Question 1

How does the driver point system work in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MVD assigns points for moving-violation convictions or judgments. 8–12 points within 12 months: an order to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or a three-month suspension if the driver attended TSS within the last 24 months. 13–17 points within 12 months: three-month suspension with no TSS option. 18–23 points within 12 months: six-month suspension. 24 or more points within the past 36 months: one-year suspension. Failing to complete TSS ordered for points leads to a suspension. For violations on or after Jan. 1, 2023 that come from the same event, MVD assesses only the highest point value.

Question 2

How many points is a speeding ticket in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

A speeding violation under the 'reasonable and prudent speed' law (A.R.S. § 28-701) is 3 points; excessive (criminal) speeding under § 28-701.02 is also 3 points. Exceeding the posted maximum on certain highways under § 28-702.01 is 2 points.

Question 3

How long do points stay on your license in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Point totals are measured from the date of the last violation over 12-month periods (and 36 months for the 24-point level). The motor vehicle record shows points for the last 12 and 36 months from the date the record is generated.

Question 4

Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona's court-run Defensive Driving Program lets a driver cited for an eligible civil moving violation (and, if the court allows, criminal speeding) attend a Supreme Court-certified defensive driving class once every 12 months, violation date to violation date. After completion, no points are assessed to the driving record. The class must be completed 7 days before the court date. Separately, MVD's Traffic Survival School is required after certain convictions (including DUI, red-light, wrong-way and aggressive driving), at 8–12 points, and for drivers under 18 after a first moving violation.

Question 5

How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Pay court fines, including traffic tickets, online with a credit or debit card at AZCOURTPAY (www.azcourtpay.com) or through your court's own payment website (use Find My Court at azcourthelp.org to locate it); Find My Case (apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess) helps confirm your case number. Most courts also accept cash at retailers such as CVS, 7-Eleven and Family Dollar through PayNearMe, a cashier's check or money order by mail (payable to the court, with the case number), or payment in person. Contact the court with questions.

Question 6

How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

For a civil traffic ticket, the options are to attend defensive driving school (eligible violations only), admit responsibility and pay the fine, or deny responsibility and request a hearing with the court listed on the citation. Payments can be made online at azcourtpay.com or the court's own payment site, in cash at participating retailers through PayNearMe, or by mail with a cashier's check or money order. A court reports a failure to appear on a Title 28 violation to MVD.

Question 7

What gets your license suspended in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Suspensions include point suspensions (see point system), failing to attend Traffic Survival School, failure to appear, and insurance violations: driving without insurance brings a three-month suspension (or a court-ordered restricted license), a second conviction within three years six months of license and plate suspension, and a third within three years one year. Licenses stay suspended or revoked until all reinstatement requirements are met; a reinstatement fee and re-application fee are required to end any suspension or revocation.

Question 8

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

It is unlawful to drive with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving, or while impaired to the slightest degree. The limit is 0.04 for commercial motor vehicle drivers and for vehicle-for-hire and rideshare drivers. Drivers under 21 may not drive with any spirituous liquor in their body.

Question 9

What is the penalty for a first DUI in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

A first DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor. The sentence is at least 10 consecutive days in jail (the judge may suspend all but one day if the person completes court-ordered alcohol or drug screening, education or treatment), a fine of at least $250 plus additional assessments of $500 and $500, possible community restitution, required Traffic Survival School, and an ignition interlock device when the offense involved alcohol (the court may extend the interlock period beyond 12 months). Administratively, a test result of 0.08 or more leads to a license suspension of at least 90 consecutive days; a first-time driver who caused no death or serious physical injury and proves completion of alcohol or drug screening instead gets 30 days of suspension followed by at least 60 days of restricted driving, or may ask for a special ignition interlock restricted license.

Question 10

What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who drives in Arizona consents to blood, breath, urine or other testing after a DUI arrest. Refusing (or not completing) the test leads to a 12-month suspension, or two years for a second or later refusal within 84 months. Reinstatement requires completing alcohol or drug screening. After screening, a first-time refuser may apply for a special ignition interlock restricted driver license for the rest of the suspension; this is not available for a second refusal within 84 months.

Question 11

How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

84 months (7 years). A second DUI within 84 months brings increased penalties, and prior DUI convictions within the past 36 months must be alleged for classification and sentencing.

Question 12

Can you get a hardship license in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

MVD can issue a special ignition interlock restricted driver license (SIIRDL) in some DUI and refusal cases after alcohol or drug screening, which requires a working interlock for the rest of the suspension period; accepting one waives the right to an administrative hearing. It is not available after a second refusal within 84 months. For a qualifying first DUI administrative suspension, MVD suspends driving for 30 days and then restricts it for at least 60 days once the driver proves completion of alcohol or drug screening. For a first no-insurance violation, MVD (not the court) may restrict driving privileges for three months instead of suspending them, after verifying the driver has current insurance.

Question 13

Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Drivers may not physically hold or support a phone or stand-alone electronic device while driving, and may not write, send or read texts, emails or internet data. Voice calls through an earpiece, headphone or wrist device and hands-free navigation are allowed. Civil penalty: $75 to $149 for a first violation, $400 for later violations, and an extra $150 if the violation causes a crash with a motorcycle. A violation generally cannot be used to suspend or revoke a license.

Question 14

Is a DUI a felony in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

DUI becomes 'aggravated DUI,' a felony, when the driver: (1) commits a DUI while the license is suspended, canceled, revoked, refused or restricted because of an earlier DUI; (2) commits a third or later DUI violation within 84 months (7 years); (3) commits a DUI while a child under 15 is in the vehicle; (4) commits a DUI while required to have an ignition interlock device; or (5) commits a DUI while driving the wrong way on a highway. Most of these are class 4 felonies; the child-passenger version is a class 6 felony. Some versions carry at least 4 months in prison before any release.

Question 15

How long does a DUI stay on your record in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona MVD says a conviction stays on the driving record for five years from the date of conviction. For the criminal record, a person who has finished the sentence can ask the court to set aside the conviction or to seal the case records. A misdemeanor DUI can be sealed 3 years after the sentence is completed (5 years for a class 4, 5 or 6 felony such as most aggravated DUIs). Sealed or set-aside DUI convictions can still be used to increase the penalty for a later DUI, and a set-aside does not undo MVD license actions.

Point system	Yes. MVD assigns points for moving-violation convictions or judgments. 8–12 points within 12 months: an order to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or a three-month suspension if the driver attended TSS within the last 24 months. 13–17 points within 12 months: three-month suspension with no TSS option. 18–23 points within 12 months: six-month suspension. 24 or more points within the past 36 months: one-year suspension. Failing to complete TSS ordered for points leads to a suspension. For violations on or after Jan. 1, 2023 that come from the same event, MVD assesses only the highest point value. Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R17-4-404; A.R.S. §§ 28-3306, 28-1526; ADOT MVD and Courts Training Manual 2026/2027
Points for speeding	A speeding violation under the 'reasonable and prudent speed' law (A.R.S. § 28-701) is 3 points; excessive (criminal) speeding under § 28-701.02 is also 3 points. Exceeding the posted maximum on certain highways under § 28-702.01 is 2 points. Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R17-4-404; ADOT MVD and Courts Training Manual 2026/2027, violation code tables
How long points last	Point totals are measured from the date of the last violation over 12-month periods (and 36 months for the 24-point level). The motor vehicle record shows points for the last 12 and 36 months from the date the record is generated. How long a conviction itself remains on the driving record was not confirmed from an official page read for this record. Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R17-4-404; ADOT MVD and Courts Training Manual 2026/2027
Traffic school	Arizona's court-run Defensive Driving Program lets a driver cited for an eligible civil moving violation (and, if the court allows, criminal speeding) attend a Supreme Court-certified defensive driving class once every 12 months, violation date to violation date. After completion, no points are assessed to the driving record. The class must be completed 7 days before the court date. Separately, MVD's Traffic Survival School is required after certain convictions (including DUI, red-light, wrong-way and aggressive driving), at 8–12 points, and for drivers under 18 after a first moving violation. Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392; Arizona Supreme Court Defensive Driving FAQ; ADOT MVD and Courts Training Manual
Paying or fighting a ticket	For a civil traffic ticket, the options are to attend defensive driving school (eligible violations only), admit responsibility and pay the fine, or deny responsibility and request a hearing with the court listed on the citation. Payments can be made online at azcourtpay.com or the court's own payment site, in cash at participating retailers through PayNearMe, or by mail with a cashier's check or money order. A court reports a failure to appear on a Title 28 violation to MVD. Deadlines and hearing procedures vary by court; the court listed on the ticket controls. Source: Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center, Making a Payment; AZCourtHelp civil traffic options; A.R.S. § 28-3308
Paying or looking up a ticket online	Pay court fines, including traffic tickets, online with a credit or debit card at AZCOURTPAY (www.azcourtpay.com) or through your court's own payment website (use Find My Court at azcourthelp.org to locate it); Find My Case (apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess) helps confirm your case number. Most courts also accept cash at retailers such as CVS, 7-Eleven and Family Dollar through PayNearMe, a cashier's check or money order by mail (payable to the court, with the case number), or payment in person. Contact the court with questions. Source: Arizona Judicial Branch, Self-Service Center: Making a Payment

