application for a license who has been licensed in another state or country.(2)The division may not issue a license certificate to a personan individual:(a)whose license has been suspended, denied, cancelled, or disqualified during the period of suspension, denial, cancellation, or disqualification;(b)whose privilege has been revoked, except as provided in Section 53-3-225;(c)who has previously been adjudged mentally incompetent and who has not at the time of application been restored to competency as provided by law;(d)who is required by this chapter to take an examination unless the person individual successfully passes the examination;(e)whose driving privileges have been denied or suspended under:(i)Section 80-6-707 by an order of the juvenile court; or(ii)Section 53-3-231; or(f)beginning on or after July 1, 2012, who holds an unexpired Utah identification card issued under Part 8, Identification Card Act, unless:(i)the Utah identification card is canceled; and(ii)if the Utah identification card is in the person's individual's possession, the Utah identification card is surrendered to the division.(3)(a)Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), the The division may not grant a motorcycle endorsement to a person an individual who:(i)has not been granted an original or provisional class D license, a CDL, or an out-of-state equivalent to an original or provisional class D license or a CDL; and(ii)if the person individual is under 19 years old, has not held a motorcycle learner permit for two months unless Subsection (3)(b) applies.(b)The division may waive the two month motorcycle learner permit holding period requirement under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) if the person individual proves to the satisfaction of the division that the person individual has completed a motorcycle rider education program that meets the requirements under Section 53-3-903.(c)The division may grant a motorcycle endorsement to a person under 19 years old who has not held a motorcycle learner permit for two months if the person was issued a motorcycle endorsement prior to July 1, 2008.(4)The division may grant a class D license to a person an individual whose commercial license is disqualified under Part 4, Uniform Commercial Driver License Act, if the person individual is not otherwise sanctioned under this chapter.

Section 5. Section 53-3-210.5 is amended to read:53-3-210.5. Learner permit.(1)The division, upon receiving an application for a learner permit, may issue a learner permit effective for 18 months to an applicant who is at least 1514 years and six months old.(2)(a)The learner permit entitles an applicant that is 18 years old or older to operate a class D motor vehicle only if a person an individual 21 years old or older who is a licensed driver is occupying a seat beside the applicant.(b)The learner permit entitles an applicant that is younger than 18 years old to operate a class D motor vehicle only if:(i)an approved driving instructor is occupying a seat beside the applicant;(ii)the applicant's parent or legal guardian, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat beside the applicant;(iii)a responsible adult who has signed for the applicant under Section 53-3-211 and who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat beside the applicant; or(iv)a responsible individual 21 years old or older who is not the parent or legal guardian is occupying a seat beside the applicant and:(A)the parent or legal guardian is not a licensed driver;(B)the individual occupying the seat beside the applicant has in the individual's immediate possession evidence that the individual is authorized by the parent or legal guardian to accompany the applicant while operating the motor vehicle; and(C)the individual occupying the seat beside the applicant is a licensed driver.(c)The applicant shall have the learner permit in the applicant's immediate possession while operating the motor vehicle.(3)The division shall issue a learner permit to an applicant who:(a)is at least 1514 years and six months old;(b)has passed the knowledge test required by the division;(c)has passed the physical and mental fitness tests; and(d)has submitted a nonrefundable fee for a learner permit under Section 53-3-105.(4)(a)The division shall supply the learner permit form.(b)The form under Subsection (4)(a) shall include:(i)the applicant's full name, date of birth, sex, Utah residence address, height, weight, and eye color;(ii)the date of issuance and expiration of the permit; and(iii)the conditions and restrictions contained in this section for operating a class D motor vehicle.(5)An application and fee for a learner permit entitle the applicant to:(a)not more than three attempts to pass the knowledge test for a class D license within one year; and(b)a learner permit after the knowledge test is passed.(6)(a)If an applicant has been issued a learner permit under this section or an equivalent by another state or branch of the United States Armed Forces, the applicant may be issued an original or provisional class D license from the division upon:(i)completing a driver education course in a:(A)in a commercial driver training school licensed under Part 5, Commercial Driver Training Schools Act; or(B)in a driver education program approved by the State Board of Education or the division; or(C)with the applicant's parent as described in Section 53G-10-509.(ii)passing a knowledge test approved by the division that complies with the requirement of Subsection (6)(d);(iii)passing the skills test approved by the division;(iv)reaching 1615 years and six months old; and(v)paying the nonrefundable fee for an original or provisional class D license application under Section 53-3-105.(b)In addition to the requirements under Subsection (6)(a), an applicant who is 17 16 years old or younger is required to hold a learner permit for sixnine months before applying for a provisional class D license.(c)An applicant is exempt from the requirement under Subsection (6)(a)(i) if the applicant:(i)is 19 years old or older;(ii)holds a learner permit for three months before applying for an original class D license; and(iii)certifies that the applicant, under the authority of a permit issued under this chapter, has completed at least 4060 hours of driving a motor vehicle, of which at least 1015 hours were completed during night hours after sunset.(d)Fifty percent of the test questions included in the knowledge test required under Subsection (6)(a)(ii) shall cover the topic of major causes of traffic related deaths as identified in statistics published by the Highway Safety Office.

