Arizona Driving Records

A driving history report in Arizona generally reveals essential details about a driver's experience behind the wheel, such as infractions, license status, and accident involvement. These records may be used for various reasons, from personal reviews to professional background checks.

Since each state keeps its own motor vehicle records, access to Arizona driving records is controlled by specific local regulations. Staying informed about your Arizona driving history may help you address potential issues early and maintain a clean driving profile.

What Is an Arizona Driving Record?

A driving record may go by different names depending on the state, including driver history, motor vehicle report, or motor vehicle record.

In Arizona, a driving record that details a motorist's license status, infractions, and history of driving-related actions is officially called a motor vehicle record (MVR) and is maintained by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Under the Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) Section R17-4-802, the state provides specific rules for obtaining driving records, covering identity verification, fees, and acceptable uses.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records?

The difference between official MVRs and public driving records in Arizona generally comes down to source and purpose.

An official motor vehicle record (MVR) is typically obtained directly from the Arizona MVD and is the state's legally recognized document for verifying a driver's license status, traffic violations, license suspensions, revocations, and other driving history information.

Third-party resources like RecordsFinder are designed to make public driving records derived from available data sources to the public. Although unofficial, they aim to help the public with quick background checks, especially when full certification is not required. While independent sites like RecordsFinder cannot replace a state-issued MVR, they are practical resources for general information.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

In Arizona, there are several practical and legal reasons to request your driving record or the MVR. Common uses include:

• Auto insurance rate assessments: Insurers in Arizona may review MVRs to evaluate your risk level and adjust premiums accordingly.
• Job applications: Employers, especially for driving-related roles, may check your Arizona MVR as part of the background screening process.
• Court or legal matters: Your MVR may be used as evidence if you are contesting a traffic ticket or dealing with license-related legal issues.
• License reinstatement: If your Arizona driver's license has been suspended or revoked, the state may require a recent MVR to support your reinstatement request.
• Personal record checks: Reviewing your own MVR helps you stay informed about any past violations or issues.
• Traffic school or driver improvement programs: While Arizona does not always require a certified MVR to attend traffic school, having a copy may help confirm your eligibility, especially for defensive driving course purposes.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

The type of Arizona MVR you request will largely determine the kind of information that will be included. Generally, an Arizona driver report may include:

• Full name and address on file
• Driver's license number and class
• License status (valid, suspended, or revoked)
• License issuance and expiration dates
• Restrictions or endorsements on your license
• Traffic violations and convictions
• License suspensions, revocations, or cancellations
• Accidents reported to the Arizona MVD
• DUI (driving under the influence) offenses
• Points assessed against your license

Types of Driver Records Available in Arizona

Arizona MVD offers various driver records (MVRs) with different periods and purposes for individuals, employers, and authorized entities. The available types include:

• 39-Month Record: This is the most commonly requested record and summarizes your driving activity over the past three years and three months.
• 5-Year Record: A more extensive version that covers the last 5 years of driving history.
• Extended History: This typically includes the most complete version of a driving history, covering all recorded violations, suspensions, and actions maintained in the MVD database.
• CDL (Commercial Driver License) Record: This record is used by authorized entities in compliance with federal and state regulations specifically for commercial drivers.

Each record type may be requested as either certified (official and suitable for legal or formal use) or uncertified (for informational purposes).

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Arizona

The state generally enforces traffic laws under the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 28 – Transportation. These laws govern vehicle registration, licensing, and the operation of motor vehicles on public roads. When drivers fail to follow these rules, they may be issued citations for traffic violations, which are handled by various agencies, including the Arizona MVD, courts, and law enforcement.

Traffic violations in Arizona are categorized generally as moving or non-moving violations. Penalties range from fines and license points to jail time for serious offenses. If you get a speeding ticket in Arizona or any other citation, it is essential to understand your options and next steps.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Arizona law covers a wide range of traffic violations, including both moving and non-moving. Here are some of the most common traffic violations in the state:

• Speeding: An Arizona speeding ticket typically carries a fine of up to $250, but fines may increase to $750 or more if speeding exceeds 20 mph over the limit or occurs in a school or construction zone.
• Running a red light: This violation may cost an offender between $250 and $1,000, especially when compounded with DUI or reckless driving.
• Illegal U-turns: Often considered a minor moving violation, but may result in fines and points on your license.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): DUI offenses may include fines, jail time, mandatory alcohol education, license suspension, and ignition interlock requirements.
• Expired registration or tags: A non-moving violation that may lead to citations and additional fees.
• Parking violations: These include parking in restricted zones or failing to pay meters. They usually carry smaller fines but may escalate if unpaid.

What To Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Receiving a traffic ticket in Arizona requires prompt action to avoid additional penalties. Here is what to do if you get any:

• Review the citation: Confirm the violation type, court location, due date, and instructions provided.
• Respond to the citation: You must respond by the date listed, even if you plan to contest it. Ignoring a ticket may result in additional fines or a license suspension. Responding to a traffic citation involves paying the fine, appearing in court, or requesting a hearing.
• How to pay a traffic ticket in Arizona: You may pay online, by mail, or in person at the court. Payment instructions will be listed on your citation.
• How to contest a ticket: If you believe the citation was issued in error, you have the right to request a court hearing. Be prepared to present evidence or witnesses.
• How to appear for a traffic ticket: Some violations require a mandatory court appearance. If that applies, appear on the assigned date or request a continuance in advance.
• How to recover lost tickets: If you misplace your ticket, contact the court listed in the county where you were cited. With your full name, driver's license number, and the citation date (if known), the court should be able to locate the ticket.

