What Arizona Does When Your License Gets Suspended
Arizona suspends licenses for specific violations — unpaid traffic tickets, DUI convictions, failure to pay child support, medical conditions that affect driving, or accumulating too many points on your record. When your license is suspended in Arizona, you cannot legally drive. The state's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) sends you a notice by mail telling you the reason, the length of the suspension, and what you must do to get it back.
The suspension period varies. A first-time DUI suspension lasts at least 90 days. Unpaid traffic fines can trigger a suspension that lasts until you pay. Accumulating 8 or more points in 12 months, 12 or more in 24 months, or 14 or more in 36 months results in a suspension that typically lasts 30 days for a first offense. Some suspensions are mandatory; others are discretionary and depend on the reason.
During a suspension, you cannot renew your registration, and driving is a criminal offense. Arizona law treats driving with a suspended license as a separate crime from the original violation. A first offense is a class 3 misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense within 84 months is a class 2 misdemeanor, which carries harsher penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona suspends licenses for DUI, unpaid tickets, child support arrears, medical reasons, and accumulating too many points, with suspension lengths ranging from 30 days to indefinite depending on the cause.
- You will receive a written notice from the Motor Vehicle Division explaining the reason, length, and requirements to restore your license.
- Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses.
- Restoration requirements differ by suspension type — some require payment, others require a hearing, completion of a DUI course, or proof of insurance.
- You can request a hearing with the Motor Vehicle Division to challenge certain suspensions or ask for early reinstatement.
How Long Suspensions Last in Arizona
Suspension length depends on the reason. A DUI suspension starts at 90 days for a first offense if you refused a breath or blood test, or 30 days if you submitted to testing. A second DUI within 84 months brings a one-year suspension. A third or subsequent DUI within 84 months results in a three-year suspension.
Point-based suspensions last 30 days for a first offense, 60 days for a second offense within 24 months, and 12 months for a third or subsequent offense within 36 months. Suspensions for unpaid traffic tickets last until you pay the fine or resolve the ticket in court. Child support suspensions remain in place until you pay the arrears or reach a payment agreement with the Department of Child Support Services.
Medical suspensions can be indefinite. If the MVD suspends your license because of a medical condition, you must provide a physician's statement clearing you to drive before the suspension lifts. Some suspensions are administrative holds that remain until you complete a specific requirement — such as paying a reinstatement fee or providing proof of insurance.
Reasons Arizona Suspends Licenses and What Each Requires
DUI convictions trigger automatic suspension. Arizona requires a Certified Ignition Interlock Device (CIID) on any vehicle you drive during the suspension period. You must install it at your own cost before you can drive legally. The device prevents the engine from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. You also must complete a DUI education program and provide proof of completion to the MVD.
Accumulating points suspends your license without a conviction. Eight points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 14 points in 36 months each trigger a suspension. You can request a hearing to contest the suspension or ask the MVD to consider mitigating circumstances. If the suspension stands, you must wait out the period before requesting reinstatement.
Unpaid traffic tickets and fines suspend your license automatically. You can pay the ticket, request a payment plan, or contest the ticket in traffic court. Once resolved, contact the MVD to lift the suspension. Child support arrears trigger suspension through the Department of Child Support Services. You must pay the arrears or establish a payment agreement to restore your license. Medical suspensions require a signed statement from a physician confirming you are safe to drive.
How to Request a Hearing Before the Motor Vehicle Division
You have the right to a hearing if your license is suspended. The MVD notice you receive includes instructions for requesting one. You typically have 10 days from the date of the notice to request a hearing in writing. Send your request to the Motor Vehicle Division's Hearings Unit. Include your name, driver's license number, the reason for suspension, and a brief statement of why you believe the suspension should not stand or should be reduced.
A hearing officer will review your case. You can present evidence, call witnesses, and explain your circumstances. The hearing officer may uphold the suspension, reduce it, or overturn it depending on the facts. If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to the Arizona Department of Transportation Administrative Appeals Board within 30 days of the hearing decision.
Hearings are most useful for point-based suspensions, where you can argue that the points were issued in error or that circumstances warrant leniency. For DUI suspensions, hearings are less likely to overturn the suspension but may result in a reduced period. For unpaid tickets or child support, a hearing will not lift the suspension — only payment or a court order will.
Steps to Restore Your License After Suspension Ends
Once your suspension period expires, you must take action to restore your license. straightforward waiting does not automatically reinstate it. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division in person, by phone, or online to request reinstatement. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type but typically ranges from $50 to $100. Some suspensions require additional steps before you can pay the fee.
