Q: Is it legal to be pulled over in Utah due to incorrect insurance database info?

A: Unfortunately, yes. This is an issue that we see frequently. The cop made a stop in good faith that he believed you were operating the vehicle without insurance. Those databases are wrong all the time, but the Utah Supreme Court has ruled cops may make mistakes and the stop is valid as long as they did so in good faith.

A: I’m really sorry you're dealing with this—it’s frustrating to be stopped when you know you're doing the right thing. In Utah, law enforcement is allowed to use electronic insurance databases to verify coverage, and if the system shows no insurance, they may use that as a reason to initiate a traffic stop. Even if it turns out your insurance was valid, the officer’s reliance on the database can still be considered a lawful basis for pulling you over, as long as the information appeared to be current and accurate at the time.

That said, the stop itself doesn’t justify any tickets issued if the information was wrong or if there were other errors in the process. Since you received citations for a suspended license and failure to have a breathalyzer, those are separate issues, and the court will look at each one independently. If your license wasn't actually suspended or the breathalyzer requirement was not in effect, you can challenge those tickets with proof—such as DMV records or court documentation.

Make sure to bring written confirmation from your insurance company showing your coverage was active on the day of the stop. If you can prove the database was incorrect, that may help your case, especially if the citation hinged on that mistake. You're doing the right thing by getting clarity and preparing to defend yourself. Stay calm and organized, and take it step by step.