How to learn about your Arizona license is suspended right now
The fastest way to check your license status is through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website. Go to servicearizona.com, select "Driver License Services," and choose "Check Driver License Status." You will need your driver's license number or your Social Security number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to call, you can contact ADOT's Driver Services at 602-255-0072. Have your license number ready. They can tell you the reason for the suspension and what you need to do to restore it. If you are calling from outside the Phoenix area, you may reach a regional office — ask for the number that handles your county.
You can also visit an ADOT office in person. Bring your license or ID. Staff can print your driving record on the spot and explain exactly what triggered the suspension and what steps come next.
Key Takeaways
- Check your license status free through servicearizona.com using your license number or Social Security number and birth date.
- The reason for suspension determines what you must do to restore your license — some require payment, others require a waiting period or a hearing.
- You cannot legally drive while suspended, and driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties and can extend the suspension.
- Most suspensions can be lifted by completing the required step (paying a fine, attending a hearing, or waiting out a mandatory period) and then requesting reinstatement through ADOT.
Common reasons Arizona suspends licenses and what each one requires
Arizona suspends licenses for different reasons, and each has its own path to reinstatement. Administrative suspension — the most common — happens when you refuse a breath test or fail one after a DUI arrest. This suspension is automatic and lasts at least 90 days for a first refusal or failure. You cannot shorten this period, but you can request a hearing with the Department of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) within 15 days of the suspension notice to challenge it.
Suspension for unpaid traffic fines or child support requires you to pay what you owe. Once ADOT receives notice that the debt is satisfied, your license is restored. You do not need to file a separate reinstatement request — it happens automatically.
Suspension for accumulating too many points (the point system tracks violations like speeding or reckless driving) requires a waiting period. First-time point suspensions last 30 days; repeat suspensions last longer. After the waiting period ends, you can request reinstatement through ADOT.
If you were convicted of a drug offense, Arizona law requires a mandatory suspension. The length depends on the offense and whether it is a first or repeat conviction. You must wait out the full period before requesting reinstatement.
Steps to reinstate your Arizona license after suspension
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended. Start by confirming the reason through servicearizona.com or by calling ADOT. Write down the suspension date, the reason, and any important date mentioned in your suspension notice.
If your suspension was for unpaid fines or child support, pay the debt to the court or child support enforcement agency that issued it. Request a receipt or confirmation of payment. Once ADOT receives notice from that agency, your license is restored automatically — usually within one to three business days.
If your suspension was for points or a mandatory drug offense, wait out the suspension period. On or after the last day of suspension, you can request reinstatement. You do not have to wait until the day after — you can request it on the final day itself. Submit your reinstatement request through servicearizona.com, by mail to ADOT, or in person at an ADOT office. There is no fee for reinstatement after a point or drug suspension.
If your suspension was for a DUI refusal or failure, you have two paths. You can wait out the suspension period (usually 90 days minimum) and then request reinstatement. Or you can request a hearing with DOAH within 15 days of the suspension notice to try to have the suspension cancelled before the waiting period ends. A hearing does not may provide the suspension will be lifted, but it gives you a chance to present your side.
What happens if you drive while suspended
Driving on a suspended license in Arizona is a criminal offense. A first violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. The penalties increase for repeat offenses.
Beyond the criminal charge, driving while suspended also extends your suspension. ADOT will add time to your current suspension or issue a new suspension on top of the existing one. This means one mistake can turn a 90-day suspension into six months or longer. Your insurance may also drop you or charge much higher rates.
If you need to drive during a suspension for work or medical reasons, you may be able to request a work permit (also called a restricted license) from ADOT. This is not available for all suspension types — it depends on the reason. Contact ADOT to ask whether a work permit is an option in your situation.
Requesting a hearing to challenge your suspension
If your license was suspended for a DUI refusal or failure, you have the right to a hearing. You must request it within 15 days of the suspension notice. The hearing is held by the Department of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), not by ADOT.
To request a hearing, contact DOAH at 602-542-4600 or visit their website. You will need to provide your name, driver's license number, and the date of the suspension. There is no fee to request a hearing. At the hearing, you can present evidence and question the officer's report. A hearing officer will decide whether the suspension should stand or be cancelled.
If you miss the 15-day important date, you lose the right to a hearing and must wait out the suspension. Mark the important date on your calendar when ready after receiving your suspension notice.
Reinstating your license after a DUI suspension
DUI suspensions in Arizona are longer and more complex than other suspension types. An administrative suspension for a first DUI refusal or failure lasts at least 90 days. If you are convicted of DUI in court, you face an additional license suspension that can last six months to one year or longer, depending on prior convictions.
Before you can drive again after a DUI suspension, you must meet several requirements. You must complete a DUI education program (usually a one-day or multi-week course, depending on the circumstances). You must also obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate from your insurance company — this is proof that you carry the minimum required liability coverage. ADOT will not reinstate your license without proof of SR-22.
Once you have completed the education program and obtained SR-22, you can request reinstatement through ADOT. Bring your completion certificate and SR-22 proof to an ADOT office, or mail them with a reinstatement request form. There is a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the type of suspension.
How to avoid suspension in the future
Most suspensions come from traffic violations, unpaid fines, or DUI-related incidents. Avoid accumulating points by following traffic laws — speeding, reckless driving, and other violations add up quickly. If you receive a ticket, pay it on time or contest it in traffic court if you believe it was unfair.
If you are arrested for DUI, understand that refusing a breath test or failing one will trigger an automatic suspension before any court case begins. This administrative suspension is separate from any criminal conviction. Even if you are found not guilty in court, the administrative suspension may still stand.
Keep your child support payments current if you have them, and stay on top of any court-ordered fines. ADOT suspends licenses for these debts automatically, and the suspension lifts only when the debt is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a work permit while my license is suspended?
It depends on the reason for suspension. Work permits are available for some suspensions but not others — for example, they are usually available for point suspensions but not for DUI refusals. Contact ADOT to ask whether you may have access to. If you do, you can drive only for work and only during the hours specified on the permit.
How long does reinstatement take after I request it?
If your suspension was for unpaid fines or child support, reinstatement happens automatically once the debt is paid — usually one to three business days. If you are requesting reinstatement after waiting out a point or drug suspension, ADOT typically processes it within one to two weeks. For DUI suspensions, it may take longer if you are still gathering documents like the education certificate or SR-22 proof.
What if I moved out of Arizona — does my suspension follow me?
Yes. Arizona suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, which means other states will recognize the suspension. You cannot straightforward move and get a new license in another state. You must resolve the suspension in Arizona first, or the new state will suspend your license there too.
Do I have to pay a fee to reinstate my license?
Fees vary by suspension type. Reinstatement after a point suspension or drug suspension is free. Reinstatement after a DUI suspension includes a fee that ranges depending on the specific circumstances. Call ADOT or check servicearizona.com to find out the exact fee for your situation before you request reinstatement.