Where to Report Someone Driving on a Suspended License
If you see someone driving in Arizona with a suspended license, report them to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) or your local police department. DPS handles statewide traffic enforcement and license suspension records, so they can verify the suspension status and take action. You can also call your city or county police non-emergency line if you want to report to officers in your area.
The fastest way is usually the non-emergency police line for your city or county. Give them the license plate number, vehicle description, location, and time you saw the vehicle. If you have the driver's name or license number, include that too. Police can run the plate and check the driver's license status in real time through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division database.
For a formal report that goes directly to DPS, you can contact the DPS Highway Patrol office in your region. Arizona has regional offices across the state, and they maintain records of all license suspensions. Reporting to DPS is useful if you have seen the same vehicle repeatedly or suspect ongoing violations.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local police non-emergency line with the license plate number, vehicle description, and location to report someone driving on a suspended license.
- Police can check the driver's license status when ready through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division database using the plate number.
- If you want to report directly to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, contact your regional DPS Highway Patrol office.
- Provide as much detail as possible—license plate, vehicle color and make, time of day, and location—so officers can verify the suspension and respond.
- Repeated violations from the same driver can be reported multiple times; each report creates a record that helps build a case for enforcement.
What Information You Need to Provide
When you call to report, have the license plate number ready. This is the single most useful piece of information because officers can run it when ready and see the registered owner and vehicle details. If you can also see the driver's face or have the person's name, that helps, but the plate is what matters most.
Write down the vehicle description: color, make, model, and any visible damage or distinctive features. Note the time and location where you saw the vehicle, and which direction it was heading. If you saw the same vehicle multiple times, mention that—it shows a pattern rather than a one-time sighting.
You do not need the driver's license number to make a report, though it helps if you happen to see it. The police dispatcher will ask clarifying questions, so be ready to describe what you observed and why you believe the driver is suspended. For example: "I saw this plate on a vehicle that ran a red light" or "The driver was swerving and nearly hit my car."
How Police Verify a Suspended License
When you report a plate number, the dispatcher or responding officer enters it into the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division system. This database shows the registered owner, vehicle information, and the status of every license in Arizona—including suspensions, revocations, and restrictions. The lookup takes seconds.
If the registered owner's license is suspended, the officer has grounds to stop the vehicle and cite the driver. The citation is for driving with a suspended license, which is a separate violation from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. The driver may face additional fines, extended suspension, or criminal charges depending on the reason for the original suspension and how many times they have been caught.
The officer does not need to see the driver commit another traffic violation to make the stop. In Arizona, driving with a suspended license is itself the violation, and the database check is the evidence. This is why the plate number is so important—it connects the vehicle to the suspended license when ready.
Why Reporting Matters
Suspended licenses exist because a driver has lost the legal right to operate a vehicle. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points, or failure to pay child support. When someone drives anyway, they put themselves and others at serious risk.
A driver on a suspended license has already shown they do not follow traffic laws or court orders. They are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, to drive recklessly, or to flee from police. Reporting these drivers helps protect your community and gives law enforcement the information they need to remove dangerous drivers from the road.
Each report also creates a record. If the same person is reported multiple times, that pattern can lead to more serious charges—driving with a suspended license becomes a felony after certain convictions or repeated violations. Your report contributes to that record and may be the evidence that leads to real consequences.
What Happens After You Report
After you hang up, the dispatcher logs your report and enters the information into the police database. If you provided a license plate, officers in that area will be alerted to watch for the vehicle. Depending on how busy the police are, they may stop the vehicle when ready or add it to a watch list.
You will not usually hear back about what happened. Police do not typically contact the person who made the report unless they need you to testify in court, which is rare for a straightforward suspended license citation. The officer will cite the driver, and the case moves through the court system from there.
If you see the same vehicle again, you can report it again. Multiple reports from different people or on different dates strengthen the case and show that this is an ongoing problem, not a one-time mistake. Keep notes of dates and times if you are reporting the same vehicle repeatedly.
Reporting Online or in Person
Most Arizona police departments accept reports by phone through their non-emergency line. Some departments also allow online reporting through their website for non-emergency incidents. Check your city or county police website to see if they offer an online form—this can be useful if you want to report after hours or do not want to call.
For a formal report to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, you can visit a DPS office in person or call the regional office that covers your area. DPS offices are located throughout Arizona, and staff can take your report and file it in the statewide system. In-person reports are useful if you have photos or other evidence.
If the vehicle is actively driving dangerously—swerving, speeding, nearly hitting people—call 911 instead of the non-emergency line. Describe the vehicle, location, and direction of travel so officers can respond when ready. This is a safety issue, not just a license violation.
What You Should Not Do
Do not try to stop the vehicle yourself or confront the driver. You do not know why the license is suspended, and the driver may be dangerous. Let police handle it—that is their job and they have the training and authority to do it safely.
Do not follow the vehicle to get more information or a better look at the driver. This puts you at risk and can escalate the situation. Write down what you saw, note the plate number, and call police. That is all you need to do.
Do not assume the driver knows their license is suspended. Some people are unaware, and some are deliberately ignoring the suspension. Either way, it is not your responsibility to educate them. Report it and let the legal system handle the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give my name when I report someone?
Most police departments ask for your name and contact information so they can follow up if needed. However, you can ask to remain anonymous in many cases. Call the non-emergency line and ask about their anonymous reporting policy—some departments accept anonymous tips, while others require identification.
What if I only have a partial license plate number?
Give the dispatcher what you have. A partial plate is less useful than a full one, but officers can still search by vehicle description, location, and time. If you saw the vehicle multiple times, report it each time with whatever details you remember—the pattern may help identify the driver.
Can I report someone I know has a suspended license but haven't seen driving?
You can report it, but police need to observe the person actually driving to make an arrest or citation. If you know someone is driving on a suspended license, you can report that information, but officers will need to catch them in the act. Reporting is still useful because it alerts police to watch for that person.
Will the driver know I reported them?
No. Police do not tell drivers who reported them. Your identity is protected unless you are called to testify in court, which is uncommon for a suspended license citation. The driver will only know they were stopped because an officer pulled them over.
What if the person I report is a family member or friend?
That is your decision to make. Reporting someone driving on a suspended license is a safety issue—they are breaking the law and putting people at risk. If you are uncomfortable reporting someone you know, you can also speak to them directly about the danger and encourage them to get their license reinstated.