Arizona speeding tickets follow state law, not local ordinance
Arizona enforces speeding under state statute, which means the fine, points, and court procedures are the same whether you were stopped in Phoenix, Tucson, or a small town. The speed limit itself may vary by road type and zone, but once you exceed it, you face the same statewide penalty structure. This matters because you cannot negotiate your way out by arguing local custom or claiming the officer was enforcing an unusually strict standard.
The ticket you receive is a citation under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-701. It names the specific speed limit posted, your recorded speed, and the violation code. You have the right to contest it in traffic court, pay it, or request a hearing. The court that handles your case depends on where you were stopped — city courts handle violations within city limits, and justice courts handle violations in unincorporated areas.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona speeding fines range from about $70 for 1 to 10 miles over the limit to several hundred dollars for speeds 20 miles or more over the limit, plus a $12 state surcharge per violation.
- Speeding adds points to your driving record — one point for 1 to 10 mph over, two points for 11 to 20 mph over, and three points for 21 mph or more over the limit.
- You can pay the ticket, request a hearing before a judge, or in some cases request a defensive driving course to reduce or dismiss the violation.
- The court that hears your case is determined by location: city courts for violations within city limits, justice courts for unincorporated areas.
- If you accumulate eight or more points in 12 months, the Arizona Department of Transportation may suspend your license.
How Arizona calculates speeding fines and points
Arizona's fine structure depends on how far over the limit you were traveling. The base fine increases in tiers: 1 to 10 mph over the limit carries a lower fine than 11 to 20 mph over, which carries a lower fine than 21 mph or more over. The exact dollar amount varies slightly by court and jurisdiction, but the tier structure is statewide. A ticket for going 15 mph over the limit will cost more than one for going 8 mph over.
Every speeding violation also carries a $12 state surcharge, added to the base fine. Some courts add local administrative fees on top of that. The total you owe can range from roughly $70 for the lowest tier to $300 or more for the highest, depending on how much over the limit you were going and which court is handling the case.
Points are separate from fines. Arizona assigns points based on the same speed tiers: one point for 1 to 10 mph over, two points for 11 to 20 mph over, and three points for 21 mph or more over. These points stay on your driving record for three years. If you accumulate eight or more points in any 12-month period, the Arizona Department of Transportation will suspend your license.
What happens when you receive a speeding ticket
The officer will hand you a citation at the roadside or mail it to you if you were photographed by a speed camera. The citation includes the date, time, location, posted speed limit, your recorded speed, and the violation code. It also lists the court where you must respond and a important date — usually 15 to 30 days from the date of the citation.
You have three main options: pay the ticket, request a court hearing, or ask about a defensive driving course. Paying the ticket means you admit the violation, accept the fine, and accept the points on your record. Requesting a hearing means you can contest the ticket in front of a judge, who will hear the officer's account and yours. A defensive driving course, if the court offers it, may reduce or dismiss the violation if you complete it within a set timeframe.
Do not ignore the important date. If you do not respond by the date listed on the ticket, the court may issue a failure-to-appear warrant, which can lead to arrest, additional fines, and license suspension.
Contesting a speeding ticket in Arizona traffic court
If you request a hearing, you will appear before a judge in the traffic court listed on your citation. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney. The officer who issued the ticket will present their case — usually describing the speed detection method (radar, laser, pacing, or camera), the conditions, and your speed. You then have the chance to question the officer and present your own evidence or testimony.
Common defenses include challenging the accuracy of the speed detection equipment, questioning whether the officer followed proper calibration procedures, or arguing that road or weather conditions made the posted limit unsafe. You can also request records of the officer's training and the equipment's maintenance history. Some judges will dismiss a ticket if the officer does not appear, though this is not may provide.
If the judge finds you not guilty, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added. If the judge finds you guilty, you pay the fine and the points are added to your record. You have the right to appeal to a higher court, though appeals are rarely successful in traffic cases unless there was a significant legal error.
Defensive driving courses and ticket reduction
Arizona allows courts to reduce or dismiss speeding violations if you complete an approved defensive driving course. Not every court offers this option, and not every violation qualifies — courts typically restrict it to first-time offenders or violations under a certain speed threshold. You must request this option before or at your court appearance; the judge decides whether to grant it.
The course is usually four to eight hours long and can be taken online or in person. You pay a course fee, typically $50 to $100, separate from any court costs. Once you complete it, you submit proof to the court. If the court approves, the violation may be dismissed entirely or reduced to a non-moving violation that carries no points.
This option is valuable because it removes points from your record, which protects you from license suspension and keeps your insurance rates from rising. However, you must act quickly — courts usually require you to request this option within a specific window, often before your court date.
How speeding tickets affect your Arizona driving record and insurance
Every speeding conviction in Arizona is recorded on your driving record with the Department of Transportation. The record shows the violation date, the speed, and the points assigned. This record is public and is available to insurance companies, employers, and courts.
Insurance companies use your driving record to set rates. A single speeding ticket can increase your premium by 10 to 30 percent, depending on your insurer and how much over the limit you were going. Multiple violations within a short period can lead to even larger increases or cancellation of your policy.
Points also affect your license status. Eight or more points in 12 months triggers a license suspension. Sixteen or more points in 24 months or 24 or more points in 36 months also trigger suspension. Once suspended, you must wait a set period and pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back.
Speed limits and zones in Arizona
Arizona's default speed limit on interstate highways is 75 mph. On other highways and rural roads, it is 65 mph. In urban areas and residential zones, it is typically 25 to 35 mph, though some residential streets are posted at 15 mph. School zones are 15 mph during school hours, and construction zones are posted separately and often carry enhanced penalties.
The posted speed limit sign is the controlling limit for that stretch of road. If no sign is posted, the statutory default applies. You are responsible for knowing and obeying the posted limit, even if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Speed camera enforcement is used in some Arizona cities. These cameras photograph vehicles exceeding the limit and mail citations to the registered owner. The process is the same as for officer-issued tickets — you can pay, contest the ticket in court, or request a defensive driving course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a speeding ticket dismissed if the officer did not show up to court?
Not automatically. Arizona law allows judges to dismiss a case if the prosecution cannot prove its case, but the officer's absence alone does not may provide dismissal. The prosecutor may request a continuance, or the judge may dismiss on their own motion. You should still appear in court and request dismissal if the officer is absent.
What is the difference between a speeding ticket and a criminal charge?
Most speeding violations are civil traffic infractions, not crimes. However, speeding 20 mph or more over the limit in a school zone or residential area, or speeding while your license is suspended, can be charged as a criminal misdemeanor. Criminal charges carry jail time, higher fines, and a permanent record. If you face a criminal charge, you should consult an attorney.
Will a defensive driving course remove points from my record if I already paid the ticket?
No. You must request the course before or at your court appearance, before you pay the fine. Once you pay, the violation is final and the points are locked in. Some courts allow you to withdraw a payment and request a hearing instead, but this must be done quickly and is not may provide.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my Arizona driving record?
Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date. However, the conviction itself may stay longer for insurance and employment purposes. After three years, the points no longer count toward license suspension, but the conviction history may still be visible to insurers.
Can I pay my speeding ticket online in Arizona?
Most Arizona courts allow online payment through their websites. You will need your citation number and the court's case number. Check the court listed on your ticket for payment options. Paying online counts as admitting the violation, so you forfeit the right to contest it in court.