Utah House Bill 437 (H.B. 437) went into effect on January 1st, 2026, and requires stores to check IDs every time someone purchases alcohol. This approach to the prevention of driving under the influence (DUI) aims to ensure that only legally approved individuals can buy alcohol.
The law also allows the court to prevent some individuals from purchasing alcohol after criminal convictions. These individuals will receive “interdicted” licenses that clerks will have to check when they attempt to make an alcohol purchase.
You can learn more about this law and its potential impacts on safety with a Salt Lake City DUI accident lawyer.
A New Approach to DUI Prevention in Utah: Explaining H.B. 437
Utah recently updated its laws regarding identification requirements for the purchase of alcohol through H.B. 437. This law aims to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road by striking at the source and preventing some individuals from purchasing alcohol.
Under this new law:
- Everyone must show ID to purchase alcohol
- Stores can no longer make age-based assumptions when selling alcohol
- The court may stop some offenders from purchasing alcohol
- Some individuals will receive an “interdicted” designation after a conviction, disallowing them from buying alcohol
Any individual with an interdiction will receive a new ID with a “No Alcohol Sale” label displayed across their photo. Anyone serving or selling alcohol should see the notation during the visual ID checks now required by the state.
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Who Has to Get an “Interdicted” License in Utah?
All interdicted drivers must get a special driver’s license or identification card that notes their status and includes a label making it clear that they cannot purchase alcohol. The court gets to decide who qualifies as an interdicted driver.
Generally, the court can designate anyone convicted of a DUI as an interdicted individual. Additionally, the court must issue this designation for anyone convicted of an extreme DUI.
What is an Extreme DUI in Utah?
Under Utah’s legal codes, individuals can face a conviction for an extreme DUI if they operate a motor vehicle with a BAC at or above 0.16, or a BAC at or above 0.05 and a measurable amount of a controlled substance.
Individuals can also face this charge if they drive while under the influence of two or more controlled substances that were not prescribed or recommended in accordance with specific state laws.
Can You Request an Interdicted License?
Individuals in Utah can voluntarily request and obtain an interdicted license or identification card. They will need to use this license for 30 days if they make this request voluntarily. Individuals facing challenges related to alcohol use may want to request this restriction.
You can learn more about Utah’s new approach to DUI prevention through Utah H.B 437 from a skilled legal team.
How Long Do Individuals Keep Their Interdicted Status?
The court determines how long an individual must remain interdicted. Generally, the court will base a decision on the severity of the charges the individual faces. As more DUI cases go through the court system, an attorney can provide more specific information about the average length of this restriction.
What Happens at the End of an Individual’s Interdiction?
After the legal interdiction period expires, individuals will need to apply for a duplicate license or identification card. Utah will not automatically provide individuals with a new license free of the interdiction.
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How H.B. 437 Supports Other Drunk Driving Laws in Utah
Utah has the strictest blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in the country, under the 0.05 BAC Law established in 2017. Other states have a 0.08 BAC limit, with Utah being the first to lower this limit in an attempt to combat drinking and driving.
H.B. 437 serves as another law that aims to minimize the dangers of drunk drivers by preventing some individuals from purchasing alcohol in the first place. An attorney can give you more information about all of Utah’s laws related to drunk driving.
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Talk to Us and Learn More About Drunk Driving Laws in Utah
Are you ready to have Utah H.B. 437 explained to review a new approach to DUI prevention? Our team at Siegfried & Jensen can give you more information about drunk driving laws in Utah, and we can also assist if you or a loved one sustained injuries in a collision caused by an impaired driver.
Our team has decades of combined experience, and we’re ready to provide the dedicated support your family deserves after a crash. We can take charge, explain your legal options, and focus on ensuring you get fair compensation to cover all of your losses.
We’ve secured over $1.2 billion in funds for injury victims who turn to us for help, and we’re ready to assess your situation right now. Don’t hesitate, contact us to learn more about how we can build your claim.
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