What's on your Arizona driving record
Your Arizona driving record is a document maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division that shows your driving history in the state. It includes traffic violations you've received, accidents you've been involved in, license suspensions or revocations, points assessed against your license, and any commercial driving violations if you hold a commercial license.
The record does not include parking tickets, since those are handled by local municipalities rather than ADOT. It also does not include violations from other states, though some states share information through the Interstate Compact on Drivers Licenses and Privileges, which can affect your Arizona license status.
ADOT keeps records for a set period: most violations stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations like DUI remain longer. Points typically drop off after three years of safe driving, but the violation itself may still appear on the record after points expire.
Key Takeaways
- You can request your own driving record from ADOT Motor Vehicle Division online, by mail, or in person at a local office.
- Your record shows traffic violations, accidents, license actions, and points, but not parking tickets or out-of-state violations.
- Most violations remain on your record for three years from conviction, though DUI and some serious violations stay longer.
- Insurance companies, employers, and courts can request your record, but you can see what they see by ordering a copy yourself.
How to order your record online
The fastest way to get your Arizona driving record is through the ADOT website. Go to the Motor Vehicle Division section and look for the "Driving Records" option. You'll need to provide your Arizona driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
ADOT offers two types of records: a three-year record and a complete record. The three-year record shows violations and actions from the past three years and is what most employers and insurance companies request. The complete record goes back further and is sometimes needed for court cases or background checks. You can choose which one you need when you order.
Payment is by credit or debit card. The fee varies depending on which record you request, but typically ranges from $5 to $10. Your record will be available to read or print when ready after payment, or ADOT can mail it to you if you prefer.
Ordering by mail or in person
If you don't have internet access or prefer to order on paper, you can request your record by mail. read the form from the ADOT website or call the Motor Vehicle Division to have one sent to you. Fill it out with your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number, then mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form.
Processing by mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want ADOT to mail the record back to you, or provide an email address if they offer electronic delivery.
You can also visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay the fee. Staff can print your record on the spot, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and ask about current wait times.
Understanding points and violations on your record
Arizona uses a point system to track driving safety. When you're convicted of a traffic violation, ADOT assigns points to your license based on the severity of the violation. Speeding 1 to 10 miles over the limit is 1 point; speeding 11 to 20 miles over is 3 points; reckless driving is 8 points; DUI is 8 points. These points accumulate on your record.
If you reach 8 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 18 points in 36 months, your license can be suspended. The suspension length depends on how many points you have and how many times you've been suspended before. A first suspension is typically 30 days; a second is 60 days; a third or more can be up to one year.
Points drop off your record three years after the conviction date, not the violation date. This means if you were convicted six months after the violation, the three-year clock starts from the conviction. Once points drop off, they no longer count toward suspension, but the violation itself may still appear on your record for informational purposes.
Who can see your driving record
Your driving record is not completely private. ADOT can release it to employers, insurance companies, courts, law enforcement, and other authorized parties without your permission. Insurance companies use it to set rates and decide whether to cover you. Employers in certain fields — particularly transportation, commercial driving, or positions involving public safety — often request records as part of hiring or retention decisions.
You have the right to know who has requested your record. You can ask ADOT for a list of inquiries, though the process and availability of this information varies. Some third-party services claim to monitor your record for you, but you can also straightforward order your own record periodically to see what's on it.
If you find errors on your record — a violation you don't recognize, an incorrect date, or a conviction that was dismissed — contact ADOT Motor Vehicle Division when ready. Bring documentation of the error, such as court records showing the case was dismissed or resolved differently than shown on your record. ADOT can correct errors, though the process may take several weeks.
How violations affect insurance and employment
Insurance companies check your driving record before issuing a policy and may check it again during renewal. A violation on your record typically raises your premium; the increase depends on the type of violation and your insurer's policies. A speeding ticket might raise rates 10 to 15 percent, while a DUI can double or triple your premium or cause an insurer to drop you entirely.
Employers in transportation, delivery, rideshare, and commercial driving fields almost always check driving records. A serious violation like DUI, reckless driving, or multiple speeding tickets can disqualify you from these jobs. Even in non-driving roles, some employers check records as part of background screening, particularly for positions involving company vehicles or client transportation.
If you're concerned about how a violation on your record might affect your employment or insurance, you can take a defensive driving course. Completing an approved course can reduce points on your record by one point and may lower your insurance premium, though the discount varies by insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DUI stay on my Arizona driving record?
A DUI conviction stays on your record permanently for insurance and employment purposes, though points may drop off after three years. For license suspension purposes, Arizona treats DUI as a serious violation with longer suspension periods than standard traffic violations. You should assume any potential employer or insurer will see a DUI on your record indefinitely.
Can I remove a violation from my record?
You cannot remove a violation from your record, but you can reduce points through a defensive driving course or by maintaining a clean driving record for three years, after which points drop off. If the violation was dismissed in court or you were found not guilty, contact ADOT with court documentation and they can remove it from your record.
What's the difference between a three-year and complete driving record?
A three-year record shows violations and actions from the past three years and is what most employers and insurers request. A complete record goes back further and includes older violations and suspensions. Most people need only the three-year record; a complete record is typically requested for court cases or specific background investigations.
Will a violation from another state show up on my Arizona record?
Out-of-state violations do not automatically appear on your Arizona record, but they can affect your Arizona license through the Interstate Compact. If you're convicted in another state, that state may report it to Arizona, which can result in suspension or revocation of your Arizona license. Check with ADOT if you've had violations in other states.
How much does it cost to get my driving record?
The fee for an Arizona driving record typically ranges from $5 to $10 depending on which type you request and how you order it. Online orders are usually processed when ready; mail orders take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at a Motor Vehicle Division office are processed the same day.