Utah Motorcycle Insurance Requirements 2026 | 25/65/15, Lane Filtering & No-Fault Exclusion

Quick Answer: What Are Utah's Motorcycle Insurance Requirements?

Utah requires all motorcycle operators to carry minimum liability insurance of 25/65/15 — $25,000 per injured person, $65,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. That unusual $65,000 aggregate is higher than most states' $50,000 per-accident limit.

Here's what makes Utah distinct for riders: Utah is a no-fault state for cars, but motorcycles are specifically excluded from no-fault PIP requirements. That means you don't pay for mandatory PIP as a motorcycle rider, but it also means your own medical expenses are not automatically covered — you'll need to add that protection separately.

Utah also became the first state to legalize lane filtering in 2019, allowing motorcycles to filter forward through stopped or slow traffic under specific conditions.

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Utah Motorcycle Insurance Requirements at a Glance

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Utah's No-Fault Exclusion for Motorcycles

Most Utah drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) under the state's no-fault system, which pays for their own medical costs regardless of fault. Motorcycle riders are explicitly excluded from this PIP requirement under Utah Code 31A-22-303.

What this means for riders:

• You don't have to pay for mandatory PIP coverage (a cost savings)
• But you also don't automatically get medical coverage if you're injured in an at-fault accident
• If another driver injures you, you can claim against their liability policy — but only if they're at fault
• If you're at fault in a single-vehicle accident or a collision where you're responsible, your own medical costs are not covered by any mandatory coverage

The solution: Adding Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage fills this gap. MedPay covers your medical expenses regardless of fault, typically in amounts from $1,000 to $25,000. Given that motorcycle injuries are often severe, many Utah riders include MedPay as a standard part of their policy.

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Minimum Coverage Breakdown

$25,000 Per-Person Bodily Injury

Covers medical costs for each individual you injure in an at-fault accident. A hospital admission, surgery, and rehabilitation following a serious collision can easily exceed $25,000 in Utah, where medical costs track with the national average.

$65,000 Per-Accident Bodily Injury

This is the aggregate cap for all people injured in a single accident. Utah's $65,000 floor is noticeably higher than the standard $50,000 found in most states. This reflects the legislature's judgment that multiple-injury accidents require higher coverage floors.

$15,000 Property Damage

The lowest of the three minimums — and the most likely to be insufficient. Modern vehicle repair costs routinely exceed $15,000 for significant damage. Riding near newer trucks and SUVs in Utah's growing metropolitan areas makes this limit easy to exhaust.

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Who Must Carry Motorcycle Insurance in Utah

Utah Code 41-12a-301 requires all registered motor vehicles operating on public roads to maintain continuous liability coverage. For motorcyclists, this applies to:

• All street-registered motorcycles in Utah
• Out-of-state riders operating on Utah roads must meet Utah's minimums
• Mopeds and motorized bicycles operating on public roads

Exemptions

• Off-road vehicles registered solely for off-highway use (not street legal)
• Motorcycles stored and not operated (though insurance typically continues for comprehensive coverage)

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Utah's Lane Filtering Law

In 2019, Utah became the first state to legalize lane filtering — the practice of moving a motorcycle forward through stopped or slow traffic. This is distinct from lane splitting (riding between lanes of moving traffic), which remains illegal.

Utah's lane filtering rules (Utah Code 41-6a-710.5):

• Road speed must be 45 mph or less
• Traffic must be stopped or traveling 10 mph or less
• Motorcycles may pass between lanes of same-direction traffic only
• The motorcycle must travel at no more than 15 mph while filtering
• Must be done on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction
• Rider must have a valid motorcycle license (Class M endorsement)

Insurance implications: Lane filtering is legal in Utah, but it changes the dynamics of any accident that occurs while filtering. Document your speed and compliance with filtering rules; insurers and courts consider whether you were within legal parameters when fault is assessed.

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Helmet Law: Required Under Age 21

Utah Code 41-6a-1505 requires motorcycle riders and passengers under age 21 to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Riders 21 and older are not legally required to wear helmets.

NHTSA data note: Helmets reduce the risk of fatal head injury by approximately 37% for motorcycle operators. Utah's canyon roads (SR-12, US-89, Mirror Lake Highway) include steep grades and sharp curves where fall speeds are significant — conditions where helmets provide meaningful protection regardless of legal status.

