Arizona Driving Points are the hidden cost of a speeding ticket — they pile up on your license, and enough of them in a set time window will suspend your right to drive. This guide explains the Arizona point system in plain English: exactly how many points a speeding ticket adds at each speed bracket, how many arizona driving points trigger a suspension, how long points stay on your record, and how to check and reduce them.
All figures are estimates for general guidance, verified against Arizona sources as of June 2026.
In This Arizona Guide:
How Arizona Driving Points Work
Arizona uses a POINT SYSTEM. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) assigns points to a driver’s record for each moving violation conviction. Points range from 2 to 8 depending on violation severity. Accumulating too many points within a 12-month or 36-month window triggers corrective action or license suspension under ARS 28-3306.
Arizona Driving Points by Speed Bracket
Here is how many arizona driving points a speeding ticket typically adds, based on how far over the limit you were going:
| How Fast Over the Limit | Points Added |
|---|---|
| 1-10 mph over | 3 (Arizona does not differentiate points by mph over the limit — all speeding violations, whether civil or criminal, carry 3 points) |
| 11-20 mph over | 3 (same flat rate — all speeding violations assess 3 points regardless of speed) |
| 21+ mph over | 3 (same 3 points, though speeding 20+ mph over the limit in a 45+ mph zone, exceeding 85 mph, or going 35+ in a school zone triggers criminal speeding under ARS 28-701.02, which is a class 3 misdemeanor with additional criminal penalties beyond the 3 points) |
How long points last: Points remain on your MVD driving record for 36 months (3 years) from the violation date. However, the primary corrective action thresholds (8-23 points) use a rolling 12-month window. The 24-point threshold uses the full 36-month window. Points remain visible on your permanent Motor Vehicle Record even after they stop counting toward thresholds.
How Many Arizona Driving Points Until Suspension?
In Arizona, 8-12 points in 12 months triggers mandatory Traffic Survival School (TSS). 13-17 points in 12 months triggers a 3-month license suspension. 18-23 points in 12 months triggers a 6-month suspension. 24+ points in 36 months triggers a 12-month suspension with no TSS option. Each new speeding ticket pushes you closer to that limit, which is why watching your arizona driving points matters even when a single ticket seems minor.
How to Check and Reduce Your Arizona Driving Points
How to check your points: Drivers can check their points by ordering a 39-month Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) through AZ MVD Now at azmvdnow.gov. You can also request your record through the MVRRS (Motor Vehicle Record Request System) at ptl.az.gov/mvrrs. A fee applies. You will need your driver license number and full name. Your record shows accumulated points, violations, accidents, suspensions, and restrictions.
How to reduce your arizona driving points: Arizona offers a Defensive Driving School (DDS) diversion program overseen by the Arizona Supreme Court. Completing a DDS course DISMISSES the citation entirely, meaning no points are assessed and no conviction appears on your record. You may be eligible if: (1) the violation is a civil (non-criminal) traffic offense, (2) you have not attended DDS for ticket dismissal in the prior 12 months, (3) you do not hold a CDL, and (4) the violation is not a serious offense like DUI, reckless driving, or aggressive driving.
The course can be completed online and you must submit the certificate at least 7 days before your court hearing date. See azcourts.gov/drive for approved schools. Note: Traffic Survival School (TSS) is a separate mandatory program ordered by MVD when you accumulate 8-12 points — TSS does NOT remove points but satisfies the corrective action requirement to avoid suspension. See our Arizona traffic school guide for the full point-reduction process.
Reinstating a suspended license: To reinstate a points-suspended license in Arizona: (1) wait for the full suspension period to end (3, 6, or 12 months depending on your tier), (2) complete any MVD-ordered requirements such as Traffic Survival School, fine payments, or SR-22 proof of insurance if required, (3) contact the court listed on your suspension notice and obtain a Court Abstract or Court Clearance form, (4) visit MVD in person or online, (5) pay the reinstatement fee (approximately 10) plus any applicable license fees, and (6) MVD reviews your case and mails a Permission to Reapply Notice listing any remaining requirements.
Do not drive until properly reinstated — driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Arizona.
