Cold weather driving — Utah Permit Test

A driver should use low beams to avoid glare in fog, rain, or snow.

High beams bounce straight back off the fog into your own eyes. Low beams put the light under it.

Use your low beams to avoid glare in fog, rain, or snow.

Snow tires with metal studs may be used in Utah from October 15 through March 31 of each year.

Studs tear up dry pavement, so Utah allows them only in the months when the roads are likely to be icy.

Snow tires with metal studs may be used from October 15 through March 31 of each year.

Bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first when sleet, freezing rain, or snow starts to fall.

Cold air gets under a bridge as well as over it, so the deck ices while the road either side is still wet.

When sleet, freezing rain or snow starts to fall, remember that bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first.

A driver stranded in cold weather should stay with the vehicle, because most deaths happen when people leave, become lost, and suffer prolonged exposure.

The car is shelter and it is visible. Walking away from it in a storm is how people are found in spring.

If you become stranded while traveling in cold weather, stay with your vehicle.

A driver stranded in snow should keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and debris, because fumes can leak into the vehicle and cause a blackout or death.

A drift packed against the tailpipe sends the exhaust back inside, and carbon monoxide gives no warning at all.

Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and debris. Fumes from the exhaust can leak into the vehicle and can cause you to black out or even cause death.

Even in frigid temperatures a stranded driver should leave at least one window open to let fresh air in.

Heavy snow can seal a car shut, and an idling engine fills a sealed car with carbon monoxide.

Even in frigid temperatures, leave at least one window open to let fresh air in.

At least one person in a stranded Utah vehicle should remain awake at all times.

Somebody has to notice the exhaust, the fuel and anybody arriving to help. Everyone asleep is how a wait becomes a tragedy.

At least one person in the vehicle should remain awake at all times.

In freezing weather a driver should lightly touch the brakes occasionally, because brakes may be ineffective for several hundred feet or freeze solid.

Wet brakes freeze on a cold run, and then do nothing until the friction dries them, which takes a distance you do not have.

To help prevent problems from occurring, lightly touch your brakes occasionally.

Before driving in winter a driver should clear ice and snow from the vehicle, including the headlights, taillights, windshield wipers, and all windows.

Snow left on the roof slides onto the windshield at the first hard stop, and a covered taillight is a car nobody sees.

If you must drive, first clear the ice and snow from your vehicle, including the headlights, taillights, windshield wipers, and all windows.

Which beams should a Utah driver use in fog?

Low beams. High beams bounce straight back off the fog into your own eyes. Low beams put the light under it. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.63: “Use your low beams to avoid glare in fog, rain, or snow.”