Section 6. Section 53-3-211 is amended to read:53-3-211. Application of minors -- Liability of individual signing application -- Cancellation of cosigning adult's liability -- Behind-the-wheel driving certification.(1)As used in this section, "minor" means any personindividual younger than 18 years of ageold who is not married or has not been emancipated by adjudication.(2)(a)The application of a minor for a learner permit or provisional license shall be signed by the parent or guardian of the applicant.(b)If the minor applicant does not have a parent or guardian or is in the legal custody of the Division of Child and Family Services, then a parent or responsible adult who is willing to assume the obligation imposed under this chapter may sign the application.(3)(a)Except as provided in Subsection (4), the liability of a minor for civil compensatory damages caused when operating a motor vehicle upon a highway is imputed to the person individual who has signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2).(b)The person individual who has signed the application under Subsection (2) is jointly and severally liable with the minor as provided in Subsections (3)(a) and (c).(c)The liability imposed under Subsections (3)(a) and (b) is limited to the policy minimum limits established in Section 31A-22-304.(d)The liability provisions in this Subsection (3) are in addition to the liability provisions in Section 53-3-212.(4)(a)If owner's or operator's security covering the minor's operation of the motor vehicle is in effect in amounts as required under Section 31A-22-304, the person individual who signed the minor's application under Subsection (2) is not subject to the liability imposed under Subsection (3).(b)Notwithstanding the requirement under Subsection (3), if a foster parent signs an application under Subsection (2) for a minor who is in the legal custody of the Division of Child and Family Services and who resides with the foster parent, the foster parent's liability may not exceed the greater of:(i)minimum liability insurance policy limits established under Section 31A-22-304; or(ii)the policy limits of the foster parent's liability insurance policy issued in accordance with Section 31A-22-302 that were in effect at the time damages were caused by the minor's operation of a motor vehicle.(5)(a)A person An individual who has signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) may file with the division a verified written request that the permit or license of the minor be canceled.(b)The division shall then cancel the permit or license of the minor, and the personindividual who signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2) is relieved from the liability imposed under Subsection (3) or the minor operating a motor vehicle subsequent to the cancellation.(6)(a)The division upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the personindividual who signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) shall cancel the permit or license and may not issue a new permit or license until a new application, signed and verified, is made under this chapter.(b)This Subsection (6) does not apply to an application of a personan individual who is no longer a minor.(7)(a)In addition to the liability assumed under this section, the personindividual who signs the application of a minor for a provisional license must certify that the minor applicant, under the authority of a permit issued under this chapter, has completed at least 4060 hours of driving a motor vehicle, of which at least 1015 hours shall be during night hours after sunset.(b)The hours of driving a motor vehicle required under Subsection (7)(a) may include:(i)hours completed in a driver education course as required under Subsection 53-3-505.5(1); and(ii)up to five hours completed by driving simulation practice on a fully interactive driving simulation device at the substitution rate provided under Subsection 53-3-505.5(2)(b).

Section 7. Section 53-3-505.5 is amended to read:53-3-505.5. Behind-the-wheel training requirements.(1)Except as provided under Subsection (2) and Section 53G-3-509, a driver education course under this part or Title 53G, Chapter 10, Part 5, Driver Education Classes, that is used to satisfy the driver training requirement under Section 53-3-204 shall require each student to complete at least six hours of behind-the-wheel driving a dual-control motor vehicle with a certified instructor seated in the front seat next to the student driver.(2)Up to three hours of the behind-the-wheel driving may be substituted as follows:(a)two hours of range driving on an approved driving range under Section 53G-10-502 equals one hour of the behind-the-wheel driving required under Subsection (1);(b)two hours of driving simulation practice on a driving simulation device that is fully interactive as set forth in rules made under Section 53-3-505, equals one hour of the behind-the-wheel driving required under Subsection (1); and(c)four hours of driving simulation practice on a driving simulation device that is not fully interactive as set forth in rules made under Section 53-3-505, equals one hour of the behind-the-wheel driving required under Subsection (1), with a maximum of one hour of the behind-the-wheel driving required under Subsection (1) that may be substituted under this Subsection (2)(c).(3)The behind-the-wheel driving required under Subsection (1) shall include, if feasible, driving on interstate and other multilane highways.

