Utah Considers Suspending Licenses for Drivers Caught Without Insurance

Proposed bill aims to crack down on uninsured drivers and make it a bigger deterrent.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:07am

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Utah lawmakers are debating a bill that would increase the penalties for drivers caught operating a vehicle without insurance. The proposed legislation would suspend the licenses of uninsured drivers and prevent them from renewing or obtaining a new license until they can prove they have the required auto insurance coverage.

Why it matters

The bill is aimed at addressing a growing problem in the state, where police have encountered too many cases of uninsured drivers causing accidents and leaving victims to cover the costs. Proponents believe tougher penalties will serve as a stronger deterrent against driving without insurance.

The details

The current Utah law imposes a class C misdemeanor and a minimum $400 fine for driving without insurance. The proposed bill would add the penalty of license suspension, which would remain in effect until the driver can demonstrate they have obtained the necessary insurance coverage. The bill also states that if drivers later show they have insurance, most of the fee can be waived, but they cannot cancel their insurance for three years.

  • The bill, known as HB 24, is currently being debated in committee meetings on Capitol Hill.
  • If passed, the new law would go into effect on May 6.

The players

Ryan Wilcox

A Republican state representative from District 7, covering the northern part of Weber County, who is the sponsor of the proposed bill.

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What they’re saying

“Not only are they now dealing with the terrible tragedy of losing a family member in an accident, or the other ones being permanently harmed, they're also having to cover the costs.”

— Ryan Wilcox, State Representative (KSL)

What’s next

The bill has not yet gone to the floor for a vote, but if passed, it would become law on May 6.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to address the growing problem of uninsured drivers in Utah by imposing tougher penalties, including license suspension, in an effort to deter people from operating vehicles without the required insurance coverage.