To apply for a Utah learner permit, you need to be at least 15 years old. So if you‘re looking for an exciting activity for your 15th birthday, heading to a

Department of Public Safety (DPS) office

has to be near the top of the list.

Of course, before you can get a driver’s license, you need to follow all the steps required by state law—which starts with getting a learner’s permit. Unlike some states, there’s no requirement to have taken a driver's education course before applying, though you need to learn about the laws of the road before arriving at the DPS.

Studying might not seem like as much fun as driving, but it’s actually very important—part of the application process in Utah is to take a 50-question written test to prove that you have a good understanding of safe and legal driving. So before you turn 15, you should spend some time getting to know the

Utah Driver Handbook

This document has all the answers to the questions you’ll get asked, covering rules of the road, how to avoid crashes, tips for sharing the road with other users, and challenges specific to living in a state like Utah—including desert driving and driving in very hot weather.

When you’re confident that you’ve done enough prep, you can take a

free online practice exam

to get an idea of how you’d do in the real thing.

While at the DPS appointment, you will also need to pass an eye test and will have your photo taken, so make sure you’re ready for that too—your picture will appear on your learner permit!

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What to bring to DPS

To get started with this process, you need to complete the driver's

license application

, after which you will be directed to schedule a learner permit appointment at your local DPS office.

These are the

documents

you’ll need to bring with you:

Proof of identity - Something that shows your name and date of birth, like a passport or birth certificate

Social security card

Two documents showing your Utah residence address - Your

proof of residency in Utah

can be a vehicle title or school transcript as well as the usual bank statements, credit card bills, and utility bills.

You’ll also need to take a parent or legal guardian to sign for financial responsibility if you’re under 17 years old. And finally, you (or your parent or legal guardian) will need to pay a non-refundable $19 fee, which covers up to three attempts to pass the written test within one year. After three failed attempts, you’d need to pay again.

So, don’t forget that you need to have studied that Utah Driver Handbook before arriving so that you’re ready to ace the test!

MORE: How education level affects car insurance

Utah learner’s permit regulations

So, you took all the right documents and you passed the eye test and written test. You got your learner permit! But what exactly does this allow you to do?

If you’re between 15 and 17 years old, you can only drive a regular motor vehicle if:

An approved driving instructor, parent, or legal guardian is sitting next to you.

The responsible adult who signed for your financial responsibility is sitting next to you.

You have the learner permit with you.

You are allowed to have other passengers in the vehicle, as long as these conditions are met.

Also, if you’re 15 or 16, you can only drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. if you’re accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21 or if the driving is in connection with your employment or school, or in an emergency.

You need to have had your permit for more than six months to be able to move up to a full driver's license in Utah, and also need to be at least 16 years old to apply. For that, you’ll need to take a driver’s education course, including a written knowledge and driving skills test.

MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers

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