How does a DUI affect my driver's license in Arizona? Suspension, Penalties, and Next Steps
Getting a DUI in Arizona can quickly change your daily life. If you are charged with a DUI, your driver's license will be automatically suspended, even if it is your first offense. This means you may lose the ability to drive right away, making it hard to get to work or school.
The penalties do not stop with just the suspension. Depending on your case, you could face more serious actions like a longer suspension, revocation, or limited driving rights. Understanding what happens to your license can help you avoid surprises and plan your next steps.
Key Takeaways
- DUI charges in Arizona mean automatic license suspension.
- Penalties and restrictions depend on the details of your DUI offense.
- Getting your license back may require following strict rules and legal steps.
How a DUI Impacts Your Driver’s License in Arizona
A DUI arrest in Arizona can lead to immediate and long-term changes in your driving privileges. Your license may be suspended both before and after any court conviction, due to how the Arizona MVD handles DUI charges.
Immediate License Suspension After Arrest
If you are arrested for DUI in Arizona, police will usually take your license right away. This is called an “administrative license suspension.” The officer may give you a temporary permit, usually good for 15 days, so you have time to arrange alternate transportation or request a hearing.
This immediate suspension can happen even before you go to court. The suspension is often for 90 days for a first-time DUI, but more severe cases or repeat offenses lead to longer periods. You still have the right to challenge the suspension through the Arizona MVD, but there are strict deadlines. Acting quickly is important so you don’t miss your chance to request a hearing and present your side.
Arizona MVD Administrative Process
After a DUI arrest, the Arizona MVD controls most of the next steps affecting your driving privileges. You will get a notice about your suspension. If you want to fight the suspension, you must ask the MVD for a hearing, usually within 15 days of your arrest. If you do not act, the suspension automatically begins.
During the hearing, you can present evidence and argue your case. The MVD can either uphold or cancel the suspension, depending on what it finds. If you lose, your driving privileges will stay suspended for a set amount of time. Even after a hearing, the MVD may require you to complete alcohol education, counseling, or install an ignition interlock device on your car to regain your license.
Consequences of DUI Conviction on License
If you are found guilty of DUI in court, the penalties become more strict. For a first DUI conviction, your license can be suspended for at least 90 days. Serious DUIs or repeat offenses can cause a suspension or even a full revocation lasting one year or longer.
It is important to know the difference between suspension (losing driving privileges for a set time) and revocation (driver’s license canceled and must be reapplied for). On top of losing your license, the MVD may require you to install an ignition interlock device, which means you must blow into a breathalyzer before starting your car.
You might also be ordered to attend DUI education or treatment and pay fees before your license can be reinstated. All these penalties are added to any criminal charges you face. Each case is different, so the length and type of penalty can change based on your record and the details of your arrest.
Types of DUIs and Related Penalties
Arizona enforces strict DUI laws with severe penalties for all types of impaired driving. The consequences depend on factors such as your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), age, and past DUI charges.
Standard DUI and Blood Alcohol Content Thresholds
A standard DUI in Arizona applies if your BAC is 0.08% or higher if you are over 21, and 0.04% for commercial drivers. If you show signs of impaired driving, you can be charged even below these limits.
Penalties for a first standard DUI include:
- At least 10 days in jail (some time may be suspended)
- A fine of at least $1,250
- Minimum 90-day license suspension
- Mandatory alcohol education or treatment
For a second DUI, penalties increase, including longer jail time, higher fines, and a longer license suspension.
Extreme and Super Extreme DUI Offenses
Extreme DUI is charged when your BAC is 0.15% or higher within two hours of driving. Super Extreme DUI applies if your BAC is 0.20% or more.
Key differences:
- Extreme DUI:
- Jail: Minimum 30 days
- Fine: At least $2,500
- License suspension: 90 days or more
- Super Extreme DUI:
- Jail: Minimum 45 days
- Higher fines and longer suspension
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device
These offenses lead to stricter penalties than standard DUIs, even for a first-time charge.
Aggravated DUI and Felony Implications
Aggravated DUI is a felony in Arizona. This charge applies if you get a DUI with a suspended license, have two prior DUI convictions in seven years, or have a child under 15 in the vehicle.
Aggravated DUI penalties:
- Prison sentence ranging from 2.25 to 7.5 years
- License revocation for at least one year
- Required alcohol education, treatment, and possible community service
- Mandatory ignition interlock device after reinstatement
Felony charges make it harder to regain your license and have long-term impacts on your driving record.
