Utah criminal charge
Prohibited uses of license certificate in Utah
Prohibited uses of license certificate is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229.
What is the penalty for prohibited uses of license certificate in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Prohibited license certificate uses (general) — An individual lends, misrepresents, refuses to surrender, falsifies information for, displays invalid as valid, acquires/uses/displays/transfers non-authentic, or alters a driver license certificate as described in (1)(a)-(g).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Prohibited license certificate uses (general) — An individual lends, misrepresents, refuses to surrender, falsifies information for, displays invalid as valid, acquires/uses/displays/transfers non-authentic, or alters a driver license certificate as described in (1)(a)-(g).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Issuing fraudulent or improperly distinguished license certificate — An individual knowingly issues a driver license certificate with false/fraudulent information, issues one to an under-21 individual without the required distinguishing mark, or uses a false/altered certificate to procure tobacco, e-cigarette, or nicotine products.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Issuing fraudulent or improperly distinguished license certificate — An individual knowingly issues a driver license certificate with false/fraudulent information, issues one to an under-21 individual without the required distinguishing mark, or uses a false/altered certificate to procure tobacco, e-cigarette, or nicotine products.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (False/altered license certificate used to further fraud or violent felony — An individual's acquisition, use, display, or transfer of a false or altered driver license certificate aids or furthers fraudulently obtaining goods or services, or aids or furthers commission of a violent felony.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (False/altered license certificate used to further fraud or violent felony — An individual's acquisition, use, display, or transfer of a false or altered driver license certificate aids or furthers fraudulently obtaining goods or services, or aids or furthers commission of a violent felony.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is prohibited uses of license certificate classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited license certificate uses (general) | Class C Misdemeanor | An individual lends, misrepresents, refuses to surrender, falsifies information for, displays invalid as valid, acquires/uses/displays/transfers non-authentic, or alters a driver license certificate as described in (1)(a)-(g). | Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(1) |
| Issuing fraudulent or improperly distinguished license certificate | Class A Misdemeanor | An individual knowingly issues a driver license certificate with false/fraudulent information, issues one to an under-21 individual without the required distinguishing mark, or uses a false/altered certificate to procure tobacco, e-cigarette, or nicotine products. | Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(3) |
| False/altered license certificate used to further fraud or violent felony | Third Degree Felony | An individual's acquisition, use, display, or transfer of a false or altered driver license certificate aids or furthers fraudulently obtaining goods or services, or aids or furthers commission of a violent felony. | Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(5) |
Common questions about prohibited uses of license certificate in Utah
Is prohibited uses of license certificate a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: prohibited uses of license certificate ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229.
Prohibited license certificate uses (general): Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(1)) · Issuing fraudulent or improperly distinguished license certificate: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(3)) · False/altered license certificate used to further fraud or violent felony: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229(5))
What are the penalties for prohibited uses of license certificate in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers prohibited uses of license certificate?
Prohibited uses of license certificate is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 53-3-229 (Prohibited uses of license certificate - Penalty).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.