How to get your license back after a DUI in Arizona
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
View the detailed reinstatement steps on AZ MVD Now
MVD's Step 1 after a DUI conviction is to view the individual's reinstatement steps online in the AZ MVD Now account under Other Services > Compliance Issues Timeline > Compliance Report.
What the source says
“Step 1: View your detailed reinstatement steps online at AZ MVD Now > Other Services > Compliance Issues Timeline > Compliance Report .”
- 2
Complete alcohol or drug screening, Traffic Survival School, and provide proof of Future Financial Responsibility (SR-22) if applicable
MVD's Step 2 lists screening from an approved facility, Traffic Survival School, and SR-22 proof 'if applicable'. Under A.R.S. § 28-3319(C), where the court orders screening, education or treatment, MVD will not terminate the suspension until proof of completion or satisfactory participation is provided. MVD's SR-22 page states the filing is required for 3 years from the end of a DUI suspension.
What the source says
“Step 2: Complete alcohol or drug screening from an approved facility, Traffic Survival School, and provide proof of Future Financial Responsibility if applicable.”
- 3
Complete the suspension period
MVD's Step 3 is to complete the suspension period; the page lists a 90-day suspension for a first conviction (with possible restricted license after 30 days), a 1-year revocation for a second DUI within 7 years, and a 3-year revocation for a third or more. Restricted driving options (SIIRDL or restricted permit) are linked at this step.
What the source says
“Step 3: Complete your suspension period. View our Restricted Driving Options.”
- 4
Install the Certified Ignition Interlock Device
MVD's Step 4 is installation of the certified device. MVD's interlock page states the device must be installed and electronically reported within 30 days of the conviction date, and that interlock time does not start counting until all requirements, including suspension timeframes, are met and MVD has received the conviction notice. Under § 28-1461(A)(2) MVD will not reinstate until proof of installation is provided.
What the source says
“Your time with the device won't start counting until you've met all requirements, including any suspension timeframes, AND MVD has received your conviction notice—whichever happens last.”
- 5
Pay reinstatement fees
MVD's Step 5 lists a $10 suspension fee, a $50 fee for an Admin Per Se suspension, and a possible additional application fee. For a revocation, MVD's suspension/revocation page lists a $20 revocation reinstatement fee plus an age-based application fee ($10-$25).
What the source says
“Step 5: Pay reinstatement fees: $10 suspension fee $50 fee for Admin Per Se suspension Additional application fee may be required”
- 6
Apply for reinstatement
MVD's Step 6 is to apply for reinstatement at any MVD or Third Party office; MVD's interlock page adds that reinstatement can be done online through AZ MVD Now, that a suspended license has the interlock requirement added automatically, and that a revoked license or a SIIRDL holder needs a new driver license.
What the source says
“Step 6: Apply for reinstatement At any MVD or Third Party office”
- 7
If revoked: submit a revocation application and obtain a Permission to Reapply Notice
For revocations MVD states the full revocation period must be completed, a revocation application (form 99-0139) mailed to the Driver Improvement Unit, an evaluation completed first for drug and alcohol offenses, and that MVD then mails a Permission to Reapply Notice listing any remaining requirements, valid for one year.
What the source says
“Complete application - Download a revocation application (form 99-0139 ) and mail it to: Mail drop 530M Driver Improvement Unit ... Note: For drug and alcohol offenses, an evaluation is required prior to submitting your application.”
Official reinstatement page: Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $50 (Admin Per Se suspension fee) plus $10 (suspension fee) |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — details |
| Ignition interlock | Arizona interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol or other drug screening, education or treatment (MVD-approved screening, treatment and education facilities); Traffic Survival School |
| Driving during the suspension | Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL); also the Restricted Permit |
Required program: Alcohol or other drug screening, education or treatment (MVD-approved screening, treatment and education facilities); Traffic Survival School
MVD states that MVD-ordered screening is a face-to-face interview of 30 minutes to 3 hours by a licensed behavioral health professional or technician with at least one standardized test; treatment includes 16 hours of education and at least 20 hours of group counseling; education programs are at least 16 hours of in-person classroom instruction and are only for ignition interlock deferments. Providers are on MVD's approved-facilities list. Under A.R.S. § 28-3319(C), MVD will not terminate the suspension or issue a SIIRDL until proof of completion or satisfactory participation is provided. MVD's DUI page also lists Traffic Survival School for each DUI type.
“MVD-ordered screening involves a face-to-face interview that lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours and is conducted by a licensed behavioral health professional or technician. They must administer at least one standardized test for measuring alcohol dependency or substance abuse.”
Driving during the suspension: Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL); also the Restricted Permit
MVD states a SIIRDL allows driving anywhere in Arizona with a certified ignition interlock device installed, is available for DUI-related suspensions or revocations with violation dates on or after February 1, 2006, and requires: MVD eligibility notice, no other outstanding actions, interlock installed within 90 days before issuance, completed mandatory alcohol treatment programs (if required), SR-22 proof, and payment of fees. Only previously licensed drivers are eligible; the SIIRDL is voluntary and waives the right to a hearing; time on a SIIRDL issued after January 1, 2023 to a person over 21 may count toward the interlock requirement. MVD separately lists a Restricted Permit for DUI after 30 days of suspension, for work/school/treatment travel, without an interlock.
“Common Eligibility Requirements Contact MVD to verify eligibility or receive notice from MVD No other outstanding actions on your record Ignition interlock installed within 90 days before SIIRDL issuance (install must be received electronically by the Department) Completed mandatory alcohol treatmen”
When the interlock can be removed
Term-based with an early-deferral provision and violation extensions. Under A.R.S. § 28-3319(D) MVD requires the interlock for 12 months (standard first DUI), 18 months (0.20+), or 24 months (repeat/aggravated), beginning under § 28-3319(F) when screening/education/treatment is completed and the person is otherwise eligible to reinstate. Under § 28-3319(H) MVD defers the remainder of a standard first offender's 12-month period after six months if the person completed a 16-hour alcohol education program, maintained the device, had no two or more 0.08+ attempts, had no injury/damage accident, and the provider/programs reported compliance; MVD's page calls this a six-month deferment followed by a six-month probationary period, permanent unless a new DUI arrest occurs (§ 28-3319(I)). Under § 28-1461(E) MVD extends the period six months for tampering, two or more 0.08+ attempts, missed compliance/inspection proof, or failed rolling retests; § 28-1464(K) allows up to one year for driving without the device. MVD states that before removal the person must contact MVD to verify removal eligibility, and that removing the device before the requirement ends suspends the license and restarts the entire requirement. No removal fee cap is stated.
Compliance period: none stated as a violation-free window; six-month deferral under § 28-3319(H) requires a functioning device, 16-hour education, and fewer than two 0.08+ attempts during the restriction
“H. The department shall defer the remainder of the time period prescribed in subsection D, paragraph 1, subdivision (a) of this section commencing with the later of six months from the date the interlock was installed or the completion of the requirements of this subsection if all of the following a”
Questions about reinstatement in Arizona
- What are the Arizona MVD's steps to reinstate a license after a DUI conviction?
- The ADOT MVD DUI page lists six steps: view the reinstatement steps in the AZ MVD Now Compliance Report; complete alcohol or drug screening from an approved facility, Traffic Survival School, and SR-22 proof if applicable; complete the suspension period; install a certified ignition interlock device; pay the reinstatement fees ($10 suspension fee, $50 Admin Per Se fee, possible application fee); and apply for reinstatement at an MVD or Third Party office.
- Can the Arizona interlock requirement end early?
- Under A.R.S. § 28-3319(H), for a standard first-offense DUI sentenced under § 28-1381(I), MVD defers the remainder of the 12-month interlock period after six months if the person completed at least 16 hours of alcohol education, maintained a functioning device, did not attempt to drive at 0.08 or more two or more times, and was not in an injury or property-damage accident. MVD describes this as a six-month deferment followed by a six-month probationary period.
- What extends an Arizona ignition interlock period?
- Under A.R.S. § 28-1461(E), MVD extends the interlock period by six months for tampering or circumvention, two or more attempts to drive at 0.08 or more, failure to provide proof of compliance or inspection, or failing three consecutive rolling retests. MVD's interlock page adds that driving without an interlock adds 12 months, and that a missed 90-day calibration or early removal suspends the license and restarts the entire requirement.
Sources
- ADOT MVD – Driving Under the Influence (DUI): 'Reinstate your Driver License – After a DUI conviction' steps
- ADOT MVD – Ignition Interlock (installation, reinstatement, removal eligibility, violations)
- ADOT MVD – Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL, Restricted Permit, Six-Month Deferment Eligibility)
- ADOT MVD – License Revocation and Suspension in Arizona (revocation application, fees)
- ADOT MVD – Driver Screening and Counseling Resources
- ADOT MVD – Future Financial Responsibility (SR-22) (from the existing state record)
- A.R.S. § 28-3319 – Action after license suspension, revocation or denial for DUI; ignition interlock device requirement
- A.R.S. § 28-1461 – Use of certified ignition interlock devices; reporting (extensions)
- A.R.S. § 28-1464 – Ignition interlock devices; violations (removal notification; extension up to one year)
- A.R.S. § 28-1381 – Driving under the influence (screening/education/treatment orders)