Quick Answer
Yes — Utah residents who can't prove lawful presence can get a Driving Privilege Card (DPC), but Utah requires an ITIN if you aren't eligible for an SSN. To get one:
- Get your fingerprints and photo taken by an approved vendor or a law enforcement agency.
- Bring proof of identity, your ITIN, and 2 proofs of your Utah address to a Driver License Division appointment.
- Pass the tests, which are given in English only, and pay $32 plus a $30 fingerprint fee.
The card expires after 1 year and is marked as not valid for identification.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Utah Without an SSN?
Yes, but not without a tax number. Utah issues a Driving Privilege Card under S.B. 227 (2005) to residents who cannot establish lawful presence under REAL ID. Applicants who are ineligible for a Social Security number must get an ITIN from the IRS, and the card covers regular cars, not commercial vehicles or motorcycles.
The card's rules are in Utah Code § 53-3-205 and § 53-3-207, and the Driver License Division explains it on its What is a Driving Privilege Card page. A 2026 bill to end the program, H.B. 287, was introduced, but Utah Code as amended through July 2026 still provides for the card and its fees.
If you don't have an ITIN yet, start with our guide to the ITIN application (Form W-7); the IRS takes about 7 weeks to process it.
What Does a Utah Driving Privilege Card Say on Its Face?
Utah Code § 53-3-207 requires the card to look different from a regular license and to display a phrase like "For driving privileges only — not valid for identification." No Utah government entity may accept it as proof of identity or age, and because it is not REAL ID, TSA will not accept it at airport checkpoints.
- For air travel, carry your valid foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID. See our guide to flying with an ITIN.
- The card is a Class D privilege only. You can't add a motorcycle endorsement or get a commercial driver license with it.
What Documents Does Utah Require?
Utah asks for 4 things for an original Driving Privilege Card: proof of identity, your Social Security number or ITIN, 2 documents showing your Utah address, and a sealed fingerprint card with a photograph. Foreign documents need a certified English translation, and a valid license from another country counts as proof of driving experience.
- 1Identity — a document from the Driver License Division's accepted list, such as a valid foreign passport. If your name changed, bring the legal document that links the names.
- 2Tax number — your ITIN letter if you aren't eligible for a Social Security number. Utah law allows an ITIN only for driving privilege card applicants.
- 3Utah address — 2 documents with your name and Utah residence address.
- 4Fingerprints and photo — taken by a DLD-approved fingerprint vendor or a law enforcement agency and delivered in a sealed envelope, for your first card only.
See the full process on the Driver License Division's DPC Original page.
Why Does Utah Take Fingerprints, and Who Sees Them?
Utah Code § 53-3-205.5 sends every new applicant's fingerprints to the state Bureau of Criminal Identification, which checks them against state and regional criminal databases and keeps them on file. The same law tells the bureau to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of any criminal history record or warrant it finds.
Before you apply
If you have ever been arrested or have an open warrant anywhere, talk to an immigration attorney before submitting fingerprints. The law requires the state to report criminal history and warrant information to ICE.
You submit fingerprints once. A renewal applicant only sends them if they were never submitted before (Utah Code § 53-3-205.5).
How Much Does a Utah Driving Privilege Card Cost?
An original Utah Driving Privilege Card costs $32 plus a non-refundable $30 fingerprint processing fee at your appointment, or $62 in total. Each yearly renewal costs $23, because the card expires on your birthday in the first year after it is issued. The fingerprint vendor or police agency may charge a separate fee.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Driving Privilege Card | $32 |
| Fingerprint processing (paid to the Driver License Division) | $30, non-refundable |
| Yearly renewal | $23, non-refundable |
| Fingerprinting by a vendor or agency | Set by the vendor |
The $32 and $23 amounts are set in Utah Code § 53-3-105; the $30 fingerprint fee is listed on the DLD's DPC page.
How Do I Apply Step by Step?
Applying takes 5 steps: get a learner permit first if you have never been licensed anywhere, get fingerprints and a photo, apply online and book a Driver License Division appointment, pass the eye test and the English-only knowledge test, then pass the driving skills test. The card arrives by mail in about 4 to 6 weeks.
- Step 1: If you have never held a license anywhere, apply for a learner permit first and complete its requirements.
- Step 2: Get your fingerprints and photo from an approved vendor or law enforcement agency.
- Step 3: Apply online and schedule an appointment at a Driver License Division office.
- Step 4: At the appointment, take a photo, present documents, pass the eye test, and pay $32 plus the $30 fingerprint fee. The knowledge test is 50 questions closed-book if you've never been licensed, or 25 questions open-book if you have a license from another state or country.
- Step 5: First-time drivers complete the online Traffic Safety and Trends exam (100% to pass), then pass the driving skills test at the DLD or with a third-party tester.
English only
Utah gives every knowledge test in English, and translation materials are not allowed. Study the Utah Driver Handbook in English before your appointment.
How Do I Renew a Utah Driving Privilege Card?
You renew a Utah Driving Privilege Card in person every year, because it expires on your birthday in the first year after it is issued. You can renew up to 6 months early, online renewal isn't available, and the $23 fee is non-refundable. Bring 2 new address proofs if you moved and didn't update your address online.
You may have to retake the 25-question knowledge test if your card was suspended, expired more than 6 months ago, or you got more than one citation. Details are on the DLD's DPC Renewal page.
What Can You Do With a Utah Driving Privilege Card?
A Utah Driving Privilege Card lets you drive a regular Class D vehicle legally in Utah and buy auto insurance. It cannot be used as identification by any Utah government entity, as proof of age, at TSA checkpoints, or for a commercial license or motorcycle endorsement, and it does not prove immigration status or work authorization.
- Drive legally in Utah and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
You cannot use it to:
- Prove your identity or age to a Utah government office
- Board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal building
- Drive a motorcycle or commercial vehicle
- Prove immigration status or eligibility to work
Out of state, Wyoming treats any license or privilege card issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, Florida and Tennessee restrict some of them, and Georgia bars drivers without lawful status. See which states restrict these licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ITIN for a Utah Driving Privilege Card?
Yes, if you aren't eligible for a Social Security number. Utah's Driver License Division says applicants who can't get an SSN must obtain an ITIN from the IRS before applying.
Can I take the Utah driving test in Spanish?
No. Utah gives all knowledge tests in English only, and translation materials are not allowed during the test.
How long is a Utah Driving Privilege Card valid?
About 1 year. It expires on your birthday in the first year after it is issued or renewed, and each renewal costs $23.
Does Utah share my fingerprints with immigration authorities?
Utah sends your fingerprints to the state Bureau of Criminal Identification, which checks criminal databases. State law requires the bureau to notify ICE of any criminal history record or warrant it finds.
Is Utah ending the Driving Privilege Card?
Not as of October 2026. A 2026 bill, H.B. 287, would have stopped issuing new cards, but Utah Code as amended through July 2026 still provides for the card and its fees.
Which Other States Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Utah is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Utah's card is among the most restrictive: it requires an ITIN and fingerprints, lasts 1 year, and can't be used as ID. Nearby Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico also issue licenses, with their own rules.
For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →