Arizona suspends your license when ready after a DUI arrest, then again if you're convicted

Arizona has two separate suspension timelines. The first happens right after you're arrested: the Department of Public Safety suspends your license for at least 90 days if you refuse a breath or blood test, or for 30 days if you take the test and fail it. This suspension is automatic and happens whether or not you're convicted of the DUI itself.

If you're convicted of DUI in court, a second, longer suspension kicks in. That conviction suspension lasts a minimum of one year for a first offense, three years for a second offense within seven years, and ten years for a third offense within seven years. A fourth DUI within seven years results in a permanent revocation unless you petition the court after ten years.

The arrest suspension and the conviction suspension are separate. You serve them one after the other, not at the same time. This means even if you win your case in court, you still lose your license for the 30 or 90 days from the arrest alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona suspends your license for 30 days if you fail a breath or blood test, or 90 days if you refuse the test, starting when ready after arrest.
  • A DUI conviction adds a second suspension: one year minimum for a first offense, three years for a second within seven years, and ten years for a third within seven years.
  • You can request a hearing within 15 days of arrest to challenge the arrest suspension, though the burden of proof is on you to show the officer had no reason to stop you or test you.
  • An ignition interlock device (IID) may allow you to drive during your suspension if you install one in your vehicle and pay the monthly monitoring fee.
  • A restricted license for essential activities like work or medical appointments is available after the first 30 days of a first-offense suspension, but requires a separate request to the court.

The arrest suspension happens before any court case

When you're arrested for DUI in Arizona, the officer takes your physical license and gives you a temporary permit valid for 15 days. During those 15 days, you can still drive. On day 16, your license is suspended by the Department of Public Safety — you don't have to wait for a trial or conviction.

This suspension is called an administrative suspension because it's a penalty for the arrest itself, not for being found guilty. The length depends on what happened during the traffic stop: 30 days if you took a breath or blood test and it showed 0.08% blood alcohol or higher, or 90 days if you refused the test.

You have the right to request a hearing to challenge this suspension within 15 days of your arrest. You can do this by contacting the Department of Public Safety's Administrative Hearings Section. At the hearing, you can argue that the officer had no legal reason to stop you, or that the test was administered incorrectly. If you win, the suspension is cancelled. If you lose or don't request a hearing, the suspension takes effect on day 16.

Conviction brings a second, longer suspension

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of DUI in court, the judge imposes a separate license suspension. This conviction suspension is longer than the arrest suspension and is based on how many DUI convictions you've had in the past seven years.

For a first DUI conviction, the suspension is one year. For a second conviction within seven years, it's three years. For a third conviction within seven years, it's ten years. A fourth conviction within seven years results in permanent revocation of your license, though you can petition the court after ten years to have it reinstated.

The conviction suspension begins after your arrest suspension ends. So if you were arrested and served a 30-day administrative suspension, then convicted in court, you would serve that 30 days first, then the conviction suspension would start.

Ignition interlock devices let you drive during suspension

Arizona allows you to continue driving during your suspension if you install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. An IID is a breathalyzer connected to your car's ignition. You blow into it before the car will start, and if it detects alcohol, the engine won't turn on. The device also requires random breath tests while you're driving.

Installing an IID is optional, but it's the only way to drive during most of your suspension period. You must use a certified vendor approved by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The device costs money to install and a monthly fee to monitor — costs vary by vendor but typically run $50 to $100 per month.

If you install an IID, you can drive when ready, even during the first 30 days of your arrest suspension. However, you must report the installation to the Department of Public Safety and carry proof that the device is installed. If you're caught driving without the IID during your suspension period, you face additional criminal charges.

Restricted licenses cover work, school, and medical needs

After the first 30 days of your suspension, you can request a restricted license from the court that allows you to drive only for specific purposes: work, school, medical treatment, court-ordered programs, or alcohol treatment. A restricted license does not require an ignition interlock device.

To get a restricted license, you must file a petition with the court that handled your DUI case. You'll need to show that you have a genuine need to drive for one of the approved purposes, and that you have no other way to meet that need. The judge decides whether to grant it. There is no fee for the restricted license itself, but you may have to pay court filing fees.

A restricted license is not automatic. The court can deny your request if it believes you don't have a legitimate need or if you have prior DUI convictions. If you're granted one, it remains in effect for the rest of your suspension period, and you must carry it with you whenever you drive.

License reinstatement requires payment and proof of completion

When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must request reinstatement from the Department of Public Safety. To do this, you need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $250 for a first offense, though this amount can change) and provide proof that you've completed any court-ordered requirements.

Court-ordered requirements typically include completion of a DUI education program, payment of fines, and proof of insurance. Some courts also require completion of a substance abuse treatment program or community service. You cannot get your license back until all of these are done.

You can check the status of your suspension and see what you still owe by contacting the Department of Public Safety's Driver License Division or by visiting their website. Once you've paid the reinstatement fee and submitted proof of completion, your license is restored and you can drive normally again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive at all during my suspension?

Not without an ignition interlock device or a restricted license. If you drive during suspension without either one, you face additional criminal charges for driving with a suspended license, which can result in jail time and fines. An IID lets you drive anywhere; a restricted license limits you to work, school, medical, or court-ordered activities.

What happens if I don't request a hearing within 15 days of arrest?

You lose your right to challenge the arrest suspension. The suspension takes effect on day 16 automatically. You can still fight the DUI charge in court, but that won't stop the administrative suspension from happening.

Do I have to install an ignition interlock device?

No, it's optional. But if you don't install one, you cannot drive during your suspension unless you get a restricted license from the court. An IID is the fastest way to regain driving privileges when ready.

How much does reinstatement cost?

The reinstatement fee is $250 for a first offense, though this amount may change. You also have to pay any fines the court ordered and any fees for the DUI education program. Contact the Department of Public Safety to confirm the current fee before you submit your reinstatement request.

Can I get my license back early if I complete everything?

No. Your suspension period is set by law and does not end early, even if you complete all court requirements before the suspension period is over. However, you can drive during that period using an IID or a restricted license.