New Law in Effect for Impaired Drivers
12 January 2026
Utah is tightening enforcement on impaired driving with a new extreme DUI law that took effect January 1, 2026.
Under HB 437, anyone convicted of an extreme DUI, defined as a BAC of 0.16 or higher, will automatically be labeled an “interdicted person” and barred from buying alcohol for a court-ordered period. Judges can also apply the designation in some standard DUI cases.
Interdicted individuals must surrender their current ID and obtain a new one marked with a red “NO ALCOHOL SALE” banner. The new law requires all alcohol retailers to check IDs for every customer, regardless of age appearance, making enforcement consistent statewide.
The change builds on Utah’s already strict 0.05% BAC limit, adding identification barriers aimed at keeping alcohol out of the hands of restricted drivers.
Utah is tightening enforcement on impaired driving with a new extreme DUI law that took effect January 1, 2026.
Under HB 437, anyone convicted of an extreme DUI, defined as a BAC of 0.16 or higher, will automatically be labeled an “interdicted person” and barred from buying alcohol for a court-ordered period. Judges can also apply the designation in some standard DUI cases.
Interdicted individuals must surrender their current ID and obtain a new one marked with a red “NO ALCOHOL SALE” banner. The new law requires all alcohol retailers to check IDs for every customer, regardless of age appearance, making enforcement consistent statewide.
The change builds on Utah’s already strict 0.05% BAC limit, adding identification barriers aimed at keeping alcohol out of the hands of restricted drivers.
