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Arizona traffic tickets

Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in Arizona.

Speeding ticketUp to about $498estimate with court costs
License at risk8 ptsin 12 months
Defensive driving schoolYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+30%on $2,832 a year

What will my ticket really cost? Check my points

What kind of ticket did you get?

Which court is on your ticket?

State law sets a range, and the court picks the amount. Pick the court named on your ticket.

Every other Arizona county court

Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 1 more court. Tap a county to open it.

Pinal County

Pinal County Justice Courts. Your notice shows the amount.

What are your options with an Arizona ticket?

Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Defensive driving school is the main way to avoid that.

  1. Plead responsible and pay

    Pay the amount for your violation online, by mail or at the court before your court date. Each court publishes its own amounts.

    What it does: The court reports the judgment to MVD and points apply.[24][25][20]

  2. Take defensive driving school

    Sign up with an Arizona Supreme Court certified school and finish at least 7 days before your court date. Do not pay the fine.

    What it does: The ticket is dismissed and stays off your driving record. Once every 12 months.[3][4][24][25]

    Cost: School fee set by court and school

  3. Plead not responsible and ask for a hearing

    Ask for a hearing by mail or at your court date. The officer is subpoenaed. You can hire a lawyer if you tell the court at least 10 days before.

    What it does: If found not responsible, no fine and no points. If found responsible, the judge can set a higher or lower penalty. You give up defensive driving school for that charge.[24][25]

  4. Show proof for a fix-it ticket

    Bring or send proof of insurance, registration or a valid license that was current when you were cited.

    What it does: Many of these charges are dismissed or reduced.[24][25]

What does Arizona law allow for speeding?

Speeding, civil (up to 20 mph over in most places)Up to about $498[8]up to $250 fine + costs

Every civil traffic penalty gets a 68% surcharge, a 10% and a 1% Clean Elections surcharge, plus fixed assessments of $20, $13, $4, $9 and $4 ($50 in all).[10][9][8]

Every fine on the Arizona schedule (8)
TicketState fineWith court costs
Speeding, civil (up to 20 mph over in most places)No statewide amount per mph.Up to $250[8]Up to $498
Waste of a finite resource (up to 10 mph over on roads posted 30 to 40 mph or more)No points, not reported to MVD, and insurers may not count it.Up to $15[17]Up to $77
Excessive speed (more than 20 over, over 35 near a school crossing, or over 45 where no limit is posted in a business or residential district)A class 3 misdemeanor, so you must go to court.On your notice[18]Plus court costs
Using a handheld wireless device while driving, first violationA second or later violation is $400.$75–$149[13]$184–$317
Not wearing a seat beltBase civil penalty set by statute.Up to $10[14]Up to $68
Passing a stopped school bus, first violationAt least $750 and up to 6 months of suspension for a second violation within 36 months.At least $250[15]At least $498
No insurance (financial responsibility), first violationPlus a 3-month license suspension or restriction.At least $500[16]At least $945
Other civil traffic violations (red light, stop sign, following too close and similar)Each court sets its own amount.Up to $250[8]Up to $498

With court costs is an estimate. 68%, 10% and 1% surcharges plus $50 in fixed assessments.[10][9][8] Your notice shows the exact total.

How many points is a speeding ticket in Arizona?

All 13 point values
  • Driving over or parking in a gore area3 pts[5]
  • Wrong-way driving2 pts[5]
  • Running a red light2 pts[5]
  • Running a stop sign2 pts[5][6]
  • All other moving violations2 pts[5]
How points work in Arizona

MVD adds points to your permanent driving record for each moving violation conviction or bail forfeiture. Speeding is 3 points and most other moving violations are 2. DUI, reckless driving, racing and aggressive driving are 8. Reaching 8 or more points in 12 months brings an order to finish Traffic Survival School or a suspension. Finishing defensive driving school for a ticket keeps it off your record, so no points apply.[2][5][4]

Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →

When can you lose your license?

