Arizona suspends your license when you reach 8 points in a 12-month period, 12 points in 24 months, or 18 points in 36 months
Arizona's point system is tied to your driving record, not to a single violation. Every traffic violation you receive adds points to your record. Once you hit certain thresholds within specific time windows, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) automatically suspends your license. The suspension length depends on how many points you accumulated and how many times you have been suspended before.
The point totals that trigger suspension are strict: 8 points within 12 months, 12 points within 24 months, or 18 points within 36 months. This means you could hit the suspension threshold in different ways. You might get 8 points from a single serious violation, or you might accumulate them slowly over several months from smaller infractions. Either way, once you cross the line, ADOT sends you a notice and your license suspension takes effect.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona suspends your license automatically when you reach 8 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 18 points in 36 months — ADOT does not wait for you to request a hearing.
- A single violation can add anywhere from 1 to 8 points depending on the offense; speeding adds 1 point, but reckless driving adds 8 points.
- Your first suspension lasts 30 days, your second lasts 60 days, and your third and any after that last 90 days.
- Points stay on your record for 36 months from the date of the violation, so even old violations count toward your total if they fall within the lookback window.
How Points Are Assigned to Common Violations
Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Arizona assigns points based on how serious the offense is and how much danger it poses to other drivers. A minor speeding ticket is worth 1 point, while a serious violation like reckless driving is worth 8 points. Knowing what each violation costs you in points helps you understand how quickly you might approach suspension.
Here are the violations you are most likely to encounter and their point values:
- Speeding (1–8 mph over limit): 1 point
- Speeding (9–12 mph over limit): 2 points
- Speeding (13+ mph over limit): 3 points
- Unsafe lane change: 2 points
- Following too closely: 2 points
- Failure to obey traffic signal: 3 points
- Reckless driving: 8 points
- Aggressive driving: 8 points
- DUI or DWI: 8 points
- Hit and run: 8 points
If you receive a violation, your ticket or citation will show the point value. You can also look up the point value on the ADOT website or by calling your local traffic court.
The Three Time Windows That Matter
Arizona does not just count your total lifetime points — it uses three separate time windows to determine when suspension happens. This means the same number of points might trigger suspension in one window but not another. Understanding these windows helps you see how close you are to suspension and when old violations stop counting against you.
The three windows are 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. ADOT looks at all violations within each window and counts the points from all of them together. If you hit 8 points in any 12-month period, you are suspended. If you do not hit 8 but you do hit 12 points in any 24-month period, you are suspended. If you do not hit 12 but you do hit 18 points in any 36-month period, you are suspended. Once a violation falls outside all three windows, it no longer counts toward suspension — but it remains on your record for other purposes, like insurance rates.
For example: You get a 3-point violation on January 15. On March 10, you get another 3-point violation. On May 5, you get a 2-point violation. You now have 8 points within the 12-month window, so your license is suspended. The first violation will drop out of the 12-month window on January 16 of the following year, but it will still count in the 24-month and 36-month windows until it ages out of those as well.
How Long Your License Will Be Suspended
The length of your suspension depends on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension. Arizona increases the penalty each time you are suspended, so repeat offenders face longer periods without a license.
| Suspension Number | Length |
|---|---|
| First suspension | 30 days |
| Second suspension | 60 days |
| Third and subsequent suspensions | 90 days |
The suspension begins on the date shown in ADOT's notice to you. You cannot drive during this period, even with a restricted or hardship license, unless you obtain a restricted driving permit from ADOT. A restricted permit allows you to drive only for specific purposes — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — and only during certain hours. You must request the permit before your suspension begins, and ADOT charges a fee to issue it.
What Happens When ADOT Sends You a Suspension Notice
You will not receive a warning before your license is suspended. ADOT monitors your driving record automatically and sends you a notice in the mail when you cross the point threshold. The notice tells you the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and your options for requesting a hearing or obtaining a restricted permit.
The notice will arrive at the address on file with ADOT. If you have moved, you may not receive it in time to prepare. You can check your driving record online through ADOT's website or by visiting a local ADOT office to see your current point total and whether a suspension has been issued.
Once the suspension is in effect, driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona. You can be arrested, fined, and face additional license suspension. If you need to drive during your suspension period, your only legal option is to obtain a restricted driving permit before the suspension begins.
How to Request a Hearing Before Suspension Takes Effect
Arizona law gives you the right to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. You must request the hearing within 10 days of receiving ADOT's notice. The hearing is held before a hearing officer who reviews your driving record and the violations that led to the suspension.
At the hearing, you can present evidence or arguments about why the suspension should not happen. However, the hearing officer can only overturn the suspension if ADOT made an error in calculating your points or if the violations on your record are not valid. You cannot argue that you should be allowed to keep your license despite having too many points — the point thresholds are mandatory.
To request a hearing, follow the instructions on ADOT's suspension notice. You will need to submit your request in writing, usually by mail or online through ADOT's website. If you miss the 10-day important date, you lose the right to a hearing and the suspension takes effect as scheduled.
Getting Your License Back After Suspension Ends
When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically return. You must take action to reinstate it. ADOT requires you to pay a reinstatement fee and, in some cases, provide proof that you have completed a traffic survival school course or other requirements.
The reinstatement fee varies depending on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension. You can pay the fee online through ADOT's website, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office. Once ADOT receives your payment and processes your reinstatement, your license is restored and you can drive again.
If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, the same suspension thresholds explore. Your record does not reset — points continue to count within their 36-month windows, and you can be suspended again if you reach the thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a restricted license while my license is suspended?
Yes. A restricted driving permit allows you to drive for essential purposes like work, school, or medical appointments during your suspension. You must request it before your suspension begins, and ADOT charges a fee. The permit limits when and where you can drive, and violating those restrictions is a separate offense.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Arizona suspension?
Yes. Arizona counts violations from other states if you were licensed in Arizona at the time. The points are converted to Arizona's point system and added to your record. Violations from states where you were not licensed do not count.
What if I pay a traffic ticket — does that remove the points?
No. Paying the ticket does not remove the points from your record. The points stay on your record for 36 months from the violation date. The only way to avoid points is to contest the ticket in court and win, or to complete traffic school if the court allows it for your specific violation.
How do I check how many points are on my Arizona driving record?
You can view your driving record online through ADOT's website or request a copy by mail. You can also visit an ADOT office in person. There is a small fee for an official copy, but checking your record online is free.
If I move out of Arizona, do my points follow me?
Your Arizona points stay on your Arizona record. If you get a license in another state, that state will see your Arizona record when they check your history. Some states may impose their own penalties based on your Arizona violations, depending on their laws and interstate agreements.