Hardship License in Utah: What It Is & How to Apply

Utah offers a Limited Driving Permit for drivers with suspended licenses, allowing travel for work, school, medical care, and court-ordered obligations. Eligibility depends on your suspension cause, and you'll need SR-22 insurance filing from day one. Most applicants go through a DMV administrative process with a $50 application fee.

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Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

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Updated July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Utah

Utah calls its hardship program a Limited Driving Permit, and it's available to drivers facing suspension for most causes including DUI, uninsured operation, points accumulation, and unpaid fines. The Utah Driver License Division manages the application administratively — no court hearing required in most cases. You must provide proof of SR-22 insurance coverage before the permit is issued, and the permit carries route and time restrictions based on your approved purposes.

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25/50/15 minimum
SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a certificate your insurance carrier files with the Utah Driver License Division proving you carry at least the state minimum liability coverage. Utah requires 25/50/15 minimums: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. The filing must remain active for the full duration of your permit — typically 1 to 3 years depending on your suspension cause. If your policy lapses for any reason, your carrier notifies the state immediately and your permit is suspended.
25/50/15 minimum
Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
If you don't own a vehicle but need a Utah Limited Driving Permit, non-owner SR-22 insurance covers you when driving borrowed or rented vehicles. The policy carries the same 25/50/15 minimum liability limits and files the SR-22 certificate with the Utah Driver License Division on your behalf. Premiums are lower than standard policies because the carrier assumes less risk, but the filing requirement and suspension consequences for lapse are identical.
25/50/15
Liability Insurance
Utah requires all drivers to carry at least 25/50/15 liability coverage: $25,000 per person injured, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. If you're applying for a Limited Driving Permit, your liability policy must be paired with an SR-22 filing. Carriers that specialize in high-risk profiles often bundle both, but verify that your chosen carrier files electronically with the Utah Driver License Division — paper filings delay permit approval.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Utah

Utah Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$30,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$65,000
Property Damage$25,000

License Reinstatement Fee$40

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Utah quote.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Utah?

SR-22 insurance premiums in Utah vary by suspension cause, driving history, vehicle type, and coverage selections. The SR-22 filing itself costs $25 to $50 as a one-time or annual fee, but the premium increase from moving into a high-risk tier is the larger expense. Drivers with DUI suspensions typically see the steepest increases, while uninsured-cause filers may qualify for lower rates if their driving record is otherwise clean.

What Affects Your Rate

  • DUI suspensions in Utah typically trigger SR-22 filing for 3 years and push premiums 60% to 120% above standard rates due to underwriting risk classification.
  • Uninsured-cause suspensions require SR-22 filing for 1 to 2 years in Utah, and premiums increase 40% to 80% depending on how long you drove without coverage.
  • Points-based suspensions in Utah carry SR-22 requirements for 1 to 3 years, and premium increases vary by the violations that caused the points — speeding violations cost less than reckless driving.
  • Vehicle type affects premium significantly — older sedans cost less to insure than newer SUVs or trucks, and comprehensive claims risk varies by theft rates in your ZIP code.
  • Utah is a comparative negligence state, meaning fault is assigned proportionally in accidents — higher liability limits reduce your out-of-pocket exposure if you're found partially at fault.
  • Carriers that specialize in high-risk SR-22 filings (Progressive, The General, National General) often offer better rates than standard carriers who treat all high-risk drivers as maximum-risk.
Minimum Coverage with SR-22
$95–$160/mo
State minimum liability (25/50/15) plus SR-22 filing. This is the lowest legal option for a Limited Driving Permit, but provides minimal protection in a serious accident.
Standard Coverage with SR-22
$140–$220/mo
Higher liability limits (50/100/25 or 100/300/50) plus SR-22 filing. Better protection against lawsuit exposure and medical bills exceeding the minimum.
Full Coverage with SR-22
$210–$340/mo
Liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and SR-22 filing. Required if you have a loan or lease; optional but valuable if your vehicle is worth more than a few thousand dollars.

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