  1. 8 ptsin 12 months8 to 12 points[2]
  2. 13 ptsin 12 months13 to 17 points[2]
  3. 18 ptsin 12 months18 to 23 points[2]
  4. 24 ptsin 36 months24 or more points[2]
Full wording of each rule
  • 8 points in 12 months: 8 to 12 points: order to finish Traffic Survival School within 60 days, or a 6-month suspension. If you finished the school in the previous 24 months, a 3-month suspension instead.
  • 13 points in 12 months: 13 to 17 points: 3-month suspension.
  • 18 points in 12 months: 18 to 23 points: 6-month suspension.
  • 24 points in 36 months: 24 or more points: 12-month suspension.
  • Any red light or stop sign conviction, aggressive driving, or a moving violation causing death or serious injury: Traffic Survival School is required no matter how many points you have. Not finishing it brings a suspension.

Getting your license back after a suspension costs $10 in Arizona, before any course or court costs.[22]

Drivers under 21

Drivers under 18 must finish Traffic Survival School after their first moving violation. Anyone under 18 with a civil ticket must appear in court with a parent or guardian.[6][25]

Can defensive driving school keep a ticket off your record in Arizona?

It can help. The court dismisses the ticket and MVD does not put it on your driving record, so no points apply.[4][24]

How often: Once every 12 months, counted from the date of the last violation you took the class for.

Official list of approved schools ↗

Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →

Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost

The court dismisses the ticket and MVD does not put it on your driving record, so no points apply. You pay the school instead of the fine.[4][24]

Who can use it: Civil moving violations that did not cause death or serious injury. One violation per ticket. Some courts also allow it for criminal speeding. You give up the option if you ask for a hearing. Finish the class at least 7 days before your court date.[3][24][25]

Commercial (CDL) drivers: Yes[3][25]

Cost: Not confirmed: Each court sets a diversion fee, and the Supreme Court publishes the total cost by court. See the court pages.[26]

Do school and work zones cost more?

School zones

Doubled. The limit is 15 mph between the school crossing signs, and a violation carries the civil penalty plus an equal extra assessment, with surcharges on the penalty only.[11]

Work zones

Doubled when workers are present. Speeding in a state highway work zone with workers present carries the usual penalty plus an equal extra assessment.[12]

When is your ticket due?

  1. Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[24][25]
    Details

    Respond by the court date on your citation. If you miss it: The court enters a default judgment, adds fees, and reports it to MVD. Your vehicle registration can be blocked and the debt sent to collections.

  2. 14daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[23]
    Details

    Appeal a civil traffic judgment. If you miss it: After 14 calendar days you lose the right to appeal.

  3. 15daysAsk MVD for a hearing on a Traffic Survival School orderfrom the notice date[2]
    Details

    Ask MVD for a hearing on a Traffic Survival School order. If you miss it: The order stands.

  4. 30daysPay the civil penalty after judgmentfrom conviction[19][20]
    Details

    Pay the civil penalty after judgment. If you miss it: The court can declare the full amount due and tell MVD, which can suspend your license until it is paid.

  5. 60daysFinish Traffic Survival School after an MVD orderfrom the notice date[2]
    Details

    Finish Traffic Survival School after an MVD order. If you miss it: MVD issues a 6-month suspension.

  6. Date on noticeFinish defensive driving schoolset by the court[25][24]
    Details

    Finish defensive driving school. If you miss it: If you miss it without an extension, you must answer the ticket in court.

What happens if you don't respond

Missing your court date on a civil ticket counts as admitting it. The court enters a default judgment, reports it to MVD and adds a default fee and a time payment fee, $30 and $20 in Maricopa County justice courts. Your registration renewal can be blocked and the debt can go to collections or tax refund interception. For a criminal traffic charge, MVD suspends your license until you appear.[24][25][21]

Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?

Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?

Arizona is in the Nonresident Violator Compact. Out-of-state drivers can usually take an Arizona defensive driving class online or near home to have an eligible ticket dismissed.[1][25][24]

How out-of-state tickets work →

How much will it raise your insurance in Arizona?

