Violating Arizona driving and traffic laws can result in fines, the suspension of your driving privileges, and even imprisonment. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) uses a point system to track violations and their corresponding penalties. Points are added to your driving record if you receive a traffic ticket for moving violations.

MOVING VIOLATIONS AND POINTS

Different violations are assigned different point values, which are added to your driving record. For instance, moving violations like reckless driving, racing on highways and aggressive driving each carry eight points. Six-point offenses include leaving the scene of an accident and causing death due to not yielding or observing a stop sign or signal. Two points are assessed for speeding violations.

Please see the Arizona Driver License Manual for a complete list of points assessed.

PENALTIES

You will be subject to specific penalties if you accumulate a certain number of points on your driving license:

1. You will have your license suspended if you accumulate 8 points or more on your current driving record in a 12-month period.
2. There are some violations, like failure to stop when involved in an accident or driving under the influence of a drug, that result in immediate revocation of your license. See the Arizona Driver License Manual (page 54) for a complete list of violations which could result in immediate license suspension.
3. You may be required to attend Traffic Survival School in addition to paying the fines. You may be imprisoned for driving with a suspended license.
4. Accumulating points on your driving license is also likely to increase your auto insurance rates. See our auto insurance section for more information about obtaining quality car insurance at competitive rates.

HOW TO CLEAR YOUR DRIVING RECORD

The Arizona MVD maintains a record of all the points added to your driving license. Convictions on your driving record expire after five years. However, attending Traffic Survival School can enable you to deduct points from your current driving record. However, you can only attend it if you have less than 13 points on your license and once every 24 months. This may also qualify you for a reduction in your car insurance rates.

HOW TO DISPUTE A MOVING VIOLATION CHARGE

If you believe you have been incorrectly charged with committing a moving violation, you may be able to fight the charge in court. See Traffic Tickets and Traffic Ticket Attorneys for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Points are not assessed for parking or other non-moving violations.
• See also Driver's Education and Suspended Licenses.