Reinstating an Arizona Suspended License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

An Arizona driver license can be suspended for a long list of reasons — a DUI conviction, an accumulation of points, an unpaid traffic judgment, a failure to maintain insurance, a child-support order, or a medical determination. The reinstatement path depends on which suspension applies, but every Arizona reinstatement ends at the same place: a clear MVD record and a paid $10 reinstatement application fee, plus any class-specific fees ($20 for an alcohol-related suspension, in addition to the base $10).

Common suspension types

DUI suspension — 90 days for a first standard DUI under ARS § 28-1381; longer for Extreme or Super Extreme DUI; 1 year for refusing chemical testing under the implied-consent law.
Point suspension — 13+ points in 12 months under the Arizona point system triggers a 3- to 12-month suspension after a hearing.
No-insurance suspension — failure to carry the 25/50/15 minimum liability or proof of financial responsibility under ARS § 28-4135.
Failure to appear or pay — an unaddressed civil traffic citation (ARS § 28-1601).
Civil judgment — an unsatisfied accident judgment under ARS § 28-4071.
Medical or vision disqualification — based on a doctor's report or a re-examination by MVD.
Child-support arrearage — a state Department of Economic Security order under ARS § 25-518.

Step 1 — Pull the MVD record

Before paying any fee, every Arizona driver in suspension status should pull their Motor Vehicle Record from AZ MVD Now (Form 96-0155). The record lists every active hold, the originating court, the suspension start date, and the conditions for clearance. Misreading a hold — for example, paying a court fine when the actual hold is an unpaid civil judgment from an insurance carrier — is the most common reason reinstatements fail. The 39-month uncertified record is free; certified copies are $5. See the Arizona driving records page for the request walkthrough.

Step 2 — Clear each underlying hold

Each hold has its own clearance condition:

DUI: Serve the criminal sentence, pay the fines, complete the alcohol screening and treatment program, complete Traffic Survival School, file an SR-22 with an Arizona-licensed insurer, install an ignition-interlock device for the required period (1 year minimum on first offense), and pay the $20 alcohol reinstatement fee.
Points: Complete Traffic Survival School and pay the reinstatement fee. For 13+ point suspensions an Executive Hearing Office hearing may be required.
No-insurance: File an SR-22, maintain it for 3 years, and pay the reinstatement fee.
FTA/FTP: Pay the underlying citation through the issuing court and obtain a "compliance" letter from court staff to forward to MVD.
Civil judgment: Pay or settle the judgment and file proof with MVD; an SR-22 filing is also required for 3 years.
Medical: Submit the MVD medical evaluation form completed by your physician and clear any vision screening as needed.

Step 3 — Pay the reinstatement fees

The base $10 reinstatement fee applies to every Arizona reinstatement under ARS § 28-3002. Additional fees apply by suspension type: $20 for any alcohol-related suspension, $50 for a hardship reinstatement application, $25 for an interlock-related extension. Payment is collected through AZ MVD Now or in person at any MVD office or ATP. Suspended drivers cannot pay reinstatement fees by mail; a card payment online is the fastest path.

SR-22 filing

An SR-22 is a financial-responsibility certificate filed by an Arizona-licensed insurer directly with MVD. It is not a separate insurance policy — it is a verification that the driver carries at least the 25/50/15 minimum liability. The SR-22 must remain on file for 3 consecutive years from the reinstatement date for most Arizona suspensions; any lapse during that period restarts the clock. Insurance carriers typically charge a $15-$25 SR-22 filing fee on top of the policy premium, and many carriers reclassify the driver into a higher-risk tier. See the Arizona car insurance page for SR-22 specifics and which carriers accept new SR-22 business.

Restricted license options

Arizona offers a special-ignition-interlock restricted driver license under ARS § 28-1402 that lets a DUI-suspended driver continue working and attending treatment after a portion of the hard suspension has been served. The restricted license requires SR-22, an installed ignition interlock, and proof of employment or treatment need. Standard "hardship" or "work" license applications are processed through the MVD Executive Hearing Office and granted at the hearing officer's discretion.