Legal BAC limit	It is unlawful to drive with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving, or while impaired to the slightest degree. The limit is 0.04 for commercial motor vehicle drivers and for vehicle-for-hire and rideshare drivers. Drivers under 21 may not drive with any spirituous liquor in their body. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. §§ 28-1381(A), 4-244(34)
First-offense DUI penalties	A first DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor. The sentence is at least 10 consecutive days in jail (the judge may suspend all but one day if the person completes court-ordered alcohol or drug screening, education or treatment), a fine of at least $250 plus additional assessments of $500 and $500, possible community restitution, required Traffic Survival School, and an ignition interlock device when the offense involved alcohol (the court may extend the interlock period beyond 12 months). Administratively, a test result of 0.08 or more leads to a license suspension of at least 90 consecutive days; a first-time driver who caused no death or serious physical injury and proves completion of alcohol or drug screening instead gets 30 days of suspension followed by at least 60 days of restricted driving, or may ask for a special ignition interlock restricted license. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. §§ 28-1381(I)–(J), 28-1385(H)–(J)
When a DUI is a felony	DUI becomes 'aggravated DUI,' a felony, when the driver: (1) commits a DUI while the license is suspended, canceled, revoked, refused or restricted because of an earlier DUI; (2) commits a third or later DUI violation within 84 months (7 years); (3) commits a DUI while a child under 15 is in the vehicle; (4) commits a DUI while required to have an ignition interlock device; or (5) commits a DUI while driving the wrong way on a highway. Most of these are class 4 felonies; the child-passenger version is a class 6 felony. Some versions carry at least 4 months in prison before any release. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-1383(A), (D), (O)
Refusing a breath test	Anyone who drives in Arizona consents to blood, breath, urine or other testing after a DUI arrest. Refusing (or not completing) the test leads to a 12-month suspension, or two years for a second or later refusal within 84 months. Reinstatement requires completing alcohol or drug screening. After screening, a first-time refuser may apply for a special ignition interlock restricted driver license for the rest of the suspension; this is not available for a second refusal within 84 months. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 28-1321(B), (P)
DUI lookback period	84 months (7 years). A second DUI within 84 months brings increased penalties, and prior DUI convictions within the past 36 months must be alleged for classification and sentencing. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 28-1381(E), (K)
How long a DUI stays on your record	Arizona MVD says a conviction stays on the driving record for five years from the date of conviction. For the criminal record, a person who has finished the sentence can ask the court to set aside the conviction or to seal the case records. A misdemeanor DUI can be sealed 3 years after the sentence is completed (5 years for a class 4, 5 or 6 felony such as most aggravated DUIs). Sealed or set-aside DUI convictions can still be used to increase the penalty for a later DUI, and a set-aside does not undo MVD license actions. The MVD FAQ is general and does not single out DUI. Sealing waiting periods are counted from completion of the sentence, not from the conviction date (§ 13-911(E)). Source: Arizona MVD FAQ; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-905, 13-911

Arizona Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI

Quick answers for Arizona

Tickets and points

License suspension

DUI / DWI

Phones and distracted driving

Where to get help in Arizona

Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ

More Arizona law