Driver's License Suspensions and Restrictions in Arizona

Our lives revolve around transportation, whether you need it to get to the gym, work, school or the grocery store. The state of Arizona punishes drivers for certain driving violations or criminal offenses, including DUIs, by suspending (or even revoking) the perpetrator’s driver’s license.

Losing your driving privileges can disrupt your lifestyle, and people in this situation are frequently desperate to find a way to restore their rights.

There may be a way to have your driver’s license reinstated after the suspension period has ended. The length of this period and your options for legal recourse may vary depending on the cause for suspension.

An Arizona criminal defense attorney can help answer any questions and work to get your license reinstated in a timely manner.

Are There Different Types of License Suspensions?

If you have been charged with a DUI in Arizona, you may face two different types of license suspensions that will likely overlap:

1. Criminal suspension (suspension issued after a conviction)
2. Administrative suspension (issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, also known as the MVD)

Your license may be suspended either administratively before you are even convicted of a DUI or once you’ve been convicted of a DUI. If you aren’t found guilty by the court, the DMV can still legally suspend your license for refusing a breathalyzer or blood test.

Reasons Why a License Can Be Suspended in the State of Arizona

• Traffic-related offenses: Causing a serious accident that results in the death or injury of someone else, reckless driving or failing to appear in court for speeding tickets or other traffic violations are all potential reasons your license could be suspended.

• Accumulating too many points on your license: Like most states, Arizona utilizes a point system to track your driving record. If you accumulate eight or more points within a year, you will face a mandatory license suspension. You may have the option to attend driving school, which can help remove points from your license after a traffic violation.

• Driving under the influence (DUI): It is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or marijuana. If you are arrested for drunk driving and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, your license will automatically be suspended for 12 months. Your license can also be suspended if you refuse to take a breathalyzer or drug test.

How Long can a License be Suspended in Arizona?

The standard suspension for a driver’s license in the state of Arizona for a first offense DUI is 90 days, or for a second offense is 12 months. If the driver refuses the blood test the suspension is 12 months, however, the DMV may issue a longer suspension (24 months) if the driver has refused to take a breath test twice within an 84-month period.

Can You Drive on a Suspended License?

Never drive on a suspended or revoked license in Arizona. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you only increase the amount of time you have left before your license will be reinstated. Since driving without a license is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, you may be looking at six months of jail time, probation and thousands of dollars in fines. However, some suspensions offer drivers the opportunity to either drive on a restricted permit for work purposes, or drive on a SIIRDL (Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver’s License.)

What Does it Mean to Have Your License Revoked?

Having your license revoked is more serious than a suspension and more difficult to reverse later down the road. It is the termination of your driving privileges. If you are eligible, you will need to complete a “Permission to Reapply” to get a new license once your revocation period has expired.

For DUI-related suspensions, you may be required to provide proof of future financial responsibility and install an ignition interlock device. Contact a DUI attorney for more information on steps to take if your license has been revoked.

A judge or the DMV may revoke your license in the following circumstances:

• Stealing a vehicle
• Committing a felony using a vehicle
• Making false statements to the DMV
• Failing to stop at the scene of a serious accident
• Being convicted of a DUI or reckless driving two or more times within 7 years

Suspended License? Call a Phoenix DUI Attorney

The Law Office of Michael Alarid is committed to helping Arizona drivers get their license back after a DUI charge. We defend drivers who are charged with alcohol, prescription drug or marijuana DUI offenses.

Schedule a consultation today by calling 602.818.3110.