Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a certified driver’s record online?

No, the state of Arizona does not allow drivers to check their certified driving records online. You are only allowed to check your 39-month uncertified DMV record online if you are eligible under the conditions defined in the Motor Vehicle Record Request form. To check your online driving record go to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website and enter your personal information. You will also be required to pay a fee.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?

If you were cited for a speeding ticket, you have the option of attending traffic school to have the traffic ticket dismissed. In some cases, you may be mandated by the court to attend a defensive driving course. Though, in those cases your violation will not be dismissed if you attend. You must attend an Arizona state certified defensive driving school no later than seven days before your scheduled court date.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?

In Arizona, traffic tickets and fines are handled by courts located within the jurisdiction in which your citation was issued. To pay traffic tickets, driversmust contact that specific Justice Court for information on available payment options. Though, if you were given an envelope with your citation then it should contain information on how to pay for your traffic ticket by mail.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law that controls how drivers license and motor vehicle information is distributed. Under the DPPA, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division does not allow access to anyone s DMV record unless they have “permissible useâ€. The Motor Vehicle Record Request form lists all the accepted users.

You can file a complaint if you believe someone has illegally accessed your DMV record to the proper authorities. If anyone discloses or obtains information from an MVD driving record for a use not permitted in the statutes defined in the form is subject to civic and/or criminal penalties.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?

As the Arizona Motor Vehicle Record holds personal information, not everyone is eligible to obtain a copy. Check the Motor Vehicle Record Request form to see if you have “permissible use†to request and obtain an AZ driving record.

Depending on the type of drivers record you wish to obtain, you can submit your request online, in person or by mail.

ONLINE:

  • Note that you can only check the 39-month uncertified MVR online. To do so, go to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website and enter your personal information. You will also need to pay a fee.

BY MAIL

  • You can obtain a copy of a 5-year uncertified or 5-year certified drivers record by mail. Complete the Motor Vehicle Record Request form and pay the applicable fees via check or money order made payable to “Motor Vehicle Division.†Mail the paperwork to the address specified on the form.

IN PERSON

  • You can order a 39-month certified, 5-year uncertified or 5-year certified MVD record in person. In this case you will need to complete the Motor Vehicle Record Request form and pay the applicable fees. You can do so at your local Arizona MDV office or an authorized third-party office. Please note that you must sign your application in the presence of an Arizona MVD agent or notary.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?

You may get a traffic ticket dismissed in a few different ways. To get a traffic ticket dismissed you may:

  • Complete a defensive driving course
  • Prove that you are not-guilty at your traffic court hearing

Some find it helpful to hire a traffic or DUIattorney to present their case to the court.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?

As the Arizona Motor Vehicle Record holds personal information, not everyone is eligible to obtain a copy of drivers record. Check the Motor Vehicle Record Request form to see if you have “permissible use†to request and obtain an AZ driving record.

If you are eligible to obtain someone else s drivers record, you will need a completed Motor Vehicle Record Request form and a signed consent form from the driver. The Arizona MVD allows you to check driving record online or in person at any Arizona MDV office or an authorized third-party office. You can also mail the form, the signed consent and the applicable fee to the address specified on the form.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?

If you refuse to submit or fail to complete any tests when arrested for a DUI/DWI, you will automatically lose your driving privileges for one year or for 24 months for a second refusal within 84 months. To reinstate your driving privileges, you will need to pay a $10 reinstatement fee in addition to an application fee. You must also provide proof of insurance of an SR-22 form. In addition, you will have to complete alcohol or drug screening before you can obtain a restricted permit or reinstate suspended drivers license or reinstate revoked drivers license.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?

You can prevent the accumulation of points on your Arizona driver s license by attending defensive driving school. If you choose to attend traffic school, points will not be assed to your driving record. You may only attend a state certified defensive driving course for the reversion of a citation one time in a 12-month period.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?

Under the Arizona point system, you accumulate points on your driving record for each moving traffic violation you commit. If you accumulate 8 points or more on your drivers record within a 12 month period, your drivers license will be suspended. Different violations are assigned different point values. However, bear in mind that moving violations like reckless driving, aggressive driving and DUI carry eight points each which means that any of these traffic violations will result with a suspended drivers license.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?

The AZ Motor Vehicle Department holds records of all the points accumulated on your drivers license. You can attend traffic school if you wish to remove some of the points from your driving record. However, keep in mind that you are only allowed to attend if you have less than 13 points on your drivers record. You are also allowed to attend once every two years.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?

If you have lost your traffic ticket, you can find the information again by contacting the court that oversees the area in which you were cited. In Arizona, Justice Courts handle civil violations such as traffic fines. Visit the Arizona Department of Public Safety website to locate a court.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?

If you are 21 and older, and pulled over for driving with a BAC 0.08 percent or more, or if you are below 21 and driving with a BAC of 0.02 percent or more, the police officer may arrest you and confiscate your Arizona drivers license. In addition, the arresting officer will issue a temporary permit and complete a notice of license suspension/revocation depending on the severity and nature of the offense along with the warrant.

The driver is entitled to apply in writing for an administrative hearing within 15 days of the notice of suspension/revocation. Driving privileges may or may not be reinstated pending the outcome of the hearing. To ensure that the hearing does not go against you, you are advised to consult Arizona lawyers beforehand.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

What are the different types of driving records?

There are three types of DMV records that you can obtain from the Arizona MVD.