Whether you are dealing with a speeding ticket in Arizona or a more serious offense like a DUI, it is important to follow the legal process and meet all deadlines. Failure to act may lead to license suspension, higher fines, and additional legal trouble.

How Does the Arizona Point System Work?

Arizona uses a point system to keep track of drivers who break traffic laws. When you are found guilty of a moving violation, points are typically added to your driving record. The number of points depends on how serious the violation is. Here are some examples:

• 8 points: DUI, extreme DUI, reckless driving, aggressive driving
• 6 points: Leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run), failure to stop or yield, causing death
• 4 points: Failure to stop or yield, causing serious injury
• 3 points: Speeding, driving over a gore area
• 2 points: All other moving violations, such as unsafe lane changes and failure to yield

If you get 8 to 12 points in 12 months, your license may be suspended for up to a year. In some cases, you might be allowed to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS) to avoid suspension.

If you are eligible, you may also reduce points by completing an Arizona-approved defensive driving course.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

In Arizona, the length of time a violation stays on your driving history generally depends on how serious the offense is. For most minor traffic violations, such as basic speeding or failing to yield, the offense may remain on your public driving record for up to 5 years. After that period, it is typically removed.

However, serious offenses like extreme DUI, criminal speeding, reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter are generally treated as grave offenses. These may be classified as misdemeanors or felonies and may remain on your driving record for 99 years, essentially a lifetime.

As for license points, if you are asking how long points stay on your license in Arizona, the answer is generally 12 months from the date of the offense, after which they no longer count toward a suspension, although the violation may still be visible on your record.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

In Arizona, traffic violations are part of your public driving record and generally cannot be removed or sealed. The state does not offer traditional expungement for traffic offenses, and violations remain accessible to certain third parties.

However, if you meet specific eligibility requirements, you may petition the court to have a conviction set aside. While this does not erase the offense, it generally shows that you have completed all legal obligations related to the case. A set-aside helps clarify your standing to employers, insurers, or others reviewing your record, even though the violation remains visible.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

There are three official ways to obtain a vehicle history record in Arizona: online, by mail, or in person.

• Online Requests: Online requests may be made through the AZ MVD Now portal. To use this service, you must create an account and provide your Arizona driver's license or ID number.

• Mail-In Requests: You may also request your record by completing Form 46-4416, available on the MVD website. The form must be notarized and mailed with the correct fee to the Motor Vehicle Division at:

  Motor Vehicle Division

  P.O. Box 2100

  Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100

• In-Person Requests: Visit an MVD office or authorized third-party location with a notarized Form 46-4416 and a valid ID.

Note: Legal professionals and investigators may obtain more detailed information than a standard MVR by completing and submitting the Authorization to Release Limited Driver History Information form.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Arizona?

The cost of obtaining a driving record in Arizona generally depends on whether the record is certified or uncertified.

• Uncertified records: $3 (in-person or mail-in), $2 (drop-off)
• Certified records: $5

Online requests may incur an additional service fee, payable by credit/debit card, while mail-in requests require a check or money order. In-person requests may accept various payment methods.

Processing times vary. Online requests are often the fastest, with records made available to applicants in a few minutes. Mail-in requests may take several days to one week, depending on the postal service's efficiency. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

The Arizona MVD does not offer free driving record lookups. While some third-party websites may advertise free DMV driving records online, they typically only provide limited or basic information.

However, you may still access certain traffic-related records for free through the Arizona Judicial Branch. Arizona's Justice and municipal courts maintain all traffic case records, and the Judicial Branch's online platform allows users to search at no cost. It provides access to case information from 177 of the state's 184 courts using a name or case number.

Another option is to visit the court where the case was handled. In most cases, viewing the records at the court is free, but there may be a small fee if you need physical copies.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A bad driving record is typically the result of accumulating multiple traffic violations over time.

In Arizona, only moving violations are added to your official driving record and they may result in points being assessed against your license.

Generally, parking tickets do not appear on your driving record, and written warnings from law enforcement typically do not either. However, unpaid parking fines may still have consequences, such as a hold on your vehicle registration renewal.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

In Arizona, a poor driving record may raise your auto insurance rates and ruin your chances of getting driving-related jobs.

Insurers licensed in the state may check your Arizona MVR for violations like DUI, reckless driving, or repeated speeding, which may result in higher premiums or SR-22 insurance requirements.

Employers, especially those regulated by the ADOT, may also review MVRs during hiring. If your record shows license suspensions or serious violations, you may be disqualified from roles such as commercial driving or delivery services within Arizona.

Who Can Access Your Arizona Driving History?

In Arizona, access to your driving history or MVR is primarily restricted to protect your personal information. Your MVR may be released to you and to entities that have a "permissible use" as defined by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and ARS Section 28-455.

Permissible uses include:

• Verifying your driving status for personal review or legal/administrative matters
• For employment purposes, such as applying for driving-related jobs
• Insurance underwriting, where companies assess your driving history for coverage and rates
• Legal proceedings, including use by attorneys in matters involving your driving record

Unauthorized access is illegal and may result in penalties under both federal and state law.

FAQs About Arizona Driving Records

The following are answers to common questions on Arizona driving records:

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