UtahUtah law sets penalties for leaving accident scenes and DUI license hearings
Starting July 1, 2026, Utah law sets penalties for leaving accident scenes and gives people notified of certain DUI-related license actions 45 days to be offered a hearing.
What it does
Drivers who leave an accident may face higher offense levels when they have certain prior convictions or the crash causes serious injury or death. A report within six hours can prevent increases based on past convictions.
For specified convictions involving leaving an accident, courts must impose minimum sentences and fines, and may require people to repay impound, towing, and storage costs.
People notified of possible license action after certain DUI arrests must request a hearing within 10 days. If they request one, the division must offer an opportunity to be heard within 45 days of arrest.
Officers must seize a vehicle when they have probable cause to link its operator to a road rage offense and arrest the operator in connection with it. A qualifying owner may take the vehicle at the scene.
Argument forDrivers who report an accident within six hours may avoid penalty increases based on past convictions, and later reports may help when a judge sets a sentence.
Argument againstPeople convicted after certain earlier offenses could face felony charges, minimum jail time, fines, and accident-related costs, making the consequences especially serious.
More detail
Drivers who leave an accident may face higher offense levels in specified cases. The rules cover drivers who fail to meet their duties after an accident involving property damage, injury, or death. Offense levels depend on the outcome and, in some cases, specified convictions within the previous 10 years. For property damage, a report to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within six hours prevents increases based on prior convictions. For accidents involving injury or death, this exception does not remove penalties based on the injury, serious injury, or death. A report at any time may be considered when the court sets a sentence. The six-hour reporting period starts when the accident occurs.
Courts must impose specified sentences and costs for certain convictions involving leaving an accident scene. These rules cover people convicted of specified repeat offenses involving property damage or offenses involving injury or death. The required sentence depends on the offense level and conviction history. For a covered class A misdemeanor, the court must impose at least two days in jail or 48 hours of community service, a fine of at least $700, and payment or repayment of required impound, towing, and storage costs. For a covered third degree felony, the court must impose at least 10 days in jail, or at least five days in jail plus at least 30 days of monitored home confinement, as well as a fine of at least $800, probation, and required costs. For a covered second degree felony, the court must impose one of the listed minimum sentences, a fine of at least $800, probation, and required costs. Some jail time may be suspended for a person who joins a 24-7 sobriety program and meets its requirements.
The Driver License Division must provide an opportunity for a hearing after certain DUI-related arrests and license notices. These rules cover people notified of possible license revocation or suspension after certain arrests for DUI or underage alcohol-related driving. A person must request a hearing in writing within 10 calendar days after a peace officer gives notice. If no hearing is requested, the listed license action begins on the 60th day after arrest. Its length depends on the person's age and, in some cases, earlier offenses. The 45-day period is a deadline to provide an opportunity to be heard, not a guarantee that every person will have a hearing. The hearing opportunity is due within 45 days after arrest. If no hearing is requested, the listed license action begins on the 60th day after arrest.
Peace officers must seize a vehicle when they have probable cause to believe its operator took part in a road rage event and arrested the operator in connection with it. This rule applies to vehicles whose operators are arrested in connection with a criminal offense committed in response to a roadway incident, with intent to endanger or intimidate someone in another vehicle. An officer may release the vehicle to its registered owner if that owner is not the person arrested and is immediately available at the arrest location to take possession.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ to House
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 5House/ to Senate
- Mar 5House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 5House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423S05
- Mar 5Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 5Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ substituted
- Mar 5Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 5LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423S05
- Mar 5LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423S05
- Mar 5LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423S05
- Mar 5Senate/ circled
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ motion to reconsider
- Mar 5Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 5Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423S04
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423S04
- Mar 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423S04
- Mar 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423S04
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423S03
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423S03
- Feb 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Major
- Feb 26LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423S03
- Feb 26LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423S03
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423S02
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423S02
- Feb 24Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20House/ to Senate
- Feb 20House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 20House/ substituted
- Feb 20House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 19LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423S02
- Feb 19LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423S02
- Feb 18LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423S01
- Feb 18LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423S01
- Feb 12House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Revenue and Taxation Committee]
- Feb 12House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Revenue and Taxation Committee]Minor
- Feb 12House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Revenue and Taxation Committee]Major
- Feb 12LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423S01
- Feb 12LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423S01
- Feb 10House/ to standing committee [House Revenue and Taxation Committee]Minor
- Feb 2LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0423
- Feb 2LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0423
- Jan 29House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 29House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 29LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0423
- Jan 29LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0423
- Jan 29Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 29Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
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