License Suspension After a DUI Arrest in Arizona

One of the most confusing parts of an Arizona DUI arrest is that driving privileges are at risk in two places at once. The criminal case decides guilt and punishment. A separate administrative process, run by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, decides what happens to the license — and it moves on its own timeline whether or not the criminal case is resolved.

It usually starts at the roadside. When a driver is arrested for DUI, the officer may serve an order of suspension on the spot and take the physical license. The driver then has a short window — 15 days — to request a hearing with the MVD to challenge the suspension. Miss that window and the suspension goes into effect automatically. The hearing is narrow: it covers issues like whether the officer had grounds for the stop and arrest, and whether the test was properly administered. It is not a trial of the criminal charge.

Suspension lengths depend on the situation. A first DUI involving a BAC at or above the legal limit can bring a suspension of 90 days to one year. Refusing chemical testing under the implied consent law triggers a 12-month suspension for a first refusal, and two years for a second refusal within 84 months. These administrative suspensions can run alongside — or overlap with — any suspension ordered by the court at sentencing.

There is usually a path back to limited driving. After serving an initial portion of the suspension, often 30 days, many drivers become eligible for a restricted license that allows driving with an ignition interlock installed — typically for travel to work, school, and required programs. The interlock must be installed by a certified provider, and every mile is monitored.

Because the MVD clock starts ticking immediately, the days right after an arrest matter for license purposes even before the first court date. Find a qualified attorney at Justice Lookup.

Related reading: Will I Lose My License After a DUI in Arizona?

This article is general information, not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship.