Arizona Traffic Violation Records

The Motor Vehicle Department of the Arizona Department of Transportation is in charge of maintaining traffic violation records in the Grand Canyon State. However, some records of traffic violations are maintained by the courts where traffic criminal cases are heard.

Traffic violations are some of the most common cases handled by Arizona courts. Of these violations, speeding violations are even more common. About 8.53% of drivers in Arizona have a previous speeding violation on their driving record. This figure is about 19% lower than the national average of 10.54%.

There are serious consequences in Arizona law for drivers who are issued a speeding ticket. Arizona employs a point system where offenses are assigned specific point values. Accumulating 8 or more points within 12 months may result in license suspension or mandatory attendance in traffic school.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Arizona?

Traffic violation records in Arizona are publicly accessible, especially those maintained by the state courts. However, driving records are typically not allowed to be obtained by members of the public except for the record owners or insurance companies of law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances.

Note that records relating to traffic-related crimes, such as DUIs, vehicular manslaughter, or hit-and-run offenses, are maintained by the Arizona superior court or the appropriate municipal or justice court where the case was heard. Court records for these offenses are also generally public, except where exceptions have been granted for sealed or expunged records.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Arizona?

You may look up a traffic ticket using the case search tool on the Arizona Judicial Branch website. In some municipalities, the website of the local court with jurisdiction over the ticket also offers a search tool to look up traffic ticket information. To look up a traffic ticket, you may need to provide information such as your name, citation date, ticket number, or driver's license number to complete a search. Also, traffic violation records may be found by searching the online databases provided by reputable third-party websites like publicrecords.us.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

Traffic violation fines may be paid online via AZCOURTPAY, in person, over the phone, or by mail, depending on the acceptable options published by the court where payment is due. Hence, you may contact the justice or municipal court indicated on your citation to determine what payment forms are accepted. Usually, cash, money orders, personal checks, MasterCard, VISA, Discover, and American Express are acceptable payment forms. Online payments are available at many courthouse locations in the state for civil traffic tickets.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your driving record online from the Motor Vehicle Division via the AZMVDNow.gov website, by mail, or at an MVD or authorized third-party office. The fee is $3 for an uncertified record (three-year Arizona motor driving record) or $5 for a certified record (five-year Arizona motor driving record). For walk-in and mail requests, the fees are the same: $3 for an uncertified record and $5 for a certified record. An Arizona driving record includes details such as moving violations, traffic tickets, accidents, DUI violations, and any license suspensions or revocations.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Arizona?

Traffic infractions in Arizona are typically categorized as moving or non-moving violations. Moving violations are traffic infractions that occur while the vehicle is in motion. Common examples in Arizona are:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence
• Tailgating
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian

Non-moving violations generally involve traffic offenses that do not occur while the vehicle is in motion. Examples include:

• Improper parking
• Expired registration
• Broken or improper vehicle equipment
• Seatbelt violation

Penalties for moving violations in Arizona may include fines, points added to the driver's license, mandatory traffic school, and license suspension for severe offenses. Non-moving violations typically result in fines but do not usually add demerit points to the driver's license or record.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Arizona?

DUI is a serious offense in Arizona, and the state emphasizes that by ensuring that DUI convictions remain on an offender's criminal record for life. The DUI arrest rate per 100,000 drivers in Arizona is 298, while the DUI road fatality rate per 100,000 drivers is estimated at 7.7.

Arizona has enacted strict laws and severe penalties for DUI offenses due to the high risk it poses to public safety. A first offense for standard DUI (0.08% or higher Blood Alcohol Content) is punishable with a minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail and a fine of no less than $1,250. For extreme DUI (0.15% or higher BAC), a first offense is punishable by a minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail and a fine of no less than $2,500. If the BAC is 0.20% or higher, a first offender may be punished with up to $3,250 in fines and a minimum of 45 days in jail.

Note that penalties are stricter for second- and third-time offenders, with the potential for higher fines, extended jail time, mandatory alcohol screening, and installation of an ignition interlock device.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Arizona?

