41-6a-509.  Driver license suspension or revocation for a driving under the influence violation.

(1) 

Terms Used In Utah Code 41-6a-509

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Assessment: means an in-depth clinical interview with a licensed mental health therapist:
(i) used to determine if a person is in need of:
(A) substance abuse treatment that is obtained at a substance abuse program;
(B) an educational series; or
(C) a combination of Subsections (1)(b)(i)(A) and (B); and
(ii) that is approved by the Division of Integrated Healthcare in accordance with Section 26B-5-104. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Conviction: means any conviction arising from a separate episode of driving for a violation of:
    (i) driving under the influence under Section 41-6a-502;
    (ii) 
    (A) for an offense committed before July 1, 2008, alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving under Sections 41-6a-512 and 41-6a-528; or
    (B) for an offense committed on or after July 1, 2008, impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Driving under the influence court: means a court that is approved as a driving under the influence court by the Judicial Council according to standards established by the Judicial Council. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Educational series: means an educational series obtained at a substance abuse program that is approved by the Division of Integrated Healthcare in accordance with Section 26B-5-104. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Guardian: includes a person who:Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • motor vehicle: includes :
    (A) an off-highway vehicle as defined under Section 41-22-2; and
    (B) a motorboat as defined in Section 73-18-2. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Operator: means :
    (a) a human driver, as defined in Section 41-26-102. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Person: means a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, governmental agency, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Screening: means a preliminary appraisal of a person:
    (i) used to determine if the person is in need of:
    (A) an assessment; or
    (B) an educational series; and
    (ii) that is approved by the Division of Integrated Healthcare in accordance with Section 26B-5-104. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Substance abuse treatment: means treatment obtained at a substance abuse program that is approved by the Division of Integrated Healthcare in accordance with Section 26B-5-104. See Utah Code 41-6a-501
  • Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except a mobile carrier, as defined in Section 41-6a-1120, or a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
  • (a)  The Driver License Division shall, if the person is 21 years old or older at the time of arrest:

    (i)  suspend for a period of 120 days the operator‘s license of a person convicted for the first time under Section 41-6a-502 or 76-5-102.1; or

    (ii)  revoke for a period of two years the license of a person if:

    (A)  the person has a prior conviction as defined under Subsection 41-6a-501(2); and

    (B)  the current violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 is committed within a period of 10 years from the date of the prior violation.

    (b) 

    (i)  If a person elects to become an interlock restricted driver under Subsection 53-3-223(10)(a), the Driver License Division may not suspend the operator’s license for a violation of Section 41-6a-502 as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) unless the person fails to complete 120 days of the interlock restriction.

    (ii)  If a person elects to become an interlock restricted driver under Subsection 53-3-223(10)(a), and the person fails to complete the full 120 days of interlock restriction, the Driver License Division:

    (A)  shall suspend the operator’s license as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for a period of 120 days from the date the ignition interlock system was removed from the vehicle; and

    (B)  may not reduce the 120-day suspension for any days the person was compliant with the interlock restriction under Subsection 53-3-223(10)(a).

    (c) 

    (i)  If a person elects to become an interlock restricted driver under Subsection 41-6a-521(7), the Driver License Division may not suspend the operator’s license for a violation of Section 41-6a-502 as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) unless the person fails to complete three years of the interlock restriction under Subsection 41-6a-521(7).

    (ii)  If a person elects to become an interlock restricted driver under Subsection 41-6a-521(7), and the person fails to complete the full three years of interlock restriction, the Driver License Division:

    (A)  shall suspend the operator’s license as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for a period of 120 days from the date the ignition interlock system was removed from the vehicle; and

    (B)  may not reduce the 120-day suspension for any days the person was compliant with the interlock restriction under Subsection 41-6a-521(7).
  • (2)  The Driver License Division shall, if the person is 19 years old or older but under 21 years old at the time of arrest:

    (a)  suspend the person’s driver license until the person is 21 years old or for a period of one year, whichever is longer, if the person is convicted for the first time of a violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 of an offense that was committed on or after July 1, 2011;

    (b)  deny the person’s application for a license or learner’s permit until the person is 21 years old or for a period of one year, whichever is longer, if the person:

    (i)  is convicted for the first time of a violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 of an offense committed on or after July 1, 2011; and

    (ii)  has not been issued an operator license;

    (c)  revoke the person’s driver license until the person is 21 years old or for a period of two years, whichever is longer, if:

    (i)  the person has a prior conviction as defined under Subsection 41-6a-501(2); and

    (ii)  the current violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 is committed within a period of 10 years from the date of the prior violation; or

    (d)  deny the person’s application for a license or learner’s permit until the person is 21 years old or for a period of two years, whichever is longer, if:

    (i)  the person has a prior conviction as defined under Subsection 41-6a-501(2);

    (ii)  the current violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 is committed within a period of 10 years from the date of the prior violation; and

    (iii)  the person has not been issued an operator license.

    (3)  The Driver License Division shall, if the person is under 19 years old at the time of arrest:

    (a)  suspend the person’s driver license until the person is 21 years old if the person is convicted for the first time of a violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207;

    (b)  deny the person’s application for a license or learner’s permit until the person is 21 years old if the person:

    (i)  is convicted for the first time of a violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207; and

    (ii)  has not been issued an operator license;

    (c)  revoke the person’s driver license until the person is 21 years old if:

    (i)  the person has a prior conviction as defined under Subsection 41-6a-501(2); and

    (ii)  the current violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 is committed within a period of 10 years from the date of the prior violation; or

    (d)  deny the person’s application for a license or learner’s permit until the person is 21 years old if:

    (i)  the person has a prior conviction as defined under Subsection 41-6a-501(2);

    (ii)  the current violation under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 is committed within a period of 10 years from the date of the prior violation; and

    (iii)  the person has not been issued an operator license.