  • The 39-month uncertified record which shows your traffic history in the last 39 months. This record can be obtained online, in person or by mail and costs $3.
  • The 39-month certified record which shows your traffic violations in the last 39 months which can be obtained in person only at an AZ MVD near you. The cost of this type of MVR is $5.
  • The 5-year certified and uncertified driving record, which shows your traffic violations in the last 5 years. This type of MVR can be obtained by mail or in person. The fee for the certified is $5 and $ 3 for the uncertified DMV record.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?

The penalties of a DUI conviction in Arizona depend on the severity of the offense and the number of times you have been convicted for it.

  • Being charged with a standard DUI will result in fines and jail time of 10 days (for a first offense) to 90 days (for second and subsequent offenses). If convicted of a standard DUI for a second time or more, your license will be revoked for one year.
  • If charged with extreme DUI/DWI, you will be jailed for 30 days (for a first offense) and 120 days (for second and subsequent offenses). In addition, your license will be revoked for one year.
  • Being charged with an aggravated DUI will result in jail time of two years or less and a revoked license for three years.

You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening, education or treatment and to equip any vehicle you drive with a certified ignition interlock device. You might also be ordered to perform community service.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?

If you receive traffic ticket fines in Arizona while holding a CDL license, first notify your employer of the citation. If you are issued traffic fines outside of Arizona and possess an Arizona CDL license, alsoinform the Arizona DMV. Otherwise, the process of pleading guilty or not guilty when paying traffic tickets is the same for CDL license holders. However, the penalties for guilty pleas for CDL license holders are typically stiffer than for noncommercial drivers.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

What information does a driving record contain?

Your Arizona Motor Vehicle Record contains information concerning your drivers license status, the number of points you have accumulated, you traffic tickets and fines as well as the suspensions and restrictions on your drivers license. It also contains personal identifying information such as your Social Security number, driving license number, name, address and medical/disability information.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?

The cost of a DUI conviction in Arizona depends on the severity of the offense and the number of times you have been convicted for it.

Standard DUI conviction

  • The fine for a first offence is $1,250 or more
  • The fine for a second and subsequent offenses is $3,000 or more

Extreme DUI/DWI conviction (for persons with an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher)

  • The fine for a first offence is $2,500 or more
  • The fine for a second and subsequent offenses is $3,250 or more

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?

The cost of traffic tickets is dependent upon several factors such as:

  • Cost of defensive driving course
  • Traffic ticket price
  • Court fees
  • Lawyer fees

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

What is the cost to get a driver record?

The fees to check or obtain a copy of your AZ driving record depend on the type of DMV record you wish to order or check. The fee for a certified MVR is $5, whereas the fee for an uncertified MVR is $3. You can pay by cash, credit card, check or money order. However, make sure to check with your Arizona DMV location to find out which methods of payment are accepted. The manner of payment also depends on how you check your driving record.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?

If you are a commercial driver license holder and pulled over while driving with a BAC higher than 0.04 percent for the first time, you will lose your driving privileges for the duration of 60 days. For a second offense within three years, the state of Arizona will suspended your license for 120 days and one year for the third or subsequent offense within three years.

Other penalties and /or fines may apply for commercial drivers convicted of a DUI/DWI depending on the severity and nature of the offense.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?

The BAC limit for minors in the state of Arizona is 0.02 percent or higher. This offense is classified as a misdemeanor criminal conviction and will result in a suspended license for two years. Other penalties and /or fines may apply for minors convicted of a DUI/DWI depending on the severity and nature of the offense.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?

Once your suspension/revocation period is over, you can apply for a reinstatement of your driving privileges with the Arizona DOT. The requirements to reinstate your license to drive depend upon the severity and the nature of the violation. However, they typically involve:

  • Retaking the DMV test (vision, written and driving) if your driving license has been suspended/revoked for a year.
  • Successful completion of a state-approved traffic survival school reform program.
  • Payment of reinstatement fee of $20 and application fee.
  • Maintain proof of financial responsibility for two years from the date of suspension/revocation by filing SR-22 form, if you are over 21 years old.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?

If you receive a DUI conviction in the state of Arizona, the court will order an ignition interlock device to be placed on any vehicle you drive. This device requires you to pass a BAC test before you start to drive your car. For a list of state-approved interlock manufacturers and installers, click here.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?

Select Justice Courts in Arizona allow you to access your traffic ticket information online. These services vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction so you contact the court jurisdiction that issued your traffic ticket to find out more information about your citation. You will find the contact information for the jurisdiction on your traffic citation. Information such as a telephone number and address of the court will lead you to theirpay traffic tickets online services, if any.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?

Your DMV record may not always contain the most recent information concerning a AZ traffic ticket you have received. If you need to address the traffic citation immediately, contact your local Arizona MVD. Find an AZ DMV near you by using our DMV locator.

For more information: Your Arizona Driving Record

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?

Yes, you will have points assessed to your driver s license if you get a traffic ticket in Arizona. You can get a suspended drivers license if you continue to rack up points from traffic violations. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Arizona

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?

Yes, you must successfully complete a state-approved traffic survival school reform program to reinstate suspended drivers license or reinstate revoked drivers license. In addition, you will have to pay the applicable fees, retake the DMV test and maintain proof of financial responsibility for two years from the date of suspension/revocation by filing SR-22 form, if you are over 21 years old.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Arizona