One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 30% on average in Arizona[1], from a clean-record average of $2,832 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $2,549 on top of the fine.

Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.

Where are the official pages?

What else do people ask?

How do points work in Arizona?

MVD adds points to your permanent driving record for each moving violation conviction or bail forfeiture. Speeding is 3 points and most other moving violations are 2. DUI, reckless driving, racing and aggressive driving are 8. Reaching 8 or more points in 12 months brings an order to finish Traffic Survival School or a suspension. Finishing defensive driving school for a ticket keeps it off your record, so no points apply.

How many points before your license is at risk in Arizona?

8 points in 12 months: 8 to 12 points: order to finish Traffic Survival School within 60 days, or a 6-month suspension. If you finished the school in the previous 24 months, a 3-month suspension instead.

Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in Arizona?

Defensive driving school: The court dismisses the ticket and MVD does not put it on your driving record, so no points apply. You pay the school instead of the fine. Limit: Once every 12 months, counted from the date of the last violation you took the class for.

Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to Arizona?

Arizona is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to Arizona. Arizona is in the Nonresident Violator Compact. Out-of-state drivers can usually take an Arizona defensive driving class online or near home to have an eligible ticket dismissed.

How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in Arizona?

About 30% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.

Sources

Arizona law and DMV sources (26)
  1. AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
  2. Ariz. Admin. Code R17-4-404 Driver Point Assessment, Traffic Survival Schools, Arizona Department of Transportation (via Cornell LII).
  3. A.R.S. 28-3392 Defensive driving school, eligibility, Arizona Legislature.
  4. A.R.S. 28-3394 Successful course completion, Arizona Legislature.
  5. Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division.
  6. ADOT MVD: Suspension and Traffic Survival School, Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division.
  7. A.R.S. 28-3306 Discretionary license suspension or revocation, traffic survival school, hearing, Arizona Legislature.
  8. A.R.S. 28-1598 Maximum civil penalty, Arizona Legislature.
  9. A.R.S. 12-116.01 Surcharges, Arizona Legislature.
  10. Arizona Supreme Court AOC: 2025 Legislative Session Charge Penalty Schedule Updates, Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts.
  11. A.R.S. 28-797 School crossings, civil penalty, assessment, Arizona Legislature.
  12. A.R.S. 28-710 State highway work zone safety, civil penalty, Arizona Legislature.
  13. A.R.S. 28-914 Use of portable wireless communication device while driving, Arizona Legislature.
  14. A.R.S. 28-909 Seat belts, civil penalty, Arizona Legislature.
  15. A.R.S. 28-857 Overtaking and passing school bus, Arizona Legislature.
  16. A.R.S. 28-4135 Motor vehicle financial responsibility requirement, civil penalties, Arizona Legislature.
  17. A.R.S. 28-702.01 Waste of a finite resource, civil penalties, Arizona Legislature.
  18. A.R.S. 28-701.02 Excessive speeds, classification, Arizona Legislature.
  19. A.R.S. 28-1601 Failure to pay civil penalty, suspension or restriction of driving privilege, Arizona Legislature.
  20. A.R.S. 28-3305 Court action on conviction, Arizona Legislature.
  21. A.R.S. 28-3308 Mandatory suspension, failure to appear, Arizona Legislature.
  22. A.R.S. 28-3002 Driver license fees, Arizona Legislature.
  23. Mohave County Courts: Defendant's Notice of Right to Appeal (Civil Traffic), Superior Court of Arizona, County of Mohave.
  24. Justice Courts of Maricopa County: Going to Court (traffic), Justice Courts of Maricopa County.
  25. Justice Courts of Maricopa County: Court Citation Information Guide (bond insert, revised 9-19-2025), Justice Courts of Maricopa County.
  26. A.R.S. 28-3395 Supreme court authority and duties, defensive driving, Arizona Legislature.
Insurance sources (4)
  1. State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  2. Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  3. How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  4. How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).