Zero Tolerance and Underage DUIs
Arizona has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21. Any measurable alcohol in your system, even below 0.08%, can result in a DUI charge.
Penalties for underage DUI include:
- Mandatory license suspension for up to two years
- Fines and possible jail time, especially for repeat offenses
- Required alcohol education classes
You do not need to be visibly impaired—just any alcohol content can lead to a charge. Underage drivers who refuse testing may face additional license consequences.
License Reinstatement, Restrictions, and Legal Procedures
After a DUI in Arizona, your license may be suspended or revoked. To drive again, you have to complete specific steps set by the state, which can include using an ignition interlock device, applying for restricted licenses, and attending hearings.
Ignition Interlock Device Requirements
If you are convicted of DUI in Arizona, you often must have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. This device checks your breath for alcohol before your car starts. Most first-time offenders must use this device for at least 12 months, but longer use may be required for repeat offenses or higher blood alcohol levels.
You must pay all costs for installation, monthly maintenance, and removal of the device. If you remove or tamper with the device, or if you try to get around it, your period with the device may be lengthened and you could face more penalties.
Before you can reinstate your license, you usually have to prove you used the interlock device as required. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) will get reports from the device provider to check your compliance.
Restricted Licenses and Hardship Permits
When your license is suspended or revoked, you might want to ask about a restricted license or hardship permit. These allow you to drive for specific reasons, such as to work, school, medical appointments, or treatment programs.
In Arizona, restricted licenses are not always available right away and are only given in certain situations. You often must finish a portion of your suspension before you can apply. The MVD reviews your case to see if you qualify. If you get this license, you still must follow all DUI restrictions, such as using an ignition interlock device if ordered.
Driving outside the allowed reasons can get your restricted license taken away, and you might face new charges.
MVD Hearings and Legal Representation
After a DUI arrest, you have the right to ask for an MVD hearing to challenge your license suspension. This hearing is separate from your criminal court case. You must request the hearing quickly—usually within 15 days of your arrest notification.
At the hearing, you may present evidence or arguments with help from a DUI attorney or criminal defense lawyer. Legal representation can explain your options, help with plea deals, and argue for you. An attorney with experience in DUI defense often helps people keep driving rights or lessen penalties.
If you do not win at the hearing, your license remains suspended or revoked. You must finish the penalties, which can include classes, payments, and interlock device use, before you can drive again legally.
Other Legal, Educational, and County-Specific Considerations
A DUI in Arizona can lead to more than just a license suspension. There are mandatory courses, testing procedures, and even local law differences that may affect your case and next steps.
Education and Treatment Program Requirements
After a DUI in Arizona, you may need to complete education or treatment programs. These classes are mandatory for most DUI convictions.
You could be ordered to attend alcohol or drug education sessions, especially if your offense involved alcohol or an illegal drug. If your case is more serious, longer treatment may be required. Failing to finish programs on time could delay getting your license back.
Most programs cover topics like Arizona traffic law, personal responsibility, and the dangers of impaired driving. The Department of Transportation will not reinstate your license until you provide proof of completion. These program requirements apply whether your case is in Maricopa County, Coconino County, or elsewhere.
Field Sobriety and Chemical Tests
Police can stop you if they have reasonable grounds to believe you are impaired. You might be asked to take field sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line, standing on one leg, or following a moving object with your eyes.
Refusing these tests is legal, but there are consequences. If you refuse a chemical test—like a breath, blood, or urine test—your license can be suspended for one year or more, even if you aren’t later convicted of DUI.
Chemical tests check for alcohol and illegal drug levels in your system. If you fail these tests, results can be used as evidence in court. The penalties can increase for higher blood alcohol content or for drugs found in your system.
Regional Differences: Coconino County and Beyond
DUI cases can vary depending on where in Arizona you are charged. For example, Coconino County may have its own procedures or recommendations for DUI cases that are different from Maricopa County.
Some counties might require appearances at special hearings, while others could offer local resources to help you complete education programs. Fines, legal fees, and even jail time can also differ by county. Keep in mind that while certain state-wide rules apply, aspects of your DUI case may be handled differently if you’re in a rural area versus a city.
Local rules may also affect which courts handle your case, the schedule for hearings, and available legal help. For questions about family law, estate law, or other areas, you might need a lawyer who understands both state and county differences.
