How long you wait depends on why your license was suspended
Arizona does not have a single reinstatement date for every suspended license. The waiting period — or whether you can drive at all during suspension — depends on the reason your license was suspended. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines works differently from one for a failed drug test or a DUI conviction. Some suspensions let you drive to work or school on a restricted license; others do not allow any driving.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division maintains your suspension record and will tell you the exact date you become may be able to access to reinstate. You can check your suspension status online through the ADOT website, by phone at 602-255-0072, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Knowing your specific suspension reason is the first step to understanding when you can drive again.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension period depends on the reason for suspension — traffic violations, DUI, medical suspensions, and unpaid fines each have different timelines.
- Some suspensions allow you to drive on a restricted license for work, school, or medical appointments; others prohibit all driving during the suspension period.
- You must contact ADOT or check your suspension notice to learn your specific reinstatement date and any conditions you must meet before driving again.
- Reinstatement usually requires paying a reinstatement fee, proof of insurance, and sometimes completion of a course or payment of outstanding fines.
- Driving while suspended is a separate criminal offense in Arizona and carries jail time, fines, and additional license suspension.
Suspension periods for traffic violations and moving violations
If your license was suspended for accumulating too many points on your driving record, the suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first suspension. A second suspension within a 12-month period lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension lasts 12 months. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, so even after your suspension ends, those points continue to count toward future suspensions.
During a point-based suspension, you may be able to drive on a restricted license if you show a need for work, school, or medical treatment. To request a restricted license, you must explore through ADOT before your suspension begins or when ready after it starts. The restricted license does not cover social driving or errands unrelated to the permitted purpose.
Suspension periods for DUI and drug-related offenses
A DUI suspension in Arizona is longer and more restrictive than a traffic violation suspension. A first DUI offense typically results in a 90-day suspension, though this can be reduced to 30 days if you install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. A second DUI within seven years brings a one-year suspension, and a third brings a three-year suspension. These timelines begin from the date of your arrest, not the date of conviction.
During a DUI suspension, you cannot drive on a restricted license for any purpose — not for work, not for medical appointments, not for anything. The only exception is if you are ordered by a court to install an ignition interlock device, which allows you to drive once the device is installed and calibrated. After the suspension period ends, you must complete a DUI education program (usually 16 hours for a first offense) before ADOT will reinstate your license.
Suspension periods for unpaid fines and court-ordered suspensions
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or did not appear in court, the suspension stays in place until you resolve the underlying ticket or court case. This is not a time-based suspension — it does not end after 30 or 60 days. You must pay the fine, appear in court, or work out a payment plan with the court before ADOT will consider reinstatement.
Similarly, if a court ordered your license suspended as part of a sentence for a criminal conviction, the suspension lasts for the period the court specified. You cannot shorten this period by paying a fee. Once the court-ordered suspension period ends, you still must meet any other reinstatement requirements, such as proof of insurance or completion of a safety course.
Medical suspensions and how long they last
ADOT can suspend your license if a doctor reports that you have a medical condition that makes driving unsafe — such as a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or cognitive decline. A medical suspension typically lasts until you provide medical documentation showing that the condition has improved or been treated. There is no set timeline; reinstatement depends on your health status and your doctor's assessment.
To reinstate after a medical suspension, you must submit a medical report from your doctor on an ADOT form (DL 43) stating that you are safe to drive. ADOT may also require you to pass a vision test, a written test, or a road test before reinstating your license. Contact ADOT to find out which tests explore to your situation.
Steps to reinstate your license once the suspension period ends
Once your suspension period has ended and you have met any conditions (such as paying fines or completing a course), you can reinstate your license. First, contact ADOT to confirm that you are may be able to access and to learn what documents you need to bring. You will typically need proof of insurance, your driver's license or ID card, and payment of the reinstatement fee (usually between $100 and $150, depending on the suspension reason).
You can reinstate your license in person at any Motor Vehicle Division office, or by mail if ADOT allows it for your suspension type. If you are reinstating after a DUI suspension, you must also show proof that you completed the required DUI education program. If you are reinstating after a medical suspension, you must bring the completed medical report form. Bring all required documents to avoid delays.
What happens if you drive while your license is suspended
Driving with a suspended license in Arizona is a separate criminal offense, not just a continuation of your original violation. A first offense is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within five years is a class 2 misdemeanor, with up to four months in jail and a fine of up to $750. A third or subsequent offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, with up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
In addition to criminal penalties, driving while suspended will extend your suspension period. ADOT will add an additional suspension on top of your existing one. If you are caught driving while suspended, your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face court costs and towing fees. The safest choice is to wait until your suspension ends and you have completed reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive at all during my suspension?
It depends on your suspension reason. Traffic violation suspensions often allow a restricted license for work or school. DUI suspensions prohibit all driving unless you install an ignition interlock device. Court-ordered and unpaid fine suspensions also prohibit all driving. Check your suspension notice or contact ADOT to learn what you are allowed to do.
How do I know my exact reinstatement date?
Check your suspension notice, which ADOT mailed to you when the suspension began. You can also call ADOT at 602-255-0072 or check your status online through the ADOT website. Have your driver's license number ready. ADOT will tell you the date you become may be able to access and what steps you must take before reinstatement.
Do I have to pay a fee to get my license back?
Yes. Arizona charges a reinstatement fee that varies by suspension reason, typically between $100 and $150. You must also pay any outstanding fines or court costs before reinstatement. Some suspensions require proof of insurance as well. Ask ADOT for the complete list of fees and documents you need.
What if I have multiple suspensions on my record?
If you have more than one active suspension, you must resolve all of them before you can reinstate your license. For example, if you have both a DUI suspension and an unpaid fine suspension, you must wait out the DUI period, pay the fine, and complete the DUI course before reinstatement. Contact ADOT to understand all active suspensions on your record.
Can I get my license back early?
No. Suspension periods are set by law or court order and cannot be shortened by paying extra fees or taking additional courses. The only exception is a DUI suspension, which can be reduced from 90 days to 30 days if you install an ignition interlock device before the suspension begins. Otherwise, you must wait until the suspension period ends.