ARS 28 suspensions are Arizona's catch-all category for license suspensions tied to violations of state traffic and vehicle laws
When Arizona suspends your license under ARS 28 (the Arizona Revised Statutes section covering motor vehicles), it means you violated a specific traffic or vehicle regulation — but not one that falls into a named category like DUI or medical suspension. The suspension is automatic once the violation is recorded, and you cannot drive legally until you complete the steps Arizona requires to restore it.
ARS 28 suspensions cover a wide range of violations: driving with a suspended or revoked license, accumulating too many points on your driving record, failing to maintain insurance, driving without a valid license, or violating the terms of a restricted license. The reason matters because it determines what you have to do to get your license back.
Unlike some suspensions that lift automatically after a set time, most ARS 28 suspensions require you to take action. You will need to contact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division to find out the exact reason for your suspension and what steps are required before you can request reinstatement.
Key Takeaways
- ARS 28 suspensions cover traffic violations that do not fit into named categories like DUI or medical suspension, and the reason for your suspension determines what you must do to restore your license.
- You must contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division to learn the specific violation code and the reinstatement requirements that explore to your case.
- Most ARS 28 suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee, and many require proof of insurance or completion of a driver improvement course before ADOT will restore your driving privileges.
- If your suspension is due to accumulating points, you may be able to reduce them by taking a defensive driving course, which can lower your insurance rates at the same time.
- Once your license is restored, you will likely face higher insurance premiums because the violation stays on your driving record for three to five years.
Common violations that trigger ARS 28 suspensions
The most frequent ARS 28 suspension is for accumulating too many points on your driving record. Arizona uses a point system where minor violations (like speeding 1–10 mph over the limit) add one point, and serious violations (like reckless driving) add eight points. If you accumulate 8 points within 12 months, 12 points within 24 months, or 18 points within 36 months, ADOT will suspend your license.
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is another common trigger. If your license was already suspended for any reason and you drive anyway, ADOT will impose an additional suspension on top of the original one. This can happen if you were unaware your license was suspended, but ignorance does not prevent the suspension from taking effect.
Failure to maintain insurance also results in ARS 28 suspension. If you are involved in an accident and cannot prove you had valid insurance at the time, or if your insurer reports a lapse in coverage, ADOT will suspend your license. You must show proof of current insurance before reinstatement.
Driving without a valid license — meaning you never obtained one, it expired, or you never renewed it — triggers suspension as well. This is different from a suspended license; it means you were not legally licensed to drive in the first place.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division directly. You can call them, visit a local office in person, or check your status online through the ADOT website. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. ADOT will tell you the violation code, the suspension start date, and the specific steps you must take before you can request reinstatement.
Write down or print the reinstatement requirements. Different violations have different rules. For example, if you were suspended for points, you may need to take a defensive driving course. If you were suspended for no insurance, you will need an SR-22 form from your insurance company. If you were suspended for driving with a suspended license, you may face a longer suspension period or additional fees.
Ask ADOT whether your suspension is indefinite or has a set end date. Some suspensions lift automatically after a certain period (for example, 30 days for a first points suspension), but you still have to request reinstatement. Others remain in effect until you complete the required steps.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
Arizona charges a reinstatement fee to restore your license after an ARS 28 suspension. The fee varies depending on the reason for suspension and whether it is your first suspension or a repeat offense. As of the most recent information available, reinstatement fees range from around $50 to $100, but you should confirm the exact amount with ADOT because fees can change.
The reinstatement fee is separate from any other costs you may face. If you need to take a defensive driving course, that course has its own cost (typically $20 to $50 depending on the provider). If you need an SR-22 form, your insurance company may charge a filing fee of $15 to $25. If you were cited for a traffic violation that led to the suspension, you may also owe court fines.
Some people can reduce their reinstatement burden by taking a defensive driving course even before requesting reinstatement. This course removes up to three points from your record (if your suspension was due to points) and often qualifies you for an insurance discount. The course is optional but can be worth the cost if it brings you below the suspension threshold.
Insurance requirements after an ARS 28 suspension
If your suspension was due to a lapse in insurance or an accident where you could not prove coverage, you will need to file an SR-22 form before ADOT will reinstate your license. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with ADOT on your behalf. It proves you now have valid insurance and will maintain it.
Your insurance company will not file an SR-22 unless you have an active policy with them. This means you must purchase a new insurance policy before the SR-22 can be filed. After the SR-22 is filed, ADOT will receive it electronically, and your reinstatement can proceed.
Even if an SR-22 is not required for your specific suspension, expect your insurance rates to increase once your license is restored. Any traffic violation that led to suspension will appear on your driving record for three to five years, and insurers use that record to set your premium. A suspension typically results in a rate increase of 20 to 50 percent or more, depending on your insurer and the severity of the violation.
Steps to request reinstatement
Once you have completed all the requirements ADOT told you about, you can request reinstatement. You can do this online through the ADOT website, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. If you are requesting reinstatement online, you will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you are requesting by mail, send a letter to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division that includes your full name, driver's license number, date of birth, current address, and a statement that you have completed all reinstatement requirements. Include proof of completion (such as a certificate from a defensive driving course or a copy of your SR-22 filing confirmation). Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee made out to ADOT.
Processing time varies. Online requests may be processed within a few business days. Mail requests typically take two to three weeks. Once ADOT approves your reinstatement, you will receive a new license in the mail or can pick one up at a local office.
How an ARS 28 suspension affects your insurance
Your insurance company will learn about the suspension through the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) that they pull when you renew your policy or when they conduct periodic checks. Once the suspension appears on your record, your insurer will likely raise your rates at the next renewal or when ready cancel your policy if they consider the violation serious enough.
Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and will insure you after a suspension, but their rates are significantly higher than standard insurers. You may pay 50 to 100 percent more per year than you did before the suspension. This higher rate will continue for the full three to five years that the violation remains on your driving record.
If your suspension was due to driving without insurance, you will also need to carry an SR-22 for a set period (usually three years in Arizona). The SR-22 itself does not cost extra, but it ties you to that insurance company — if you cancel the policy, ADOT is notified when ready and your license can be suspended again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a restricted or hardship license while my ARS 28 suspension is in effect?
Arizona does offer restricted licenses for certain suspensions, but not all ARS 28 violations may have access to. You must request a restricted license from ADOT and show that you have a legitimate need to drive (such as work or medical appointments). Even if approved, a restricted license limits where and when you can drive. Ask ADOT whether your specific violation allows a restricted license.
What happens if I drive while my license is suspended under ARS 28?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona. You can be arrested, fined, and face jail time. A second offense within five years is a felony. Your original suspension will be extended, and you will face additional penalties. Do not drive until your license is officially reinstated.
How long does an ARS 28 suspension last?
The length varies by violation. A first points suspension may last 30 days. A suspension for driving with a suspended license may last 90 days or longer. Some suspensions remain in effect indefinitely until you complete reinstatement steps. ADOT will tell you the specific duration when you contact them about your case.
Can I get the violation removed from my driving record?
No. Once a violation is recorded, it stays on your driving record for three to five years depending on the type of violation. You cannot have it erased, but you can take a defensive driving course to remove up to three points if the suspension was points-related. After the three to five years pass, the violation will no longer appear on new records.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if I complete all other requirements?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is mandatory and must be paid before ADOT will restore your license. The fee is separate from any court fines, course costs, or insurance requirements. Confirm the exact amount with ADOT, as it may vary based on your suspension reason.