For DUI suspensions, you must provide proof that you completed a DUI education program and installed a Certified Ignition Interlock Device. For medical suspensions, you must submit a physician's statement. For point-based suspensions, you straightforward pay the fee and your license is restored. For unpaid tickets or child support, you must show proof of payment or a payment agreement before the MVD will process reinstatement.
After paying the reinstatement fee and meeting all requirements, the MVD will restore your license. You can usually drive when ready if you renew your license at the same time. If your license has also expired, you must renew it as well. Some people choose to renew their license and restore driving privileges in a single visit to an MVD office.
Driving on a Suspended License: Penalties and Consequences
Driving with a suspended license in Arizona is a separate criminal offense, distinct from the original violation that caused the suspension. A first offense is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second or subsequent offense within 84 months is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to four months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, your vehicle may be impounded. You will face criminal charges in addition to the original suspension. A conviction will add points to your driving record, potentially triggering another suspension. If your license was suspended for DUI, driving while suspended can result in additional DUI-related penalties, including longer suspension periods and mandatory ignition interlock requirements.
Law enforcement can stop you for any traffic violation and will discover your suspension status when they run your license. Even a minor violation like a broken taillight can lead to an arrest for driving with a suspended license. The best course of action is to avoid driving until your suspension is lifted and your license is restored.
Restricted Driving Permits and Hardship Licenses in Arizona
Arizona allows you to request a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) in some cases, which lets you drive for specific purposes — work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — while your license is suspended. Not all suspension types may have access to. DUI suspensions may allow an RDP after a waiting period, typically 30 days for a first offense. Point-based and medical suspensions generally do not may have access to for an RDP.
To request an RDP, you must file a petition with the Motor Vehicle Division or the court that handled your case, depending on the suspension type. You must show that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you have a legitimate need to drive for essential purposes. The MVD or court will review your petition and decide whether to grant it. If approved, the RDP is valid only for the purposes listed and only during the times specified.
An RDP is not a license. You must carry it with you while driving, along with your suspended license. Driving outside the permitted purposes or times is still illegal. An RDP does not shorten your suspension period; it straightforward allows limited driving during the suspension. Once your suspension ends and you restore your license, the RDP becomes invalid.
Insurance Requirements After License Restoration
After your license is restored, Arizona requires you to carry proof of financial responsibility — typically auto insurance — before you can legally drive. If your suspension was caused by a traffic violation or accident, you may need to file an SR-22 form, which is a certificate of insurance that proves you carry the minimum required coverage. An SR-22 is required for DUI convictions, reckless driving, and certain other violations.
Your insurance company files the SR-22 directly with the MVD. You do not file it yourself. The SR-22 requirement typically lasts three years from the date of the violation. During this time, if your insurance lapses, your insurer must notify the MVD, which can trigger another suspension. You must maintain continuous coverage without gaps.
SR-22 insurance costs more than standard coverage because it signals higher risk to insurers. Rates vary by insurer and your driving history. Some insurers specialize in SR-22 coverage and may offer better rates than others. Once the three-year SR-22 requirement ends, you can switch to standard insurance if your driving record improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
Not legally, unless you have a Restricted Driving Permit that specifically allows driving to work. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense, even if you are only going to your job. You can request an RDP if your suspension qualifies, but you must obtain it before driving.
How do I know if my license is suspended?
The Motor Vehicle Division sends a notice by mail. You can also check your status online through the MVD website or by calling the MVD at 602-255-0072. Have your driver's license number ready. If you are unsure, contact the MVD before driving.
What if I move out of Arizona while my license is suspended?
Arizona suspensions follow you. If you move to another state, you must still satisfy Arizona's requirements to restore your license if you ever want to drive in Arizona again or renew an Arizona license. Some states have reciprocal agreements that recognize suspensions from other states, so your new state may also suspend your driving privileges.
Can I get my suspension reduced if I complete a defensive driving course?
A defensive driving course does not automatically reduce a suspension, but you can request a hearing and present it as evidence of your commitment to safe driving. The hearing officer may consider it when deciding whether to uphold, reduce, or overturn the suspension. It is most useful for point-based suspensions.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I was not at fault for the suspension?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is a standard charge to restore your license, regardless of fault. If you believe the suspension was issued in error, you can request a hearing to challenge it. If the hearing officer agrees and overturns the suspension, you may not owe the fee. Otherwise, you must pay it to restore your license.