Key points
If you are in a crash, stop immediately; not remaining at the scene can bring severe penalties.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“stop immediately. You may be penalized severely for not remaining at the scene of a crash in which you are involved.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65Failing to remain at a crash can bring up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $2500.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“In addition, you may receive a jail sentence of up to one year, a fine of up to $2500, or both.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65Failing to stop at an injury crash is a third degree felony.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“It is a third-degree felony for a person to fail to stop at the scene of an injury crash.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65Call 911 immediately for a crash with injuries, death, or at least $2500 in property damage.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“If the crash results in injuries, death, or at least $2500 in total property damage, you must notify law enforcement (911) immediately.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65In a damage only crash, you may move the vehicle out of travel lanes.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“may move the vehicle as soon as possible out of the travel lanes on any roadway to an adjacent shoulder”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65Exchange your name, address, vehicle registration number and insurance information.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“Your name and address. • Vehicle registration number. • Your insurance information, including the agent or provider’s name and phone number.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 65Knowingly driving without owner's security (insurance) is a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“Anyone who knowingly operates a motor vehicle or permits one to be operated without owner’s security is guilty of a class B misdemeanor”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 68You may show proof of insurance to an officer on a mobile device.
Source: Handbook p. 69
“You can provide proof of insurance to a peace officer electronically using a mobile electronic device.”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 69Future proof of financial responsibility must be kept for 3 years.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“This proof must be maintained for three years following the date of the suspension or revocation”
Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 68
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year / $2500 | maximum jail and fine for leaving a crash scene | Handbook p. 65 |
| $2500 | property damage that requires calling police | Handbook p. 65 |
| 911 | number to call for a reportable crash | Handbook p. 65 |
| 3 years | how long future proof of financial responsibility must be kept | Handbook p. 68 |
3 questions from the Utah practice test
1. Your vehicle is disabled on a Utah road. How far behind it does the handbook say to place emergency flares or triangles?
- Right at the rear bumper
- About 50 feet behind
- About 100 feet behind
- 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle
Show answer
200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. Warning devices only help if drivers see them early enough to react. The handbook says to put emergency flares or triangles 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle, which gives approaching traffic time to change lanes or slow down before they reach you. Placing them at the bumper gives no warning, and 50 or 100 feet is too close for traffic moving at highway speed to react. Get the vehicle as far off the road as possible first, turn on the hazard flashers, and stay away from the traffic side while you set the devices.
2. What does the Utah handbook say you should never do for an extended period of time?
- Drive with a spare tire that is smaller than the other tires
- Drive with the high beam indicator light on
- Drive on a soft or flat tire or with a brake that is dragging
- Drive with the parking brake released on a downgrade
Show answer
Drive on a soft or flat tire or with a brake that is dragging. A soft or flat tire overheats and can come apart, and a dragging brake overheats and can fail, so the handbook says never to drive for an extended period on either. Both are equipment problems that get worse with every mile and can end in a loss of control. A compact spare, a lit high beam indicator, or a released parking brake on a grade are not the conditions the handbook singles out with this warning. Pull off safely, fix the tire or have the brake checked, and do not try to nurse the vehicle home.
3. May a Utah driver back up on a freeway or interstate after missing an exit?
- Yes, on the shoulder only
- No; never back up on a freeway or interstate
- Yes, if no traffic is behind you
- Yes, for less than 100 feet
Show answer
No; never back up on a freeway or interstate. Backing on a freeway puts a slow or reversing vehicle in front of traffic moving at 70 mph or more, and the handbook forbids it outright: do not back up on a freeway or interstate. The shoulder, an empty mirror, and a short distance do not make it legal or safe. If you miss an exit, continue to the next one and come back. The same rule covers the exit gore area, where stopping and backing are also prohibited.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Utah practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Utah Driver Handbook, Section 12: Crashes and Insurance. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.