Table of Contents
Points stay on license Arizona records in two different ways, and confusing the two costs drivers money. For suspension purposes, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division counts your points over a rolling 12-month window. However, the violation itself sits on your driving record far longer. A standard uncertified Arizona MVD record shows violations from the previous 39 months.
DUI entries remain for five years. As a result, drivers often hear two different answers to the same question. The short version is this: points stay on license Arizona suspension math for 12 months, but the conviction stays visible to insurers for more than three years. Knowing how long points stay on license Arizona records helps you decide whether to fight a ticket.
How Long Points Stay on License Arizona Records
Arizona uses a rolling 12-month lookback. The MVD adds up every point you earned in the previous 12 months, counted from citation date to citation date. Older points drop out of that count as time passes. For example, a 3-point speeding ticket from October 2025 no longer counts toward suspension in November 2026. In that sense, points stay on license Arizona suspension calculations for exactly one year.
The paperwork lasts longer. Your driving history still shows the conviction, the date, and the offense. Insurance companies pull that record and price your policy off it. Typically, a single speeding conviction raises Arizona premiums for three years. So while points stay on license Arizona MVD point totals for 12 months, the financial hit runs roughly three times longer.
DUI is the exception. Arizona keeps DUI-related entries on the standard record for five years. In addition, prosecutors use an 84-month (seven-year) lookback under A.R.S. 28-1381 to decide whether a new DUI is charged as a second offense. That lookback is separate from points entirely.
Arizona Point Values and Suspension Thresholds
Not every ticket carries the same weight. Arizona assigns points by offense type, and the serious ones can trigger action from a single conviction. Here is the standard schedule.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| DUI or Extreme DUI | 8 |
| Aggressive driving | 8 |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Leaving the scene of a death or injury crash | 6 |
| Speeding (civil or criminal) | 3 |
| Failure to stop for a property-damage crash | 3 |
| All other moving violations | 2 |
Eight points in 12 months is the trigger. At 8 to 12 points, the MVD orders you to attend Traffic Survival School. At 13 to 17 points, you face a three-month suspension. At 18 to 23 points, it climbs to six months. At 24 or more, the suspension can run a full 12 months. In most cases, the clock on those points stay on license Arizona totals starts running from the citation date, not the conviction date.
Criminal speeding matters here. Under A.R.S. 28-701.02, driving over 85 mph, more than 20 mph over the posted limit, or over 35 mph in a school zone is a class 3 misdemeanor. It carries up to a $500 fine plus surcharges, possible jail time, and 3 points. Those 3 points stay on license Arizona records the same 12 months as a routine speeding ticket, but the misdemeanor conviction itself is permanent unless set aside.
How to Keep Points Off Your Arizona Record
The cleanest fix is Defensive Driving School. Arizona lets eligible drivers take a 4.5-hour approved course to dismiss one qualifying civil traffic ticket. If you complete it, the violation is dismissed, and no points are assessed at all. Nothing appears on your record. For example, a driver cited at 15 mph over can walk away with zero points instead of three.
There are limits. You may use the course only once every 12 months, measured citation date to citation date. You must complete it at least seven days before your scheduled court date. Criminal speeding, DUI, and tickets involving injury or death do not qualify. Commercial license holders generally cannot use it either.
If you already crossed eight points, Traffic Survival School is mandatory. Skipping it results in an automatic suspension. However, if you attended TSS within the past 24 months, you cannot repeat it, and the MVD suspends your license for three months instead. Order your driving record from ADOT before your court date. Check the point totals yourself, because errors happen. Then decide whether to plead, take the class, or hire counsel to contest the stop.
📨 Get Free Traffic Ticket Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points fall off automatically after 12 months?
Yes, for suspension purposes. Points stay on license Arizona totals for exactly 12 months from the citation date, then stop counting. However, the violation entry remains visible on your record for about 39 months.
Can I pay to have points removed early?
No. Arizona has no point-reduction fee or expungement for points. Defensive Driving School prevents points from being added in the first place, but it cannot erase points already on your record.
Will my insurance company see the ticket after the points expire?
Typically, yes. Insurers pull the 39-month record, so a conviction is visible long after points stay on license Arizona suspension counts have expired. As a result, most drivers see higher rates for roughly three years.
Check Your Ticket Impact
Find out exactly what your speeding ticket will cost you — including the hidden insurance increase most drivers miss. Use our free tools to get the full picture.
Official Sources & Resources
For verified traffic law and speeding ticket information:
- NHTSA (Speed Data): nhtsa.gov
- NCSL (State Traffic Laws): ncsl.org
- AAA Foundation: aaafoundation.org
- IIHS (Insurance Data): iihs.org
- State DMV Websites: Check your state DMV for official point values and fine schedules
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Speeding Ticket Costs by State
- Driving Points by State
- Traffic School by State
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
- Insurance Impact Estimator
Disclaimer. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Fine amounts, point values, and traffic laws vary by jurisdiction and may change without notice. The creators assume no liability for accuracy or completeness. Always verify with your local court, DMV, or a qualified traffic attorney for advice specific to your situation.