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License Suspension After a DUI in Utah

  • Jan 12
  • 3 min read

A DUI arrest doesn’t just put you at risk of criminal penalties - it can also lead to losing your driver’s license. In Utah, license suspension can happen quickly, and many people don’t realize how short the timeline is or what steps they must take to protect their ability to drive.



Here’s what you need to know about license suspension after a DUI in Utah.


Administrative License Suspension (DLD)

After a DUI arrest, the Utah Driver License Division (DLD) can suspend your license even before your criminal case is resolved.

The officer typically takes your physical license at the time of the arrest and issues a temporary driving permit.

You have only 10 days to request a hearing.

If you don’t request a hearing within this window, your license will be automatically suspended — without the ability to appeal the DLD’s decision.

This process is closely connected to What Happens at a DUI Court Hearing in Utah, since both involve separate legal proceedings that affect your overall case.


How Long Is the Suspension for a First DUI?

For adults 21 and older:

  • 120-day suspension for a first DUI

  • 18 months if you refuse a chemical test (under implied consent laws)

Understanding First DUI Penalties in Utah: What You Need to Know can help explain how these penalties compare to court sentencing outcomes.

For drivers under 21:

  • Suspension periods can be longer depending on the situation


License Suspension for a Test Refusal

Refusing a breath or blood test triggers harsher penalties:

  • 18-month suspension for the first refusal

  • 36-month suspension for a second refusal


This ties directly into Can I Refuse a Breathalyzer? What Utah Drivers Need to Know, since refusal carries separate consequences from a standard DUI arrest.

These penalties apply even if the DUI case itself hasn’t been decided yet, and in some circumstances even if the DUI is dismissed.


What Happens at the DLD Hearing?

The DLD hearing is separate from your court case. At this hearing, the officer and hearing officer review:

  • Why you were stopped

  • Whether the arrest was lawful

  • Whether you refused or failed a chemical test

  • The evidence supporting impairment

An attorney can challenge the stop, procedures, or test accuracy to help you keep your license. This is often part of a broader defense strategy outlined in How to Get a DUI Reduced or Dismissed in Utah.


Can You Drive During the Suspension?

In some cases, you may qualify for:

  • A restricted license

  • An ignition interlock device (IID) requirement

  • Driving privileges for work, school, or treatment

Eligibility depends on the specifics of your case and may be influenced by early actions taken after What to Do After a DUI Arrest.


How an Attorney Can Help Protect Your License

A DUI attorney can:

  • Request the DLD hearing on your behalf

  • Challenge the basis for the stop

  • Question testing procedures

  • Present evidence that supports keeping your license

  • Help you understand restricted license options

Legal strategy here often overlaps with issues in How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record, since long-term consequences can affect insurance and driving history.


Facing a License Suspension After a DUI? We Can Help.


At Aspen Legal Services, we help clients across Utah and Salt Lake City fight license suspensions, challenge test results, and work toward the best possible outcomes in both DLD hearings and DUI court cases.


If you’re at risk of losing your license, reach out as soon as possible. Your 10-day window matters.




 
 
 

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