    (4)  The Driver License Division shall suspend or revoke the license of a person as ordered by the court under Subsection (9).

    (5)  The Driver License Division shall subtract from any suspension or revocation period the number of days for which a license was previously suspended under Section 53-3-223 or 53-3-231, if the previous suspension was based on the same occurrence upon which the record of conviction is based.

    (6)  If a conviction recorded as impaired driving is amended to a driving under the influence conviction under Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 in accordance with Subsection 41-6a-502.5(3)(a)(ii), the Driver License Division:

    (a)  may not subtract from any suspension or revocation any time for which a license was previously suspended or revoked under Section 53-3-223 or 53-3-231; and

    (b)  shall start the suspension or revocation time under Subsection (1) on the date of the amended conviction.

    (7)  A court that reported a conviction of a violation of Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 for a violation that occurred on or after July 1, 2009, to the Driver License Division may shorten the suspension period imposed under Subsection (2)(a) or (b) or Subsection (3)(a) or (b) prior to completion of the suspension period if the person:

    (a)  completes at least six months of the license suspension;

    (b)  completes a screening;

    (c)  completes an assessment, if it is found appropriate by a screening under Subsection (7)(b);

    (d)  completes substance abuse treatment if it is found appropriate by the assessment under Subsection (7)(c);

    (e)  completes an educational series if substance abuse treatment is not required by an assessment under Subsection (7)(c) or the court does not order substance abuse treatment;

    (f)  has not been convicted of a violation of any motor vehicle law in which the person was involved as the operator of the vehicle during the suspension period imposed under Subsection (2)(a) or (b) or Subsection (3)(a) or (b);

    (g)  has complied with all the terms of the person’s probation or all orders of the court if not ordered to probation; and

    (h) 

    (i)  is 18 years old or older and provides a sworn statement to the court that the person has not unlawfully consumed alcohol during the suspension period imposed under Subsection (2)(a) or (b) or Subsection (3)(a) or (b); or

    (ii)  is under 18 years old and has the person’s parent or legal guardian provide an affidavit or sworn statement to the court certifying that to the parent or legal guardian‘s knowledge the person has not unlawfully consumed alcohol during the suspension period imposed under Subsection (2)(a) or (b) or Subsection (3)(a) or (b).

    (8)  If the court shortens a person’s license suspension period in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (7), the court shall forward the order shortening the person’s suspension period to the Driver License Division in a manner specified by the division prior to the completion of the suspension period imposed under Subsection (2)(a) or (b) or Subsection (3)(a) or (b).

    (9) 

    (a) 

    (i)  In addition to any other penalties provided in this section, a court may order the operator’s license of a person who is convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207 to be suspended or revoked for an additional period of 90 days, 120 days, 180 days, one year, or two years to remove from the highways those persons who have shown they are safety hazards.

    (ii)  The additional suspension or revocation period provided in this Subsection (9) shall begin the date on which the individual would be eligible to reinstate the individual’s driving privilege for a violation of Section 41-6a-502, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207.

    (b)  If the court suspends or revokes the person’s license under this Subsection (9), the court shall prepare and send to the Driver License Division an order to suspend or revoke that person’s driving privileges for a specified period of time.

    (10) 

    (a)  The court shall notify the Driver License Division if a person fails to complete all court ordered:

    (i)  screenings;

    (ii)  assessments;

    (iii)  educational series;

    (iv)  substance abuse treatment; and

    (v)  hours of work in a compensatory-service work program.

    (b)  Subject to Subsection 53-3-218(3), upon receiving the notification described in Subsection (10)(a), the division shall suspend the person’s driving privilege in accordance with Subsection 53-3-221(2).

    (11) 

    (a)  A court that reported a conviction of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 to the Driver License Division may shorten the suspension or revocation period imposed under Subsection (1) before completion of the suspension or revocation period if the person:

    (i)  is participating in or has successfully completed a 24-7 sobriety program as defined in Section 41-6a-515.5; or

    (ii) 

    (A)  is participating in or has successfully completed a problem solving court program approved by the Judicial Council, including a driving under the influence court program or a drug court program; and

    (B)  has elected to become an interlock restricted driver as a condition of probation during the remainder of the person’s suspension or revocation period in accordance with Section 41-6a-518.

    (b)  If a court shortens a person’s license suspension or revocation period in accordance with the requirements of this Subsection (11), the court shall forward the order shortening the person’s suspension or revocation period to the Driver License Division in a manner specified by the division.

    (c)  The court shall notify the Driver License Division, in a manner specified by the Driver License Division, if a person fails to complete or comply with a condition that allowed the court to shorten the person’s license suspension or revocation period under Subsection (11)(a).

    (d) 

    (i) 

    (A)  Upon receiving the notification described in Subsection (11)(c), for a first offense, the division shall suspend the person’s driving privilege for a period of 120 days from the date of notice.

    (B)  For a suspension described under Subsection (11)(d)(i)(A), no days shall be subtracted from the 120-day suspension period for which a driving privilege was previously suspended under this section or Section 53-3-223, if the previous suspension was based on the same occurrence upon which the conviction under Section 41-6a-502 is based.

    (ii) 

    (A)  Upon receiving the notification described in Subsection (11)(c), for a second or subsequent offense, the division shall revoke the person’s driving privilege for a period of two years from the date of notice.

    (B)  For a license revocation described in Subsection (11)(d)(ii)(A), no days shall be subtracted from the two-year revocation period for which a driving privilege was previously revoked under this section or Section 53-3-223, if the previous revocation was based on the same occurrence upon which the conviction under Section 41-6a-502 is based.

    Amended by Chapter 239, 2023 General Session
    Amended by Chapter 384, 2023 General Session