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Utah's Fault System for Motorcycle Accidents

For motorcycle accidents, Utah follows modified comparative fault with a 50% bar:

• Each party's liability is proportional to their percentage of fault
• If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other party
• If you are 49% at fault, you can recover 51% of your damages

This threshold (50%, not the more common 51%) means Utah is slightly stricter than most comparative fault states. Being found equally at fault bars you from recovery.

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Utah Riding Conditions That Affect Coverage Decisions

Canyon Roads and Desert Terrain

Utah's most scenic routes — SR-12 (Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon), the Mirror Lake Highway, and US-191 through canyon country — feature steep grades, hairpin turns, and unpredictable surfaces from sand drift and rockfall. Single-vehicle accidents are common on canyon roads.

Salt Lake Valley Traffic

The Wasatch Front metropolitan area (Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden) generates significant urban riding risk: high traffic density, lane changes, and intersection accidents. Collision coverage becomes more valuable in metro riding.

Sand and Gravel on Desert Roads

Sand drift on desert highways and loose gravel on mountain canyon approaches reduces traction significantly. These conditions increase the risk of single-vehicle accidents not covered by liability insurance.

Bonneville Salt Flats Area

Riding near Wendover and the salt flats area involves long straightaways on I-80 and open desert roads — conditions associated with high-speed riding and extended distances from medical care.

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Recommended Coverage for Utah Riders

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Penalties for Riding Without Insurance in Utah

Violating Utah's mandatory insurance requirement (Utah Code 41-12a-301) results in:

• Fine of $400 for a first offense
• $1,000 fine for subsequent offenses
• License suspension until proof of coverage is provided
• Vehicle registration suspension
• SR-22 certificate required — maintained for 3 years
• Reinstatement fees to restore license and registration

SR-22 in Utah

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the Utah DMV confirming you maintain at least the required minimums. It's required after uninsured violations, DUI convictions, and certain serious moving violations. The 3-year requirement means a single lapse in coverage extends your obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Utah require motorcycle insurance?

Yes. Utah Code 41-12a-301 requires all registered motorcycles operating on public roads to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/65/15. This requirement applies to all riders, including visitors from other states.

Does Utah's no-fault system apply to motorcycles?

No. Utah is a no-fault state for car insurance, but motorcycles are specifically excluded from the PIP (Personal Injury Protection) requirement under Utah Code 31A-22-303. Motorcycle riders are not required to carry PIP, but they also don't automatically have medical coverage — adding MedPay fills this gap.

Is lane splitting legal in Utah?

Lane splitting (passing between lanes of moving traffic) is not legal in Utah. However, lane filtering is legal since 2019 — under specific conditions: roads must be 45 mph or less, traffic must be stopped or moving under 10 mph, and the motorcycle must travel no more than 15 mph while filtering.

What is Utah's helmet law for motorcycles?

Riders under age 21 must wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 21 and older are not required by law to wear helmets in Utah.

What is the penalty for riding without insurance in Utah?

First offense: $400 fine, license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and SR-22 requirement for 3 years. Subsequent offenses carry a $1,000 fine.

How is fault determined in a Utah motorcycle accident?

Utah uses modified comparative fault with a 50% bar. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages from the other party. If less than 50% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Do I need separate insurance for my passenger in Utah?

Your liability coverage applies to passengers injured in accidents you cause. For your passenger's medical costs in accidents where you're at fault, your liability coverage applies. MedPay can cover passenger medical costs regardless of fault.

What is an SR-22 and how long is it required in Utah?

An SR-22 is a certificate filed by your insurer confirming continuous minimum coverage. Utah typically requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after an uninsured violation or qualifying conviction. Any lapse in coverage restarts the requirement.

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Key Takeaways

• Utah requires 25/65/15 minimum liability — the $65,000 aggregate is higher than most states
• No-fault does NOT apply to motorcycles — PIP is excluded, which means your medical costs aren't automatically covered
• Add MedPay to fill the no-fault exclusion gap
• Lane filtering is legal in Utah (since 2019) under specific speed and traffic conditions
• Helmet required only for riders under 21
• 50% comparative fault bar — slightly stricter than the 51% rule used in most states
• Canyon and desert roads make collision and comprehensive coverage worth serious consideration
• SR-22 required for 3 years after uninsured violations

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Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Utah motorcycle insurance requirements based on publicly available sources. This is not legal advice. Insurance requirements can change, and individual circumstances vary. Always verify current requirements with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles and the Utah Insurance Department, and consult with a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last verified: March 2026

Sources: Utah Code 41-12a-301, 31A-22-303, 41-6a-710.5, 41-6a-1505; Utah Division of Motor Vehicles; Utah Insurance Department