Riding in Utah: rules for visiting riders
A quick, plain-words guide to Utah's motorcycle rules for riders coming from out of state. It's a summary, not legal advice: check the official sources linked at the bottom before you ride.
Helmets
- Utah requires a helmet only for riders and passengers under 21. The helmet must meet the US DOT standard (Parker & McConkie).
- Riders 21 and over can legally ride without one. We recommend wearing one anyway.
Eye protection
- You need goggles, a face shield or shatter-resistant glasses unless the bike has a windscreen that meets state specs (Parker & McConkie).
Lane filtering (not lane splitting)
Utah allows limited lane filtering. All of these must be true (Parker & McConkie): - the road has two or more lanes going your direction, - the posted limit is 45 mph or less, - the traffic you pass is completely stopped, - you go 15 mph or slower, and it's safe.
Splitting lanes between moving traffic is illegal. The filtering law is set to expire on July 1, 2027 unless lawmakers extend it (Parker & McConkie).
Passengers and riding together
- A passenger needs a proper seat and footrests. Passengers under 21 need a DOT helmet.
- No more than two motorcycles side by side in one lane (Parker & McConkie).
Licensing
- Utah residents need a Class M motorcycle endorsement (Parker & McConkie).
- Visiting from another state or country? Rules for out-of-state and international licenses come from the Utah Driver License Division. Check with them before your trip; we don't guess on this one.
Insurance minimums
Utah's minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (Parker & McConkie).
National parks on a motorcycle
- Zion: $30 per motorcycle, valid 7 days (NPS).
- Non-US residents 16+: an extra $100 per person at Zion, Bryce Canyon and other listed parks from 2026, unless you hold an annual America the Beautiful pass (NPS, TownLift).
- Arches: no timed entry in 2026, pass still required (TownLift).
Before you ride
- Utah has big elevation swings: Scenic Byway 12 alone runs from 5,223 to 9,636 feet (Visit Utah). Pack layers and drink water.
- Cell service drops out in Capitol Reef and on long desert stretches. Download offline maps.
Official sources
- Utah Driver License Division (licenses, endorsements, visiting riders)
- Utah Code 41-6a-1505 (helmets) and 41-6a-704 (lane filtering)
- National Park Service fee pages for each park