Section 8. Section 53G-10-502 is amended to read:53G-10-502. Driver education established by a local education agency.(1)(a)A local education agency may establish and maintain driver education for pupils.(b)A school or local education agency that provides driver education shall provide an opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or local education agency to take the written test when the pupil is 15 years and ninethree months of ageold.(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1)(b), a school or local education agency that provides driver education may provide an opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or local education agency to take the written test when the pupil is 15 14 years of ageand six months old.(2)The purpose of driver education is to help develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.(3)In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules for driver education offered in the public schools.(4)The rules under Subsection (3) shall:(a)require at least one hour of classroom training on the subject of railroad crossing safety for each driver education pupil;(b)require instruction, based on data and information provided by the Division of Air Quality, on:(i)ways drivers can improve air quality; and(ii)the harmful effects of vehicle emissions; and(c)establish minimum standards for approved driving ranges under Section 53-3-505.5.(5)The requirements of Section 53-3-505.5 apply to any behind-the-wheel driving training provided as part of driver education offered under this part and used to satisfy the driver training requirement under Section 53-3-204.

Section 9. Section 53G-10-508 is amended to read:53G-10-508. Programs authorized -- Minimum standards.(1)A local education agency may:(a)allow a student to complete the classroom training portion of driver education through home study;(b)provide each parent with driver education instructional materials to assist in parent involvement with driver education including behind-the-wheel driving materials;(c)(a)offer driver education outside of school hours in order to reduce the cost of providing driver education;(d)(b)offer driver education through community education programs;(e)(c)offer the classroom portion of driver education in the public schools and allow the student to complete the behind-the-wheel portion with a private provider:(i)licensed under Section 53-3-504; and(ii)not associated with the school or under contract with the school under Subsection 53G-10-503(3); or(f)(d)offer any combination of Subsections (1)(a) through (e).(c).(2)A local education agency shall:(a)allow a student to complete the classroom training portion of driver education through home study; and(b)provide a parent with driver education instructional materials to assist in parent involvement with driver education including behind-the-wheel driving materials without cost to the parent.(2)(3)In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall establish in rule minimum standards for the school-related programs under Subsection (1).Subsections (1) and (2).

Section 10. Section 53G-10-509 is enacted to read:53G-10-509. Parents as driver education instructors.(1)As used in this section:(a)"Driver education requirement" means the requirement for driver education described in Subsection 53-3-204(1)(a)(ii).(b)"Observation time" means an individual observing another individual's operation of a motor vehicle while the operator:(i)follows all traffic laws;(ii)comments out loud about driving behaviors and decisions made to safely operate a motor vehicle; and(iii)answers the observing individual's questions about the safe operation of a motor vehicle.(c)"Parent" means an individual's parent, stepparent, or foster parent.(2)The division, in connection with a local education agency, shall provide material as described in Section 53G-10-508 to a parent to allow the parent to complete a driver education requirement for the parent's own child.(3)A parent completing a driver education requirement for an individual shall:(a)sit beside the individual during all driving hours completed by the individual to fulfill behind-the-wheel driving hours requirements as described in Section 53-3-505.5;(b)complete 60 hours total of supervised driving time with the individual as described in Subsection (3)(a);(c)complete 15 of the hours described in Subsection (3)(b) at night;(d)complete six hours of observation time with the individual; and(e)complete classroom instruction time requirements as described in Section 53G-10-502.(4)An individual completing a driver education requirement by parent instruction:(a)is not required to complete the behind-the-wheel driving hours requirement described in Section 53-3-505.5; and(b)shall complete the driving hours and observation hours requirements described in Subsection (3).(5)An individual's parent may complete a driver education requirement for the individual if the individual's parent:(a)has a valid class D driver license;(b)states on the form described in Subsection 53-3-211(2)(a) that the driver education requirement was fulfilled by parent instruction; and(c)attends with the individual, in-person or virtually, a Zero Fatalities Parent-Teen Night provided by the Department of Public Safety.

Section 11. Effective Date.This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.