UtahUtah law sets penalties for school-zone speeding and careless driving
Utah law sets infraction penalties for some school-zone speeding and careless driving, and describes when drivers must carry and show proof of insurance, starting May 6, 2026.
What it does
Drivers speeding in a reduced-speed school zone face an infraction unless they are going 30 miles per hour or more over the limit, which remains a misdemeanor.
Drivers who commit careless driving face an infraction. This covers certain repeated traffic violations over a short distance and moving violations committed while distracted by an unrelated activity inside the vehicle.
The law describes one offense that covers driving without required insurance and failing to carry and show proof when asked. Drivers may show proof on a phone, with exceptions for some government and employer vehicles.
Argument forDrivers cited for careless driving could face an infraction instead of a misdemeanor, which may mean a less serious penalty.
Argument againstDrivers who speed 30 miles per hour or more over the limit in a school zone could still face a misdemeanor and fines up to $960 for repeat offenses.
More detail
Speeding in a reduced-speed school zone is an infraction unless the driver is going 30 miles per hour or more over the limit. This applies in reduced-speed school zones, where the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. A speed of 30 miles per hour or more over the limit is a class C misdemeanor. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
A careless-driving violation is an infraction. Careless driving includes committing two or more moving traffic violations within three miles of continuous driving, or committing a moving violation outside the speed-restriction rules while distracted by an unrelated activity inside the vehicle. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
The law defines operating a motor vehicle without required insurance to include driving without carrying proof of insurance and failing to show it when an officer asks. This applies to people driving motor vehicles in Utah that are required to have insurance. A person charged for failing to show proof may defend the charge by showing that insurance was in effect at the time. Government vehicle drivers, and employees driving employer vehicles with permission, are exempt from this part of the offense. Drivers may show proof on a phone. An officer viewing it may not look at other content on the phone. The insurance database can prevent a citation or arrest when it shows the vehicle or driver is insured. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
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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 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 3House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 3Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 3Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 3Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 27House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 27Senate/ to House
- Feb 27Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Feb 27Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 27Senate/ placed back on 3rd Reading Calendar
- Feb 18Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 18Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 18Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 9Senate Comm - Not Considered [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
- Feb 6Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 3Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 3House/ to Senate
- Feb 3House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 3House/ floor amendment
- Feb 3House/ substituted
- Feb 3House/ uncircled
- Feb 3House/ circled
- Feb 3House/ uncircled
- Feb 3House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0024S02
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0024S02
- Jan 29LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0024S02
- Jan 29LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0024S02
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0024S01
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0024S01
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0024S01
- Jan 26LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0024S01
- Jan 26House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 26House/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Major
- Jan 23House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Major
- Jan 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0024S01
- Jan 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0024S01
- Jan 22House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 22LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0024
- Jan 20House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 19LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0024
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- 2025
- Dec 5LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0024
- Dec 5LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0024
- Dec 5Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 5Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
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