What happens to your license after a DUI arrest in Arizona

Arizona suspends your driver's license in two separate ways after a DUI arrest: once through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) based on the arrest itself, and again through the court if you are convicted. The DMV suspension happens first and is automatic — it is not a punishment but an administrative action triggered by the arrest. The court suspension comes later and is part of sentencing if you are found guilty or plead guilty.

The DMV suspension begins on the 15th day after your arrest unless you request a hearing before that date. If you do request a hearing and lose, the suspension takes effect when ready. This suspension lasts a minimum of 90 days for a first offense, but can stretch to one year or longer depending on whether you refused a breath or blood test and whether you had a prior DUI within the past seven years.

The court suspension is separate and typically longer. A first DUI conviction in Arizona carries a mandatory license suspension of at least one year. A second DUI within seven years means a minimum two-year suspension. These suspensions run consecutively — meaning you serve the DMV suspension first, then the court suspension begins when the first one ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona suspends your license twice after a DUI: once by the DMV (starting 15 days after arrest) and once by the court (if convicted), and these suspensions stack on top of each other.
  • A first-offense DMV suspension lasts at least 90 days, but refusing a breath or blood test extends it to one year, and a prior DUI within seven years extends it further.
  • You can request an administrative hearing within 15 days of arrest to challenge the DMV suspension, but you must act quickly or the suspension becomes automatic.
  • During a suspension, you may be able to drive to work, school, or medical appointments with an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle, but only after meeting specific conditions.
  • Reinstating your license requires paying reinstatement fees, completing required programs, and providing proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance).

The DMV suspension timeline and what triggers it

The DMV suspension is triggered by the arrest itself, not by the outcome of your case. When you are arrested for DUI in Arizona, the arresting officer takes your physical license and gives you a temporary permit valid for 15 days. During those 15 days, you can still drive legally. On the 15th day, the suspension takes effect automatically unless you have requested an administrative hearing.

Requesting a hearing stops the automatic suspension and gives you a chance to challenge it. You must request the hearing in writing within 15 days of arrest — calling the DMV or telling a police officer does not count. The hearing is held by an administrative law judge who reviews whether the officer had reasonable grounds to arrest you for DUI and whether you were properly advised of your rights. If you win, the suspension is cancelled. If you lose, the suspension takes effect when ready, not 15 days later.

If you do not request a hearing, the suspension length depends on two factors: whether you refused the breath or blood test, and whether you have a prior DUI within the past seven years. A first offense with a test result is 90 days. A first offense with a refusal is one year. A second DUI within seven years with a test result is one year. A second DUI within seven years with a refusal is two years.

Court suspension and how it differs from the DMV suspension

The court suspension is separate from the DMV suspension and is imposed as part of your sentence if you are convicted or plead guilty. The court has less flexibility than the DMV — Arizona law sets mandatory minimums. A first DUI conviction carries a minimum one-year suspension. A second DUI within seven years carries a minimum two-year suspension. A third DUI within seven years carries a minimum three-year suspension.

The court can impose a longer suspension than the minimum, but cannot impose a shorter one. The court suspension does not begin until the DMV suspension ends. So if you serve a 90-day DMV suspension and then receive a one-year court suspension, you will be unable to drive for a total of 15 months (90 days plus 365 days).

If you are arrested but the case is dismissed, the DMV suspension can be cancelled if you request a hearing and the judge finds the arrest was not supported by reasonable grounds. However, once you are convicted, the court suspension is mandatory and cannot be cancelled, though it can sometimes be reduced through a motion to the court or, in some cases, after you complete certain programs.

Driving with an ignition interlock device during suspension

Arizona allows you to drive during a suspension if you have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle. An IID is a breath-testing device connected to your car's ignition. You blow into it before the engine will start. If it detects alcohol, the car will not start. You must pay for the device yourself — typically $60 to $100 per month for installation, monitoring, and removal.

You cannot straightforward install an IID and drive wherever you want. Arizona law restricts where you can drive: to and from work, to and from school, to and from court-ordered programs (like DUI school or counseling), to and from medical appointments, and to and from the IID service provider. Driving anywhere else — to the store, to a restaurant, to a friend's house — is a violation and can result in additional charges.