Insurance Points vs DMV Points in Arizona
Arizona MVD points and insurance company points are two separate systems. Your auto insurance provider uses its own internal point or risk-rating system to determine your premium. A speeding ticket may raise your insurance rates even if you successfully complete Defensive Driving School to avoid MVD points, because insurers can still see the original citation on your record or through claims databases.
📨 Get Free Traffic Ticket Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Conversely, insurance companies may weigh violations differently than MVD does. Always check with your specific insurer to understand how a ticket may affect your premiums. A ticket can raise your premium for years — compare cheaper car insurance at Car Cover Guide if a ticket has pushed your rate up.
How Arizona Driving Points Actually Work
A point system is the state’s way of tracking risky driving. Each moving violation adds a set number of points to your license, and the points stay on your record for a fixed period before they drop off. If you collect too many Arizona driving points inside that window, the DMV suspends your license — which is why even a minor speeding ticket matters if you already have points.
It is important to separate two different kinds of points. DMV points are what the state uses to suspend your license. Insurance points are a separate system your insurer uses to set your premium, and they often last longer than DMV points. A single speeding ticket can therefore cost you twice: once toward a possible suspension, and again as a higher insurance bill.
Some states do not use points at all and instead apply a surcharge or simply track convictions, but the practical effect is the same — more violations mean a higher chance of losing your license and paying more to drive.
Keeping your Arizona driving points low protects more than your license — it protects your wallet. Drivers with a clean record qualify for the best insurance rates, while each added violation can move you into a higher-risk tier. If a ticket has pushed your points up, acting quickly to reduce or contest it is usually worth the effort.
What to Do About Your Arizona Speeding Ticket
Once you have a Arizona speeding ticket, you generally have three choices, and the right one depends on the points involved, your driving record, and your insurance:
- Pay it — the fastest option, but paying is an admission of guilt that adds points and can raise your premium for years.
- Fight it — contesting can get the ticket reduced or dismissed, especially if the officer does not appear or the evidence is weak. See how to fight a speeding ticket in Arizona.
- Take traffic school — if you qualify, a state-approved course can keep points off your record. See the Arizona traffic school guide.
Before deciding, it helps to know the full cost — use our speeding ticket cost calculator and the Arizona points guide to see how close a ticket puts you to a suspension. There is no single right answer for everyone; the best choice depends on how many points the ticket adds, what your record looks like, and how much your insurance would rise.
Other Arizona rules to know: (1) Arizona does NOT use a graduated points scale for speeding — all speeding tickets carry a flat 3 points whether you are 1 mph or 30 mph over the limit. (2) Criminal speeding (ARS 28-701.02) is charged at 85+ mph anywhere, 20+ mph over in a 45+ mph zone, or 35+ mph in a school zone — it is a class 3 misdemeanor with possible jail time, fines, and a criminal record, in addition to the 3 MVD points.
(3) Reckless driving carries 8 points (the maximum), as do DUI and aggressive driving. (4) The Defensive Driving School option is unique in that it fully dismisses the citation rather than merely reducing points — many states only offer point reduction, but Arizona allows complete dismissal once every 12 months.
(5) Arizona driver licenses do not expire until age 65 (they are valid until the holder turns 65), which is one of the longest license durations in the nation — however, a photo update is required every 12 years. (6) Photo radar (speed camera) tickets in Arizona still assess points if properly served, but service must occur within 90 days or the ticket may be dismissed.
Official Arizona Sources & Resources
- Arizona DMV: https://azdot.gov/mvd (Arizona Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division)
- Arizona Point Schedule: https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/driver-improvement/points-assessment
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex
Statute reference: ARS 28-3306 (points system, suspension authority, Traffic Survival School); ARS 28-701(A) (civil speeding); ARS 28-701.02 (criminal speeding); ARS 28-3473 (Defensive Driving School diversion program)
This Arizona driving points guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm your current point total with the Arizona DMV.
More Arizona Traffic Ticket Guides
- Arizona Speeding Ticket Cost
- How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Arizona
- Arizona Traffic School & Dismissal
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
- All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Fines, points, and procedures are estimates for general guidance and change when state laws change. Always verify the exact amount and process with your state DMV or the court listed on your citation, and consult a licensed traffic attorney in your state for advice on your specific situation.