Arizona suspends your license when you reach 8 points within a 12-month period, or 12 points within 24 months
Arizona's Department of Transportation (ADOT) tracks traffic violations using a point system. Each violation carries a specific point value. When your total reaches 8 points in any 12-month window, or 12 points in any 24-month window, ADOT automatically suspends your license. The suspension is mandatory — there is no discretion or appeal based on hardship.
The point threshold depends on your age. Drivers under 18 face suspension at 8 points in 12 months. Drivers 18 and older face suspension at 8 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months, whichever comes first. Once you hit either threshold, ADOT mails a suspension notice to your address on file. The suspension typically takes effect 10 days after the notice is mailed.
Points stay on your record for 3 years from the violation date. This means a violation from 36 months ago no longer counts toward your total, but a violation from 35 months ago still does. Understanding which violations add points — and how many — is the only way to know where you stand.
Key Takeaways
- Reaching 8 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months triggers an automatic license suspension in Arizona.
- Points remain on your record for 3 years from the violation date, so older violations eventually stop counting.
- Common violations like speeding 1–10 mph over the limit add 1 point, while reckless driving adds 8 points.
- You can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice, though the hearing examiner rarely overturns the suspension.
- Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, but only if the court or ADOT allows it for your specific violation.
Point values for common Arizona traffic violations
Not all violations carry the same point weight. Minor infractions like speeding add fewer points than serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence (DUI). ADOT publishes the full point schedule, but here are the violations most drivers encounter:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 1 |
| Speeding 11–20 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 21+ mph over limit | 3 |
| Failure to obey traffic signal | 3 |
| Unsafe lane change | 2 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| DUI (first offense) | 8 |
| Hit and run | 8 |
A single reckless driving conviction or DUI can push you to suspension when ready if you already have points on your record. Even a clean record can reach suspension with multiple minor violations over a short period. For example, four speeding tickets at 15 mph over the limit (2 points each) equals 8 points in 12 months — suspension triggered.
How to check your current point total
ADOT does not send you a running tally of your points. You find out you are close to suspension only when you receive the suspension notice in the mail. To check your record before that happens, you must request it directly from ADOT's Driver Services Division.
You can request your driving record online through ADOT's website, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The online request is fastest — you typically receive your record within a few days. Your record shows every violation on file, the date it occurred, and the points assigned. It also shows when each violation will drop off (3 years from the violation date).
Checking your record costs a small fee, usually under $10. Some insurance companies also provide a summary of your driving record when you request a quote, though this summary may not include every detail ADOT tracks.
What happens when you receive a suspension notice
ADOT mails a suspension notice when you cross the point threshold. The notice includes the effective date of the suspension (usually 10 days after mailing), your total points, and the violations that caused the suspension. It also explains your right to request a hearing.
You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing. The hearing is held before an ADOT hearing examiner, not a judge. You can present evidence that a violation was incorrectly recorded or that ADOT miscalculated your points, but you cannot argue that the point system itself is unfair. The examiner rarely overturns a suspension based on the point total alone.
If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, the suspension takes effect on the date listed in the notice. Your license is physically suspended — you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona and carries its own penalties.
Reducing points through defensive driving courses
Arizona law allows you to reduce points by completing a defensive driving course, but only under specific conditions. The court must have ordered you to take the course, or ADOT must have allowed it as part of a plea agreement. You cannot straightforward take a course on your own and expect ADOT to remove points.
If you are allowed to take a defensive driving course, completion typically reduces one violation by 3 points. You can use this reduction only once every 12 months. The course must be approved by ADOT and usually takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, either in person or online.
Some insurance companies also offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, even if it does not reduce your points with ADOT. Check with your insurer before enrolling to see whether the course qualifies for a discount.
Reinstating your license after suspension
A suspension is not permanent. After the suspension period ends, you must reinstate your license through ADOT before you can legally drive again. The reinstatement process involves paying a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $200) and sometimes completing additional requirements depending on why you were suspended.
The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended. A first suspension usually lasts 30 days. A second suspension within 5 years lasts 60 days. A third suspension within 5 years lasts 90 days. After 90 days, you can explore for reinstatement by submitting the fee and any required documents to ADOT.
You cannot reinstate your license online. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person, bring your suspended license, and pay the reinstatement fee. ADOT will issue you a new license on the spot if all requirements are met.
How violations are recorded and when they expire
When you receive a traffic ticket, the officer records the violation and the date. If you pay the ticket or are found guilty in court, the violation is reported to ADOT. ADOT then assigns the point value and records the violation date — not the date you paid the ticket or went to court.
Points expire 3 years after the violation date. This means a violation from January 2021 stops counting toward your total in January 2024. However, if you receive a new violation before the old one expires, both count. The 3-year window resets only for that specific violation, not for your entire record.
Some violations, like DUI or reckless driving, may also trigger insurance surcharges or other penalties that last longer than 3 years. The point expiration does not erase these other consequences — it only removes the violation from your point total for suspension purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed before they expire?
Points cannot be removed early except through a defensive driving course reduction, which is only available if the court ordered it or ADOT allowed it as part of a plea deal. You cannot petition ADOT to remove points based on good driving since then. The 3-year expiration is automatic.
What if I was not the driver when the ticket was issued?
If someone else was driving your vehicle, you can request a hearing and provide evidence that you were not the driver. Bring documentation like a signed statement from the actual driver or proof you were elsewhere. ADOT will investigate, but the burden is on you to prove the violation was assigned to the wrong person.
Does a suspended license in Arizona affect my license in other states?
Yes. Arizona reports suspensions to the National Driver Register, and most states recognize suspensions from other states. If you move or travel, you may face legal consequences for driving on a license suspended in Arizona. Some states will not issue you a new license until the Arizona suspension is lifted.
Can I drive to work during a suspension?
Arizona does not issue restricted or work-only licenses during a suspension. You cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense, even if you are only going to work or to a medical appointment.
What happens if I get a violation while my license is suspended?
A violation while suspended is a separate criminal charge, typically a misdemeanor. This charge is handled in criminal court, not through the point system. Conviction can result in jail time, fines, and an extended suspension. The original suspension must still be completed before reinstatement is possible.