To drive with an IID during a DMV suspension, you must request an administrative hearing and lose, or you must wait until the hearing period has passed. You then file a form with the DMV requesting an IID restricted license. For a court suspension, the judge must specifically order that you are allowed to drive with an IID. Not all judges grant this — it depends on the facts of your case and your driving history. If the judge does allow it, you must still follow the restricted driving rules.

What you need to do to get your license back

Reinstating your license after a DUI suspension requires several steps, and you cannot straightforward wait out the suspension period and drive again. First, you must complete any court-ordered programs. For a first DUI, this typically means a 12-hour DUI education program. For a second or subsequent DUI, it means a 30-hour program or longer. You must provide proof of completion to the DMV.

Second, you must obtain an SR-22 form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. This is not insurance itself — it is a form your insurance company files with the DMV to prove you have liability coverage. Arizona requires SR-22 for at least three years after a DUI conviction. You cannot reinstate your license without it. If you do not have an insurance policy, you must purchase one before you can get the SR-22.

Third, you must pay the reinstatement fee. Arizona charges $100 to reinstate a suspended license. Some counties charge additional fees. Once you have completed the program, obtained the SR-22, and paid the fee, you can explore for reinstatement through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Reinstatement is not automatic — the DMV will review your paperwork and either approve or deny your request.

How a DUI suspension affects your insurance and driving record

A DUI suspension does not automatically cancel your car insurance, but it makes insurance much more expensive and harder to find. Most standard insurance companies will not insure a driver with a recent DUI. You will likely need to switch to a high-risk insurer, which charges significantly higher premiums — often two to three times what you paid before. The exact increase depends on your age, driving history, and the insurer.

The DUI conviction itself stays on your driving record for seven years in Arizona. During those seven years, any new traffic violation or accident will be treated more seriously because you have a recent DUI on your record. If you are arrested for a second DUI within seven years, the penalties are much harsher — longer suspension, mandatory jail time, and higher fines.

The SR-22 requirement lasts for three years after conviction, even if your license suspension ends sooner. If you let your insurance lapse or cancel your policy during those three years, the insurance company must notify the DMV, and your license will be suspended again. You must maintain continuous coverage with no gaps.

What happens if you drive with a suspended license

Driving with a suspended license in Arizona is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. A second offense within five years is a class 6 felony. A third offense within ten years is also a felony. These penalties are in addition to the original DUI charges.

If you are pulled over while your license is suspended for DUI, the officer will likely arrest you on the spot. Your vehicle may be impounded. You will face new criminal charges that are separate from your DUI case. Even a first offense can result in jail time, and a conviction will make it much harder to find employment, housing, or professional licensing.

The only legal way to drive during a suspension is with an IID-restricted license, and only to the places Arizona law allows. If you are unsure whether your license is still suspended, you can check your status on the Arizona DMV website or call the DMV directly. It is worth the five minutes to verify before you drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a hearing to challenge the DMV suspension?

Yes, but you must request it in writing within 15 days of your arrest. The hearing is held by an administrative law judge who will review whether the arrest was lawful and whether you were properly advised of your rights. If you win, the suspension is cancelled. If you lose, the suspension takes effect when ready. You do not need a lawyer, but having one increases your chances of winning.

Does the DMV suspension end when my DUI case is dismissed?

Only if you request an administrative hearing and the judge finds the arrest was not supported by reasonable grounds. If you do not request a hearing, the DMV suspension runs its full course regardless of what happens in court. If your case is dismissed after the suspension period has already ended, the suspension does not matter — your license is already back.

Can I get a restricted license to drive to work during my suspension?

Only if you have an ignition interlock device installed and the DMV or court approves an IID-restricted license. You cannot drive to work without one. Even with an IID, you can only drive to work, school, court-ordered programs, medical appointments, and the IID service provider. Detours or stops anywhere else are violations.

How long does it take to reinstate my license after the suspension ends?

If you have completed your DUI program, obtained an SR-22, and paid the reinstatement fee, the DMV typically processes reinstatement within one to two weeks. However, if any of these items is missing or incomplete, the DMV will deny your request and you will have to reapply. Check with the DMV before you submit to make sure everything is in order.

Will my insurance company drop me because of a DUI suspension?

Your current insurance company may not drop you when ready, but most will not renew your policy when it comes up for renewal. You will need to find a high-risk insurer, which charges much higher premiums. You must have an active policy and an SR-22 on file with the DMV before you can reinstate your license, so you cannot drive legally without it.