Don't Lose Your License: The Arizona Driver's License Point System Explained

When you receive your first Arizona driver's license, you're not just getting a plastic card; you're accepting a significant responsibility. To ensure drivers uphold this responsibility, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) uses a demerit point system to track driving behavior.

Understanding this system from day one is essential for every new driver. Accumulating too many points for traffic violations can lead to serious consequences, including mandatory classes and the loss of your driving privileges. Here’s what you need to know to keep your record clean and your license safe.

How the Arizona Point System Works

The concept is simple: when you are convicted of a moving traffic violation, the MVD adds a set number of points to your driving record. The more serious the offense, the more points you receive. These points remain on your record for a specific period, and if you accumulate too many within a certain timeframe, the MVD will take corrective action.

Point Values for Common Arizona Traffic Violations

It's crucial to know which actions carry the most weight. Here are the point values for some of the most common traffic convictions in Arizona:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): 8 points
• Extreme DUI: 8 points
• Reckless Driving: 8 points
• Aggressive Driving: 8 points
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Hit and Run): 6 points
• Failure to Stop or Yield, Resulting in an Accident: 6 points
• Speeding: 3 points
• Following Too Closely: 2 points
• Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: 2 points
• Driving Over or Parking in a Gore Area: 3 points
• All other moving violations: 2 points

It’s important to note that convictions for some of the most serious offenses, like DUI, also come with separate, severe penalties including mandatory jail time, hefty fines, and lengthy license revocations that operate independently of the point system.

The Consequences of Accumulating Points

The penalties in Arizona are based on how many points you accumulate within a 12-month period.

8 to 12 Points in 12 Months: Traffic Survival School (TSS)

If you accumulate 8 or more points in any 12-month period, the MVD will require you to attend and successfully complete a mandatory Traffic Survival School (TSS) course.

• What is TSS? This is an 8-hour, in-person class designed to be a corrective measure for drivers who have demonstrated dangerous driving habits. It is punitive, not voluntary.
• The Consequence of Inaction: If you are ordered to attend TSS and fail to complete it, the MVD will suspend your driver's license until you do.

13 or More Points: License Suspension

The consequences escalate quickly if you continue to receive violations.

• 13 to 17 points in 12 months: Results in a 3-month license suspension.
• 18 to 23 points in 12 months: Results in a 6-month license suspension.
• 24 or more points in 36 months: Results in a 1-year license suspension.

A suspension means you cannot legally drive at all. Reinstating your license after a suspension period involves paying fees and potentially meeting other requirements.

A Proactive Option: Defensive Driving School

It's crucial to understand the difference between the mandatory Traffic Survival School and a voluntary Defensive Driving School.

If you receive a single, eligible moving violation (like a minor speeding ticket), you may have the option to complete a state-approved Defensive Driving School course.

• The Benefit: By successfully completing this course, your ticket is dismissed. This means no points are added to your MVD record, and the violation will not be reported to your insurance company.
• Eligibility: You can typically take a defensive driving course for a ticket dismissal once every 12 months. This is an option you must choose before paying the fine or going to court.

Choosing the defensive driving option for a minor ticket is the smartest way to keep your record clean and avoid starting down the path toward point accumulation and TSS.

How to Protect Your Driving Record

1. Be a Safe, Attentive Driver: The best strategy is prevention. Obey speed limits, avoid distractions, and drive defensively.
2. Understand GDL Laws: For teen drivers, violating your Class G license restrictions (curfew, passengers) is a moving violation that can add points to your record.
3. Opt for Defensive Driving: If you get an eligible ticket, take the defensive driving course. The cost of the class is almost always worth the benefit of a clean record.

Your driving record is a direct reflection of your choices behind the wheel. By understanding the Arizona point system, you can make informed decisions that will protect your license, your insurance rates, and your safety on the road.