Where to report a suspended driver in Arizona
Report a suspended driver to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) or to local law enforcement. DPS handles the statewide suspension database and investigates cases where someone is driving on a suspended license. You can also call your local police department's non-emergency line if you witness the driving happening, or the Arizona Highway Patrol if it occurs on a highway.
The fastest route is usually the DPS tip line or your local police non-emergency number, because both can document the report when ready. If you have the driver's license plate, vehicle description, and the location and time of the incident, that information helps the agency track down the driver.
Key Takeaways
- Report suspended drivers to the Arizona Department of Public Safety or your local police department's non-emergency line, not the emergency 911 line unless the driving is actively dangerous.
- Provide the license plate number, vehicle description, driver's name if you know it, and the date, time, and location where you saw the driving.
- The Arizona DPS maintains the suspension database and can cross-reference whether a driver's license is actually suspended before investigating.
- Local police departments can also file reports and may respond if the driving occurs in their jurisdiction, though response time varies.
- If you witness dangerous driving by a suspended driver, call 911 and report both the dangerous behavior and the suspension status.
How to contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety
The Arizona DPS has a tip line and an online reporting option. You can call the DPS non-emergency number or submit a report through their website. When you contact them, have ready the license plate, vehicle make and color, the driver's name if you know it, and the date, time, and location where you observed the driving.
DPS will check their database to confirm the license is suspended, then forward the report to the appropriate local law enforcement agency for investigation. The agency will not necessarily contact you back, but your report becomes part of the record if the driver is stopped later.
Reporting to local police
Your city or county police department can also take a report of suspended driving. Call the non-emergency line (not 911 unless the driving is actively dangerous) and provide the same information: plate number, vehicle description, driver name, and when and where you saw it happen.
Local police have jurisdiction in their own city or county, so a report to Phoenix Police covers Phoenix, while a report to the Maricopa County Sheriff covers unincorporated county areas. If you are not sure which agency covers the location, the non-emergency dispatcher can tell you or transfer you.
What information to have ready when you report
The more specific your report, the more useful it is. Write down the license plate number if you can see it clearly—this is the single most helpful piece of information. Also note the vehicle make, model, and color, the date and time you saw the driving, and the street or highway where it happened.
If you know the driver's name, include it. If you witnessed the driving yourself, say so; if someone told you about it, mention that too. Agencies treat firsthand reports more seriously than secondhand ones. Do not guess at details you are unsure about—it is better to say "I did not catch the plate" than to report a plate you are not certain of.
When to call 911 instead of non-emergency
Use 911 if the suspended driver is actively endangering people—weaving between lanes, running red lights, driving recklessly, or involved in a crash. Tell the dispatcher both that the driving is dangerous and that you believe the driver has a suspended license. The dispatcher will send an officer when ready.
For routine suspended driving with no when ready danger, use the non-emergency line or DPS tip line instead. This keeps 911 available for emergencies and routes your report to the right unit for investigation.
What happens after you report
After you report, the agency documents the information and checks their database. If the license is confirmed suspended, the report goes into the driver's file. If an officer stops that driver later, the suspension will show up in their system, and the officer can make an arrest or issue a citation depending on the circumstances.
You will not usually hear back about the outcome. Agencies do not contact tipsters about investigations or arrests, both for privacy reasons and because many reports do not lead to a stop. Your report still matters—it creates a record and can help establish a pattern if the driver is reported multiple times.
Reporting online or by mail
The Arizona DPS website has an online form for reporting traffic violations and suspended drivers. You can fill it out from home and submit it without calling. This works well if you want to report something you witnessed but do not have time to call, or if you prefer a written record.
Some local police departments also accept online reports through their city website. Check your city or county police website to see if they have an online reporting option. Mail is slower and less useful for active threats, but it is an option if you have a detailed written account you want to submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give my name when I report?
No. Most agencies accept anonymous tips. However, if you provide your name and contact information, the agency may follow up if they need clarification. Anonymous reports are still documented and investigated, but they carry slightly less weight than identified reports.
What if I only have a partial license plate?
Report what you have. A partial plate, combined with the vehicle description, color, and location, can still help an officer identify the driver. Write down exactly which digits or letters you are certain of, and note which ones you are unsure about.
Can I report someone I know is driving on a suspended license but haven't seen them drive?
You can report it, but agencies prioritize reports of actual observed driving. If you know someone is driving illegally, you can call the non-emergency line and explain what you know. They will document it, though investigation depends on whether they can confirm the suspension and locate the driver.
Will the driver find out who reported them?
Not from the agency. Police do not disclose the identity of tipsters to the person being reported. If you are concerned about retaliation, you can make an anonymous report, or you can tell the dispatcher you wish to remain anonymous.
What if the driver is from out of state?
Arizona DPS can still investigate. If the driver's license is suspended in Arizona, it does not matter where they are from. If the license is from another state, DPS will contact that state's licensing agency. Report it the same way—with the plate, description, and location.