In Arizona, individuals caught exceeding the speed limit or violating traffic laws may face several penalties. For a first-time offense, the driver could receive a fine of up to $250 and risk having their driver's license suspended for a period of up to one year. Per ARS 28-701, statutory speed limits in the state include the following:

• 15 mph in a school crossing area
• 25 mph in a business or residential district
• 65 mph in other locations

Note that you are at risk of being charged with criminal speeding in Arizona if you exceed the posted speed limit by 20 mph or more, exceed 35 mph in a school zone, and 45 mph in a business or residential area, if no speed is posted.

Criminal speeding may result in up to a $500 fine (plus surcharge), up to a year of probation, up to 30 days in jail, and up to three demerit points added on your driving license.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Arizona?

In Arizona, a speeding ticket generally remains on your driving record for three years. However, its effect on your auto insurance premiums may last longer, as insurers may factor in traffic violations for up to five years when determining your insurance rates.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

You may appeal a traffic ticket in Arizona in the following ways:

• Request a Court Hearing: You may plead not guilty and request a hearing to present your case before a judge. This allows you to argue your defense and challenge the evidence presented by the officer.
• Challenge the Evidence: Contest the accuracy of the evidence, including radar gun calibration, officer observations, or traffic camera footage.
• Negotiate a Plea Bargain: In some instances, you may be able to have the prosecutor reduce your fine or lower the charge in exchange for a guilty plea. This can result in fewer points on your record.
• Attend Defensive Driving School: Arizona offers the option to attend a defensive driving course for eligible minor violations. Completing this course may result in the ticket being dismissed, preventing points from being added to your driving record.
• File an Appeal: If you are found guilty at the initial hearing, you may appeal the decision to a higher court.

While you can represent yourself in a traffic case in court, it is advisable to hire a traffic attorney if you face serious charges such as reckless driving or DUI. Using the services of an experienced traffic attorney is also recommended if you have multiple offenses on your record or if the ticket is likely to result in a suspended or revoked license.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

Arizona is a participating member of two major driver reciprocity agreements in the United States - The Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). These agreements allow states to share information about traffic violations committed by non-resident drivers. This means that if you receive a traffic ticket in another DLC state, Arizona will treat the offense as if it occurred locally, potentially adding points to your driving record and affecting your insurance rates. In addition, the NRVC authorizes Arizona to suspend your driver's license until the resolution of the matter if you fail to pay a traffic ticket issued out of state.

You may contest an out-of-state ticket in the following ways:

• Check the Court's Website: Visit the website of the court handling your ticket in the state where the violation occurred. Look for instructions on how to contest the ticket.
• Submit a Written Affidavit: Some states allow you to contest the ticket by submitting a written affidavit, explaining your case and providing any evidence.
• Hire a Local Attorney: Consider hiring an attorney in the state where the violation occurred. They can represent you in court and help negotiate reduced fines or the dismissal of the ticket.

How Do Arizona Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Although many traffic laws are common to all states, there are specific laws or modifications to the general laws that are unique to Arizona. Some of these laws include the following:

• Slow Driving in the Left Lane: Arizona law restricts drivers from using the left lane on multi-lane roads or highways, except for passing. Since 2018, traffic violations have been issued to those who do not use the left lane for passing.
• Cell Phone Use While Driving: Handheld cell phone use has been illegal in Arizona since 2019. Drivers may be fined for using a handheld device while driving, except in situations where the device is in hands-free mode.
• Driving in the Carpool Lane: In Arizona, you may enter and exit the HOV lane at any point as long as your vehicle holds two or more people. This is enforced Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. During other hours, you may drive in the HOV lane without passengers.
• Child Seats: Arizona law requires children to be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat until the age of 8 or until they reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches.
• Stupid Motorist Law: Drivers who become stranded after driving around a barricade or warning sign to drive through a flooded area are financially liable for the cost of their rescue.
• Sharing the Road: Arizona law stipulates that all vehicles, including those operated by driving animal-drawn vehicles or individuals riding animals and bicyclists, have co-equal rights to use the roadways. Motorists must take care when approaching livestock, horses, and bicyclists.